Basketball Doubles champions Beau Vallon Heat aiming higher next season |29 December 2022
The players and sponsors with their certificates
“Achieving the doubles in 2022 was a job well done, but maintaining the achievements and even going bigger next season remains the prime target of Beau Vallon Heat next season,” club chairman Oliver Bastienne has said.
Mr Bastienne made the statement during the club’s end-of-year gathering held at the Savoy Resort & Spa at Beau Vallon, in the presence of players, managers, coaches and sponsors.
He first and foremost thanked all the family members of the team for their continuous support throughout the season, as well at the faithful sponsors ‒ Chantal and Gilles Pinchon ‒ who he said have been with them through thick and thin, year in, year out.
Words of thanks also went out to other sponsors who have contributed in one way or another in helping Beau Vallon Heat achieve the doubles.
He explained that despite their achievements, 2022 has been a very challenging year, but manageable due to several factors, including the devotion of the players, as well as the energy put in by the loyal fans and supporters.
For 2023, the whole team need to make some core decisions, based on what they really want and are willing to contribute as part of the family.
Priority number one, other than defending the titles is to have a go at the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL), and aim to make the top 16.
On his part, vice-chairman Riard Balette congratulated and thanked everyone who contributed in the long journey to achieve the doubles this season.
He also reminded the players that becoming champions and living like champions are two different things. Living like champions require more efforts.
The Heat achieved the doubles after winning the Land Marine Cup final 70-65 over rivals PLS Hawks, making it their fourth consecutive win in a row over the latter.
For the competition, Beau Vallon Heat were drawn in group A alongside PLS Hawks, Baya and Mont Fleuri Dawgz, Beau Vallon Heat collected maximum six points from three matches to top the group, after defeating Dawgz 92-65, Hawks 92-77 and Baya 83-68.
In the semifinal, Heat defeated Drifters 68-63 to book their final tickets.
Prior to the Land Marine Cup, the Heat won the national league, after winning the playoff final series 2-1 over the Hawks.
Beau Vallon Heat concluded the classification league on top, garnering 22 points from 10 wins and only two defeats from 12 matches played, pairing them with fourth-placed Drifters and they beat the latter twice to sweep the series and book their final spot.
PLS Hawks dominated the first match of the final series, beating Heat 77-65 before the latter came back in game two to win 78-68, stretching the series into a third match.
In the third and final match of the series, the Heat defeated PLS Hawks 74-63 to be crowned champions.
Roland Duval
