West teams impress

West based school basketball teams impressed in day one of the 3-day Twisties Secondary Schools National Basketball Championships that began in two venues in Suva yesterday. Basketball Fiji development officer Laisiasa Puamau said: “The first day of competition went well. Games were played as scheduled so it was a success. The atmosphere at the games venue was great as well with the crowd turnout and the different cheering squads. “We were impressed with the standard and competition by the West school teams. We thought their standard was high and they were very competitive against the Suva teams." As per results, defending champions of almost all the grades came through unscathed in their matches in the opening day. Natabua Under-15 girls won all their matches, Yat Sen U15 boys lost against Marist, while LDS dominated the U17 and is on course to retain their titles in both category. LDS U-19 girls have also remained undefeated so far but they are expected to face tough competition from newcomers Adi Cakobau School who “have won the hearts of spectators” with their performance. In the U19 boys, Marist and defending champions are the in-form team. The championship which ends tomorrow and sponsored by Goodman Fielder is partnered by the Yellow Ribbon and Stop HIV Fiji. “The Yellow ribbon are donating six team shields for the winners. The shields were designed and made by the inmates at Naboro Prison. The shields can be used for 20 years,” Puamau said. “On the other hand the Stop HIV champions led by Fiji Bati rep Jone Wesele has been outreaching to participants and will also be visiting West teams while they are in camp in Suva.” Pool games will continue today at Ed’s Court in Raiwaqa and the Vodafone Arena. Games proper to start at 8.30am. The 3-day competition will culminate with the elimination rounds to be played at the Vodafone Arena tomorrow.

The Under 17 will play quarterfinals while the other grades will qualify to the semifinals.

Results:

U15 (Girls): Natabua 41 International 5, Laucala 21 Yat Sen 16, LDS 10 Yat Sen 18, Laucala 21 International 11, Natabua 14 Laucala 12

U15 (Boys): Laucala 18 LKDS 23, Marist 21 Yat Sen 12, LDS 8 Natabua 9, Laucala 17 Gospel 10, Marist 15 Ediupia 17, Natabua 16 Gospel 12

U17 (Girls): St Joseph 12 Laucala 13, Ba Pro 10 LDS 38, International 8 Gospel 10

U17(Boys): Marist Two 10 Ediupia 8, Natabua 28 International; 22, Gospel 23 Yat Sen 32, Laucala Bay 13 Ba Pro 14, Marist One 22 John Wesley 16, Marist two 19 LDS 21, Gospel 6 Natabua 27, Yat Sen 7 International 14, John Wesley 29 Ba Pro 10, Marist one 23 Laucala 7

U19 (Girls) :Gospel 12 Ba Pro 26, Yat Sen 14 LDS 23, Laucala 15 Natabua 24, ACS 45 St Joseph 10

U19 (Boys) :Marist 45 LDS 13, Yat Sen 29 Gospel 9, Natabua wbd Indian College.

Article from the Fiji Sun Newspaper on Tuesday 31st August 2010