Saint-Quentin Basketball: A Promising Start and Ambitions for the Future
Julien Mahé, head coach of Saint-Quentin Basketball, reflects on a prosperous first half of the season in the Betclic ELITE league. “We’re definitely pleased with the results so far,” he states, acknowledging that an 8-6 record at the end of December exceeded many expectations, including their own.
While satisfied with their current standing, Mahé emphasizes the need for betterment. “We’re aiming for a more refined style of play,” he explains. “We want to elevate our game to compete effectively against the top teams in the second phase of the season.”
One notable advancement since December has been a shift in defensive strategy. “We’ve modified our approach to defending pick and rolls,” Mahé reveals. “This adjustment has been highly effective and better suits the team’s strengths. We’ve also made changes to our defensive rotations and implemented more frequent player substitutions.”
Addressing the common notion that a promoted team’s second season is the most challenging, Mahé offers a nuanced perspective. “Whether it’s harder or easier than last year is debatable,” he says. “Our results are currently better than at this point last season, but we’re operating with a different team composition and distinct objectives. Our youthfulness in certain positions brings both opportunities and challenges. We’re committed to nurturing individual and collective potential throughout the season.”
Mahé acknowledges the need for greater consistency. ”To truly progress, we must stabilize certain aspects of our game,” he stresses. “We sometimes lack the discipline required to compete against the league’s elite. For instance,in our recent match against Bourg,we made unnecessary turnovers that cost us dearly.”
Looking ahead, Saint-Quentin Basketball faces exciting challenges. They will kick off 2025 by vying for a spot in the Champions League Top 16 and the Leaders Cup. “Qualifying for the Leaders Cup would be a fantastic bonus,” Mahé admits. “Our primary focus remains on securing our place in the league, but these additional opportunities are incredibly motivating. We’re eager to embrace these experiences and return from the break with renewed determination.”
The prospect of hosting a Leaders Cup qualifier against Strasbourg in January is particularly thrilling for the team. “It’s a testament to our progress and a chance to showcase our abilities on a bigger stage,” Mahé concludes. “We’re determined to make the most of these opportunities and continue our upward trajectory.”
Saint-Quentin BasketballS Ascent: An Interview with Coach Julien Mahé
Welcome back, hoops fans, to another installment of Courtside Chats! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Julien Mahé, head coach of Saint-Quentin Basketball, a team making extraordinary strides in the Betclic ELITE league.
Coach Mahé, let’s jump right in. Eight wins and six losses at the end of December exceeded many expectations. How would you assess the team’s performance so far this season?
JM: “We’re happy with the start. It’s a testament to the hard work the players have put in.But, we’re not satisfied. We’ve shown glimpses of our potential, but there’s room for betterment. We aim for a more consistent, refined style of play, especially against the top teams.”
The article mentions a shift in defensive strategy. Can you elaborate on that?
JM: “absolutely. We’ve modified our approach to defending pick-and-rolls, which is proving effective. It better suits our players’ strengths. We’ve also tweaked our defensive rotations and incorporated more frequent substitutions to keep the energy high.”
There’s a common belief that a promoted team’s second season is more challenging. What’s your take?
JM: ”It’s debatable. Our results this year are better than at the same point last season, but the context is different. We have a new roster with distinct objectives. our youthfulness brings both challenges and opportunities. We’re focused on nurturing individual and collective growth throughout the season.”
You mentioned consistency as an area for improvement. Can you give us a concrete example?
JM: “Every game is a learning experience. Take our recent match against Bourg – those unnecessary turnovers cost us dearly.We need to maintain discipline and focus, notably against the league’s elite. that’s a key area we’re working on.”
The team is eyeing a spot in the Champions League Top 16 and the Leaders Cup.Enterprising goals indeed! how do you see those aspirations shaping the team’s mindset?
JM: “Qualifying for the Leaders Cup would be fantastic, a testament to our progress. But our primary focus remains securing our place in the league. Those additional challenges, however, are incredibly motivating. We embrace these opportunities and will return from the break with renewed determination.”
Hosting Strasbourg in a Leaders Cup qualifier in January must be exciting. What does that opportunity mean for the team and the club as a whole?
JM: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our abilities on a bigger stage. It’s a testament to our journey so far. We’re resolute to make the most of it and continue building momentum. We aim to make Saint-Quentin proud.”
Coach Mahé, thank you for your insightful answers. I have no doubt Saint-Quentin Basketball will be a interesting team to watch in the coming months. Now, let’s open it up to our readers. What are your thoughts on Saint-Quentin’s prospects? Do you think they can make a deep run in the Champions League or the Leaders Cup? Share your opinions in the comments below!
