Basket Esch handled Racing Luxembourg 78-63 in the M-U16 Division 1 championship round at esch/ho4, building the decisive gap early. After trailing 12-14 in the opening minutes, Esch closed the first period on a 30-9 burst to 44-25 and never looked back. Racing, coached by Uros Niksic, pushed after the break and edged the last two quarters 18-16 and 20-18, but the deficit stayed in double figures. The highest lead reached 19 at the end of the first quarter.
Alexandre Kremer (Season PPG: 11.00) paced Esch with 21, scoring in every stretch and sealing it with four points in a row late (76-63). Captain Paul Blettery (15, Season PPG: 14.23) added 16 and ignited the initial surge, while Euricky Semedo da Veiga (Season PPG: 10.38) chipped 10, including a third-quarter triple. Edmilson Vieira Miguel (Season PPG: 9.31) contributed 6 and, despite foul trouble, hit three key fourth-quarter baskets before fouling out.
Racing's reply was led by Nick Wallers (Season PPG: 31.46) with 25, scoring from all levels, and Doruk Ege Kurtes (TUR; Season PPG: 7.53) with 13, including a late three and four free throws. Martin Cuesta added 8 and William Jaud 6. Mihailo Rilak fouled out after picking up three fouls in the first quarter.
Numbers underline Esch's control inside: 28 two-point field goals to Racing's 20 (threes 3-4, free throws 13-11). Coach Vincent Gevrey's side also maintained composure when Racing made its run.
In the standings, Basket Esch moves up to 2nd (+2) at 2-1; Racing remains 6th at 0-3. Esch also won the season's earlier meeting 97-48.
(AI generated)