POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
UNTIL the top two local women's sides - HotShots and Anse Etoile Stars - meet in a must-see encounter on June 22 at Victoria Gymnasium, the Anse Boileau-based team are setting the pace of the championship with maximum points.
Against a new-look Bel Air in their recent match, HotShots got more than half of their points - 58 - from their two main scorers - Tina Agathine and Myra Solin. A member of the country's volleyball pre-selection, centre Agathine got 31 points and international forward Solin added 28 in the 102-24 win over Bel Air.
The win was HotShots' fourth in as many games played and it will be interesting to see if the reigning Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup winners will extend their winning run when they meet defending League champions Stars who are unbeaten in three matches.
The Stars' latest win was against Cadettes on a 120-10 score. Coach Michel Malbrook had six players scoring in double digits - Simone Malbrook (30), Sylvia Sophie (21), Barbara Hoareau (17), Dynah Louis (16), Magdeline Julienne (14) and Priscilla Devasin (12).
In the Men's division 1B league, RC Dynamics were unbeaten in four games and had looked like imposing their authority on how the championship should progress. But this was before they met Praslin Warriors who taught the former Men's division 1A side a lesson of quick and reliable basketball.
With skipper Jackson Auguste (32 points) and Ryan Volcère (21 points, including two 2-pointers) combining for 53 points in their 83-60 win, the Warriors look like championship material only if they can maintain the rhythm and discipline in their game.
After welcoming back Volcère, who had a spell with Men's division 1A side MBU Rockers, and acquiring former Falcons playmaker Auguste, the Warriors, a good running side with tall and skilful players, only need a good coach on their bench to see them progress and why not make the grade to the highest 1A league next season.
With the kind of game they produced last Saturday, thumping Bel Air Blazers 93-66, Juniors, who are under the guidance of coach Gregoire Scholastique and assistant Pascal Fostel, look capable of challenging for the Men's division 1B title.
Lanky Abdel Sylla controlled the defensive and offensive boards and had 25 points, while the Ah-Kongs - Sergio and captain Reggie - proved to their retired dad Nigel, who was present to see them in action and even called them to the sidelines for additional coaching, that they too can play the game and score.
A playmaker just like his dad, elder brother Reggie scored 18 points including three 3-pointers while Sergio netted four treys on the way to a 16-point performance.
In another Men's division 1B encounter last Sunday, Anse Etoile beat LMS Jazz 66-56, while there were wins for Mont Fleuri Dawgz and RA Herons against LMS Youth (44-39) and Fire Brigade (59-27) respectively in the men's lowest division.
G. G.
