| The inter-high school basketball tournament saw an intense match yesterday. |
In a completely crazy and two-faced match, the high school students from Saint François Xavier Antanimena (LSFXA) topped the victory with a small point in the hands of the players from the Lycée Jean Joseph Rabearivelo (LJJR) during the return match counting for the tournament of inter-high school basketball that the Analamanga basketball league organized in Antananarivo. The Antanimena players won with a score of 49-48 (18-11, 5-17, 12-9, 14-11) in a return match played on their soil and total 10 points in Pool B.
The revenge concocted by the standard bearers of the LJJR did not take place. The latter suffered two consecutive defeats against their tormentors who knew how to take advantage of their money time. Pushed by their supporters who came in large numbers, the first quarter was a show of strength from the local players. After the first timeout requested by LJJR, the Analakely players gradually returned to the match, 13-9. The score at the end of the first quarter was 18-11 for LSFXA.
Tense match
The second quarter turned to the advantage of the Rabearivelo high school players. After five errors from the Antanimena boys’ teams, Rabearivelo High School took the lead for the first time, 24-23, before ending the second quarter at 28-23. The intensity of the match increased a notch from the start of the third quarter. Trailing by the score, Antanimena supporters began to criticize the referees’ decision with each foul called against their players. Fortunately the referees were able to keep calm.
The Saint François Xavier Antanimena high school students took the lead again, 29-28. But after three minutes of play, LJJR took the lead to end the third quarter at 37-35. During the fourth quarter, the match was very tense, both teams were at their wits’ end. After five minutes of play, LSFXA leads 45-41 but has five team errors: 45-43, 45-44, 46-44 then 47-48 in favor of the Analakely players. There were only 25 seconds left when the local players led a final attack which the captain transformed into the last two points, 49-48, synonymous with a third successive victory, acquired with pain. The players cried out with relief after the final whistle. The supporters invaded the field jumping with joy.
Henri Christian, coach of Saint François Xavier Antanimena explained that “we won the victory thanks to the fighting spirit of my players. It’s a difficult match but the essential has been done.” As for coach Nomena, Rabearivelo high school coach, he explained that “the refereeing harmed us today (yesterday). It is not the first time “.
Donné Raherinjatovo