Siaya County basketball heavyweights Sawagongo High School are confident ahead of the Nyanza Region Secondary School games finals set to kick off on Thursday at Kisumu Boys, Kisumu Girls and Moi Stadium.

Christine Awuor who has been with the team for many years said they are targeting to repeat their Term One feat when they stunned giants Agoro Sare from Homa Bay to win the boys’ basketball.

Awuor said the same players that helped them shine at St Joseph Rapogi Boys in Migori are the ones that will be in action in the basketball 3x3 finals.

Pooled against Rapogi and Nyabisase in Group B, Okuku said their plan is a game at a time and despite losing Leonard Okuku, their head coach to St Mary’s Yala, they are not affected.

“We are ready to show Kenyans that we did not get to the nationals by mere fluke but talent, hard work and consistency,” said Awuor.

“We are taking it one game by game. Zero pressure because I trust the boys. We want to get back to the nationals and improve on our performance.”

Defending champions Onjiko will face Gekano and Oriwo in Group A, Maseno face Nyanchwa and Kanyawanga in Group C while St Mary’s Yala play Mwongori and Agoro Sare.

In basketball girls’, defending champions Ng’iya Girls will kick off their title defense against Sironga Girls before playing Ayora.

“We have no pressure that is normally associated with being defending champions. The girls are mentally prepared for the regionals and just as we did in the first term, the goal is East Africa,” said Ng’iya basketball coach Naftali Ambala.