Basketball: National League |02 August 2022

One minute silence in memory of Daniel ‘Yellow’ Victor

PLS Hawks clinch leaders’ position on basket difference

With most of the matches played in the first leg of the men’s league division one competition, PLS Hawks are presently in the lead, only on basket difference, following their hard-fought 73-69 victory over bottom-placed MBU Rockers during the weekend.

Hawks have accumulated 10 points from four wins and two defeats out of six matches, similar to second-placed Beau Vallon Heat and Drifters who are third, while Hawks boast a superior basket difference.

League leaders Hawks have scored 449 baskets and conceded 366, while Beau Vallon Heat have scored 439 and let in 359.

As for Drifters, they have scored 405 baskets and conceded 40.

Against MBU Rockers, Hawks had to dig deep into their reserve to break up the former’s resistance as they were all out to collect their first win of the season.

The match started with a minute silence in memory of ex-PLS Hawks and Seychelles international player Daniel ‘Yellow’ Victor who passed away the day before following a road accident.

Underdogs Rockers started the match on a high pace, outscoring PLS Hawks 17-15 in the first quarter, but a better in-shape Hawks with younger players in the line-up managed to capitalised on Rockers’ weakness in the second quarter, outscoring them 25-12 for a 40-29 lead at half-time.

Still in search of their first league win, Rockers came out stronger in the third quarter to once again outscore Hawks 21-15, cutting their lead to just five points (55-50) at the end of the third period.

Smelling their first victory, Rockers kept pushing in the fourth and final quarter, forcing PLS Hawks to rely on the individual efforts of their more younger and agile players, notably captain Jean-Philip Esparon and Darius Adam who scored some crucial points in the last quarter, helping PLS Hawks to cling on for a meagre victory after being outscored 19-18 by Rockers.

PLS Hawks’ advantage from the second quarter kept them alive earning them a narrow 73-69 win, pushing them on top of the league table.

Captain Jean-Philip Esparon had the hot hands for PLS Hawks with 29 points, while Pascal Bibi led the scoring for Rockers with 18 points.

The defeat kept winless Rockers at the bottom on four points from four defeats in as many matches.

Baya upset Beau Vallon Heat

In the other match played in the division, Bel Air-based Baya collected two more points, keeping alive their hope of moving on top of the table, after defeating Beau Vallon Heat 74-68 in their last encounter.

Beau Vallon Heat entered the match stronger, winning the first quarter 25-15, before clinching the second period of the match 20-14 for a comfortable 45-33 lead at half-time.

However, the table turned in the third quarter when captain Dave Roseline and company took total control of the match, outscoring Heat 27-9 to take over the lead – 60-54 – at the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth and final quarter of the match, both teams scored 14 points, concluding the match on a 74-68 victory for Baya who are now fourth on nine points from four victories and a single defeat out of five matches.

It is to note that Baya still have the advantage of a match in hand and their match will be against MBU Rockers.

Okafor Ebuka was Baya’s top scorer with 16 points, while with 17 points, captain Timmy Adam led the scoring for Heat.

Mont Fleuri Dawgz bite Premium Cobras to win derby

Mont Fleuri Dawgz under the guidance of coach Nigel Ah-Kong had the upper hand in the Mont Fleuri derby played during the weekend, defeating Premium Cobras 53-49, stretching their points tally to eight from two wins and four losses out of six matches.

It was a well-balanced first quarter where both teams displayed some very entertaining basketball, concluding the first period on a 15-15 tie.

In the second quarter of the match, Dawgz had a slight advantage, winning 13-11 to conclude the first half with a 18-16 advantage.

In the third quarter, Dawgz scored 11 points, compared to seven for Cobras, leading 39-33 at the end.

Cobras came out stronger in the fourth and final quarter, winning it 16-14, but Dawgz managed to hold on to their previous advantage to win the match 53-49.

Sebastien Thomas was Dawgz’s top scorer with 15 points, while Summy Pharabeau led the scoring for Cobras with 11 points.

Cobras are presently sixth overall on six points from a single win and four losses out of five matches played.