Basketball: National league-Clean first-round sweep for Anse Etoile Stars |29 May 2012
Stars, who reclaimed the title last season on the head-to-head rule against HotShots – who had won the title for three consecutive years in 2008, 2009 and 2010 ¬– are now on top with eight points.
Saturday’s defeat was the second consecutive for HotShots who previously lost 59-52 to Mont Fleuri.
In Saturday’s match, Stars started the first quarter on a rather slow rhythm, earning them a narrow 14-13 lead at the end of the first ten minutes.
It was during the second and third quarters that the defending champions showed their intention, with veteran captain Simone Malbrook scoring 15 points, to help Stars winning the two quarters 14-6 and 22-11.
HotShots however managed to combine well and scored some points during the final quarter to outscore Stars 20-12.
With their points advantage from the previous quarters, Stars kept their lead to win the match 62-50 and maintain their perfect winning record.
The defeat put HotShots second in the ranking on six points after four matches.
Malbrook was Stars’ top scorer with 15 points, while center Tina Agathine led HotShots with 28 points.
After losing the first quarter 16-19, defending league champions Hawks fought back to win the second quarter 19-10 for a 35-29 lead at halftime.
Dawgz came out stronger in the third quarter which they won 13-9 to bring them back into the race.
The fourth quarter, which was fiercely contested – with both teams aiming for a win, was halted after three minutes of play, after the officials complained about their safety following interference by the crowd.
With the arrival of the security forces, the match resumed and PLS Hawks narrowly won the quarter 20-18 for a 64-60 win.
Hawks are now second on 12 points from six matches, while Dawgz are fourth on 10 points after four wins and two losses from six matches.
Rodney Lozé was Hawks’ top scorer with 16 points, while captain Nigel Cafrine led the scoring for Dawgz with 17 points.
MBU Rockers 98 … RC Dynamics 57
Mont Buxton-based MBU Rockers collected their second win of the season by beating RC Dynamics 98-57 on Sunday at the Victoria Gymnasium.
Rockers comfortably dominated the first three quarters 25-8, 29-17 and 29-13, before being outplayed by Dynamics 19-15 in the final quarter.
Brian Morel was Rockers’ top scorer with 21 points, three more than Davis Nancy who led Dynamics with 19.
Rockers are now fifth on nine points after two wins and five losses, while Dynamics are eight on seven points after five losses and a single win.
Baya 85 … Premium Cobras 74
Following their 21-point-loss (83-62) to Mont Fleuri Dawgz, Baya regrouped to hand Premium Cobras their first league defeat on Saturday.
Baya won the first quarter 18-17, before Cobras won the second 23-22 for 50-50 tie at halftime.
It was during the second half that Baya took advantage and won the two quarters 22-16 and 23-18 respectively to win the match 85-74.
With 17 points, Robert Léon was Baya’s top scorer while captain Amadou Sylla led Cobras with 18 points.
Baya are now on top of the table with 13 points from six wins and one loss out of seven matches, while Cobras are third on 11 points after five wins and one defeat.
Angels 94 … Drifters 73
In the Anse Boileau derby which started on a very high tempo, the young Drifters team led by Arnaud Arrisol was very consistent in both offence and defence, keeping up the pace with Angels for a 22-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Angels however came back stronger in the second quarter which they won 22-10 for a 41-32 lead at half time.
Shifting a stronger gear, Angels won the third and fourth quarter 28-18 and 25-23 respectively for a 94-73 final victory.
Dominic Françoise was Angels’ leading scorer with 26 points, the same tally as Arrisol who led the scoring for Drifters. The latter had five treys to his credit.
The win steers Angels into the seventh place on eight points after two wins and four losses, behind Drifters who are sixth also on eight points after a single win and six losses.
Praslin Warriors 107 … Cadets 24
Men’s league division two leaders Praslin Warriors registered two crushing away wins during the weekend, pushing them ahead of unbeaten Beau Vallon Heat on 11 points.
In their first match on Saturday, Praslin thrashed Cadets 107-24, while in their second match on Sunday, they defeated Juniors 90-29. Praslin have collected five wins and a loss out of six matches.