HILLCREST SECONDARY SCHOOL Final HILLCREST MAG 2017 | Page 99

U17 Girls
The U17 League Performance
Hillcrest 25-12 Nairobi
Academy
Hillcrest 17-38 Brookhouse
Hillcrest 36-14 Nairobi
International School
Hillcrest 38-22 Aga Khan
Hillcrest 35-30 St. Christophers
Hillcrest 38-28 Rusinga
Hillcrest 32-20 Greensteds
Hillcrest 30-32 Rosslyn
Hillcrest 25-42 RVA
The U17 girls’ basketball team qualified
for the league semifinal after beating St.
Christopher’s in a basketball do-or-die
match. Both teams worked hard and the
match was very tough. After full time,
the scores were tied at 25-25 draw and
had to go overtime. Our girls fought
overtime and won 35-30.
Sadly, we lost to RVA in a tough
semifinal encounter to bow out of the
league. The girls only lost 2 league
matches in the entire season.
Led by Captain Diana Vargas, this is the
first time that the U17 girls’ basketball team have reached the semifinal of
the prestigious league; kudos to them for an exemplary season!

Q & A
With the Basketball Coach
Patrick Kariuki
When did you discover
that you had a passion for
basketball?
I really can’t tell when. I
was six years old when I
began playing. I grew up in a
basketball environment and
just developed an interest in
the sport.
In my opinion traits that
a good basketball player
must display include: hard
work, honesty and a positive
attitude.
Other than your passion for
basketball, is there anything
else you enjoy doing?
I’m generally an outgoing
sort of person so I enjoy good
company and family time too.
I also enjoy reading anything
that grasps my attention. If you were given the
opportunity to coach any
basketball team in the world,
which team would it be and
why?
The Kenyan U16 National
Team! It is always rewarding
to coach youngsters as they are
eager to learn and apply skills
to their utmost ability. I don’t
think that coaching already
ripe adult players would give
me as much satisfaction as
coaching beginners from
scratch.
What traits, in your opinion,
make a good basketball
player? When basketball is off season,
what do you prefer to do?
Partly preparing for the next
www.hillcrest.ac.ke
season and partly engaging
in rugby and other social
activities.
What sets Hillcrest teams
apart from any other teams
that you have coached before?
Mostly great team spirit,
honesty, openness from the
players and an infectious
enthusiasm to learn new skills.
Any words of encouragement
for the individuals who shy
away from the court?
Practice, practice, practice! It
makes the difference.
If you could give any advice to
aspiring coaches, what would
it be?
Be enthusiastic in your work
and make it happen! Also, you
must care for your students.
By Michelle Nyaribari
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