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The exciting run for the young Pelican’s of Saint Barthélemy came to an end last Saturday, May 2, in Saint Martin. A great season that ended in the championship semifinals for both the under-11 and under-13 teams. The under-11s lost to the Phoenicks (5-13), while the under-13s put up a fight before falling to their “bogey team,” the RCM (26-31).
“After two weeks of intense training for this match, we were fully prepared for what would be the most important game of the season,” says Léo Ciffréo Yousfi, coach of the under-13s. Club president Pascal Peuchot made the trip to cheer on and motivate the young players.
Led by captain Naullah Husson, the under-13s got off to a strong start and led by one point at the end of the first quarter (8-7). The second quarter was more challenging, particularly due to a string of fouls. The flip side of relentless commitment. Take Eliab Hugues, for example, whose performance was praised by the coach. “This was definitely the game where he showed the most,” said Léo Ciffréo Yousfi.
“Proud of my boys”
The second half was a real “roller coaster,” as the Pelicans’ coach points out. The start of the third quarter was described as “disastrous” by Léo Ciffréo Yousfi, who suspects that “the stress took its toll as the game went on.” But the Saint-Barth players pulled themselves together. “My group of young guys, as I like to call them, made me extremely proud by putting on a crazy final quarter,” explains the coach. “Steals on every opposing team’s attack, an impenetrable defense, and maximum concentration.” ” Matteo, Ernesto, Ulysse, and Kenzo all contributed to the Pelicans’ wild comeback, which saw them score an 11-0 run against an RCM team that watched its opponent close the gap to just three points. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, the game swung in Saint Martin’s favor. “I want to congratulate the entire team, which fought all year to finish on a positive note despite the loss,” said Léo Ciffreo Yousfi. “Because the third-place finish my players achieved is no small feat. I am very proud to have coached this team, and I must emphasize—as I did after the game—the immense progress they made in a match like this against a team like that.”
The coach didn’t forget to thank the parents for their involvement and support. Not to mention Caroline Delaby, who filmed and photographed the entire season. Léo Ciffreo Yousfi also thanked the club for the trust placed in him, as well as his counterpart with the under-11s, Simon Malbranche. “Without him, none of these achievements would have been possible,” he says.
As for the players, they’ll be able to enjoy the offseason with a sense of accomplishment. And, without a doubt, the desire to do even better next year.
