The game provided both teams with an opportunity to test tactical rotations and build chemistry ahead of their respective competitive seasons, drawing a crowd of 600 spectators to the newly renovated Ligurian arena.
Preseason Clash at PalaRavizza
The fixture was organized through a collaborative effort between Derthona Basket, Pallacanestro Alassio, and the Municipality of Alassio, with sponsorship from Gesco, to honor Derthona’s fan base in the Liguria region. Despite playing without several key contributors due to physical issues—including Gorham, Eboua, Durham, Di Meo, and Vene—Derthona controlled the tempo after establishing an early lead in the first quarter.
According to match statistics, the Italian squad built a 28-23 advantage by the end of the opening period. They extended that margin to 54-41 at halftime by shooting nearly 70 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes. Antibes, representing the second tier of French professional basketball, mounted a brief rally in the third quarter with a 10-0 run that narrowed Derthona’s lead to single digits at 71-63. However, Derthona responded through inside scoring and perimeter shooting to secure a comfortable double-digit victory.
Youth Contributions and Rotations
Derthona head coach Mario Fioretti relied heavily on youth sector prospects to manage a heavily depleted roster. Class of 2009 player Rufus Wilkinson earned a spot in the starting lineup alongside Frankie Hubb, Tommy Maddox, Abdul Jeleel Jallow, and Dominik Olejniczak. Olejniczak made his season debut following international duty with the Polish national team, providing crucial size in the paint.
Young prospects including Wilkinson, Brayden Zumstein, and Dalla Cia logged meaningful minutes and contributed offensively.
Scoring Breakdown
- Bertram Derthona Tortona (95): Hubb 19, Bortolani 17, Maddox 15, Olejniczak 12, Jallow 11, Zumstein 7, Wilkinson 7, Pecchia 2, Dalla Cia 2, Pasquazzi 0, Gazzotti 3, Durham n.e. (Coach: Fioretti)
- Sharks Antibes (79): Sakic 14, Boyer 12, Golitin 11, Tchouaffè 10, Williams 9, Parmentelot 8, Castlin 6, Miller 6, Diaz 3, Veras 0, Lomby 0 (Coach: Jackson)
- Quarter Scores: 28-23, 54-41, 75-63, 95-79
- Referees: Gonella, Rezzoagli, Lucotti
Next Preseason Fixtures
Following the victory in Alassio, Derthona continues its preseason schedule at the Memorial Matteo Bertolazzi. The team faces Virtus Bologna on Wednesday, September 9, 2024, at the PalaCiti in Parma, with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 PM.
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