Sparta Bertrange B overwhelmed Telstar Hesperange 102-61 in nikibett/central, repeating December's onesided matchup (113-59) and consolidating first place in the Phase finale (3-0), while Telstar sits third (1-2).
Coach Dimitrios Paspaltzis's team set the tone with a 19-0 start, fueled by early threes from Simon Derwael-Thomsin (Season PPG: 18.07) and Vasileios Paspaltzis (Season PPG: 12.10), and the relentless rim pressure of Lukas Maver (Season PPG: 13.39). The first quarter finished 31-8; by halftime it was 58-15. Sparta's offense was balanced and efficient: 36 made two-pointers (72 points), seven threes (21) and nine free throws. Maver led with 25 points (11 2P, 3 FT), Derwael-Thomsin added 24 (9 2P, 2 3P) and Paspaltzis buried five triples for 23. Jim Thiry (10) and Loïc Schmit (5) rounded out the depth. Notably, the 14-year-old Greek guard Paspaltzis and 15-year-old Slovenian Maver drove SPAB's early burst.
Telstar, under coach Uchenna Ohpani Agada, steadied after the break, edging the third quarter 22-20 and splitting the fourth 24-24. Their push was led by Gabriel Marques dos Ramos (18; Season PPG: 21.69, 3 threes) and Batu Polad (20), with support from Jules André (9) and two late threes by Martin Fritsch (6). However, key contributor Mathis Adehm (Season PPG: 10.23) fouled out in the fourth, limiting TEL's options in the paint.
Sparta's highest lead reached +43 at 102-59 before the final basket. The win gives SPAB three victories in a row after a long losing stretch earlier this season, and they remain atop the Championship Round with a 304-220 point differential through three games. Telstar's fightback after halftime showed resilience, but the opening avalanche decided the outcome.
(AI generated)