Bonne Terre Blazers clinched the KFC National Basketball League championship title on Saturday, defeating the defending champions, Soufrière Kings, 49-42 in Game 3 of the finals at the Beausejour Gymnasium.
The atmosphere was electric at the Beausejour Indoor facility, with enthusiastic fans rallying for their teams in a thrilling matchup that showcased strong defense and impressive shooting. This victory marks the Blazers’ second championship title in the last four years against the Kings.
Andre Louison was instrumental in the Blazers’ triumph, scoring 32 points and securing 14 rebounds, earning him the Player of the Game title.
With this win, the team also claims the Ricky “Skecky” Estwick Trophy for the second time in four years. This finals series was particularly intense, going to a third game for the first time since the league’s revival in 2023, with the teams closely matched—only six points separated them in the first two games.
After a challenging performance in Game 2, the Blazers adjusted their strategy in Game 3, employing a more compact defensive approach. Despite the Kings initially taking a 20-12 lead in the second quarter through Jayzee Saltibus’s dominance on the boards—backed by Linzell Alcee and Kimani Charles—the Blazers fought back.
![Andre Louison was the KFC Player of the Game in a 59 - 42 Series Win for Bonne Terre Blazers with 32 points and 14 rebs [Photo credit: Basketball League]](https://thevoiceslu.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Andre-Louison.webp)
In the second half, the Blazers maintained control and outscored the Kings 28-15, including hitting eight three-pointers while Soufrière struggled with just two. Troy Louison also contributed significantly with 14 points, six rebounds, six steals, and four assists.
Charles was the top scorer for Soufrière, finishing with 12 points, six rebounds, six steals, and five assists, although he recorded a game-high nine turnovers. Saltibus provided solid support with 10 points and 14 rebounds, while Sidney Didier and Clayton William were key players early on.
Both teams tied in rebounding for the third consecutive game, each pulling down 36 boards, but Bonne Terre excelled on the offensive glass. The Blazers finished with 20 turnovers compared to the Kings’ 26, converting 9 of 13 free throw attempts versus the Kings’ 9 of 16.
Local sports pundits hailed this championship clash as one of the most competitive series in recent years, recognizing the deserving champions. Meanwhile, the Kings will be looking for redemption after falling short of a three-peat.
For the Saint Lucia Basketball Federation, these three closely contested games were a tremendous way to promote the sport.
In the lead-up to the finale, the Kings evened the series at 1-1 with a narrow 47-43 victory over the Blazers in Game 2, following Bonne Terre’s previous win of 62-59 in Game 1.