Par Aline Chatel
Published on
After four seasons with the hopes of Le Mans, marked by a few appearances in Pro A, Lucas Veraghe launched his career as a professional player in Caen. The 21-year-old winger is having a rather mixed first season in National 1 but remains on a major performance. In Lyon, Friday February 10, 2023, he was decisive in his team’s victory (77-80). His big shots late in the game put the CBC back in front, before they finally won in overtime.
18 points at 6/11 behind the arc is out of proportion with the average of 4.5 points posted this season.
Lucas, we recruited him for his three-point shot. He had good shots, he put in. He is at 28% when he was supposed to be our shooter position.
On the wing, the danger struggles to come with the consistency that Caen had imagined.
“When you think, you miss”
The point of reproach in the speech of his coach, Lucas Veraghe does not ignore it. “Stéphane is demanding for my own good, he comments calmly. He wouldn’t be hard on me if he didn’t see something in me. “ Something that Lucas Veraghe had shown in his first home game, September 30 against Andrézieux (14 points), before experiencing a big slowdown.
I had a hole period, a period where I wasn’t focusing on the right things. When there was an open shot, I was thinking. And when you think, most of the time, you miss.
The young 21-year-old player makes a statement without pretense. “I also ate the wall of National 1, a championship that I did not know. It’s much more physical. And the referees don’t whistle the same way…” Lucas Veraghe has not always been spared on this subject. “I mustn’t laugh. The coach put me some blowers. It’s part of learning. »
A new reality
Lucas Veraghe had to digest the move to the big boys. “Between what you hope for and what happens, there is a gap,” he acknowledges. The ten players on the team can have quite a lot of playing time in National 1. You’re good, you stay on the pitch. You are bad, you go out. “The room for error is much less than in the past for the former Manceau.
I try to be efficient as soon as I get home because I know that otherwise I may not be back, or maybe in a long time. It was new for me who played thirty minutes in hope.
To be confronted with a player of the caliber of Florian Thibedore, his partner on the wing, is also a discovery. “When he sticks to you throughout practice, for your own good, you get tougher. You approach the game differently. It will be up to you to get into your opponent’s mouth. Lucas Veraghe has found a second wind after the winter break. “It did me good,” he says. I was able to see my family again and focus on the essential things. »
A revenge to take on Feurs
This is certainly the biggest false note of Caen BC in the regular season. The Caennais lost to Feurs, tenth, in the first leg. They find this opponent this Tuesday, February 14, 2023 (8 p.m.) at the Palais des Sports with the hope of grabbing a few more places in the standings. Their presence in the top 5 is assured since the victory in Lyon.
“Show my full potential in N1”
The native of Cormeilles-en-Parisis grew up in Caen. “I didn’t think that what I experienced would be a necessary step in my learning, but it was, he testifies. This season will count. To be able to go up later, if I have the opportunity, I will take my time. First of all, I have to show my full potential in National 1.”
Lucas Veraghe hopes to be started for good, as the regular season draws to a close. He only has two games left to express himself in this context, this Tuesday February 14, 2023 against Feurs, then Friday February 17, 2023 in Boulogne. Then it will be time to move on to the high hen. “I am curious to discover the second phase. The guys told me it wasn’t the same intensity at all. Like in the playoffs. »
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