Basketball in Africa

MEN’S division 1A defending champions Premium Cobras needed a strong fourth quarter performance to avoid an early slip up, stepping up their defence and going to their Tanzanian import – Abdallah ‘Dulla’ Ramadhan for scoring.

He got nine of their 18 points in the final 10-minute spell for a 59-56 win over SMB Razorbacks who had led for long spells in Sunday’s match at Victoria Gymnasium.

After overcoming a two-point deficit at the end of the first quarter which they lost 15-17, coach Pascal Fostel’s SMB Razorbacks wanted to produce an early upset as they dominated the Cobras 11-9 and 21-15 in the second and third quarters. In the end, they could not sustain the momentum, letting victory slip away.

‘Dulla’ got a game-high 23 points and some amazing dunks for the Cobras who are experiencing lapses of concentration in their play just over a week before they leave for Reunion to compete in the Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC).

Nigel Cafrine, who had a spell with Premium Cobras before re-uniting with SMB Razorbacks, led his team in scoring with 16 points.

PLS Hawks 90 ... Angels 57

With five players – Ugandan Stephen Omony (27 points), Thomas Collie (14 points), Nigel Annette (11 points), Rodney Lozé (10 points) and veteran skipper Jim Domingue (10 points) – scoring in double digits, PLS Hawks have decided to set the pace in the men’s top flight standings on basket difference with their 90-57 win over Angels.
Coached by Clifford Joubert, PLS Hawks won all four quarters 24-22, 23-15, 20-5 and 23-15.
Sharp shooter Darren Lesperance, who netted a season-high 10 3-pointers to help Angels beat Anse Etoile 86-56 in the Curtain-raiser tournament, again had the hot hands for Anse Boileau-based Angels with 20 points, including three treys.

MBU Rockers 61 ... Pointe Larue Falcons 52

MBU Rockers used a strong second quarter performance to spoil Pointe Larue Falcons’ return to the top flight, winning 61-52.
Although playmaker and captain Nigel Sinon, veteran power forward Gonzague Agrippine and small forward Alvin Marie fouled out, the Rockers held on to start the championship on a good note.
Winners of last year’s Men’s division 1B league, Pointe Larue Falcons got 22 points from skipper Kenneth Sinon who used to play for the Rockers.
Meanwhile, the other men’s top flight match between Curtain-raiser losing finalists Cascade Bullets and Baya had to be stopped on Saturday night with 2 minutes 06 seconds played in the third quarter as sudden rain sent water on to the court, making it unplayable.

In the Men’s division 1B league, Praslin Warriors hosted Beau Vallon Heat on Saturday and had no trouble getting a big 85-49 win.
Ryan Volcère, who is back with the Warriors after a stint with MBU Rockers, finished as the game’s highest scorer with 25 points, while the Heat got 13 points from both Jean-Paul Camille and B. Forte.
With Abdel Sylla and Reggie Ah-kong combining for 46 points – 23 points apiece – Juniors won 68-53 against Anse Etoile who also got 23 points from Jason Jean.
Bel Air Blazers won all four quarters in their 76-57 victory over Ex-Champs with S. Servina scoring a game-high 30 points.
Former Seychelles guard George François led Ex-Champs in scoring with 22 points.

Mont Fleuri 103 ... Cadettes 14

In the only women’s match, Mont Fleuri reached the century mark, winning 103-14 against Cadettes.
Former Bel Air centre Lindy Aglaé had the hot hands for Mont Fleuri with 28 points and she was helped on the offensive end by veteran Williana Dubois with 18 points, while Cadettes got eight points from L. Labiche.

G. G.