North Fox edged AB Contern 77-72 in a tight M-U18 Division 4 opener at Contern/Central. The visitors led 17-15 after Q1, then broke the game open in Q2 (24-17) behind repeated finishes from Raphael Johan Nkoa (29, 1.81m, CMR) and steady scoring by Nils Rob (17, 1.90m), stretching the gap to a game-high 13 (24-37) before halftime at 32-41.
Contern roared back in the third. Damian Ioannis Xirouchakis (16, 1.76m) caught fire for 17 points in the quarter, with Efe Denizlerkurdu (14) drilling two big threes as the hosts tied it 56-56. Rob then calmed FOX with three free throws in a row to restore a narrow lead entering Q4 (57-59).
Key fourth-quarter moments defined the outcome: Philip Johanns (11) opened with a triple, Victor Igbinovia (5) added a timely three for 63-69, and Nkoa delivered the game-winners with back-to-back baskets for 65-75, a cushion FOX protected to the horn. Contern's Emil Dostert (12) and a late three by Samuel Lockett (3) kept it close, but the rally fell short.
Xirouchakis (37) headlined CON despite playing through four fouls, with Denizlerkurdu and Dostert supporting. For FOX, Nkoa's 11 made twos and Rob's late free throws were decisive, aided by Johanns' perimeter punch. Coach Pol Schlechter's FOX start Phase 1 in 2nd place; Jeff Roth's CON sit 3rd.
(AI generated)