Telstar Hesperange controlled US Heffingen 50-34 in Heffingen in the M-U18 Division 2 Phase finale, building a decisive lead early and never letting it slip. The visitors jumped ahead 16-5 after the first quarter and broke the game open in the second with a 12-0 run that stretched the margin to 23 (from 9-20 to 9-32). Telstar's largest lead reached 26 at 13-39 early in the third. Heffingen reacted after the break, but the hole was too deep.
The math told the story. Both teams made 14 two-pointers and were close at the line (TEL 7 made free throws, HEF 6), but Telstar buried five three-pointers while Heffingen had none. That 15-point swing mirrors the 16-point final gap.
Samuel Rehak (Season PPG: 16.50) led Telstar with 16 points, including a fourth-quarter three that stopped a mini-comeback. Captain Jules Cochet (Season PPG: 14.33) added 11 and set the tone at the stripe early, while Ceylian Lortilloir (Season PPG: 7.58) chipped in 9 with two triples. Support came from Raffaele Santi (Season PPG: 12.83) and Juan Joyner Lopes (Season PPG: 5.19) with 5 each. Coach Uchenna Ohpani Agada's side hit timely outside shots and managed the start of each half.
Heffingen were carried by captain Danilo Hess (Season PPG: 29.64; 1.90m, 17), who poured in 26 of his team's 34 and scored eight straight points in the third quarter to win that frame 8-5. Ethan Steinmetz (Season PPG: 12.22) added 7. Hess also endured an unsportsmanlike foul in the third, and Tun Elcheroth battled foul trouble (4 PF). Coach José Alberto Pais Costa's group won the last two quarters (8-5, 13-11) but could not erase the early deficit.
In the standings, Telstar sit first at 2-0 in the championship round, while Heffingen are fourth at 0-2. Telstar are on a two-game winning streak; Heffingen have dropped three in a row.
(AI generated)
US Heffingen