Shine On brightens Lautoka basketball

NEWCOMERS Shine On impressed during the Lautoka Basketball Association friendly matches held at the Multi-purpose Courts yesterday.

The Shine On team defeated a combined Vikings team 50-42 in the women's category. Shine On is made of netball players from Topline.

Jale Vunisa top scored for his Vikings team against Youngsters in the men's category.

Vikings defeated Youngsters 39-31. Vunisa was in brilliant form claiming 22 points.

The Cougars team, made up of veteran players, fought to a 39-all draw against Namoli. Cougars had the services of former Fiji rep Donald Chang.

LBA interim official Emosi Koroi said last season they had a total of 11 clubs.

"We had seven men's clubs and four women's clubs," Koro said. "We are hoping that the number will increase this season. Basketball is a minor sport in Lautoka. It is not so popular like in Suva so we will have to develop the sport here. We need the support of the corporate organisations. Sponsorship is very vital.

"We have many suburbs in Lautoka which can form clubs to take up the sport. The idea is to hold two rounds of friendly games. This is just to generate interest. We had a good turnout for the first round of friendly matches."

Source: The Fiji Times Newspaper

Sunday 6th November 2011

In another women's fixture, Namoli defeated Batiri by default.

The LBA season will start on November 19.