East Association are the champions of the Independence Basketball tournament after they walked away with the championship. 

The tournament started on Tuesday (Independence Day) at Gym 2, Tuanaimato. 

East Association did not only take the women's U16 but also the men's U16. They played against West in the men's team and scored 14-29 while the women's scores were 24-33.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, the U16 head coach Mizue Shane Samoa, said that they were a bit worried asds they have seen how tough the West team was in the previous games but she needed it to have faith in her team and continue to encourage them.

"I was very worried for them because their opponent was really tough in the last games that they played, but I had to keep my faith and I continued to encourage them to play the ball and not play mad," she said.

"They have been training for this game and we are very happy with the outcome, not only for our team but also our Association and our supporters."

Ms Samoa told this newspaper that their hard work has paid off as they train every day so they can become the champions and now that they have achieved that they are speechless.

"No other words to describe the feeling that I have right now other than happiness. We have been preparing to be in the finals and it certainly paid off," she said. 

They were always training for this and now they have it. I think I speak for me and my team when I say that we are indeed happy about the results."

Ms Samoa also confirmed that they have at least ten players who are in the U17 national squad who are participating in the skills challenge.

The merging of players from each association was never done before, this is the first year they have done this, and it is a successful tournament according to a representative from the Samoa National Basketball Association (S.N.B.A).

West and East did not have an easy journey in getting on the finalists' spots as all the teams from each Association were very tough. Each Association selected its best athletes to represent its association.