Basketball: Men’s division two play-offs final – Game 1 |17 November 2022
Brendon Belmont scored 15 points to lead the scoring for Anse Etoile against AB Boys (Photo: Roland Duval)
Anse Etoile glide past AB Boys to lead final series
Anse Boileau-based AB Boys who finished on top of the classification league saw their progress towards becoming division two champions halted yesterday, following a 55-63 defeat against Anse Etoile, giving the northern Mahé side a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three play-offs final series.
To qualify for the finals, AB Boys swept their play-offs series over Praslin Boys, while Anse Etoile defeated Cascade Bullets, also 2-0.
Anse Etoile entered yesterday’s match stronger, leading 19-12 at the end of the first quarter, before AB Boys redeemed themselves in the second quarter, winning it 19-13 , cutting Anse Etoile’s lead to only one point – 32-31 – at half-time.
In the third quarter, both teams displayed some good basketball, keeping the two sets of fans on the edge of their seats.
The match was however marred by some dubious callings on the part of the officials, breaking the momentum, causing some frustrations from players, as well as both benches.
AB Boys managed to score nine points in the third quarter, while Anse Etoile chipped in another eight, concluding the third quarter on a 40-40 tie.
Both teams entered the fourth and final quarter on high momentum, aiming to win the first match of the final series, but individual mistakes, and once again some questionable callings from the officials spoilt the ambiance.
More focused, Anse Etoile managed to score 23 points, while AB Boys added another 15 to their tally, concluding the match 63-55.
Brendon Belmont and Nigel Cafrine scored 15 points apiece to lead the scoring for Anse Etoile, while Micheal Agathine was AB Boys’ top scorer with 14 points.
Game two of the final series will take place on Saturday at 3.45pm at Victoria Gymnasium.
Meanwhile, today at 5.30pm at Victoria Gymnasium, in the men’s division one finals, PLS Hawks will Play Beau Vallon Heat in game one of the series.
Roland Duval