AB Contern edged Sparta Bertrange 53-51 in a tight W-U16 Division 1 opener in Contern, climbing to first place while Sparta sits second. The game swung wildly: after an even start, Sparta took control late in Q1 and strung together a 10-0 burst early in Q2 to 10-25, with Hanna Rotink (SPA) scoring three straight baskets. The visitors' largest lead reached +15 at 15-30.
Contern flipped the script after halftime. Sparked by Sofia Nunes Lopes (CON) and Julie Braun Silva (CON), the hosts opened Q3 on an 11-0 run to 28-30 and trailed just 41-44 entering the fourth. Rotink replied with back-to-back field goals for 43-48, but coach Kerschen's team answered decisively: a 10-0 surge featuring Alix De Harenne (CON) from deep, three consecutive free throws by Sarah Miranda Brooks (CON) for the first lead since 2-0 at 49-48, then baskets by Emily Quirke (CON) and De Harenne for 53-48. Sparta cut it to 53-51 through Annabel Maria Mason Mateos (SPA) and Louise Graas (SPA) at the line, but the equalizer never fell.
Top performers: Nunes Lopes (15) led Contern with 20, Braun Silva added 11 and De Harenne (14, Belgium) had 9 with clutch plays. For Sparta, Rotink poured in 24 before fouling out in Q4 (two fouls in a row in Q3 hurt), Mason Mateos scored 12, while Lynn Blanc hit the team's lone three. Coach Roilgen's time-outs couldn't halt Contern's second-half momentum.
(AI generated)