Basketball: Men’s division two and women’s play-offs |08 November 2022
No way past AB Boys’ Damyen Hoareau for Praslin Boys’ captain Perry Pointe (Photo: Roland Duval)
Beau Vallon Heat, Anse Etoile Stars, AB Boys sweep series to reach finals
- HotShots shock B Challenge to force game three
Beau Vallon Heat, Anse Etoile Stars and AB Boys have reached the finals of the men’s division one, women’s and men’s division two play-offs after sweeping their respective series 2-0, while a third match will be needed to decide a second women’s finalists after HotShots stunned B Challenge to equal the series at one win apiece.
In the men’s division one competition, Beau Vallon Heat who topped the classification league registered their second victory over fourth-placed Anse Boileau-based Drifters last night to secure their final berth.
In the women’s competition, Anse Etoile Stars who finished top of the classification league table, were drawn against Mont Fleuri who finished fourth overall, and in their first match last week, Stars won 67-37, before winning their second match 86-46 on Saturday.
As for HotShots, they equalled the series 1-1 with a 46-34 win over B Challenge, after losing the first encounter 32-56 last Thursday.
In the men’s division two play-off, AB Boys swept the series 2-0 (73-64 and 72-59) against Praslin Boys to qualify for the final, awaiting the winners between Anse Etoile and Cascade Bullets who will meet for game two tomorrow.
Heat cruise past Drifters to book final berth
After defeating Drifters 77-70 in game one on Friday night, Beau Vallon secured their spot in the final last night with another victory, sweeping the series 2-0, avoiding a third and decider match.
Compared to game one, Heat took control of the match from tip-off, taking a 19-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, with a well on-form Denzel Mutyambizi who missed game one contributing ten points.
Beau Vallon entered the second quarter with more Heat, scoring 25 points, while Drifters added another 12 to their tally, concluding the first half of the match 44-28 in favour of captain Timmy Adam and the rest.
In the one-sided third quarter of the match, Beau Vallon Heat scored an additional 30 points, compared to only nine for Drifters, giving them a comfortable 74 -36 at the end of the period.
Entering the fourth and final quarter boasting a 38-point lead, Heat let down their guard a bit, with the players focusing on callings made by the match officials, instead of their game.
Drifters seized the opportunity to score 25 points, while Heat chipped in another 12 to win the match 87-62.
Adam had the hot hands for Heat with 37 points, while captain Ervin Agathine led the scoring for Drifters with 29 points.
In the other series match of the division this afternoon, Baya will face PLS Hawks.
Bel Air-based Baya is leading the series after a 79-75 win over Hawks in extra-time on Saturday.
Anse Etoile Stars glide past Mont Fleuri
Boasting a more organised and experienced line-up, Anse Etoile Stars had no difficulty in surpassing Mont Fleuri in game two of the play-off series on Saturday, easily winning the first quarter 23-9.
Too comfortable in the lead, Stars let down their guard in the second quarter, allowing Mont Fleuri to chip in some points to outscore them 16-13, concluding the first half 36-25 in favour of Stars.
Back in business, the Anse Etoile side entered the third quarter on a higher tempo, scoring 33 points, compared to only 10 for Mont Fleuri to lead 69-35 at the end of the period.
Still in the scoring mode, Stars chipped in another 17 points, while Mont Fleuri scored 11 in the fourth and final quarter, giving the former an easy 86-46 victory and a spot in the final.
Hillary Nourrice had the hot hands for the Stars with 35 points, while with 21 points, Solange François led the scoring for Mont Fleuri.
Mont Fleuri will now play the third-place match against the losers between B Challenge and HotShots.
HotShots drag B Challenge into game three
After winning game one 56-32 over HotShots, B Challenge of coach Michel Malbrook were the favourites to win the second match of the series and book a final spot, but it was not the case as the Anse Boileau side managed to overturn the situation, winning game two to tie the series.
Following a slow start, HotShots managed to narrowly win the first quarter 10-8, before clinching the second 13-12 for a 23-20 half-time lead.
HotShots managed to keep their composure in the third quarter to win 12-11, extending their lead to 35-31, before winning the fourth and final quarter 11-4 and the match 46-35, forcing game three of the series.
Absent due to work commitment in game one, Beguitta Fontaine was HotShots’ top scorer with 17 points, while Guyra Boniface scored 11 points to lead the scoring for B Challenge.
Game three of the series will take place on Friday at 5.30pm at Victoria Gymnasium.
AB Boys eliminate Praslin Boys to reach final
Anse Boileau-based AB Boys have already book their place in the men’s division two final after sweeping the play-off series with two wins in as many matches against Praslin Boys.
After winning their first match 73-64 on Friday, AB Boys registered their second win and ticket to the final on Sunday, beating Praslin Boys 72-59.
In the second match, AB Boys started as the stronger side, winning the first quarter 21-13, before Praslin Boys fought back in the second quarter to win it 17-9, concluding the first half on a 30-30 tie.
Not wanting to play a third series match, AB Boys dominated their opponents in the third quarter, scoring 26 points, compared to only seven for Praslin Boys, boasting a 56-37 lead at the end of the period.
In the fourth and final quarter, Praslin Boys managed to outscore AB Boys 22-16, but the latter’s earlier advantage kept them in the lead for a 72-59 victory and a spot in the final.
Iven Boniface was AB Boys’ top scorer with 20 points, while with 11 points, Sandro Souffe led the scoring for Praslin Boys.
Praslin Boys will now play the third-place match against the losers of the Anse Etoile v Cascade Bullets series.
Roland Duval
