Vibball Luxembourg overpowered Basket Esch B 87-50 in the M-U18 Division 5 Championship Round (Aller, game 2) at schoolint1 and moved to 2-0, now leading the group. Esch B sit second at 1-1. Vibball are on a six-game winning run across their recent outings, while Esch B's three-game streak was halted.
The first quarter belonged to Esch B, 16-18, largely on the back of Noah Schwarz (Season PPG: 20.20), who poured in 12 points in the opening period, including a three and multiple drives. The game turned decisively in the second quarter: Vibball clamped down defensively and closed the half with a 16-2 frame, fueled by a 14-0 run from 18-20 to 32-20. Coach Quinten Nelson's timeout midway through the period couldn't stem the tide.
Early in the third, Vibball delivered another jolt with an 8-0 burst to 40-23, then managed the gap smartly to 57-34 at the horn. The hosts kept the pressure on in the fourth (30-16), peaking at a 39-point lead at 87-48 before the final 87-50.
Top contributors for Vibball: Michel Ange Mafoo Ondekane (23; Season PPG: 19.17) and Benjamin Mafoo Ondekane (21; Season PPG: 22.67) scored in waves; Benjamin, only 14, also knocked down successive free throws late in the fourth. Cassian Matgen added 18 (Season PPG: 13.40) despite picking up four fouls in the last period, and Alexandru-Catalin Vlad (1.92m, 17, ROU; Season PPG: 11.67) chipped in 12 with timely third-quarter baskets.
For Esch B, Schwarz finished with 20 in a strong individual display, supported by Nolan Alvard (9; Season PPG: 5.40) and Moris Czerwonka (8; Season PPG: 9.00), who hit from deep. Eliaz Kaiser scored 6 but was hampered by four personals. Coach Ildiko Vass's side showed balanced scoring and answered each push, including a late timeout in the fourth to reset before closing out emphatically. Vibball now hold first place (+1), with Esch B second (+1).
(AI generated)