Basketball in Africa

PLS Hawks registered a long awaited victory over their closest rival Premium Cobras whilst Anse Etoile Stars retained their title during the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) charity match which was played Sunday March 25 at the Palais des Sports.

This year’s profit from the charity matches will be donated to Léon Bonnelame. Mr. Bonnelame, who is now an amputee due to illness, has contributed a lot towards the development of basketball in Seychelles.
The PLS Hawks’ fans have waited for over a year to see their team claim a rare victory over Premium Cobras.
With the return of quick and agile shooting guard Jefferson Nganga in their offense and
coach Clifford Joubert providing intelligent instrutions on their bench, PLS Hawks started the match more offensively and they went on to wrap up the first quarter 16-12.

An excellent defense and good organization in their offense helped Hawks to increase their lead in the second quarter.

Matters worsen for Cobras when they lost centre Lenny”Bad”Aglaé who was sent off after his retaliation on Thomas Collie following a foul committed by the latter. At the end of the second quarter Hawks were comfortably leading 42-21.

In the third quarter Cobras lost their Tanzanian player Abdallah “Dulla” Ramadhan following his second technical foul which made the situation more difficult for the boys of Coach Guy Hall as they lost the quarter 63-37.

In the fourth and final quarter, Cobras increased their pace in a bid to reduce the margin by scoring some points but the damages were already done as Hawks won the match 82-70 to win its first title for the year.

According to PLS Hawks’ captain Jim Domingue, Sunday’s victory means a lot to them as it has been a while since they last overpowered Cobras.

”Today we have shown that there are several elements that are back in our team and the final score speaks for itself” explained Domingue.

For his part Premium Cobras’ President Roy Collie admitted that almost nothing worked on their side.

”Hawks were very determined and their shooting was good especially Nganga,” explained Collie.
“The prime aim of today’s match was for charity and I am very happy that we participated for a good cause and contributed towards the welfare of someone who has done a lot for Seychelles’ basketball,” added Collie.

In the ladies’ matches, Anse Etoile Stars were defending their title against Hotshots. It was an evenly contested match and at the end of the first half, Hotshots was leading by a single point 14-13. Hotshots put on an extra gear and at the end of the first half, they were leading 28-22.

It was during the two last quarters that Stars improved on their game thus putting pressure on Hotshots to win the match 62-52 and retain their title.According to Stars’ captain Simone Asba injury problems have been their main constraint.
“Now our players are slowly recovering. With more training and perseverance we will reach the required level,” added Asba.

Next on the SBF calendar is the curtain raiser tournament which will start tomorrow.
Meanwhile the SBF held its annual general meeting last Saturday at the Sports Training Centre, Roche Caïman. There has been no major change to the executive committee. Paul Denis was re-elected as Chairman whilst Alix Alissop remains as Secretary. Jean-Guy Alphonsse will continue with the treasury tasks. The committee’s ordinary members are Tracy Moustache, Pascal Fostel, Steve Hoareau, Thyra Boniface, Nichol Gabriel and Hervé Anthony.


R. D.