ELITE 2 Round 5 (Regular Season): Antibes hand first defeat to Denain-Voltaire

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in ELITE 2, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Denain Voltaire (4-1) recorded its first loss on the court of tenth ranked Olympique Antibes on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by Olympique Antibes 91-82. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Denain Voltaire. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Antibes held Denain-Voltaire to an opponent 20.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 32.1 percent accuracy of the winners. Antibes forced 21 Denain-Voltaire turnovers. Strangely Denain-Voltaire outrebounded Antibes 34-19 including a 25-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Marcus Williams (188-2002, college: USF) who scored 16 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. Guard Romain Parmentelot (190-2004) chipped in 9 points and 6 assists. Olivier Cortale (207-1997) produced 16 points and 7 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Antibes (3-2) moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams. Denain-Voltaire at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Antibes is looking forward to face league's second-placed Blois on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Denain-Voltaire will play against Le Havre and is hoping to win this game.
Another exciting game was between sixth ranked Blois and 8th ranked Entente Orleans 45 where Blois (3-2) crushed Entente Orleans 45 (2-3) on the road with 23-point difference 103-80. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Arthur Bouba (202-2001) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists. David Coit contributed with 19 points for the winners. Mali point guard Siriman Kanoute (181-2001) answered with 11 points and 7 assists for Entente Orleans 45. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Blois moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams. Orleans at the other side dropped to the thirteenth position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Blois will play against Antibes (#4) at home in the next round. Orleans will play against Levallois (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Metropolitans (3-2) against seventeenth ranked Aix-Maurienne (2-3) on Tuesday night. Visiting Metropolitans was defeated by Aix-Maurienne in a tough game in Aix-les-Bains 78-85. Dorian Angloma stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Kezza Giffa responded with 21 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Aix-Maurienne moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Newly promoted Levallois keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with 10 other teams. Aix-Maurienne will meet at home Rouen (#17) in the next round. Levallois will play against Orleans (#13) and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 5 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Quimper defeated Caen in a road game 81-72. Champagne beat Vichy at home 91-82. Nantes won against Evreux on the opponent's court 97-82. Hyeres-Toulon managed to outperform Le Havre in a home game 83-81. La Rochelle recorded a loss to Rouen on the road 76-75. ASA was defeated by SCABB on its own court 76-85. Poitiers beat Fos-sur-Mer in a road game 80-67.
The best stats of 5th round was 25 points and 4 assists by Keaston Willis of Poitiers.



Aix-Maurienne - Levallois 85-78:
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Metropolitans (3-2) against seventeenth ranked Aix-Maurienne (2-3) on Tuesday night. Visiting Metropolitans was defeated by Aix-Maurienne in a tough game in Aix-les-Bains 78-85. Aix-Maurienne outrebounded Levallois 37-26 including 22 on the defensive glass. Aix-Maurienne looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Guard Dorian Angloma (186-2003) stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and American forward Ahren Freeman (201-2001, college: UTRGV) chipped in 8 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Aix-Maurienne players scored in double figures. The former international guard Kezza Giffa (186-2002, college: Ole Miss) responded with 21 points and naturalized Congolese Giovan Oniangue (198) scored 8 points and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Aix-Maurienne moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Newly promoted Levallois keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with 10 other teams. Aix-Maurienne will meet at home Rouen (#17) in the next round. Levallois will play against Orleans (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Levallois: G.Kezza 21+3reb+2ast, C.Moore 11+6reb, K.Milling 9+3reb+1ast, G.Oniangue 8+4reb+5ast, J.Tchicamboud 8+3reb+5ast, L.Colson 6+3reb
Aix-Maurienne: A.Dorian 15+5reb+2ast, J.Shaquan 14+6reb+1ast, D.Ludovic 14+2reb+2ast, A.Kamel 13+2reb+2ast, B.Matteo 11+3reb, F.Ahren 8+7reb+6ast

Caen - Quimper 72-81:
There was a minor upset in Caen where second-ranked Calvados (3-2) was defeated by eleventh ranked Quimper UJAP (3-2) 81-72 on Tuesday. Quimper made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. Quimper had a 31-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. American point guard Phillip Russell (178-1999, college: VCU) stepped up and scored 17 points and 5 assists for the winners and Damien Bouquet (197) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Four Quimper UJAP players scored in double figures. American guard Tyler Thomas (190-2000, college: Hofstra) responded with 16 points, 5 assists and 4 steals and center Maxime Yomi (206-2002) scored 7 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Quimper UJAP have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams including defeated Caen. Quimper will meet at home Fos-sur-Mer (#19) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Caen will play against Poitiers (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Caen: T.Thomas 16+1reb+5ast, Y.Granvorka 10+3reb+1ast, R.Demahis-Ballou 8+1reb+1ast, M.Yomi 7+12reb, L.DeBruhl 6+3reb+2ast, S.Briki 6+2reb+1ast
Quimper: R.Phillip 17+5ast, B.Damien 14+5reb+1ast, O.Daniel 12+7reb, H.Jay 11+5reb+1ast, D.Victor 11+2reb+1ast, C.Nathan 7+6reb+2ast

Champagne - Vichy 91-82:
Everything could happen in Reims at the game between two tied teams. Both twelfth ranked Champagne and 10th ranked JA Vichy had identical 2-2 record. This time Champagne used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Vichy 91-82 on Tuesday night. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Champagne outrebounded Vichy 37-26 including 24 on the defensive glass. Champagne looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Serbian swingman Djordje Milosevic (199) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and American guard Jarrett Adderton (188-2001, college: Columbus St.) chipped in 21 points. Five Champagne players scored in double figures. American guard RaySean Taylor (185-2001, college: SIUE) responded with 20 points and 5 assists and power forward Raphael Djasrambaye (206-2003) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Champagne (3-2) moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams. Loser JA Vichy dropped to the thirteenth position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Champagne will meet SCABB (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Vichy will play against Hyeres-Toulon (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vichy: R.Taylor 20+3reb+5ast, R.Djasrambaye 16+5reb, T.Pichard 9+5reb+6ast, I.Pietrus 8+2reb+4ast, M.Muamba 7+2reb, T.Leon 7+1reb+2ast
Champagne: A.Jarrett 21+3reb, M.Djordje 19+11reb+2ast, E.Guillaume 15+5reb+2ast, V.Valentin 14+2reb+3ast, C.Maxime 10+8reb+3ast, B.Alexandre 7+3reb+8ast

Evreux - Nantes 82-97:
There was a minor upset when 3rd placed ALM Evreux (3-2) was defeated at home by twelfth ranked Nantes (3-2) 97-82 on Tuesday. Nantes looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Evreux's players. Jamaican-Canadian point guard Javon Masters (183-1994, college: UNB, agency: Blacktop Management) stepped up and scored 19 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and American swingman Wendell Davis (196-1995, college: Ashland) chipped in 18 points and 4 assists. Four Nantes players scored in double figures. American guard JaCobi Wood (188-2002, college: Murray St.) responded with 22 points and 8 assists and Birahima Sylla (201-2003) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Nantes moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams including defeated Evreux. Nantes will meet at home ASA (#18) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Evreux will play against La Rochelle (#20) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Evreux: J.Wood 22+3reb+8ast, B.Sylla 14+5reb, J.Mosely 10+4reb+2ast, L.Djedje 8+3reb+1ast, N.McMullen 8+8reb, F.Damase 7+3reb
Nantes: M.Javon 19+6reb+3ast, D.Wendell 18+2reb+4ast, V.Dylan 16+3reb+4ast, M.Sahel 13+1reb+2ast, G.David 10+4reb, B.Lucas 7+2reb+6ast

Hyeres-Toulon - Le Havre 83-81:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fourteenth ranked Hyeres-Toulon and higher ranked STB Le Havre had identical 2-2 record. This time Hyeres-Toulon used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Le Havre 83-81 on Tuesday night. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Canadian forward Frank Mitchell (203-1991, college: St.Bonaventure) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and American-Jamaican swingman Walter Whyte (197, college: Boston U.) chipped in 16 points. Four Hyeres-Toulon players scored in double figures. point guard Steven Cayol (193-1997) responded with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American-Nigerian guard Ajare Sanni (190-2000, college: UCSB) scored 15 points and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Hyeres-Toulon (3-2) moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams. Newly promoted Le Havre dropped to the thirteenth position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Hyeres-Toulon will meet Vichy (#15) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Le Havre will play against the league's leader Denain-Voltaire and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Le Havre: A.Sanni 15+3reb+5ast, S.Cayol 14+7reb+4ast, J.Pierce 9+10reb, J.Anderson 8+3reb+3ast, Y.Nkombou 8+3reb, C.Bah 6+10reb+1ast
Hyeres-Toulon: W.Walter 16+3reb+2ast, M.Frank 16+12reb+1ast, R.John 15+5ast, L.Marc-Olivier 14+1reb, J.Axel 6+2reb+2ast, G.Moses 4+5reb

Orleans - Blois 80-103:
Another exciting game was between sixth ranked Blois and 8th ranked Entente Orleans 45 where Blois (3-2) crushed Entente Orleans 45 (2-3) on the road with 23-point difference 103-80. It was a key game for the second position in the league. ADA Blois made 20-of-24 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. ADA Blois outrebounded Entente Orleans 45 39-28 including 31 on the defensive glass. ADA Blois players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Arthur Bouba (202-2001) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists. American point guard David Coit (180-2002, college: Maryland) contributed with 19 points for the winners. Mali point guard Siriman Kanoute (181-2001) answered with 11 points and 7 assists and Arthur Bruyas (198, agency: BIG) added 16 points in the effort for Entente Orleans 45. Five ADA Blois and four Entente Orleans 45 players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Blois moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams. Orleans at the other side dropped to the thirteenth position with three games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Blois will play against Antibes (#4) at home in the next round. Orleans will play against Levallois (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Orleans: A.Bruyas 16+1reb+2ast, S.Gbetkom 13+1reb+2ast, S.Kanoute 11+2reb+7ast, T.Gabric 11+5reb+2ast, J.Jonathan 7+4reb+2ast, J.Shepherd 6+1reb
Blois: B.Arthur 21+16reb+5ast, R.Quinton 19+3ast, C.David 19+3reb+3ast, M.Yasmin 15+2reb, G.Lois 14+6reb+3ast, S.Defoundoux 8+1reb

Rouen - La Rochelle 76-75:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both twentieth ranked SPO Rouen and 19th ranked La Rochelle had identical 1-3 record. This time SPO Rouen used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from La Rochelle 76-75 on Tuesday night. American point guard Jalen Moore (180-1999, college: Oakland) stepped up and scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and Moroccan power forward Mohamed Choua (198) chipped in 5 points and 11 rebounds. SPO Rouen's coach Jean-Denys Choulet used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Jimmy Boeheim (203-1998, college: Syracuse) responded with 19 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import point guard Evan Gilyard II (180-1998, college: UMKC) scored 21 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Rouen (2-3) moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. La Rochelle lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with four games lost. They share it with Fos-sur-Mer and ASA. Rouen will meet Aix-Maurienne (#14) in the next round. La Rochelle will play against Evreux (#10) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
La Rochelle: E.Gilyard II 21+1ast, J.Boeheim 19+5reb+1ast, B.Mbye 10+6reb+2ast, S.Andrea 6+1ast, Y.Alexis 6+4reb+1ast, L.Hergott 6+5reb+4ast
Rouen: M.Jalen 20+5reb+7ast, M.Rosaire 11+3reb+2ast, O.Dennis 10, M.Igor 10+2reb, A.Marchelus 7+7reb+1ast, A.Jared 6+4reb+2ast

Antibes - Denain-Voltaire 91-82:
Denain Voltaire (4-1) recorded its first loss on the court of tenth ranked Olympique Antibes on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by Olympique Antibes 91-82. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Denain Voltaire. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Antibes held Denain-Voltaire to an opponent 20.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 32.1 percent accuracy of the winners. Antibes forced 21 Denain-Voltaire turnovers. Strangely Denain-Voltaire outrebounded Antibes 34-19 including a 25-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Marcus Williams (188-2002, college: USF) who scored 16 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. Guard Romain Parmentelot (190-2004) chipped in 9 points and 6 assists. Four Olympique Antibes players scored in double figures. Olivier Cortale (207-1997) produced 16 points and 7 rebounds and Vincentian-Canadian Lien Phillip (203-1989, college: Windsor) added 20 points respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Antibes (3-2) moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams. Denain-Voltaire at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Antibes is looking forward to face league's second-placed Blois on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Denain-Voltaire will play against Le Havre and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Denain-Voltaire: L.Phillip 20+4reb, J.Carroll 17+2reb+1ast, O.Cortale 16+7reb+2ast, M.Sconard 9+6reb+3ast, D.Deen 9+3reb+5ast, G.Meyniel 5+4reb+1ast
Antibes: W.Marcus 16+1reb+6ast, N.Alexandre 11+3reb, S.Zeljko 11+3reb+2ast, M.Khalil 10+1reb+2ast, J.Diaz-Bounoqta 10, P.Romain 9+1reb+6ast

ASA - SCABB 76-85:
Everything went according to plan in Gries where twelfth ranked Saint Chamond (3-2) won against 18th ranked ASA (1-4) 85-76 on Tuesday. SCABB looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American point guard Tavon King (180-1997, college: Cumberland) stepped up and scored 18 points for the winners and Robin Ducote (193-2001) chipped in 11 points. Forward Allan Jeanne-Rose (199, college: CCSU) responded with 11 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Ludovic Beyhurst (172-1999) scored 10 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Saint Chamond have a solid series of three victories in a row. SCABB moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams. ASA lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighteenth position with four games lost. They share it with La Rochelle and Fos-sur-Mer. SCABB will meet at home Champagne (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. ASA will play against Nantes (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
ASA: P.Aranitovic 11+1reb+2ast, R.Jones Jr. 11+4ast, A.Jeanne-Rose 11+6reb+2ast, N.Knezevic 10+3reb+1ast, L.Beyhurst 10+4reb+4ast, J.Bediako 8+4reb
SCABB: K.Tavon 18+3reb+2ast, H.Mael 14+1reb+1ast, D.Robin 11+4reb+2ast, B.Jubrile 10+5reb+1ast, V.Timothe 9+1reb+6ast, L.Abdoulaye 6+4reb

Fos-sur-Mer - Poitiers 67-80:
There was no surprise in Fos-sur-Mer where 18th ranked Provence Basket (1-4) was defeated by twelfth ranked Poitiers (3-2) 80-67 on Wednesday. Poitiers held Fos-sur-Mer to an opponent 21.7 percent shooting from the field compared to 33.3 percent accuracy of the winners and made 22-of-25 free shots (88.0 percent) during the game. American guard Keaston Willis (190-2001, college: Tulsa) stepped up and scored 25 points and 4 assists for the winners and guard Christopher Dauby (194-1999) chipped in 17 points. American-Nigerian guard Michael Oguine (188-1996, college: Montana) responded with 20 points and 5 rebounds and forward Seydou Diallo (196-2004) scored 14 points. Provence Basket's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Poitiers have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with 10 other teams. Loser Provence Basket keeps the eighteenth position with four games lost. They share it with La Rochelle and ASA. Poitiers will meet Caen (#5) on the road in the next round. Fos-sur-Mer will play against Quimper (#9) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Fos-sur-Mer: M.Oguine 20+5reb+2ast, S.Diallo 14+3reb+1ast, J.Etou 11+3reb, M.Nnah-Ndong 5+2reb+2ast, L.Debaut 5+8reb, R.Kelly 5+2ast
Poitiers: W.Keaston 25+3reb+4ast, D.Christopher 17+3reb+2ast, I.Guedegbe 11+1reb+6ast, M.Matthys 7+6reb, I.Prot 6+3reb, B.Noel 6+6reb