By Taromane Martin
THE Solomon Islands women’s national basketball team preparations for the FIBA Melanesia Cup in Papua New Guinea this month is in full swing.
The women’s basketball team yesterday played a friendly match with a select team, consisting of players from the Honiara High school’s basketball league.
Despite trailing in the first, second and third quarters yesterday, the women’s national team manage to fight back in the fourth quarter to secure a one point victory over the Honiara select side.
The Honiara school select side led 14-5 in the first quarter but fought their way back in the second quarter to trail by seven points, Honiara school select side leading 30-23.
The national side seemed lost in the third quarter as they struggled to collect points from their much younger and energetic opponents.
Honiara select side maintained their lead at the end of the third quarter leading 44-40 at the break.
Communication and fitness was a constant problem for the national side, which saw them giving away possession cheaply in the final quarter.
The Honiara Select side was leading 53- 52, with 29 seconds left on the clock forcing
Jocelyn Basia was able to convert two points for the national team on the free throw line to see them secure a narrow 54-53 win over the Honiara School select side.
Meanwhile, the 2017 FIBA Melanesia Cup is set to kick off on September 26 at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor center.
Solomon Islands will join Fiji, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea for the competition. The top three teams from this competition will get automatic qualification for the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.
Solomon Islands will be sending both their men and women national basketball teams to take part in the FIBA Melanesia Cup.
