Our View: Good luck to teams competing in U17 Oceania … – Pacific Daily News

Pacific Daily News , news@guampdn.com Published 5:35 p.m. ChT July 7, 2017 | Updated 5:35 p.m. ChT July 7, 2017

The line-up for the Men's U17 team that will be representing Guam in the 2017 FIBA Oceania Championship. Wochit

The U17 Guam men's team practice on July 6 at the Father Duenas Memorial School Phoenix Center for the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships that will run from July 10-15.(Photo: Kasmira Engichy/PDN)

Starting Monday, the top youth basketball teams boys and girls from across the region will square off, each hoping to claim a title in the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships.

Guam, Australia, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Samoa and Tahiti will compete over the course of six days. The winners will be crowned Oceania champions.

This tournament is the first youth championship under the international basketball federations new competition system. Asia and Oceania are combined for competition purposes, and qualification for the under-17 and under-19 World Cups is now a two-step process.

What that breaks down to is the top four teams in Oceania will advance to the next level of competition. Previously, only the champion advanced.

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FIBA U17 Oceania Championships come to Guam

Samoa ready to take on the regions best

New Caledonia hopes for podium finish in championships

This means teams of youths from Guam and the rest of Oceania now will have more opportunity to compete against a bigger pool of international competition. This will translate into valuable learning experiences for boys and girls from the region, as well as chances to play their way into higher-level tournaments.

It also will help the athletes further develop their skills and abilities, to prepare them as they transition to national teams and competition.

We commend the boys and girls who will represent their nations in this event for all the hard work, long practices, tough training and time commitments the'veput in. Give it your all on the court, and exhibit good sportsmanship whether your win or lose.

To the parents of these youths, kudos for the time, effort and money you put in to helping your children develop athletically.

We also thank the coaches, staffs and volunteers for their effort, time and dedication. You made it possible for these youths to reach this stage of competition.

Good luck to all the teams competing in the FIBA U17 Oceania Championships.

The Guam Girls U17 Basketball Line-up for the 2017 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship which runs from July 10-15. Wochit

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Our View: Good luck to teams competing in U17 Oceania ... - Pacific Daily News