NM1 Round 3 (Regular Season): Challans defeat Rennes

This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in NM1 and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Union Rennes (1-1) on the court of Vendee Challans on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by Vendee Challans 78-65. Challans made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. It was a good game for Serbian-Montenegrin power forward Luka Nikolic (209-1994) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). point guard Warren Racine (188-1995) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Vendee Challans' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. point guard Paul Billong (193-2001) answered with 13 points and 7 assists for Rennes. Vendee Challans is looking forward to face Quimper on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Union Rennes will play against Tours (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of Lorient (2-1) against Fougeres (2-1) on Friday night. Host Lorient was defeated by Fougeres in a tough game in Lorient 91-96. It was a great evening for point guard Maxime Choplin (180-1992) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points, 6 assists and 4 steals (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Cheick Soumaoro helped adding 12 points and 5 rebounds. Fougeres' coach Mathieu Lemercier allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was guard Matthieu Robin (184-1992) with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Fougeres will play against Poissy (#12) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Lorient will play against Toulouse (#13) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of Saint Vallier (2-1) against SO Maritime Boulogne (2-1) on Saturday night. Visiting Saint Vallier was crushed by SO Maritime Boulogne in Boulogne-sur-Mer 102-62. It was an exceptional evening for Mika Adams-Woods who led the winners and scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. SO Maritime Boulogne's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jonathan Boucaud came up with 17 points for Saint Vallier in the defeat. SO Maritime Boulogne will meet Metz (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Saint Vallier will play against Le Havre (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 3: Quimper beat Poissy on the road 103-93. Toulouse won against Tours on its own court 80-75. Levallois unfortunately lost to Tarbes-Lourdes in a road game 80-92. Vitre rolled over Pole France at home 88-59. Les Sables was defeated by Angers on the opponent's court 79-74. SCABB beat Charleville in a home game 84-67. Berck lost to undefeated Loon-Plage on the road 61-85. Le Havre managed to outperform Mulhouse on its own court 87-81. Metz managed to beat Avignon/Pontet in a road game 92-81. Winless Feurs was defeated by Besancon at home 78-79. Lyon was beaten by Orchies on the opponent's court 79-72.
The most impressive performance of 3rd round was 10 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists by Joe Burton of Orchies.

Group A

Poissy - Quimper 93-103

No shocking result in a game when Quimper UJAP (3-0) beat on the road Poissy (1-2) 103-93 on Friday. Quimper dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Poissy's 34. They outrebounded Poissy 33-20 including 23 on the defensive glass. Quimper looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Antoine Wallez (205-1996) who led the winners and scored 20 points and 7 rebounds. Point guard Antoine Dudit (181-1997) accounted for 11 points and 11 assists for the winning side. Lithuanian guard Kevin Cham (185-1998) came up with 29 points, 7 assists and 4 steals and Angolan center Valdelicio Joaquim (208-1990, college: Hawaii) added 22 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Poissy in the defeat. Five Quimper and four Poissy players scored in double figures. Quimper UJAP will meet at home Challans (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Poissy will play against Fougeres and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Quimper: A.Wallez 20+7reb+2ast, N.Burrell 17+4reb+2ast, M.Milovanovic 17+3reb+1ast, A.Dudit 11+2reb+11ast, L.Thevenard 11+4reb+1ast, B.Injai 10+6reb+2ast
Poissy: K.Cham 29+2reb+7ast, O.Yao-Delon 23+3reb+1ast, V.Joaquim 22+6reb+1ast, K.Closson 10+2reb+7ast, M.Da Silva 7+5reb+2ast, J.Durand 2+1ast

Toulouse - Tours 80-75

There was a minor upset when Tours (1-2) lost on the road to Toulouse (1-2) 80-75 on Friday. Strangely Tours outrebounded Toulouse 45-32 including 16 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for point guard Dennis Ona Embo (175-1998) who led the winners and scored 15 points and 6 assists. Guard Camille Jean (188-2002) accounted for 11 points and 8 assists for the winning side. Four Toulouse players scored in double figures. Tyron Minfir (197-2002) came up with 19 points and 8 rebounds and American Bernie Andre (198-1997, college: UT Martin) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Tours in the defeat. Toulouse will meet at home Lorient (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tours will play against Rennes (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Toulouse: A.Aygalenq 20, D.Ona Embo 15+4reb+6ast, C.Jean 11+2reb+8ast, W.Butler 10+7reb+2ast, D.Gana 8+5reb+3ast, T.Gottin 7+4reb
Tours: T.Minfir 19+8reb+2ast, B.Andre 19+6reb, C.Turner 10+4reb+7ast, F.Paschal 7+4reb+1ast, T.Leon 6+3reb+5ast, P.Drouault 6+5reb+3ast

Tarbes-Lourdes - Levallois 92-80

Lourdes-Tarbes used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Levallois 92-80 on Friday night. Tarbes-Lourdes made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for point guard Marius Chambre (182-1998) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 6 assists. Cameroonian guard Fabien Ateba (192-1991) accounted for 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Four Lourdes-Tarbes players scored in double figures. Point guard Kevin Thalien (190-1992) came up with 20 points (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and Canadian forward Jordan Tchuente (198-2001, college: Brock) added 10 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Levallois in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Lourdes-Tarbes will meet Les Sables (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Metropolitans will play against Vitre and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tarbes-Lourdes: M.Chambre 24+4reb+6ast, F.Ateba 17+6reb+2ast, T.McBride 11+5reb+2ast, N.Pharose 10+5reb+2ast, M.Queta 9+4reb+1ast, T.Wiscart Goetz 8+1reb+1ast
Levallois: K.Thalien 20+3reb+2ast, S.Balayera 15+1reb+3ast, J.Tchuente 10+8reb+3ast, C.Nelson 9+6reb+1ast, D.Amarh 8+4reb+1ast, S.Stansbury 5+2reb+1ast

Vitre - Pole France 88-59

The game between closely ranked teams ended with Pole France's (0-3) road loss to Vitre (1-1) 59-88 on Friday. Vitre forced 24 Pole France turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for forward Yannis Mendy (203-1996, college: RMU) who led the winners and scored 15 points. Birahima Sylla (199-2003) accounted for 16 points for the winning side. Five Vitre players scored in double figures. Hugo Moukouri (205-2008) came up with 10 points and 7 rebounds and Yannis Allard (201-2007) added 9 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Pole France in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Vitre will meet Levallois (#11) on the road in the next round. Pole France will play against Angers and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Vitre: B.Sylla 16+2reb+2ast, Y.Mendy 15+4reb+3ast, E.Le Carour 11+2reb+2ast, S.Hernandez 11+4reb+4ast, S.Mouhri 11+5reb+3ast, N.Calabre 10+2reb+2ast
Pole France: H.Moukouri 10+7reb+3ast, Y.Allard 9+6reb+2ast, N.Soliman 9+2reb+1ast, N.Des Bordes 5+2reb, J.Elouma 5+3reb+1ast, C.Houindo 5+2reb+2ast

Angers - Les Sables 79-74

Etoile Angers used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Les Sables-D'Ollone 79-74 on Friday night. It was an exceptional evening for Spanish center Victor Serrano (210-1989) who led the winners and scored 18 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Quentin Ruel (202-1999, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 15 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Cheikh Gassama (193-1995) came up with 21 points and 5 rebounds and American guard Branden Maughmer (190-1999, college: Morehead St., agency: Helping Ballers) added 18 points and 4 assists respectively for Les Sables in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Etoile Angers will meet Pole France (#14) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Les Sables will play against Tarbes-Lourdes (#4) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Angers: V.Serrano 18+8reb, Q.Ruel 15+9reb, L.Veraghe 13+2reb+4ast, B.Mondesir 11+1reb+4ast, Y.Harrath 9+6reb+5ast, J.Ross 6+3reb+3ast
Les Sables: C.Gassama 21+5reb+3ast, B.Maughmer 18+2reb+4ast, C.Manerlax 14+9reb, J.Mipoka 13, L.Martel 4+4reb, L.Prolhac 2+2reb+1ast

Challans - Rennes 78-65

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Union Rennes (1-1) on the court of Vendee Challans on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by Vendee Challans 78-65. Challans made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. It was a good game for Serbian-Montenegrin power forward Luka Nikolic (209-1994) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). Point guard Warren Racine (188-1995) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Vendee Challans' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Point guard Paul Billong (193-2001) answered with 13 points and 7 assists and point guard Lucas Fontaine (180-1996) added 13 points and 4 steals in the effort for Rennes. Vendee Challans is looking forward to face Quimper on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Union Rennes will play against Tours (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Challans: L.Nikolic 30+10reb+1ast, W.Racine 16+1reb+3ast, C.Morel 12+5reb, G.Berchel 6+2reb+2ast, J.Bichard 5+2reb+3ast, M.Diop 5+4reb
Rennes: L.Fontaine 13+3reb+2ast, P.Billong 13+4reb+7ast, M.Haidara 8+6reb+1ast, J.Sclear 8+5reb+2ast, I.Cadiau 7+3reb+1ast, E.Thillier 6+4reb+2ast

Lorient - Fougeres 91-96

Very important is a home loss of Lorient (2-1) against Fougeres (2-1) on Friday night. Host Lorient was defeated by Fougeres in a tough game in Lorient 91-96. Fougeres players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Lorient was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for point guard Maxime Choplin (180-1992) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points, 6 assists and 4 steals (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). Mali center Cheick Soumaoro (205-1990) helped adding 12 points and 5 rebounds. Fougeres' coach Mathieu Lemercier allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was guard Matthieu Robin (184-1992) with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists and Jamaican center Warren Williams (206-1998, college: Hofstra) scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Fougeres will play against Poissy (#12) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Lorient will play against Toulouse (#13) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Fougeres: M.Choplin 20+3reb+6ast, M.Lebrun 16+2ast, J.Gibey 14+1ast, E.Koumba 13+2reb+4ast, C.Soumaoro 12+5reb+2ast, K.Bichard 10+2reb+3ast
Lorient: W.Williams 17+8reb, A.Sclear 15+5reb+2ast, M.Robin 13+5reb+9ast, M.Henry 12+1reb+1ast, K.Franceschi 9+1reb+2ast, V.Vitale-Boiteux 8+1reb+2ast

Group B

SCABB - Charleville 84-67

Andrezieux used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Charleville 84-67 on Friday night. SCABB dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Charleville-Mezieres's 24. SCABB forced 25 Charleville turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for center Moulaye Sow (206-2003) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Ludovic Dufeal (203, college: Gardner-Webb) accounted for 5 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Andrezieux players scored in double figures. Swingman Pierre-Baptiste Kieger (197-1992) came up with 20 points and power forward Alexis Auburtin (204-1994) added 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Charleville in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Andrezieux will meet Lyon (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Charleville-Mezieres will play against Feurs (#12) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
SCABB: M.Sow 12+10reb, M.Sidibe 12+2reb, T.Bouteille 11+3reb+2ast, H.Cucherat 11+3reb+3ast, T.Hyenne 10+2reb+1ast, C.Dumoux 7+2reb+1ast
Charleville: P.Kieger 20+4reb+2ast, J.Mkamba 10+5reb+1ast, A.Auburtin 10+6reb+2ast, N.Kovanusic 9+5reb, R.Malonga 6+2reb+6ast, F.Davidson 4+4reb

Loon-Plage - Berck 85-61

No shocking result in a game when Loon-Plage (3-0) crushed at home Berck (1-1) 85-61 on Friday. Loon-Plage looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Matthias Flosse (210-1998) who led the winners and scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Point guard Paul-Lou Duwiquet (194-1995) accounted for 13 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Loon-Plage's coach Quentin Wadoux felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Cuban power forward Grismay Paumier (204-1988) came up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds and Nathan Vincennes (200-2003) added 16 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Berck in the defeat. Loon-Plage will meet Besancon (#5) on the road in the next round. Berck will play against Orchies and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Loon-Plage: M.Flosse 14+7reb+2ast, P.Duwiquet 13+2reb+4ast, S.Saumont 11+4reb+3ast, Y.Nkombou 9+7reb+1ast, H.Boumpoutou 7+4reb+1ast, J.Robertson 7+1ast
Berck: N.Vincennes 16+6reb, G.Paumier 10+11reb+3ast, M.Dadiet 9+5reb+3ast, S.Plaucoste 8+2reb+2ast, Y.Mballa 7+2reb, J.McCloud 6+2reb+4ast

Boulogne - Saint Vallier 102-62

Very important is a road loss of Saint Vallier (2-1) against SO Maritime Boulogne (2-1) on Saturday night. Visiting Saint Vallier was crushed by SO Maritime Boulogne in Boulogne-sur-Mer 102-62. Boulogne dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Saint Vallier's 22. Boulogne forced 19 Saint Vallier turnovers and outrebounded them 46-31 including a 40-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Boulogne looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Saint Vallier's players. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Mika Adams-Woods (190-2000, college: St.Bonaventure) who led the winners and scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Victor Diallo (201-2001) accounted for 16 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. SO Maritime Boulogne's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Jonathan Boucaud (187-1995) came up with 17 points and Simeon Kalemba (199-2003) added 10 points respectively for Saint Vallier in the defeat. SO Maritime Boulogne will meet Metz (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Saint Vallier will play against Le Havre (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Boulogne: M.Adams-Woods 23+5reb+8ast, V.Diallo 16+10reb+2ast, N.Kingue 11+4reb, J.Hyacinthe 10+1reb+2ast, M.Nnah-Ndong 10+4reb+2ast, V.Maury 9+6reb+7ast
Saint Vallier: J.Boucaud 17+1reb, S.Kalemba 10+4reb, J.Kebe 9+3ast, D.Ramseyer 7+4reb+2ast, J.Degre 7+3reb, D.Geu 5+1reb

Le Havre - Mulhouse 87-81

The game between closely ranked teams ended with Mulhouse's (1-2) road loss to STB Le Havre (2-0) 81-87 on Friday. Le Havre forced 20 Mulhouse turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was an exceptional evening for point guard Steven Cayol (193-1997) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. American forward Keith Wright (203-1989, college: Harvard) accounted for 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Guard Fabio Milanese (192-2003) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists and guard Tom Dary-Sagnes (194-2001) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively for Mulhouse in the defeat. Four Le Havre and five Mulhouse players scored in double figures. STB Le Havre will meet Saint Vallier (#7) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Mulhouse will play against Avignon/Pontet and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Le Havre: K.Wright 18+8reb+1ast, J.Awich 16+3reb+4ast, S.Cayol 13+10reb+6ast, W.Mensah 11+4reb+5ast, V.Bigote 9+4reb+3ast, M.Ndoye 7+5reb+2ast
Mulhouse: T.Dary-Sagnes 19+3reb+4ast, T.Faulkner 16+3reb, F.Milanese 14+5reb+10ast, V.Mukuna 10+11reb, V.Ilic 10+6reb+3ast, W.Gneze 5+4reb+3ast

Avignon/Pontet - Metz 81-92

The game between closely ranked teams ended with Metz's (1-1) road victory over Avignon/Pontet (0-3) 92-81 on Friday. Metz looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for BGRn-American guard Michael Nwabuzor (188-1996, college: NMHU) who led the winners and scored 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). American forward Amir Smith (200-1997, college: Hampton) accounted for 16 points and 11 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Nwabuzor is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Nelson Cece (200-2002) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and DR Congolese-Belgian power forward Ruphin Kayembe (200-1992) added 17 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Avignon/Pontet in the defeat. Five Metz and four Avignon/Pontet players scored in double figures. Metz will meet at home Boulogne (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Avignon/Pontet will play against Mulhouse (#10) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Metz: M.Nwabuzor 26+7reb+4ast, A.Smith 16+11reb+1ast, V.Pourchot 12+3reb, R.Dardaine 11+2reb+3ast, M.Toure 10+5reb+2ast, K.Mbaitoubam 6+4reb+1ast
Avignon/Pontet: N.Cece 19+11reb+2ast, R.Kayembe 17+6reb+1ast, T.Rey 12+6reb+3ast, A.Rasolonjatovo 11+4reb+6ast, M.Poiroux 7+1reb+3ast, V.Meite 6+1ast

Feurs - Besancon 78-79

Not a big story in a game when Feurs (0-2) was edged at home by Besancon (2-1) 79-78 on Friday. It was an exceptional evening for forward Calvin Jubenot (198-1986) who led the winners and scored 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Center Thibault Boyer (202-1998) accounted for 8 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Naturalized Mali center Moustapha Diarra (205-1987, college: USF) came up with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Bryan Coudray (189-2000) added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Feurs in the defeat. Besancon will meet at home Loon-Plage in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Feurs will play against Charleville (#14) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Besancon: C.Jubenot 33+8reb+1ast, B.Kovac 9+2reb+1ast, T.Boyer 8+8reb, A.Falzon 7+4reb, D.Magassa 7, I.Pouye 6+3reb+6ast
Feurs: R.Djasrambaye 17, M.Diarra 15+5reb+4ast, B.Coudray 11+5reb+5ast, A.Spinali 8+4reb+2ast, D.Archinard 8+3reb+6ast, D.Buskey 7+3reb+2ast

Orchies - Lyon 79-72

There was a surprise result when Orchesien BC (2-1) defeated Lyon (2-1) in Orchies 79-72 on Friday. Orchies made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for guard Yanik Blanc (188-1999) who led the winners and scored 22 points and 6 assists. American power forward Joe Burton (202-1990, college: Oregon St.) accounted for 10 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Forward Junior Zero (195-1997) came up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds and American point guard Darhius Nunn (175-1998, college: PBA) added 14 points respectively for Lyon in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Lyon's coach Philippe Herve rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Orchesien BC will meet Berck (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Lyon will play against SCABB (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Orchies: Y.Blanc 22+3reb+6ast, T.Hanquiez 20+5reb+2ast, I.Mintogo 16+2reb+1ast, J.Burton 10+14reb+6ast, P.Mwamba 5+3reb+1ast, L.Rucklin 4+1reb+3ast
Lyon: D.Nunn 14+2reb+2ast, A.Atamna 12+5reb+1ast, A.Martinez 10+1reb+2ast, J.Zero 10+10reb+2ast, N.Manet 6+1reb+1ast, K.Comblon 6+1reb