Arantia Larochette controlled Kordall Steelers 77-55 in the M-U16 Division 4 Phase finale in Larochette, moving to 3-0 and the top of the standings, while Kordall sit third at 1-2. The opening quarter was tight (15-13), but Arantia broke the game in the second: Philippe Volvert opened the period with five straight points and the hosts strung together a 10-0 run to 30-15. Jim Spaus kept the momentum and Léo Rock's three sent Arantia to 40-21 at halftime. Coach Julien Noël Edouard BORDONNE burned timeouts to halt the tide; Joao Pedro OSORIO SILVA's group kept their pace.
Early in the third, Arantia pushed the lead to a game-high +27 (48-21) behind captain Jim Spaus (16). Kordall then produced their best spell, a 12-0 blast powered by Ilyas Cardarelli and Mahé Schmitz to close to 54-40. Schmitz picked up consecutive fouls in that stretch and later fouled out, limiting the visitors' late options.
In the fourth, Spaus knocked down a three and Volvert added timely baskets to restore a safe cushion, and Arantia closed steady. Highest lead: 27.
Top performers
- Arantia: Jim Spaus 23, Volvert 20 (Season PPG: 21.00), Noé Bissen 11. David Hansen (14, BEL) chipped in off the bench.
- Kordall: Cardarelli 15 (Season PPG: 9.63), Schmitz 11 (Season PPG: 13.67), Abriel Adam 11 (Season PPG: 22.36).
Head-to-head this season now stands at 2-1 for Arantia after the teams split the first two phases. Arantia extend their winning streak to four; Kordall drop their second in a row.
(AI generated)