B’ball experts jet in
FIBA Oceania Zone development officer Ryan Burns will be in the country today to conduct a week-long coaching and referee’s workshop in Suva and Lautoka. The workshop to begin today will end on September 20. Basketball Fiji development officer Laisiasa Puamau said the workshop was a result of a partnership between FASANOC and the Fiji Prisons and Corrections Service. “He will be also working closely with the national Under 20 men’s and women’s teams who are currently preparing to compete in the FIBA Oceania Youth Under 20 tournament which will be held in New Caledonia next month,” Puamau said. Puamau added the FIBA development officer’s six-days visit would be beneficial to the sport as it is in line with Basketball Fiji’s strategic plan to build on the federations base numbers of coaches and referees in the country. “With the increased number of players and teams in the country there is a great need for accredited basketball coaches and his visit should address this issue,” Puamau said. Burns comes from a very solid coaching background and this would be a great opportunity for interested referees and coaches to learn from his expertise. A FIBA level one coaching course has been organised at FASANOC on Friday from 6pm-9pm.
‘Favourites’ into basketball quarter
Suva basketball “giants” outsmarted their respective opponents in the quarterfinal matches at the Vodafone Arena on Tuesday night to keep their title hopes alive. Idaman beat Noobies 72-28, Saints overpowered Air Iguana 69-35, and Barbarians defeated Pitbulls 42-24, while Westpac accounted for newcomers Pacific Harbour 31-21. All the teams that were expected to win did so, said SBA president Leonard Whippy. “We had two good games last night,” he said. The match between the Barbarians and the Pitbulls was a close contest with only three points separating them at half-time and the Barbarians in the lead. The Barbarians, Whippy said, were able to remain consistent both on offence and defence down the stretch of the game, which allowed them to take a bigger lead in the second half. Barbarians had the services of national reps, Adrian Bossley, Sakuisa Rokodi and Sikeli Mara. Pitbulls, who have improved throughout the competition, had the services of National rep Peniasi Sokosoko. In another intense quarterfinal match-up, newcomers Pacific Harbour left a lasting impression despite losing to Westpac. They led at half-time by five points but Westpac, through the leadership of national rep Frank Saketa, displayed an improved second half performance and came out victorious. At the Vodafone Arena next Tuesday, Saints will meet Barbarians in the first semifinal while Westpac takes on Idaman in the other. “Both semifinals are expected to be competitive and unpredictable. Both teams in each semifinal have had close games in regular pool play.”
Last Modified on 24/09/2010 07:34
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