Sparta Bertrange controlled Kordall Steelers 68-47 in the W-U14 Division 2 Phase finale, overturning a slow start with a dominant middle stretch and climbing to first place (3-1, +1). Kordall remain winless in the round (0-4) and are on a five-game losing run.
Kordall struck first, 13-9 after the opening quarter, behind early inside production from Ema Babacic (18; Season PPG: 18.36) and free throws from Lea Nouemsi (15; Season PPG: 15.60). Sparta adjusted and flipped the game in the second period, 21-12, led by Anaé Sacaze (31; Season PPG: 22.58). The 13-year-old guard repeatedly found lanes in transition and half-court, pouring in 14 points in the quarter and stringing multiple baskets in a row. Sparta reached halftime up 30-25.
Coach Laurent Cames' side broke it open after the break with a 22-11 third quarter. Short bursts like a 6-0 mini-run built on free throws from Eshetha Thokala and finishes by Maya Gaudnek and Andriana Lalioti stretched the gap to double digits. Early in the fourth, another 6-0 spurt (Stéphanie Stoeva, Sacaze, Stoeva) pushed the margin to 58-36, Sparta's largest lead later peaking at +22 (60-38). There were no made three-pointers in the game; Sparta scored 32 field goals from two-point range and added 4 points at the line, while Kordall answered with 20 two-pointers and 7 free throws.
Top performers
- Sparta: Sacaze (31; Season PPG: 22.58) drove the momentum on both sides of halftime. Gaudnek (10; Season PPG: 4.36) added key baskets despite four fouls, and Thokala (10; Season PPG: 4.00) was reliable at the stripe. Stoeva Stéphanie (8; Season PPG: 8.17) scored timely buckets.
- Kordall: Babacic Ema (18; Season PPG: 18.36) carried the offense inside, and Nouemsi (12 years old, ITA) added 15 with steady trips to the line. Sybélia Schmitz (5; Season PPG: 5.20) chipped in late.
Coach Gianluca Pellegrino Ombroni's team led early but couldn't contain Sparta's interior flow once the hosts accelerated through the second and third quarters.
(AI generated)