THE finals of the Victory Valley Royals Anniversary Basketball tournament will be re-enacted tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court at 20:00hrs, but this time, it will be in aid of Monique Amsterdam. 

Amsterdam, 14, diagnosed with Scoliosis in 2012 is expected to undergo surgery in the USA. However, it will cost the Mackenzie High School student and her family US$20 000 (G$4M).
Tonight’s activity is called the ‘Amsterdam All-Star’ and will see Retrieve Raiders face the Bulls and Amelia’s Ward Jets come up against the Victory Valley Royals.
Also in an effort to raise as much funds as possible, players will be involved in several novelty events featuring and East versus West three-point shootout and slam dunk contest.
The National Communications Network (NCN), the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA), Movements Sound, Somerset Fish Shop, Movements Sound and Digicel are some of the sponsors for tonight’s event.
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. While scoliosis can be caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, the cause of most scoliosis is unknown.
Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but some children develop spine deformities that continue to get more severe as they grow. Severe scoliosis can be disabling. An especially severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly.
Children who have mild scoliosis are monitored closely, usually with X-rays, to see if the curve is getting worse. In many cases, no treatment is necessary. Some children will need to wear a brace to stop the curve from worsening. Others may need surgery to keep the scoliosis from worsening and to straighten severe cases of scoliosis.