Basketball - The Pelicans Take on the RCM

The young Pelicans of Saint-Barthélemy continue to gain competitive experience on the fields of Saint-Jean. Last Saturday, March 14, they faced off against their counterparts from the RCM club of Saint-Martin. The results were mixed.
In the under-13 division, two matches were played. The first ended in a loss (19-33), which coach Léo Ciffréo Yousfi analyzed as follows: “After a great first win during this phase of the regular season, the players were eager to show what they were capable of against what is surely the best team in the league. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that simple. We started off well, but we just couldn’t get the results.” The second match in the under-13 division was more convincing. “The whole team demonstrated great concentration throughout the game,” the coach asserts. That commitment resulted in a strong start (12-2 for the Pelicans), who stifled their opponents with full-court defense. The result: a clear-cut, flawless victory (63-12). Léo Ciffréo Yousfi highlights the performances of his players, particularly Ernesto (“Rare energy”), Ulysse (“He got on the scoreboard”), Eliab (“He’s finally playing without hesitation”), and captain Naullah, “who never gives up.”
Victory (12-3) was also on the cards for the under-11s. “Even though it wasn’t a sure thing with Mattéo out—he’s a major asset for our team,” says coach Simon Malbranche. “But it allowed vice-captain Saphir to step up as a leader.”
Finally, for the under-15s, the match against RCM was yet another opportunity to improve. Despite a heavy defeat (37-89), the team “managed to enjoy the game,” notes Léo Ciffréo Yousfi, who says he is “proud” of his players. He particularly highlights the efforts of the captain, Yannis, who “managed to break free from the intense defensive pressure applied by the opposing players; this proves once again that he doesn’t back down from anything or anyone.”
The next game is this Saturday, March 21, again in Saint-Jean for the Pelican’s, hosting the Saint-Martin Pelicans and the Let’s Do It association from Sandy Ground (for the under-11s).

Results
U11: Pelican’s 12 – 3 RCM
U13 (1): Pelican’s 19 – 33 RCM
U13 (2): Pelican’s 63 – 12 RCM
U15: Pelicans 37 – 89 RCM