Basket Esch controlled Sparta Bertrange 69-52 at atert/terrain1 in W-U16 Division 1 Phase 1, pulling away after a balanced first half. The opening 10 minutes were tight, 16-15 for Esch, and the visitors kept a slim edge to the break, 30-28. The game turned decisively in the third quarter: Esch exploded for a 28-8 period, pushing the lead to as many as 22. Ajla Adrovic (14) opened the half with five straight points, and later Kim Ferron strung together three consecutive baskets for six in a row. Coach Karim Elbaoune's side never looked back despite Sparta's 16-11 response in the fourth, capped by a late triple from Akissi Yves N'Goran (15, ITA) to settle the final margin.
Esch's scoring balance was evident: Adrovic led with 20 points (7 twos, 2 threes), Ferron added 18 (8 twos, 2 FTs), and Estelle Birnbaum chipped in 15 including a three and two free throws. Lana Clausi scored 9 and N'Goran 5. The visitors made 26 two-pointers and 4 threes, with 5 points at the line.
Sparta leaned on Quineth Safira Lucy Zaal's 15 and captain Lilly Engels' 11 (1 three, 2 FTs). Hanna Rotink, Sophie Styr and Annabel Maria Mason Mateos each added 6, while Kleio Chatzinikoli had 4. Sparta produced 23 two-pointers but only one three, which limited their ability to match Esch's third-quarter surge. Early in the fourth, Lyna Pereira Benzait committed back-to-back fouls as Sparta tried to change the rhythm, but Esch kept composure.
In form terms, Esch are on a two-game winning streak after opening with two losses and climb to 3rd place in the table (+2). Sparta remain 6th at 0-4 under coach Colin Braun.
(AI generated)