International School Suva (ISS) achieved a significant victory in the under-15 category of the Vodafone Fiji Secondary Schools Basketball Championship held in Lautoka, defeating Tilak High School with a score of 25-13. This triumph marks ISS’s first under-15 title in the history of school basketball in the region.
The ISS team showcased a commanding display, dominating possession throughout the game while Tilak High struggled to keep pace, often playing catch-up. The final whistle saw ISS celebrate their milestone victory, with several players visibly emotional after the win.
Head coach Ryan Ludher expressed immense pride in his players for 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 so happy. We thank the support of parents and coaching staff. This win means so much for us. We worked so hard in the last three months. These are a bunch of respectable gentlemen, they deserve this win,” Ludher remarked.
In the girls’ under-15 division final, Suva Grammar School successfully defended their title by defeating Latter Day Saints College 15-4. The team’s strength and commitment to their game plan overwhelmed their opponents. Coach Ranadi Koroi highlighted the importance of humility throughout their campaign. “The girls gave their all and our main message was to remain humble starting from our Pool matches where we were undefeated right to the final,” Koroi stated.
Suva Grammar School’s under-17 girls also retained their title decisively, defeating Gospel High School 26-1 in the main final. Coach Vivita Bolawaqatabu attributed the victory to the team’s hard work. “We are happy that we have defended our title, I thank the girls for all the effort and hard work they have put in to defend their title,” Bolawaqatabu said.
In the under-17 boys’ final, Yat Sen Secondary School narrowly triumphed over Suva Grammar School with a score of 21-20 in a thrilling match that had fans on the edge of their seats. The teams remained closely matched throughout the game, but Yat Sen displayed greater discipline and composure to clinch the victory.
Winning coach Derwood Yee emphasized the importance of staying calm under pressure. “I just told the players to maintain their cool and just play to our game plan, which they did and I’m proud of them,” Yee said.
Despite the intense heat in Lautoka, participating schools delivered outstanding performances at the Championship, making for an unforgettable day of basketball filled with historic moments.