Basketball: League Championship-PLS Hawks take the heat out of Beau Vallon |20 May 2005

On Wednesday at Victoria Gymnasium, coach Juliette’s team had a final real game situation to put the finishing touches to their playing strategies in the 82-59 win over Beau Vallon Heat.

The Hawks looked like steamrolling the Heat after winning the first quarter 25-10 but when coach Juliette decided to throw in his substitutes to give them playing time before Sunday’s important fixture, the Heat scorched them 14-18 and 19-23 in the second and third quarters.

But still PLS Hawks went into the final 10 minutes of play with a seven-point (58-51) lead.

With veteran captain Jim Domingue taking a back seat, his teammates ran rings around the Beau Vallon Heat players, outscoring them 24-8 to close the sore at 82-59 and at the same time extend their winning streak to five games for 10 points to occupy second place in the eight-team standings.

Captained by Francis Herminie, the Heat, who felt that some close calls went against them, were led in scoring by shooting sensation Danny Bertin with 24 points, including a season-high six 3-pointers, one more than the five scored by PLS Hawks’ Jefferson Nganga against Angels on April 23.

Ugandan Stephen Omony finished a game-high 26 points, nine of which came from beyond 3-point range.

Nganga added 13 and back-up centre Rodney Lozé chipped in with 11 for PLS Hawks who welcomed back tireless shooting guard Bernard Bristol following a quick recovery after spraining his left ankle three weeks ago.

Coach Juliette told Sports Nation that his players are looking forward for the match:
“The morale is high on the team and I hope that everyone involved with Sunday’s match give their best and take their roles seriously for the smooth running of the game. We are ready and confident of getting a win.”

In a Men division 1B encounter played on Tuesday, Anse Etoile beat Ex-Champs 54-48.

Meanwhile, the Seychelles Basketball Federation has presented the top three finishers of last year’s men’s and women’s Top-of-the-table competitions with their cash prizes – R3,000 (winners), R2,000 (runners-up) and R1,000 (third place finishers).

Angels won the men’s competition followed in second and third places by Baya and Beau Vallon Heat.

Bel Air took top spot in the women’s edition with Mont Fleuri and Anse Etoile Stars finishing second and third.

G. G.