Basketball Fiji has confirmed 65 teams will compete in the Tuckers Ice Cream National Secondary Schools Basketball Championship on August 26-29 in Suva. Teams ranging from the Under-15 to the U19 categories are set to compete at the Vodafone Arena and FMF National Gymnasium.
In the U15 boys’ competition, defending champions Latter Day Saints will be looking to defend their title for a second year running. But they will face fierce competition from. Natabua High School, Queen Victoria and Marist Brothers High who have their sights set on defeating the reigning champs.
In the girls’ competition, the dominant St Joseph’s Secondary School will be looking to add the U19s title to their already impressive trophy collection, having won both the U15s and U17s in last year’s competition. However, it will be an almighty task for SJSS, with the defending U19s champions Adi Cakobau School determined to hold on to their crown.
Among the contenders for the boys’ U19 title this year are last year’s U17 champions, Laucala Bay Secondary  and defending champions in the U19s category, MBHS. These sides are sure to face stiff competition in the form of Lautoka Central and last year’s runners up, LDS.
Basketball Fiji will hope that the competition attracts attention of school children across Fiji, as they look to organise a ‘Super Club Basketball League’ between September and November, for boys and girls in the U15, U17 and U19 categories. The league will also feature an open grade.
“The purpose of the league is to strengthen the structure of our clubs and to provide basketball playing opportunities outside of schools,”  Laisiasa Puamau, Basketball Fiji’s development officer, said.
Puamau also explained how Basketball Fiji aims to expand the reach of their Secondary Schools Development Programme.
“This year we have set up for the very first time a Secondary Schools Basketball League for the Western Zone and next year, our goals is to establish a Nasinu/ Nausori Zone and Tailevu Zone.”

Source: The Fiji Sun Newspaper

Friday 9th August 2013