Basketball - Matis Nicolas carries the North Islands

For the second year running, the U15 team, which includes players from Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin, finished the GuyMarGua tournament in third place. A fine collective performance, given the quality of the opposition, which was boosted by the individual qualities of one of Saint-Barthélemy's players: Matis Nicolas.
The Pelican's captain scored an average of fifteen points per game. “He had an incredible tournament, playing almost all the time,” stresses delegation head Pascal Peuchot. What's more, Matis was awarded the Fair Play prize, which in GuyMarGua is equivalent to the title of tournament runner-up.
Another player from the Northern Isles, Kyvan Richardson, distinguished himself by being selected for the Antilles-Guyane squad, which will enable him to take part in the inter-zonal tournament to be held in France in May.
For the representatives of Saint-Barthélemy (Antonin Peuchot, Sayan Cagan Arnaud and, of course, Matis Nicolas) and Saint-Martin, the competition ended on a high note on Sunday April 13, with a victory over Guyana (63-51) to earn a place on the podium. Perhaps more importantly, the team showed that its level was approaching that of the two West Indian ogres. After a first victory over Guyana (71-70) at the end of an “unforgettable” match in which the players from the Northern Isles “led with bravery, challenging Guyana with a strategic and precise game”, the coaches congratulate themselves, the selection managed to maintain a respectable gap against Guadeloupe (defeat 59-72) and Martinique (defeat 41-52). “This third place twice in a row demonstrates the progress made by our two territories and that our basketball is now on a par with the Pôles Espoir structures of the other three territories”, comments Pascal Peuchot, who insists on the selection's “excellent level” “for the number of licensed players”.
It's also worth noting that the North Island squad now boasts a former French champion, Hugues Occansey, four-time French champion (with Limoges in 1984, 1985 and 1988, then with Antibes in 1991), winner of the Kora? cup (1983), the Coupe des coupes (1988) and seventh-highest scorer in the history of Pro A, the French championship. His presence and experience have undoubtedly contributed to the success of the young players from Saint-Barth and Saint-Martin.