Hoop recruit

THE Fiji under-19 coaches will recruit new players who impress at the Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship later this month.

With more than 56 teams competing at the Tuckers Ice Cream-sponsored event from August 27-30, national coaches are hoping to see new talent that can add depth to the national squad.

There are 10 players in the girl's squad and 17 in the boy's. Basketball Fiji development officer and Fiji U19 girl's coach Laisiasa Puamau said they wanted to recruit more players.

"The selection door will be open at this event. We want to recruit players that impress during the championship," he said.

Fiji U19 boy's coach Saula Koroi will also be looking at untapped talent from new schools Dilkusha High School, Queen Victoria School and Cathedral Secondary School.

"The number of players we pick will be determined by the number of players that play well.

"So we are hoping to select the best players," Puamau said.

Puamau said the national championship would be a tough battle ground.

"We have more than 15 schools competing which means that one team will have a lot of games to play. We are excited about it, especially the teams that are joining the competition," Puamau said.

Defending champions Marist Brothers' High School, Saint Joseph's Secondary School, Latter Day Saints and Yat Sen Secondary School are the top teams in the competition