BC La Tronche Meylan crowned LF2 champion and promoted to La Boulangère Wonderligue
LF2 - BC La Tronche Meylan is the French Ligue Féminine 2 champion. The Isère side dominated Montbrison 52-41 in an epic Game 3 at the Charlaix gym, clinching a historic promotion to the Boulangère Wonderligue at the end of an unforgettable season.
It’s done. BC La Tronche Meylan is the Ligue Féminine 2 (LF2) champion. This Sunday afternoon, in a packed and electric Charlaix gymnasium, Clément Sanchez’s players defeated Montbrison 52-41 in a decisive Game 3. A first in the club’s history, as they join the elite of French women’s basketball for the 2026-2027 season.
A dramatic final, a well-deserved title
The series delivered on all its promises. After a road win in Game 1 (64-77), BCTM had taken a significant advantage over the Loire Valley side. But Montbrison responded with force in Game 2, winning 51-63 at the Charlaix in front of 1,500 spectators to level the series and force a deciding game. Everything was still to play for.
In Game 3, the intensity was there from the very first seconds. Both teams neutralized each other throughout the first half, with solid defenses, missed free throws, and little separation on the scoreboard (29-27 at halftime). Led by Aurore Pautou and Maroussia Droguet, the La Tronche Meylan players held their own against a Montbrison side that couldn’t capitalize on their opponents’ foul trouble.
Célia Cardenal, hero of a decisive turning point
The third quarter nearly swung in Montbrison’s favor. In stifling heat, both teams went through a long offensive drought. But it was Célia Cardenal who turned the game around: two three-pointers within thirty seconds, followed by another from captain Tilise Boisseron, launched BCTM to a +10 lead (39-29). A turning point that Montbrison never managed to overcome.
The Forez side made a run at the start of the fourth quarter (42-36), but Cardenal sealed the game three minutes from the buzzer with yet another three-pointer (51-38). Named Finals MVP, the Isère guard finished with 16 points on 3/6 from three-point range. Ashunae Durant also shone with 7 points and 17 rebounds, while Maroussia Droguet proved valuable on both ends of the floor.
At the buzzer, tears filled the Charlaix. Aurore Pautou was the first to break down, joined by her teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire packed gymnasium. Head coach Clément Sanchez, in tears, was warmly congratulated by his counterpart Corinne Benintendi, who retired after this final game.
This title holds special significance for the Isère club. It comes after the passing of Jean-Claude Pic, the club’s long-serving president, who had worked so hard to grow this family club, long regarded as one of the top sides just outside the elite tier. President Alex Longo, who succeeded him, will now have the weighty and wonderful task of completing the administrative steps to confirm this promotion to the Boulangère Wonderligue.
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve is the founder and editor-in-chief of BeBasket, which he has been running since 2010 (formerly known as Catch & Shoot). Having studied at the École Publique de Journalisme de Tours and two universities in North America, he has developed his expertise in French basketball, from the National League to amateur divisions, over the past 20 years. Alongside this, he is also involved in the development of clubs in the Montpellier area.
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