Boulazac Basket Dordogne secured its first win of the 2024-2025 Betclic ELITE season on Saturday, defeating JL Bourg 80-73 at the Palio. The victory marked a significant turnaround for the promoted side, which had struggled through a difficult preseason and an early exit from the Coupe de France against Chalon.
Defensive adjustments at the Palio
Head coach Alexandre Ménard credited the win to a fundamental shift in his team’s defensive intensity. After entering the halftime break trailing by eight points, Boulazac held JL Bourg to just 31 points in the second half. The defensive effort allowed the team to transition more effectively into their offensive sets, a stark contrast to their performance in the first two rounds of the league, where they held the least efficient defensive rating in the competition.
Ménard noted that the coaching staff had focused heavily on video analysis and tactical discipline throughout the week leading up to the game. “The guys were receptive because they saw it was our only way out,” Ménard said. “We have no margin, we know it, we have zero margin.”
Patrick Beverley’s role in the rotation
Patrick Beverley finished the night with 18 points, providing a physical presence that disrupted Bourg’s ball-handlers. While acknowledging the impact of the veteran guard, Ménard emphasized that the result was a collective achievement rather than an individual effort.
The coach highlighted the contributions of all ten players who saw the floor, noting that even those with limited minutes provided necessary defensive stability. Ménard expressed a desire to see continued improvement in ball circulation and team discipline, as the squad aims to avoid the inconsistent play that has plagued their early-season outings.
Injury concerns for JL Bourg
The match was marred by a significant injury to JL Bourg player Anthony Labanca, who sustained what appeared to be a ruptured Achilles tendon. Ménard expressed concern for the player during his post-match press conference, extending his support and well-wishes for a recovery.
Boulazac’s coach also acknowledged that the victory came against a Bourg side dealing with personnel shortages. “We remain humble in victory, knowing they were a bit decimated,” Ménard said, emphasizing that his team must continue to improve despite the positive result.
Addressing rebounding and late-game pressure
Despite the win, Ménard identified clear areas for improvement, specifically regarding defensive rebounding. JL Bourg recorded 17 offensive rebounds, granting them significant second-chance opportunities throughout the game. Ménard described this total as “far too many,” noting that the extra possessions kept the visitors within striking distance for much of the evening.
The coach also addressed the team’s struggles when facing full-court pressure, particularly in the fourth quarter. He stated that the squad must maintain focus for the full 40 minutes to compete at the standard of the Betclic ELITE, pointing out that even brief lapses in concentration against high-level opponents like those in the EuroCup can be costly.
Looking toward Paris and Le Mans
Boulazac moves forward with a challenging schedule ahead, including an upcoming away fixture against Paris, followed by a home game against Le Mans. Ménard described the win against Bourg as a “founding moment” for the start of the season but warned that the team must avoid complacency.
“We proved to ourselves that we were capable of reaching this level,” Ménard said. “But we will still have to be able to do it again, to bring the same ingredients, and to remember what we went through so we don’t fall into the same traps.”
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