The Samoa Basketball League [S.B.L.] competition was dominated by East Lions last weekend at the Gym 2 Tuanaimato.

They won three out of four divisions, both the U-16 Women and Men and the U-18 Men while the Central Warriors took the U-18 Women division.

The President of the Samoa Basketball Federation, Pauga Seiuli Talalelei, says that they were focusing on their elite athletes, hence their decision to select teams from associations and not clubs.

"S.B.L. [Samoa Basketball League] is a 12-week premier competition where we focus mainly on elite athletes. That is why we have selected teams from associations levels and not at club levels. These associations comprise on average of 8 to 10 clubs of both female and male and their top athletes have been selected to represent their Associations," he said.

"Three divisions of Under-16, Under-18, and Open to be in line with FIBA world competitions so we can earmark our top athletes and start preparing them through the high-level competition like SBL. We have already seen the amazing talents from these athletes during SBL and hope better things will come when we start our Pro League in 2021."

The results for the S.B.L. are as follows:

U-16 Women:

• Winner: East Lions
• 2nd Place: West Riverside
• 3rd Place: West Thunder

U-16 Men:

• Winner: East Lions
• 2nd Place: West Riverside
• 3rd Place: Central Warriors

U-18 Women:

• Winner: Central Warriors
• 2nd Place: East Lions

U-18 Men:

• Winner: East Lions
• 2nd Place: Central Warriors
• 3rd Place: West Thunder

He also said that their Jamboree competition which ended before the SBL was the highlight for basketball itself, adding he was surprised by what he saw during the tournament.

"The Samoa Basketball Jamboree 2020 was definitely a highlight of basketball 2020 – despite the lockdown and effect from COVID-19. Seeing these very young future athletes of Samoa, running around in their basketball gears, dribbling basketballs at such young ages with a deep excitement and great enthusiasm was beyond my imagination," he said.

"Further to be coached and refereed by these newly trained young teenagers as well as an unbelievable sight. I am always a believer that sports is also education. These kids have been taught to learn new skills, disciplined, determination, obedience, listen, adjust, have funs, make friends, and top it all, strive to do their best, and win. 

"With what is going on in the world nowadays – troubles, pandemic, fights, etc…. it helps with these tactics of sports for our kids….to learn, disciplined, determined, obey, listen, adjust, have fun, make friends, be kind and strive to do the best of their ability, and to win this life problem and become better future citizens of Samoa."