CHAMPS Baya and Razors took their unbeaten runs into the second round of the men’s first and second divisions over the weekend and extended them with important wins on a resurfaced Victoria Gymnasium court.
With young centre Timmy Adam back in their ranks after spells with MBU Rockers and PLS Hawks, but not available for selection on Saturday due to an injury, defending division one champions Baya had player of the year Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille and centre Robert Léon combining for 54 of their team’s points. They each scored 27 points in Baya’s 30-point margin 84-54 victory over Beau Vallon Heat.
This was Baya’s 10th consecutive win for 20 points, while the Heat, who got 19 points from Tony ‘General’ Barbé, stay a place from bottom in the 10-team standings with 11 points.
Current runners-up PLS Hawks dropped the second quarter 17-18, but won the other three on the way to a 98-62 victory over Cascade Bullets to bring their points tally to 19 after nine wins and a loss.
International centre Rodney Lozé scored 22 points to lead three other Hawks – Neddy Fanchette (17), Heribert Derjacques (16) and Daniel Victor (12) – in double figures as the former champions showed ex-coach Clifford Joubert, who was in the stands and is rumoured to be back with the team, something to cheer about.
Playmaker and captain Kenneth Sophie scored 18 points, Dan Côme added 14 and centre Biko Biong made an 11-point contribution in the Bullets’ fifth defeat in 10 games.
Swingman Cyril Agrippine scored 25 points, including four 3-pointers, before fouling out to lead MBU Rockers to a 71-53 win over Mont Fleuri Dawgz, who are coached by Nigel Ah-kong – his former teammate during his days with the Premium Cobras.
Skipper and playmaker Nigel Sinon scored 18, Brian Morel 11 and young centre Keven Morel 10 for the Rockers who are currently third with 18 points after eight wins in 10 games.
Steven André (13 points) and Reggie Ah-kong (12) were the only two players in double figures for last year’s division two winners Dawgz, who have just two wins to their names after 10 matches played.
After losing captain and centre Steve Antat with a knee injury early in the first quarter, Angels came close to upsetting Premium Cobras but let the opportunity slip away in a 78-86 loss.
Nigerian Alao Solomon got 24 points, skipper and international power forward Dominique Pillay 23 and Darren Lesperance 10 as the Cobras garnered their seventh win for 17 points.
Shooting guard Steven Servina matched Solomon’s score with a 24-point effort and Kieren Agathine added 15 for Anse Boileau-based Angels, who suffered their sixth defeat.
Meanwhile, Razors, who lost their top-flight status at the end of last season to be relegated to the second division, look good for promotion after extending their win run to eight games.
Their latest win came against challengers and current runners-up RA Herons, whom they defeated 57-53 to bring their points tally to 16 – two more than their opponents’ total.
Anse Etoile pulled level on points – 14 – with RA Herons with a 63-55 win over Pointe Larue Falcons.
G. G.