Basketball in Africa

Anse Etoile Stars have taken a major step to reclaim the women’s league title lost to Anse Boileau-based HotShots two seasons back.

Their 67-62 victory over the reigning champions during the weekend has given them the impetus to push on. They are now in second place in the six-team standings with a maximum eight points after four wins in as many matches.
HotShots are the league leaders with nine points after playing five matches – four wins and a loss.
During the tightly-contested match, which took place at the NSC multipurpose hall, Roche Caïman, both teams displayed a well-disciplined game in both offence and defence.
After losing the first quarter 11-16, HotShots came out stronger in the second and fought back to win it 19-11 to conclude the first half with a three-point – 30-27 – lead.
In the third quarter, Anse Etoile Stars upped their game, especially in defence, and it allowed them to bridge the gap and outscore their opponents for a 49-45 lead at the end of the third 10-minute spell.

In the final quarter, the Stars managed to hold on to their lead despite the pressure from their opponents after losing captain Simone Malbrook with five personal fouls. They scored 18 points compared to HotShots’ 17 to win the match 67-62.

Stars' captain Simone Malbrook said her team are all out to regain all the titles lost over the past years, while HotShots' lanky skipper Tina Agathine is confident they will overcome the five-point deficit in the second round and retain the league title.

Meanwhile, in the men's division one league, Premium Cobras are still maintaining their 100 percent winning record, following their 71-51 victory over Razors. Cobras lead the table with 10 points after five matches, while Razors carry the weight of the table with two points following two defeats in as many matches.
Second placed Baya are also unbeaten in the league this season and their latest victims were RC Dynamics. After losing the first quarter 14-22, Baya took full control of the match to win the remaining quarters 29-11, 28-12 and 24-17 for a 95-63 victory.
Baya have eight points after four matches, while RC Dynamics are fourth with seven points after getting two wins in five matches.
Seventh-placed MBU Rockers also registered a win against Anse Boileau-based Angels. The Rockers completely dominated Angels, winning all four quarters 32-14, 21-6, 28-19 and 23-15 f or 94-54 victory.

With an even win-lose record of 2-2 in four games, the Rockers have six points and Angels are in fifth position with seven points with two wins and three defeats in five matches.

Following their 67- 63 win over Cascade Bullets, Mont Fleuri Dawgz, who have now won three times in five outings, are third on eight points. The Bullets are sixth on six points and they have just one win in five games.

R. D.