Basketball: Women's Top-of-the-table final-Bel Air renew with success |08 November 2004

The reigning women's league champions could not have asked for a better end to their season as they cruised to a 79-58 victory over a below par Mont Fleuri in the Top-of-the-table final on Saturday November 6 at the Palais des Sports to confirm their return to the top.

After having played second fiddle to Anse Etoile Stars for the past five years, Bel Air, who bolstered their squad with the signing of Kenyan power forward Caroline Adhiambo two months ago, bounced back to winning ways this season and started winning themselves some silverware as they renewed with success.

The only trophy to have slipped from their hands this season is the Seychelles Basketball, Federation (SBF) Cup won by the Stars.

According to Bel Air trainer Robinson Boniface, the key behind his team's success this year is simply "hard work and dedication by the players who wanted to get back to the top."

Saturday's final, which was played inside an almost empty Palais des Sports, saw Bel Air shoot to an early eight-point lead culminating in the hardworking Burtina Désir netting two 3-pointers and captain Thyra Boniface scoring on an easy lay-up.

From then on there was no looking back for Bel Air who were playing a strict zonal defence.

The girls' of coach Boniface created havoc in Mont Fleuri's defence which lacked commitment as they scored from almost their every move.

Bel Air stretched their lead to 11 points (17-8) with a little more than four minutes left in the first quarter.

Coach Lenny Aglaé's Mont Fleuri came to within seven points (19-12) on a Tracey Moustache's baseline jumper with 2:23 left in the first 10-minute spell but soon after Malagasy centre Lalatiana Razaiarisoa and guard Patricia Samynadin combined to give Bel Air back their 11-point (23-12) cushion.

Bel Air banked in another four points in the last minute following a full-court press to close the first quarter 27-12.

The second quarter was more or less a repetition of the first with Bel Air scoring at will and Mont Fleuri struggling go get the ball through the hoop.

Led by Adhiambo, who got six of her 10 points in the second quarter, Bel Air continued to play aggressive and fast-flowing basketball to distant themselves from their opponents.

Bel Air scored 16 more points in the second quarter compared to Mont Fleuri's 8 for a well-deserved 23 points advantage at the breather.

There were no notable changes in the third quarter which once again saw Bel Air imposing their dominance especially through playmaker Burtina Désir who was awesome on the offensive board.

Once more, the third quarter went in favour of Bel Air who outscore their opponents 21-15.

Albeit Mont Fleuri's comeback in the fourth and final quarter which they claimed 23-15,  it was too little too late as their more illustrious opponents had already sewn up the match for a 21-point victory at the final whistle.

Burtina Désir carried Bel Air's scoring load with a game-high 28-point including three 3-pointers while Razaiarisoa added 17.

Bel Air had one other player – Caroline Adhiambo (10) – in double digits.
As for Mont Fleuri they were led in scoring by Christine Eulentin with 18 points while  Bernadette Songor got 11 and Tracey Moustache 8.

C. J.