MYRA Solin played like a real power forward and Jenita Toussaint rediscovered her shooting prowess from beyond 3-point range with three treys in Wednesday’s game two to help HotShots sweep Mont Fleuri in the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup best-of-three final series.
With the 63-49 game-two victory, captain and centre Tina Agathine’s team have completedCentre Agathine (right) rejects Dubois’ shot a first league and cup double.
Losers of game one by a 21-point margin – 72-51 – the Mont Fleurians did a good job of keeping Tina Agathine away from the basket on Wednesday as she killed them in Sunday’s game one with the many second-chance shots she got from under the board for 24 points. But they completely forgot about Solin, who did a lot of damage in the paint with her game-leading 28 points, including a 3-pointer off the glass, despite playing with four fouls for 14 minutes 44 seconds (14:44).
Compared to game one when they trailed throughout, Mont Fleuri led 5-3, 7-5, 9-8 and 11-10 in the first quarter, which they still lost 15-17.
HotShots, giving a rare start to young Sherifah Agathine, who promises to become a good player if she stays focused on what she has to do to improve her game, used an 11-2 run two minutes into the second quarter to take an 11-point lead as Marlene Toussaint came off the bench to bank a 3-pointer with 7:19 to play.
But their lead was cut to seven – 36-29 – at half-time as Mont Fleuri enjoyed a good spell which pleased coach Tony Juliette.
In the opening minute of the third quarter, Mont Fleuri made it a three-point game (36-33) after veteran Patricia Samynadin hit 2-of-2 from the charity stripe and scored with a short jumper.
This was the closest they could come to levelling the game. After Solin drained a 3-pointer off the glass with 3 minutes gone in the third spell, HotShots worked Mont Fleuri to the tune of a 17-9 lead to open a 53-38 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter.
As their dancing young fans, sporting colourful wigs, chanted “we are the champs”, HotShots traded baskets with Mont Fleuri in the fourth 10-minute spell which they lost 10-11 for a 63-49 victory.
“We are the champs,” power forward Solin told Sports Nation.
“It’s the team’s first league and cup double. Sheer determination brought us success this season. Now we will let the triumph sink in. We know we must come prepared next year to defend the two titles.
“We dedicate this victory to our coach (Philip Arissol), who is attending an overseas training,” she added.
Skipper Lindy Aglaé and veteran Williana Dubois scored 15 points apiece for Mont Fleuri, who also got 10 from Bernadette Songor.
Jenita Toussaint finished with 16 points for HotShots, who banked six treys. Their bench also outscored that of Mont Fleuri 5-4.
G. G.