Boulogne-Levallois beaten from the start, Gravelines-Dunkerque and Dijon start well, Blois surprises Roanne
First evening of Betclic Elite and… first sensation. This Friday evening marks the three shots of the season. And it started badly for Boulogne-Levallois, surprise entry on the floor of Gravelines-Dunkirk (85-73). Star rookie of the Metropolitans, the young French prodigy Victor Wembanyama, already on the pace, gave everything – double-double 23 points, 10 rebounds – to avoid his team this first outing on Friday in the North. Hugo Besson, retained in 58th position in the last NBA draft but who will wait before making his big debut there, also distinguished himself (11 points) for his first in his new colors, but without managing to raise the bar against to the Maritimes who had played the game much better (21-10 in the first quarter). Author of 18 points and imperial free throws (8 of 8), Justin Robinson particularly hurt the Ile-de-France, who nevertheless finished very strong (24-16 in the last quarter).
Historic victory for the promoted Blois
No problem, however, for one of the other title contenders Dijon. Opposed to Portel in Burgundy, the JDA was able to resist the pressure of Emmanuel Nzekwesi (17 points) and Ryan Mikesell (15 points) to win with great seriousness and start its season ideally. Best player in this game, Jacques Alingue scored 12 points and finished with an evaluation of 20. Big game also for Chase Simon (17 points). In the third match of this first evening, Blois signed a historic feat on the Roanne floor. The promoted, who had never played a match among the elite before, won 94-90 in front of the Chorale audience thanks in particular to a very good performance from Jaime Smith (15 points) and Thomas Cornely, MVP of this meeting. Very precious too (12 points), Tyren Johnson air-conditioned the room in the very last seconds on a rather incredible shoot just like the sequence in its entirety while the Roannais had not lost hope of reversing the situation. It starts strong!
BASKET – BETCLIC ELITE / 1ST DAY
Friday, September 23, 2022
Gravelines Dunkirk – Boulogne-Levallois: 85-73
Roanne – Blois : 90-94
Dijon – Le Portel: 87-76
Saturday September 24, 2022
4 p.m.: Pau-Orthez – Strasbourg
8:00 p.m.: Bourg-en-Bresse – Paris
8:00 p.m.: Le Mans – Fos-sur-Mer
8:00 p.m.: Nancy-Limoges
8 p.m.: Nanterre-Monaco
Sunday, September 25, 2022
7:00 p.m.: Cholet – ASVEL