Saturday 19th December was full of excitement as players put up their best show and displayed some awesome talent, after a week of a basketball training camp at Sadili Oval Sports Academy. The games were electric; loaded with ankle-breaking crossovers, show-stopping blocks and quietening three-pointers. “These kids have amazing talent” agreed Dr. Liz Odera, Director of Sadili, and an avid spectator and supporter. I can bet that this sentiment is shared by many who came to watch the games.
Four teams in the Under 12 and 14 categories participated: FEBA and Kayole both from Kayole, and Campers ‘A’ and ‘B’- teams composed of players who participated in the 4-day Annual Sadili Christmas Basketball Camp week that saw 30 players aged between 10-16 years participate and gain key skills from Sadili coaches Joseph Amoko and Zack Okong’o, Dennis Orek of Little Prince as well as FIBA Certified coach Ronnie Owino.
The U-14 Girls finals featured a hotly contested match between FEBA and Kayole that saw the game end 06-04 in FEBA’s favor. Indeed Kayole’s sturdy defense was no match for the sharp crossovers of FEBA point-guard Caroline Njeri and sharp-shooting Elsie Teresia.
The U-12 boys’ match featured a struggling but relentless Campus ‘B’ team rally against Kayole which exhibited great poise, defense and teamwork and smoothly sailed on to the U-12 finals where they battled for the top spot with Campus ‘A’ who’s cunning point-guard Eugene Nyakundi scored three of their six points therefore leading his Campus ‘A’ team to a win in the U-12 category.
The U-14 boys’ match was one to watch as Campers ‘A’ contested for the championship with Kayole in a close match. Both teams competed with unmatched tenacity and grit putting up an amazing show of athleticism as forwards Jacob Ajuoi (Campers) and Allan Opiyo (Kayole) fiercely rebounded and hustled in the paint for their teams. Kayole quickly scored four points at the start of the game that did little to discourage a fighting Campers team whose Brian Mekula made two unbelievably tough lay-ups despite the beast-like presence of Allan Opiyo hence ending the first half at 06-04 to Kayole’s favor. In the second half Campus ‘A’ made a determined win as they kept coming back from their mistakes ending the game at 11-10 despite the effective ‘point-guarding’ of Sadili’s Dennis Karani who was playing for Kayole and sharp-shooting of Frank Sabrim of Kayole.
The tournament was wound up by the awarding of four giant trophies. Special thanks to the coaches that made the tournament possible- Julian Ongoma and Archie of Kayole, Shem Otieno of FEBA and Dennis Orek of Little Prince Academy.
The exceptional holiday camp would never have been possible without the help of Dr. Liz Odera of Sadili assistance of Ronnie Owino and presence of Joseph Amoko.
Zack Okong’o, Organiser and Coach
