Debutants Adi Cakobau School capped off a powerful performance with the Under-19 girls basketball title in the Twisties National Secondary School competition, which ended yesterday.  Led by national U-20 rep Mili Koyamainavure, thegirls from Waimanu wrapped up their campaign in the three-day tournament with a 33-27 win over an experienced Natabua High School outfit in the finals at the Vodafone Arena. Basketball Fiji development officer Laisiasa Puamau described their victory as a “Cinderella story”. “It was a Cinderella story when ACS defeated Natabua in the U-19 final,” Puamau said. “They were competitive. ACS underlined their supremacy after their semifinal win over the Latter Day Saints girls. “For newcomers, that is quite an achievement.” Marist Brothers’ High School scooped the boys title after accounting for Natabua in a convincing fashion to win 47-26. Natabua dominated the finals and were represented in all grades except in the U-15 boys. Of all their teams that reached the finals, their junior reps were successful - the U-15 girls winning 29-10 over Yat Sen, while their U-17 teams dominated the finals after upsetting defending champions LDS in both divisions. Natabua’s U-17 girls won 23-22 while their U-17 boys won 34-31. The U-15 boys title was won by Edupia after beating Marist 21-7.  “It was a successful three-day of competitive games,” Puamau said.  “The close scores stands as a testament. Teams were well prepared for the tournament. “The West-based schools were equally impressive during the three-day championship. “They brought in the heat," Puamau said.

He thanked all the schools that took part and sponsors, Twisties, for their support and partners the Fiji Prisons and Stop HIV Fiji.

Results

Under-15 girls

Semifinals: Natabua 45 LDS 11, YSS 18 Laucala 16

Finals: Natabua 29 YSS 10

MVP: Leba Korovou (Natabua)

Under-15 boys

Semifinals: Marist 19 Natabua 18, Edupia 31 LDS 10

Finals: Edupia 21 MBHS 7

MVP: Changyong K (Edupia)

Under-17 boys

Quarterfinals: MBHS One 21 Edupia 13, International 26 John Wesley 20, LDS 28 YSS 23, Natabua 21 MBHS Two 20

Semifinals: Natabua 31 MBHS One 22, LDS 23 ISS 22

Finals: Natabua 34 31 LDS

MVP: Walter Vuruqa (LDS)

Under-17 girls

Semifinals: LDS wbd LBSS, Natabua 36 Ba Pro 22

Finals: Natabua 23 LDS 22

MVP: Ilisapeci Cama (Natabua)

Under-19 girls

Semifinals: Natabua 42 Ba Pro 24, ACS 36 LDS 26

Finals: ACS 33 Natabua 27

MVP: Mili Koyamainavure (ACS)

Under-19 boys

Semifinals: Marist 44 Gospel 38, Natabua 40 YSS 37

Finals: Marist 47 Natabua 26

MVP: Mataika Koyamainavure (Marist)