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The young players of the Pelican’s Basket Club of Saint Barth are calmly continuing their season. Last Saturday in Saint-Jean, the under-13s secured two wins against their Saint-Martin counterparts from Robbie’s Star, while the under-11s fell to the Phoenicks.
“I immediately wanted to make my players understand the importance of these two games,” explains the U-13 coach, Léo Ciffréo Yousfi. “These were the most important games of this phase of the regular season because they would determine whether or not we’d finish in the top 3, which is crucial for the playoffs.” ” After a slow start in the first match against Robbie’s Star, the Pelicans managed to turn the tide in their favor. Noticing his players were “static and sluggish,” the coach gave them a little shake-up. It worked. “Thanks to the effort put in to attack the ball and, above all, the basket—something very important in my view in this U13 category,” explains Léo Ciffréo Yousfi. Unfortunately, a touch of carelessness combined with “a very emotionally complicated end to the game,” according to the coach, allowed Robbie’s Star to catch up in the final moments. “The team didn’t manage its fouls well and, above all, didn’t take enough time to move the ball and run down the clock,” he notes. The result? The early lead and a six-point advantage with one minute left melted away like snow in the sun. Worse still, with two free throws in the final seconds, the Saint-Martin team had the chance to tie the game. The first went in, but not the second. Phew, the young Pelicans won 22–21. Léo Ciffréo Yousfi highlighted the performance of captain Naullah Husson, Willian Emmanuel, and Eliab Hughes. The first for following instructions and drawing fouls, the second for his defensive energy and fighting spirit, and the third for his presence on the boards and in the paint. “He showed that this was his home court,” the coach praised him.
In the second game against Robbie’s Star, also in the under-13 division, the Pelicans dominated from start to finish. “I’m very proud of my team,” says Léo Ciffréo Yousfi. “This game was surely our best of the season, first and foremost on the defensive end.” ” In fact, the Saint-Barth players allowed their opponents only six points to secure the win (27-10). Once again, this was thanks to the contributions of Naullah Husson and Eliab Hughes, as well as Matteo Falco and Saphir Benhamida. “True game-changers,” enthuses the coach. “Matteo’s defense is simply perfect, with a drive that inspires the whole team to follow his example. And let’s not forget Saphir’s eight points—he made shots that only Steph Curry knows how to make.” It’s hard to offer higher praise! But “the coach” isn’t afraid to say it: “I feel like I’ve coached the two best games of my young career. I sincerely believe that these victories, the smiles on their faces, and the hugs at the end of the game have created a collective unity that will allow us to go as far as possible.” Not to mention the memories of a season filled with joy.
For the under-11s, the results weren’t quite as encouraging. In fact, the “little” Pelicans fell to the Phoenicks.
