AS RA Herons players celebrated their entry into the men’s division one league last Friday at Victoria Gymnasium, their counterparts from Beau Vallon Heat were crestfallen.
They had been swept in the best-of-three playoff series to lose their top-flight status.
After going down 57-62 in game one, the Heat started strongly against Men’s division two runners-up RA Herons, coached by Grégoire Scholastique.
Ninth finishers in the top flight this season, the Heat led by one at half-time – 26-25 – and were up by four – 42-38 – after 30 minutes of play. But they fell apart in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter during which they were outclassed 7-15 to lose the game 49-52.
The Heat had avoided the drop last year after winning the playoffs. They trailed Anse Etoile in the series after going down 67-74 in game one, but stayed alive by tying it at 1-1 with a 63-62 game-two win.
They then scorched Anse Etoile in the third match on a 64-59 score to continue playing with the big guns.
RA Herons and second division winners Razors will join the 10-team top flight next season.
G. G.