Strong defence and lights-out shooting from beyond the arc earned Bonne Terre Blazers a 17-point win over two-time KFC National Basketball League defending champions Soufrière Kings in Game 3 of the finals on Saturday night at Beausejour Gymnasium.
Andre Louison led the way brilliantly as Bonne Terre won 49-42, earning them the Ricky “Skecky” Estwick Trophy for the second time in four years.
The series came down to a third game for the first time since its revival in 2023. The teams were very evenly matched, with just six points between them in the first two games.
After struggling in Game 2, the Blazers started Game 3 by slowing things down and playing a more organised offence. They also put in much more effort on defence than they had the night before.
The Kings nonetheless took control early, with Jayzee Saltibus dominating the boards, as Linzell Alcee and Kimani Charles ran the break. The champions led 20-12 early in the second quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Andre Louison made four straight free throws, and Kyanni Elwyn finished an 11-point run to give the Blazers a 21-20 lead. Sidney Didier tied it at 21 with a free throw, but Troy and Andre Louison each scored to put the Blazers ahead by four.
Bonne Terre led 31-27 at halftime and kept control for the rest of the game. They scored 28 points in the second half and held Soufrière to only 15. Andre made two of the Blazers’ eight three-pointers in the fourth quarter, while the Kings managed just two three-pointers in the whole game.
Andre was named player of the game after scoring 32 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and adding three assists and three steals. His brother Troy also played well, with 14 points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists.
Charles ended as top scorer for Soufrière with 12 points, to go with six rebounds, six steals, and five assists, but he also had a game-high nine turnovers. Saltibus again anchored the inside, with 10 points and 14 boards, whilst Didier and Clayton William carried the offensive load early in the game.
Again, the teams were virtually neck and neck for most of the game. They tied in rebounding for the third game in a row, with 36 each, though Bonne Terre dominated the offensive glass.
There were three standout stats, aside from the final scoreline. After a slow start, the Blazers took much better care of the ball, finishing with 20 turnovers to 26 for the Kings. They hit 9-for-13 from the line, while the Kings went to the line 16 times for the same nine conversions. And of course, there were those eight three-pointers.
This was one of the most competitive series in the last four years and produced a deserving winner. Still, the Kings will likely be looking for payback after missing out on a three-peat.
For the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation, these three close and exciting games were the perfect way to promote the sport.
(TF)
