Three minutes into the game and Alizée Labadie, a serial scorer with three-pointers and the top scorer of the afternoon (22 points), forced Adrien Tastet, the coach, to call his first timeout to regroup (21-12). However, the Chalossaise winger is just as comfortable on the counterattack. The first successful free throw by Chloé Jimenez boosted TBC’s morale, but they remained under the defensive pressure from Patrick Dumas’ team and their captain Justine Bichot leading the charge (31-28, 10th).
“We had a bad start to the game. HMCB was accurate right away, which boosted their confidence,” admitted Adrien Tastet. “We had a very good performance even though we wanted to do better today.”
And, as if by magic, Alizée Labadie leveled the two teams (31-31) in a game where duels multiplied across the court. The game lit up, spaces opened up, Lena Normand and Alizée Labadie took advantage in the corner, in a second quarter where Tursanaises were kept at zero points (31-54, 20th).
TBC (+ 21) 53 – HMCB 85
Location: Magescq (arena). Referees: MM Marbat, Latour, and Jamet-Surjon. Quarters: 31-28, 0-18, 13-14, 9-17. Halftime: 31-54.
Tursan Basket Chalosse (+ 21): 12 successful shots, including 3 three-pointers; 5 successful free throws; 18 fouls.
Top scorers: Candau (5), Lafargue (5), Lafenêtre (3), Ma. Labadie (0), Drouilhet (5), Drees (4), Mar. Lespiau (0), Jimenez (3), Mat. Lespiau (7), Gavelle (0).
Hagetmau Momuy Castaignos Basket: 31 successful shots, including 11 three-pointers; 12 successful free throws; 19 fouls.
Top scorers: Bichot (13), L’église (17), Gilles (2), Labadie (22), Normand (5), Jeau (3), Darrieutort (4), Forclos (12), Carpan (2), Orejas (5).
Timeout and Balance
However, the restart favored them, and Justine Candau’s teammates showed a new, more offensive face against Chalossaises who no longer maintained the same defensive intensity. A timeout from HMCB was necessary. Upon return, Vanessa Darrieutort finished a beautiful team play. The game balanced out as Laura Lafargue, TBC’s winger, found her mark again (44-68, 30th).
“In this kind of match, precision is crucial,” acknowledged Patrick Dumas, HMCB’s coach. “I am happy to be in the final where we will need to step up even more.”
