Basketball: National League – Men’s League Division Two |16 September 2022

Anse Etoile’s top scorer Brendon Belmont goes against Bullets’ Hensley Bristol (Photo: Roland Duval)

Anse Etoile beat Cascade Bullets to retain leaders’ position

Anse Etoile have maintained their top spot on the men’s division two league table after edging out Cascade Bullets 56-53 on Wednesday, moving two points clear off second-placed Anse Boileau-based AB Boys.

Leaders Anse Etoile have now collected 24 points from 11 wins and two defeats in 13 matches played.

Against Bullets, Anse Etoile played without coach Kenneth Domingue throughout the first three quarters of the match, but coach Biko Biong and assistant Vali Ismael could not capitalise on their opponents’ handicap, allowing Anse Etoile to win the first quarter 11-10, as well as the second 13-12 for a slight 24-22 advantage at half-time.

Bullets, however, managed to step up their game in the third quarter, winning it 16-13 for a narrow 38-37 lead.

The fourth and final quarter was fiercely contested and at times marred by some poor decisions by the officials, causing frustration among the players, as well as the benches.

With coach Domingue on the bench, Anse Etoile managed to keep their composure, executing their fundamentals to win the fourth quarter 19-15 and the match 56-53.

Brendon Belmont was Anse Etoile’s top scorer with 15 points, while captain Eddy Biong led the scoring for Cascade Bullets with 13 points.

The defeat keeps Bullets third on 22 points from 10 wins and two losses out of 12 matches played, similar to second-placed AB Boys who have a superior basket difference, as well as the head-to-head advantage.

Roland Duval