28th January 2009
Le Mont Saint 56 (Leale 19) v Collins Stewart Inferno 75 (Ogier & Hooper 22)
The two top teams in Division 1 clashed in a game to forget at Beau-Sejour. LMS started the better and took advantage of slack CS play to lead 18-11 at the end of the first quarter. Into the second and CS started to find their feet, exterting full court pressure on the LMS backcourt and generally making things difficult. James Tracey and Nick Leale together with Mikey Beausire were responsible for most of LMS's scoring and for CS Jason Hooper looked in fine shooting form combining with his team mates to hit 5 three pointers in the 2nd quarter, giving his side the lead at the half 34-38. Into the second half and CS began to pull away from LMS with points in transistion, mainly through Lee Ogier and although LMS tried desperately to get back into the game, the shots were just not falling. The second half was littered with petty fouls and mistakes at both ends but ultimately in an untidy game, Inferno ran out the victors and hold a strong position at the top of the table.
MVP – Lee Ogier
15th November 2008 - Super Saturday
Le Mont Saint Fiat 49 (Sessay 15) v Collins Stewart Inferno 54 (Mariott 13) (OT)
LMS Fiat and CS Inferno got the league started in fine fashion as they treated the crowd to an overtime thriller at Beau-Sejour…
Fiat settled first but it was nip and tuck as both teams looked to shake off the rust. Pierre Jehan opened up shooting for LMS as he hit three big threes in the first half, giving LMS the lead. Inferno we were solid in defence buy too intricate on Offence, looking for the perfect pass rather than moving the ball more frequently. It was this that lead to Inferno’s numerous turnovers as Fiat increased their lead. Shek Sessay and Jan Renouf crashed the boards and managed to pick up any scraps left by the Inferno rebounders and by the end of the half, Fiat lead by 11. Into the second half and Inferno gradually found their feet. The introduction of Lee Ogier who arrived late seemed to kick Inferno into gear as they began to push the ball on offence and shut down the Fiat guards defensively. By the end of the quarter the lead had been slashed to 5 points and with Inferno in the ascendancy, a come back was well and truly in the cards. Into the final quarter and the two sides exchanged baskets with Inferno not quite being able to get back on terms. When Liam Smyth fouled out early in the quarter, it would seem like the end of Inferno’s charge but this seem to galvanise the team as they fought hard to bring the game within two on the back of the some good free throw shooting. Fiat did not give up but as the scoring dried up and Mark Barnett was fouled out, Fiat were very much hanging on. With 20 seconds to go, Fiat still held the lead but a jump shot from Lee Ogier tied the game. Fiat did have one more opportunity, but the shot was off and the game headed to OT. Once the period started there was only going to be one winner. Inferno took their chances to grind out a 49-54 victory to kick off their campaign. Fiat though have a strong squad which will be in amongst the top runners come May next year.
MVP – Lee Ogier
Collins Stewart 78 (Hamon 25, Stuart 21) v Le Mont Saint 75 (Tracey 36)
The second game of the afternoon saw last seasons champs Collins Stewart take on a revamped Le Mont Saint team.
The game was faster paced than the previous one and it was a case of offence on top as neither side seemed to be able to stem the flow of lay-ups and jump shots. Throughout the first half LMS kept their noses in front through James Tracey and Mike Beausire but the youthful CS squad slowly began to eat into the lead. CS were without Nigel Govett and Andy Stephens but the back court pairing of Max Hamon and Jamie Roussel looked formidable with both players getting to the basket and hitting jump shots to push their side into the lead. Into the second half and Tracey continued on his scoring spree hitting from inside and out. But the momentum had switched and a much younger, quicker CS line-up began to force turnovers and run the floor to complete easy scores in transition. The lead quickly grew to as many as 20 and with Beausire struggling with an Ankle injury, it seemed as if LMS would be blown out in their first game. However, to their credit, they fought back in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 6, but throwing it away once more as too many fouls and turnovers resulted in CS scores. As CS looked to close out the game, LMS did hit three late three pointers but they came up short as Collins Stewart took the honours 78-75. Tracey top scored with 36 assisted by Beausire (M) with 13 and for CS Max Hamon was sensational torching LMS for 25 with Island Coach Stuart adding 21.
MVP – Max Hamon