M-Coupe des Jeunes, 1/16 finales, Oberanven/Central. Gréngewald Hueschtert edged Basket Esch 67-62 after a tense finish, overturning a double-digit first-half deficit with a balanced scoring effort and timely shot-making.
Esch burst out 0-10, sparked by a triple from Emmanuel Jesus Frederico (16, 2.00m, CPV) and two quick baskets by captain Bel Mokhtar (LAL). The visitors later built the largest lead of the night at 13-25 after an 0-8 run. Gréngewald answered immediately: Capozucca (GRE) drilled back-to-back threes to close Q1 on a 6-0, and the hosts reeled off a 10-3 push before halftime (32-34) through Maggi (GRE), Stobart (GRE) and Lopez Oderigo (GRE).
The third quarter swung both ways. Schumacher (GRE) tied it from the line and briefly nudged Gréngewald ahead, before Esch replied through a three from Jesus Frederico and a steady parade of free throws by Muller (LAL). Jarukaitis (GRE) hit a triple for a 40-39 lead, but Esch closed the period up 45-47.
In the fourth, Schumacher buried two threes and Capozucca added a two as Gréngewald flipped it to 50-47. After Muller's answer from deep for 50-50, Jarukaitis restored a slim edge. The turning point came at 55-56: Stobart scored inside, then Lopez Oderigo struck twice in succession for a 6-0 run and a 61-56 margin. Despite Esch pulling back to 64-62 on Bel Mokhtar, late free throws from Jarukaitis and Capozucca sealed it. In a close game, Schumacher and Lopez Oderigo were the game winners for the hosts, with Jarukaitis and Capozucca closing it at the line.
Gréngewald shared the load: Jarukaitis 13, Schumacher 13 (two fourth-quarter threes), Stobart 12, Capozucca 12 (two early threes and the final points), Lopez Oderigo 11. Esch leaned on Jesus Frederico's 22, with Muller 13, Loureiro Duarte 9 (three triples), and Bel Mokhtar 8. Esch's leaders managed the closing minutes under foul pressure, as Jesus Frederico, Muller and Bel Mokhtar all finished with four fouls. Coaches: Nicolas Saquan Parrish guided the home comeback; Dejan Pavlovic's side set the tone early but could not withstand the late run.
(AI generated)