Usawa Festival Recap: The Games, The Winners and the Numbers Behind the Weekend

Usawa Festival 2026: A Weekend of Hoops, Heartbreak, and History

The stage was set, the crowds were electric, and the stakes couldn't have been higher at the 2026 Usawa Festival. It was a weekend that delivered everything you could ask for in high school basketball—buzzer-beaters, dominant defensive stands, and breakout stars announcing their arrival on the national radar. From the opening tip to the final whistle, the intensity was palpable, and HoopsKe was courtside to capture every point, rebound, and game-changing play.

Photo: ThayuPixels

This wasn't just about walking away with a trophy. It was a battle for respect, bragging rights, and a chance for players to etch their names into the HoopsKe leaderboards. The numbers rarely lie, and this weekend, they told a story of sheer dominance and gritty resilience.

The Group Stage Grind

Every championship run starts in the trenches of the group stages. The early matchups set the tone, separating the contenders from the pretenders in a grueling test of endurance.

Cardinal Otunga HS vs Chebukaka Girls It was a defensive slugfest out the gate. Both teams struggled to find daylight, but Cardinal Otunga HS ultimately outlasted their opponents 22-16, driven by a clutch performance from Adelaide Mather Wanjala who posted 6 critical points down the stretch.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Naitiri RC JSS vs St. John's RC Savana St. John's RC Savana wasted no time making a statement, overwhelming Naitiri RC JSS in a 31-7 blowout. Nachango L controlled the glass with absolute authority, tearing down 8 rebounds while chipping in 5 points.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Naitiri FYM vs Naitiri RC In a local derby that felt personal, Naitiri FYM put on an offensive clinic. They demolished Naitiri RC 40-9, led by the unstoppable Berine Akisa Kedi, who dropped 12 points and served notice to the rest of the field.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

St. Brigid's Girls vs Sirakaru SS St. Brigid's Girls came out firing, running away with a 40-15 victory over Sirakaru SS. The game belonged entirely to Rose Naliaka, who erupted for an unbelievable 20 points, scoring from every level of the floor.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Chebukaka Girls vs ACK Lwandanyi SS Bouncing back from their opening loss, Chebukaka Girls unleashed their frustration on ACK Lwandanyi SS, cruising to a 33-10 win behind Abigael Kituko's sharp-shooting 12-point masterclass.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

St. Brigid's Girls vs St. John's RC Savana In what felt like a heavyweight title bout disguised as a group stage game, St. John's RC Savana narrowly edged out St. Brigid's 29-25. Valentine Katiba played hero ball, filling the stat sheet with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in a thriller.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Naitiri RC vs Cardinal Otunga HS Cardinal Otunga HS proved they were here to stay, grinding out a 32-20 victory over Naitiri RC. Wandabwa Lenah Khakasa was the anchor, delivering a physical 9-point, 5-rebound performance.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Naitiri RC JSS vs Sirakaru SS Naitiri RC JSS found their rhythm, taking down Sirakaru SS 40-26 in a fast-paced shootout. Faith J stepped up when it mattered, contributing 5 points and 3 tough boards.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

St. John's RC Savana vs Sirakaru SS Sirakaru SS pushed the future champions to the absolute brink, but St. John's RC Savana survived by the skin of their teeth, 30-28. MaryLeona Otenyo made the plays that counted, securing 6 points and 3 crucial rebounds.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Cardinal Otunga HS vs Naitiri FYM The hype was real, and the execution was flawless. Cardinal Otunga HS handed Naitiri FYM a 36-25 defeat in a physical showcase, with Wandabwa Lenah Khakasa once again answering the bell with 10 points.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Naitiri RC JSS vs St. Brigid's Girls St. Brigid's Girls ran their fast-break offense to perfection, crushing Naitiri RC JSS 38-16. Karen Wenani controlled the tempo with 4 points and 4 rebounds.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Naitiri FYM vs ACK Lwandanyi SS Naitiri FYM erupted in a historic 61-10 massacre. Berine Akisa Kedi caught fire from everywhere, tallying 13 points in a game that was over by halftime.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Naitiri RC vs Chebukaka Girls Chebukaka Girls picked apart Naitiri RC's defense for a comfortable 32-16 win. Norah Nekesa was the glue, locking down the paint with 4 points and 5 boards.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

Chebukaka Girls vs Naitiri FYM Naitiri FYM continued their scorched-earth campaign, running Chebukaka off the floor 40-17. Annastacia Nasimiyu Simiyu shone bright with 8 points and 4 rebounds.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

ACK Lwandanyi SS vs Cardinal Otunga HS Cardinal Otunga HS ended the group stage in style, overpowering ACK Lwandanyi 38-4. Nehema Maruti put on a show for the crowd, finishing with a stunning 18 points.

Photo: HoopsKe Play-by-Play Live Stats

The Playoffs: Do or Die

When the pressure mounted, the true stars rose. The semi-finals were nothing short of breathtaking, featuring teams that refused to go home empty-handed.

Semi-Final 1: St. Brigid's Girls dug deep, pulling off a brilliant 27-21 upset over a heavily favored Cardinal Otunga HS squad to punch their ticket to the championship. Standout Performers: Rose Naliaka (6 PTS, 1 REB), Nehema Maruti (5 PTS, 1 REB)

Semi-Final 2: St. John's RC Savana showed exactly why they were the team to beat, dismantling Naitiri FYM 42-29 in a display of tactical brilliance and overwhelming physicality. Standout Performer: MaryLeona Otenyo (10 PTS, 3 REB)

3rd Place Playoff: Cardinal Otunga HS secured a hard-fought podium finish, outlasting Naitiri FYM 30-29 in a nail-biter that literally came down to the final possession. Standout Performers: Berine Akisa Kedi (9 PTS), Patience Nasike Tenge (7 PTS)

The Championship Clash

Final: The Kickoff

Photo: ThayuPixels - Pre-game handshakes between the finalists.

It was the matchup everyone wanted to see: St. Brigid's Girls vs St. John's RC Savana. In a grueling, back-and-forth war of attrition, Savana’s defense clamped down just enough in the final minutes to secure a 26-23 victory. When the final buzzer sounded, the court erupted. St. John's RC Savana were crowned the undisputed 2026 Usawa Festival Champions. Standout Performers: Vallary N (4 PTS), Rose Naliaka (4 PTS)

Photo: ThayuPixels - The 2026 Usawa Festival Champions, St. John's RC Savana, celebrating their victory with the trophy.

The Stat-Sheet Stuffers

A championship is built on individual brilliance, and these players put up numbers that demanded everyone's attention.

The Scoring Machine

Berine Akisa Kedi (Naitiri FYM) was an absolute bucket all weekend, leading all scorers with an astronomical 93 points.

The Glass Cleaner

Nehema Maruti (Cardinal Otunga HS) owned the paint, leading the tournament with 9 crucial rebounds in limited minutes.

The Floor General

Sarah Masengeli (St. John's RC Savana) picked apart defenses at will, dishing out a tournament-best 7 assists to orchestrate the championship run.

The Sharpshooter

Berine Akisa Kedi wasn't just driving to the rim; she was lethal from deep, sinking 5 three-pointers at a blistering 31.3% clip.

The Efficiency Queen

It's not just about how much you score, it's about how you do it. Berine Akisa Kedi posted an unmatched 11.33 Efficiency Rating, proving she was the most dangerous player on the floor every time she touched the rock.

The MVP Race: Greatness Recognized

You can't talk about the Usawa Festival without talking about the MVP race. It was a tight contest, balancing sheer scoring volume with defensive tenacity and winning impact. Here's how the top contenders stacked up:

1. Berine Akisa Kedi, Naitiri FYM

• Stats: 15.5 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.3 SPG
• The Verdict: Unstoppable. With 93 points and lethal efficiency, Berine was the undisputed offensive juggernaut of the tournament and walked away with the MVP hardware.

2. MaryLeona Otenyo, St. John's RC Savana

• Stats: 9.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 0.4 APG, 3.4 SPG
• The Verdict: The ultimate two-way nightmare. She dominated the glass and suffocated opposing guards to lead her team to the promised land.

3. Rose Naliaka, St. Brigid's Girls

• Stats: 12.2 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.2 APG, 1.4 SPG
• The Verdict: The engine that powered St. Brigid's to the finals, capable of taking over a game in the blink of an eye.

4. Wandabwa Lenah Khakasa, Cardinal Otunga HS

• Stats: 6.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 0.2 APG, 3.3 SPG
• The Verdict: A defensive menace who routinely turned steals into fast-break points, securing a hard-earned 3rd place finish.

5. Breana Sakwa Sabuni, Cardinal Otunga HS

• Stats: 7.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.7 APG, 1.7 SPG
• The Verdict: The Swiss Army knife of the tournament. Whatever Cardinal Otunga needed—points, boards, or stops—she delivered.

Photo: ThayuPixels - Tournament MVP Berine Akisa Kedi from Naitiri FYM receiving her award.

Team Profiles

The festival provided the perfect stage to showcase the distinct identities and unyielding spirit of each participating team.

Photo: ThayuPixels - Team Profile

Photo: ThayuPixels - Team Profile

Photo: ThayuPixels - Team Profile

Photo: ThayuPixels - Team Profile

Photo Gallery

Photo: ThayuPixels

Photo: ThayuPixels

Photo: Thayu:Pixels

Photo: ThayuPixels

Photo: ThayuPixels

Photo: ThayuPixels

Photo: ThayuPixels

The Value of Stats: A Presentation by HoopsKe

During the festival, HoopsKe founder Joseph Henry held an interactive presentation to players, coaches, and fans, emphasizing the critical role statistics play in the modern game and the projection of growth for Kenyan basketball.

Photo: ThayuPixels

"We are stepping into an era where we don't just rely on the eye test to see who is impacting the game. Statistics give every player a tangible record of their hard work. When we track points, rebounds, efficiency, and advanced metrics across tournaments like Usawa Festival, we're not just creating leaderboards—we are building the undeniable resumes that project the future stars of our national teams." – Joseph Henry, Founder of HoopsKe

The presentation highlighted how these data points guide coaching decisions, build player profiles for scouting, and ultimately elevate the standard of competition across all levels.

The Final Buzzer

The Usawa Festival showed why basketball data matters. Every point, rebound, assist and defensive effort adds to the story of the game. Through HoopsKe, these performances are no longer forgotten after the final whistle. They become part of a growing record that players, teams, coaches, scouts and fans can look back on.

The event gave players a platform to compete. HoopsKe gave their performances a place to live.