Namalo hero for LDS under-15

Namalo hero for LDS under-15

NATIONAL under-16 basketball rep Timoci Namalo was the hero for his Latter Day Saint U15 boys team when he scored a late three pointer to upset defending champions Marist Brother High School 18-15 in the second round of the Tuckers Ice-Cream sponsored Suva Basketball Secondary School League.

Namalo, who recently returned from the 3x3 U16 tournament in Australia, slotted the three pointer into the basket in added time when both teams were locked 15-all at full time at the LDS courts yesterday.

MBHS, as defending champion, were favourites to win the game, however Namalo's experience guided his team against the odds.

The Form Four student from Kadavu kept his cool until extra time to break the hearts of the defending champions. Basketball Fiji development officer Laisiasa Puamau said it was a close encounter.

"LDS have the home crowd advantage and they have a lot of supporters who were behind the team. It was the upset of the round and I think it was a very tough and close game," Puamau said.

In other grades, U19 champions, MBHS edged LDS 30-25 while the U17 MBHS also reigned over LDS 9-5. Puamau said the team had shown improvement from the opening round.

"Teams are starting to pick up. The competition is there and we hope that it will improve as the league progresses," he said.

Results: Boys: U15 LDS 18 MBHS 15; U17 MBHS 9 LDS 5; U19 MBHS 30 LDS 25

Girls: U15 SJSS 10 YSS 8; U15 GHS 6 SGS 5; U17 SJSS 13 YSS 7; U17 SGS 16 GHS 8; U19 SJSS 8 YSS 6.




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