International School Suva (ISS) achieved a significant win in the under-15 category at the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship held in Lautoka yesterday. ISS showcased an impressive performance, defeating Tilak High School with a score of 25-13, marking their first-ever under-15 title in school basketball history.
The team dominated the match with their aggressive play and controlled most of the possessions, while Tilak High School struggled to keep pace, primarily playing defense throughout the game. As the final buzzer sounded, ISS players celebrated their groundbreaking victory, with several visibly emotional on the court.
Head coach Ryan Ludher expressed pride in his players, highlighting their dedication and hard work over the past three months. “This is the first time for ISS to win the under-15 title, and we are thrilled. We appreciate the support from parents and coaching staff. This victory is incredibly meaningful for us as we have put in a lot of effort these past few months. They are a group of respectable gentlemen, and they truly deserve this win,” Ludher stated.
In the girls’ under-15 final, Suva Grammar School (SGS) successfully defended their title against Latter Day Saints College, winning 15-4. SGS demonstrated their strength and commitment to their strategy, which proved too difficult for LDS to overcome. Coach Ranadi Koroi emphasized the value of humility throughout their campaign, stating that their focus was on remaining humble from the pool matches to the finals.
“The girls gave their all, and our central message was to maintain humility starting from our Pool matches, where we remained undefeated until the final,” Koroi remarked.
The SGS under-17 girls also retained their title, dominating Gospel High School with a score of 26-1 in the main final. Coach Vivita Bolawaqatabu credited their victory to hard work and dedication. “We are delighted to have defended our title; I am grateful to the girls for all their effort and commitment in achieving this,” Bolawaqatabu said.
In a tightly contested under-17 boys’ final, Yat Sen Secondary School narrowly defeated Grammar with a score of 21-20. The match was thrilling, keeping spectators engaged as both teams exerted pressure throughout. However, Yat Sen displayed greater discipline and composure to secure the win. Winning coach Derwood Yee encouraged his team to stay calm during the game.
“I told the players to stay composed and stick to our game plan, which they did, and I’m very proud of them,” Yee said.
Despite the intense heat in Lautoka, the schools exhibited remarkable performances during the Championship. The players remained resilient, leading to several historic and memorable moments on the court.