Men’s basketball |31 August 2023

Seychelles’ and the match’s top scorer Khris Bouchereau (in red) takes on Anlis of Mayotte (Photo: Roland Duval)

Seychelles lose to Mayotte, to face Madagascar in semis

Seychelles’ men’s national basketball selection now have a huge a hurdle in front of them on their way to a possible gold medal match as they will now face hosts Madagascar in the semifinals of the 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games.

They will play the Malagasies after losing their second group match to Mayotte 68-80 yesterday at the Palais des Sports of Mahamasina, in Antananarivo.

Mayotte now top the group after two wins against Seychelles and Mauritius.

In yesterday’s match, the players of coach Michel Malbrook were in control from the beginning, coordinating well in their plays and maintaining the lead during the first quarter which they won 21-18.

Again, in the second quarter, the Seychellois players were in control, keeping Mayotte at bay to win it 18-14 for a 39-33 lead at half-time.

Things however turned bad for Seychelles in the third quarter of the match as Mayotte adjusted their defence, coming out with a high-court press and pressuring the Seychellois playmakers who failed to set up their plays properly, leading to many turnovers.

Mayotte’s hard work paid off as they went on to win the quarter 25-14 to take a 57-53 lead at the end of the quarter.

In the fourth and final quarter, Mayotte amplified their defensive, combining it with agility in offence to demolish the Seychelles selection, both physically and mentally as they won the final quarter 23-15 to win the match 80-68.

Khris Bouchereau was Seychelles’ and the match’s top scorer with 25 points.

Seychelles will now have to face the Malagasy players, but also a fully packed Palais des Sports of Mahamasina in the semifinal.

According to assistant coach Grégoire Scholastique, turnovers cost them the win against Mayotte.

He said they started off well, but somewhere in the match, something went wrong, and from then on, the players lost concentration giving Mayotte the advantage.

Assistant coach Scholastique further added that they will now regroup and prepare the team to face the Malagasies, a task which he has acknowledged will not be easy, but not impossible.

Roland Duval