Emanuel Bandoumel, Bahaidez Haidara New Names In Quebec, Semis Set
MONTREAL,QC–Day one at the Ligue d’excellence Juvénile has all the ingredients to make Quebec’s Provincial Championships a recipe for a highly competitive ending to the season.
The #1 seed Henri Bourassa had a scare against host team St-Laurent who went to war with the Bourassa boys until they pulled away with free throws at the end, winning 71-59.
Earlier in the season, St-Laurent had lost to this high tempo team by 21 points, but they were back with a vengeance at season’s end, taking away HB’s transition game and making them shoot the three ball, an obvious weakness for most players on this team; really tough to stop though when they’re running and gunning.
Henri Bourassa relies heavily on their athleticism using it on defense full court and attacking the basket with above the rim finishes. They submit to one on one basketball when their transition game is neutralized.
Normally, HB comes out and harasses ball handlers making them turn over the ball which leads to outlet passes for easy finishes, this was not the case in the quarter final matchup with St-Laurent.
A new face to the scouting team at NPH, 2018 guard Bahaidez Haidara felt no pressure against the in your face defence of the number one ranked high school team in QC. Haidara weaved through traffic using an in-out crossover and hesitation dribble to get passed defenders.
He also got help by St-Laurence sniper Jirer Fwamba who finished with five triples in the game.
Henri Bourassa’s will was too strong at the end. They kept getting back to the charity stripe to end it there.
They now move into the semi-final at 4:00 pm today against Dorval Jean XXIII who will give them another tough fight as they match up well by position.
In the other semi-final Jeanne Mance will take on Brebeuf (QC). Brebeuf is a very disciplined team that executes well in their offense. We expect to see them and Henri Bourassa in the finals.
Brebeuf’s bread winner Emanuel Bandoumel is a sight to see. This 2018 prospect has an effortless leaping ability that he put on display on day one. Check him out….
