Bryceland from the brink of defeat

BRYCELAND came from the jaws of death to beat an improved Idaman by half a basket in the final of the Sky Technology-sponsored basketball tournament at Ed's Court on Saturday.

Bryce was down and out with two minutes running time left and needing four baskets to win the game.

Idaman, made up of players from Namadi, which is the name of their team spelt backward and led former national rep Freddie Rokodi, looked to be on their way with a 33-27 lead.

But just when it seemed the $150 prizemoney was going to their pockets, the Brycelanders hit back.

Nat Singh started the comeback with a three-pointer which made the scores 33-30.

Then two baskets in a row in the dying stages made it 34-33.

With 27 seconds counting down, the crowd cheered from the road down to the court.

Bryce held off Idaman in those last seconds to win and turn the tables on their pool leaders.

"Finally they've won," said organiser Niki Wong.

"All these times we've been second-best but not today," said Max.

It was an awakening for the boys who stay on either side of lower

 

 

Bryce Street, the concrete half of the street.

As their mentor, they had Joseph Petersen, father of Serf and Tim who live opposite Moon and Bamo, Nat lives toward the junction, Max inside Bryce, Jim where the concrete road starts, Asa and Eddie from up Derrick way.

They had to pay up their registration fee on the day but it was nothing new to a bunch of players who have known each from young, enjoy good camaraderie and rely on each other for things that require financial undertaking. Some of them work and some don't but they support each in most things.

Part of their prize was spent on the qusi ni buno and the rest was kept for the trip to Lautoka at the end of the month.

Idaman and Bryceland were in the same pool.

Bryceland lost in pool play to the Namadi side by two points but turned things around in the final by the narrowest of wins.

The other Bryce team, once known as Warriors and the team to beat one time, was handicapped by the migration of some of their top players and changed their name to Wai Donu.

They lost to Idaman in the first semi-final.

Bryceland had to fight hard in the second semi-final to beat a young Mighty Mights -- coached by Saula Koroi and made up of kids still in school, some fresh out of school with and without the will of their parents but one thing they share -- lot of promise for the game.

Peni Sokosoko thanked the Kamsoos for the sponsorship.

In the women's final, it was basket for basket between Golden Bati and X Wounds but Golden Bati prevailed to win the $150 prizemoney.

Nua of the veterans team said the tournament was good in that it kept the youths engaged in the game and kept basketball development on track.

Attention now switches to the West on the last weekend of the month, in Lautoka.

Lautoka, the association running in the west, is organising a tournament and has invited Suva teams. Bryceland showed they have it in them to win tournaments.

Lautoka beckons in two weeks but that, as they say, is another story.

The Fiji Times Online

Monday 16th November 2009

By Paula Tagivetaua




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