Basketball in Africa

BAYA had put themselves back in the men’s division one title hunt with a 73-67 win that put an end to Premium Cobras’ 12-game winning streak the previous weekend, but on Sunday they fell flat on their face after taking a bullet at Victoria Gymnasium.

PLS Hawks avoided a second loss by a whisker thanks to a Steve Allisop last-ditch basket and Razors pulled off a surprise victory, meaning the fight to avoid relegation is getting tougher.

Cascade Bullets 66 … Baya 60

Baya were expected to win against Cascade Bullets to be in the right frame of mind for Saturday’s top fixture against PLS Hawks, but things turned sour for them.

After losing the first quarter 11-22, Baya won the second and third 19-15 and 17-10, but they lost the plot again in the fourth, which coach Tony Juliette’s Bullets dominated and won 19-13 to run out 66-60 winners despite losing Sandy Julienne with five fouls.

Playmaker Christopher ‘Toto’ Camille, who scored on a nice alley-oop pass from Kenneth Sophie – with whom he teamed up well in the backcourt – carried the Bullets’ scoring load with 19 points, including a 3-pointer. Julienne, Dan Côme and skipper Biko Biong added 13 points apiece in what could be considered Bullets’ biggest win in many years.

Biong was also outstanding in the paint, rejecting a number of Baya’s shots to win possession, which his teammates turned into baskets, much to the delight of a small contingent of female supporters.

Centre Robert Léon got 21 points, playmaker Giovanni Laval 17 including three treys, and Steve Denis 12 in Baya’s third loss of the season, leaving their title challenge in tatters.

PLS Hawks 78 ... MBU Rockers 76

Steve Allisop saved PLS Hawks from defeat with a last-gasp basket, earning them a 78-76 win over MBU Rockers, who were looking to bounce back after a one-point margin loss – 62-63 – to Mont Fleuri Dawgz the previous weekend.

PLS Hawks coach Clifford Joubert and his assistant Alix Allisop breathed a sigh of relief after their team escaped from the jaws of defeat in a match during which Nigerian forward Alao Solomon scored 31 points and Daniel Victor added 10.

With swingman Cyril Agrippine still sidelined with a finger injury, shooting guard Brian Morel and playmaker Nigel Sinon picked up the slack, combining for 47 points.


Mont Fleuri Dawgz 93 ... RA Herons 39

Nigel Cafrine (25 points), Kevin Romain (23), skipper/playmaker Reggie Ah-kong (15) and Steven André (13) all scored in double digits in Mont Fleuri Dawgz’ 93-39 victory over RA Herons, who lost all four quarters – 7-22, 4-17, 14-23 and 14-31.

Coached by former Premium Cobras and Seychelles playmaker Nigel Ah-kong, the Dawgz are doing quite well in the 10-team two-round championship as they feature in mid-table.

Bertrand Alphonse led RA Herons in scoring with nine points.

Premium Cobras 108 ... Angels 57

With Nigerian Michael Ohiero banking five shots from downtown for 15 of his game-leading 42 points, Premium Cobras reached the century mark as they steamrollered Angels 108-57 on Saturday.

Amadou Sylla rediscovered his scoring touch with 26 points after netting just 2 points in the loss to Baya, while Steven Servina and Nigerian centre Simon Pusam scored 15 and 13 as coach Guy Hall’s team earned their 14th win in 15 games.


Cobras had rebounded from last Saturday’s defeat with a mid-week victory against Razors on a 93-57 score.
Charbel Servina (15 points) and captain Keiren Agathine (14) were the only Angels in double figures.


Razors 66 … RC Dynamics 60

Razors got balanced scoring from skipper Serge Radegonde (15 points), Alex Baron (14) and Allen Baron (14) to overcome RC Dynamics’ challenge with a 66-60 victory.

Last year’s second division champions Razors dominated the first three quarters, 15-13, 18-9 and 21-14, and although RC Dynamics won the fourth 24-12 it was too little too late.

RC Dynamics’ Ronny Julius bagged three treys and finished with 23 points before fouling out along with Kenneth Domingue, Naddy Marie, James Joubert and Emmanuel Jupiter.

Meanwhile, in the women’s league, Cadettes walked over Juniors.


G. G.