Basketball in Africa

DEFENDING champions Baya extended their unbeaten run to three over the weekend at Victoria Gymnasium in the men’s division one championship, but it was MBU Rockers who were the talk of the town as they claimed the scalps of Premium Cobras.

Led by Cyril Agrippine, who got 29 points including six 3-pointers against his former team, With 29 points, Agrippine (left) keeps Rockers in the title race at his former team’s expenseMBU Rockers won the second and third quarters 24-14 and 23-16 on the way to an 85-76 win – their third in as many games for a maximum six points. Skipper Nigel Sinon netted 25 points and Roddy Fanchette added 14 in their team’s win.

Nigerian Alao Solomon top-scored in the match with 30 points, but could not stop his team from losing, while Darren Lesperance hit four treys for 12 points.

The disqualification of coach Guy Hall did not help the Cobras, who now have five points after two wins and a loss.

Baya stepped on the accelerator in the second half during which they scored 55 points and held Cascade Bullets to just four points in the final 10 minutes on the way to a 90-49 win.

Player of the year Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille came off the bench to score three treys for nine of his 21 points – the same total as small forward Dave Roseline – as Baya stay unbeaten in three games.

Dan Côme had the hot hands for mid-table Bullets with a game-leading 22 points.

To avoid having only a brief spell in the top flight, last year’s division two champions Mont Fleuri Dawgz must learn to calm their game and make the most of the opportunities that come their way.

Against RC Dynamics, they looked capable of getting their first win in three games as they held an 11-point half-time lead – 42-31– but they fell apart in the second half, which they lost 24-50.

RC Dynamics’ 81-66 win is their first in three games and they were paced by skipper Jean-Paul Desaubin with 23 points, while Emmanuel Larue added 13 and Kenneth Domingue got 11.

Captain and playmaker Reggie Ah-kong again led the Dawgz in scoring with 27 points, including three 3-pointers.

With five players – Neddy Fanchette (21), Jim Domingue 917), Karim César (16 including three treys), Bernard Bristol (14) and D. Julienne (13) – scoring in double figures, PLS Hawks had no trouble defeating visitors Praslin Warriors 103-50 for their second win in the two-round championship.

Captain Jackson Auguste netted 20 points for the Warriors, who are carrying the weight of the standings after two losses in as many outings.

Angels brought their number of wins to two in three games when they beat Beau Vallon Heat 95-53. They got 18 points from Kieren Agathine, while David Boniface added 16 and Franky Esther netted 15.
The Heat were led by Tony Barbé with 12 points.

The eight-team men’s division two is led by RA Herons, who are unbeaten in three games. Pointe Larue Falcons are also unbeaten but have a match in hand on the leaders.

Other than Juniors, who have played twice and lost both, all the other women’s teams have played once. Title pretenders Anse Etoile Stars, HotShots and Mont Fleuri have all won their first game.

G. G.