Nabisunsa, Mengo are hoops champs

May 01, 2011

WHEN the 16th edition of the National Schools Basketball Associations championship tipped off last week at St. Mary’s College Kisubi, not many gave Mengo SS a chance for the title.

By ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA


Girls’ semis

Kibuli 44 Namagunga 27
Nabisunsa 36 St. Michael 34
Final: Nabisunsa 37 Kibuli 30
Boys’ semis
Mengo 34 Ssaku 32
Manjasi 34 Kibuli 28
Final: Mengo 25 Manjasi 20


WHEN the 16th edition of the National Schools Basketball Associations championship tipped off last week at St. Mary’s College Kisubi, not many gave Mengo SS a chance for the title.

However, against all odds, the Kampala region runners up went all the way to win their maiden accolade after registering a 25-20 win over another surprise finalist, Manjasi High from Tororo.

Building their strength on forward and eventual MVP Tonny Drileba (13 points), John Kiggundu (7), Mengo showed their credentials after eliminating hosts and favourites Kisubi 33-27 in the second round. They returned to upset defending champions Crane High 39-28 in the last eight stage of the event.

“We have come a long way and this championship is a great achievement for the boys who have really played their hearts out,” said Mengo coach Lawrence Mutyaba.
Manjasi had Ronald Okello notch 10 points in a losing effort.

In the girls’ category, Nabisunsa showed they are a class apart in local schools basketball after beating Kibuli 37-30 for the fifth time the two have reached the final. The win gave the Kampala side their record 11th title, and the fourth in a row.

Namagunga and Ssaku SS won third place in the girls’ and boys’ categories respectively after 31-21 and 44-39 respective wins against St. Micheal and Kibuli SS.

The two will join the finalists for this year’s East African Schools Games in Dar es Salaam.

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