Ascut Atsinanana dominated ASSM Analamanga (54-36) in the U16 boys’ championship final on Sunday in Ambositra. Superior under the baskets, the young players from Toamasina dethroned the defending champions.
The title changes hands, and there will be no double for ASSM Analamanga. Facing Ascut from Toamasina on Sunday in Ambositra in the final of the Madagascar U16 boys’ championship, the title holders were clearly dominated (36-54). Solid, physical, and masters of the rebounds, the basketball players from Atsinanana imposed their will to clinch the national crown.
Ascut Atsinanana clearly had a date with the title. On Sunday in Ambositra, the young basketball players from Toamasina delivered a controlled final against ASSM Analamanga. From the start until the final whistle, Ascut took control of a match in which they proved superior in almost every aspect of the game.
ASSM, which aimed to retain the crown won last year, was quickly put in difficulty. Facing taller opponents who were particularly present under the baskets, the players from Analamanga struggled to impose themselves in the duels. Ascut took advantage of its physical edge to control the rebounds and gradually widen the gap.
At halftime, the scoreboard confirmed the dominance of the representatives from Atsinanana: 22-12. A ten-point lead and, above all, the impression that Ascut firmly held the reins of this final.
Returning from the locker room, the players from Toamasina did not tremble. Ascut continued to apply pressure and contain their opponent’s attempts to react. With 3 minutes and 42 seconds left in the third quarter, they led 28-22. The gap then widened rapidly: 31-22, then 40-22. The third quarter largely turned in favor of Ascut, which approached the final ten minutes with a comfortable lead.
In the final act, the basketball players from Toamasina left no room for suspense. ASSM tried to come back, but Ascut perfectly managed its lead. The score went to 46-32. With 2 minutes and 32 seconds remaining, Ascut still led 51-32. ASSM slightly reduced the gap to 51-33, but their reaction remained insufficient to worry the future champion. The players from Toamasina kept a cool head until the end to conclude the final with a score of 54-36.
This success crowns a remarkable journey in Ambositra. Ascut Atsinanana mastered all of its matches in this U16 national championship. In the quarterfinals, the young players from Atsinanana eliminated NAS (69-59), before dominating AS Monfort in the semifinals (73-58). Ascut thus finishes the competition in style. The crown changes hands: Atsinanana now reigns over the national U16 boys’ basketball.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-31 05:53:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/basketball-5×5-u16-garcons-lascut.html