Kapsabet Hawks basketball team from Nandi County, which returned to the Eldoret Basketball League (EBL) this year, trounced and dethroned league leaders Longhorns 55-50 to occupy the league’s pole position, relegating Uasin Gishu County-based defending champions Wepesi to 12th spot.

The triumphant Kapsabet Hawks, finalists during the 2020-2021 EBL season, buoyed by the services of experienced players, dethroned Longhorns from the top of the current standings (released yesterday by EBL official Kenneth Chemwok) during a closely contested match played at the Uasin Gishu basketball court in Eldoret City.

They went on to wallop Iten Pacers 59-34 to claim the top spot.

The Nandi County-based men’s team, coached by player-cum-coach Nelson Kipng’etich, scored decisive points against Longhorns through team centre Davies “Big Man” Kingili, who netted 22 points. Teammates point guard Dennis Kibich, forward Sydney Kipchirchir and shooting guard Collins Kimutai added 11, 9, and 10 points respectively, executing blistering transition plays.

Speaking to People Sports, Hawks coach Kipng’etich admitted, “Our game against Longhorns was a tough one. However, through the indefatigable efforts of our players, among them Kingili, Kibich, Kipchirchir, Kimutai and myself, we were able to defeat and dethrone the stubborn Longhorns from the top of the standings.

“Hard work and teamwork enabled us to trounce both Longhorns and Iten Pacers. Against Longhorns, we played cohesively, ensuring accurate passes to teammates. Whenever one of our players saw a teammate with a 90 per cent chance of scoring, the ball was passed to them,” Kipng’etich added.

He disclosed that Kapsabet Hawks returned to the EBL this year after being initially affected by the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 and later faced financial and logistical challenges. Despite this, the team reached the 2020–2021 EBL finals against Sirikwa Pentecostal Fellowship (SPF), who went on to clinch that year’s title.

Earlier in the same season’s semi-finals, the Hawks ousted Calvary to qualify for the final, while SPF edged out Kings in the other semi-final clash.

Kipng’etich vowed that the Hawks are determined to wrest this year’s EBL title from Uasin Gishu-based defending champions Wepesi.

“We took command of the EBL standings after beating Longhorns and Iten Pacers. This Saturday (tomorrow) we face City Yankees at the Calvary indoor court. We are going for a win, focused and determined to maintain our lead,” Kipng’etich said.