Kordall Steelers edged Arantia Larochette 79-75 in Larochette in the M-U16 Division 4: Phase 2 championship round, reversing the Phase 1 head-to-head that Arantia had won. The game swung on a blistering first quarter: after Arantia led 13-7, coach Julien Noël Edouard BORDONNE's early time-out preceded a 19-0 Steelers run to close the period 26-13, Kordall's highest lead of the night.
Arantia answered with a 27-21 second quarter, fueled by Philippe Volvert (Season PPG: 20.00) and perimeter hits from Charles Wilhelm (Season PPG: 14.50), Léo Rock and Noé Bissen. Halftime stood at 47-40 to the visitors. Jim Spaus (Season PPG: 11.29) kept the hosts within reach in the third, but Kordall still led 67-61 entering the last quarter.
The finish was tight. Volvert powered a late push three baskets in quick succession to bring Arantia to 73-76, and Wilhelm trimmed it to 75-76. Crucial plays followed: Mickael Pereira Briga (18 pts; 15, PRT) scored again for 78-75 and Abriel Adam added the final free throw. Volvert, Arantia's top scorer with 27, fouled out in the closing moments, blunting the hosts' last possession game.
Adam led Kordall with 29 (Season PPG: 23.75), stringing together multiple buckets during the first-quarter surge. Pereira Briga was decisive down the stretch, while Liam Alexander Jovanovic (Season PPG: 7.00) chipped in 13, including a first-quarter triple, and Ilyas Cardarelli added 9. For Arantia, Spaus posted 17 with a timely fourth-quarter three, Wilhelm had 13 and Bissen 11. A second-quarter technical on Kordall captain Mahé Schmitz yielded a point for Arantia but did not change the momentum.
In the standings, Kordall climb to 3rd (+2), Arantia slip to 5th (-1). The Steelers have now won two straight; Arantia are on a three-game skid. Coach Joao Pedro Osorio Silva's group showed fight after the early punch, but Kordall's opening run and late composure decided a close game.
(AI generated)