Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most exciting game of round 23 in the Serie A took place in Milano. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Dolomiti Trentino (16-7) to fifth ranked Armani Milano (16-7) 89-87 in the game for the second place. Milano made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Spanish Nikola Mirotic (208-1991) who scored 18 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). Danish Shavon Shields (201-1994, college: Nebraska) chipped in 12 points. British guard Quinn Ellis (195-2003) produced 9 points and 11 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Armani Milano have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Trento. Milano is looking forward to face Napoli (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Trento will play against Brescia (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Virtus Bologna (16-7) against seventh ranked Trieste (15-9) on Saturday night. Visiting Virtus Bologna was defeated by Trieste in a tough game in Trieste 78-85. American Markel Brown (193-1992, college: OK State) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points and 7 rebounds. Denzel Valentine contributed with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Georgian Tornike Shengelia (206-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Virtus. Virtus Bologna’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Trieste moved-up to sixth place. Virtus at the other side dropped to the second position with seven games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Trieste will play against bottom-ranked Pistoia (#16) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Virtus will play against Reggio Emilia (#7) and hope to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Trapani. First ranked Trapani faced 3rd placed Brescia. Host Trapani (17-6) defeated guests from Brescia (16-7) 94-88. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It was a great evening for JD Notae who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points and 7 assists. Trapani’s coach Jasmin Repesa used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chris Dowe responded with 21 points. Trapani have a solid series of four victories in a row. Newly promoted Trapani maintains first place with 17-6 record. Loser Brescia dropped to the second position with seven games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Trapani will meet Sassari (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Brescia will play against the league’s second-placed Trento (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Other games of round 23 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Cremona was defeated by Sassari in a road game 93-89. Tortona smashed Pistoia at home 94-68. Napoli won against Scafati on the opponent’s court 91-81. Treviso managed to outperform Varese in a home game 88-86. Venezia managed to beat Reggio Emilia on the road 92-87.
The best stats of 23th round was 30 points and 4 assists by Cassius Winston of Reggio Emilia.
Sassari – Cremona 93-89
There was no surprise when 12th ranked Cremona (6-17) was defeated on the road by tenth ranked Sassari (9-14) 93-89 on Sunday. Sassari looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The game was dominated by American players. It was a great evening for forward Rashawn Thomas (203-1994, college: TAMUCC) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds. Point guard Justin Bibbins (174-1996, college: Utah) helped adding 11 points and 6 assists. Guard Payton Willis (193-1998, college: Minnesota) responded with 23 points and 5 assists and point guard Corey Davis (186-1997, college: Houston) scored 16 points and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Cremona’s coach Demis Cavina tested ten players, but that didn’t help to avoid defeat in this game. Sassari maintains tenth place with 9-14 record. Loser Cremona dropped to the thirteenth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Varese and Scafati. Sassari will meet at home league’s leader Trapani in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Cremona will play against Treviso (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cremona: P.Willis 23+4reb+5ast, C.Davis 16+2reb+5ast, T.Lacey 14+5reb+2ast, T.Owens 12+6reb+1ast, C.Burns 9+3reb, T.Jones 5+1reb
Sassari: R.Thomas 21+14reb+3ast, G.Veronesi 13+2reb+2ast, J.Bibbins 11+3reb+6ast, A.Cappelletti 11+2reb+5ast, B.Fobbs 11+1ast, L.Vincini 8+7reb+1ast
gschID: 1184185
Tortona – Pistoia 94-68
No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Tortona (14-9) smashed at home bottom-ranked Pistoia (5-18) 94-68 on Sunday. Tortona looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Pistoia‘s players. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Tommaso Baldasso (193-1998) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points and 6 assists. American guard Tommy Kuhse (188-1998, college: SMC) helped adding 15 points and 5 assists. Tortona’s coach Walter De Raffaele felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American power forward Derek Cooke Jr (206-1991, college: Wyoming) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds and the former international point guard Lorenzo Saccaggi (188-1992, agency: Interperformances) scored 12 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Tortona have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Reggio Emilia. Pistoia lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 18 games lost. Tortona will meet Venezia (#9) on the road in the next round. Pistoia will play against Trieste (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Pistoia: D.Cooke Jr. 16+13reb+1ast, M.Kemp 13+2reb+3ast, M.Forrest 13+2reb+5ast, L.Saccaggi 12+4reb+4ast, G.Benetti 6+4reb, M.Ceron 5+5reb+1ast
Tortona: T.Kuhse 15+3reb+5ast, T.Baldasso 15+3reb+6ast, D.Denegri 13+1reb+3ast, K.Weems 13+4reb+4ast, L.Severini 9+2reb+1ast, L.Candi 9+3reb+2ast
gschID: 1184186
Milano – Trento 89-87
The most exciting game of round 23 in the Serie A took place in Milano. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of second-ranked Dolomiti Trentino (16-7) to fifth ranked Armani Milano (16-7) 89-87 in the game for the second place. Milano made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Spanish Nikola Mirotic (208-1991) who scored 18 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). Danish Shavon Shields (201-1994, college: Nebraska) chipped in 12 points. British guard Quinn Ellis (195-2003) produced 9 points and 11 assists and American forward Anthony Lamb (198-1998, college: Vermont) added 18 points respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Armani Milano have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Trento. Milano is looking forward to face Napoli (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Trento will play against Brescia (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Trento: J.Ford 18+1reb+1ast, A.Lamb 18+4reb, E.Zukauskas 11+2reb+2ast, S.Niang 10+4reb+4ast, S.Mawugbe 9+7reb, Q.Ellis 9+4reb+11ast
Milano: N.Mirotic 18+2reb+2ast, S.Shields 12+4reb+3ast, L.Bolmaro 11+6reb+2ast, Z.LeDay 10+1reb, A.Brooks 8+4reb, G.Caruso 8+6reb
gschID: 1184187
Scafati – Napoli 81-91
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both thirteenth ranked Napoli and 12th ranked Scafati had identical 6-16 record. But Scafati was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Napoli 91-81 on Sunday night. It was a great evening for American guard Erick Green (190-1991, college: Virginia Tech) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Georgian-American point guard Jacob Pullen (183-1989, college: Kansas St.) helped adding 20 points. Lithuanian forward Paulius Sorokas (203-1992, agency: Players Group) responded with 14 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and American power forward Kruize Pinkins (203-1993, college: USF) scored 13 points and 9 rebounds. Four Napoli and five Scafati players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Napoli (7-16) moved-up to twelfth place. Scafati lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the thirteenth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Varese and Cremona. Napoli will meet at home higher ranked Milano (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Scafati will play against Varese (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Scafati: P.Sorokas 14+9reb+2ast, F.Miaschi 14+5reb, K.Pinkins 13+9reb+1ast, R.Gray 13+1reb, E.Maxhuni 10+3ast, A.Cinciarini 7+1reb+2ast
Napoli: J.Pullen 20+4reb+2ast, E.Green 18+5reb+4ast, T.Zubcic 14+9reb+3ast, K.Pangos 12+3reb+6ast, T.Woldetensae 10+2reb, L.Tote 7+5reb+2ast
gschID: 1184188
Treviso – Varese 88-86
Rather predictable result when eleventh ranked Treviso (9-15) edged at home 13th ranked Openjobmetis Varese (6-17) 88-86 on Sunday. It was a great evening for Lithuanian Osvaldas Olisevicius (200-1993) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points and 9 rebounds. The former international point guard Bruno Mascolo (192-1996, agency: Players Group) helped adding 15 points and 5 assists. Four Treviso players scored in double figures. The former international Davide Alviti (201-1996) responded with 24 points and 6 rebounds and American guard Jaylen Hands (191-1999, college: UCLA, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 24 points and 5 assists. Treviso maintains eleventh place with 9-15 record. Varese lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Scafati and Cremona. Treviso will meet Cremona (#14) on the road in the next round. Varese will play against Scafati and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Varese: J.Hands 24+1reb+5ast, D.Alviti 24+6reb+1ast, E.Mitrou-Long 15+4reb+2ast, K.Akobundu-Ehiogu 6+2reb, A.Tyus 5+7reb, M.Librizzi 4+2reb+3ast
Treviso: O.Olisevicius 28+9reb+2ast, B.Mascolo 15+4reb+5ast, J.Macura 15+3reb+3ast, K.Bowman 10+6reb+5ast, J.Caroline 9+6reb+1ast, P.Paulicap 8+5reb
gschID: 1184189
Trieste – Virtus BO 85-78
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Virtus Bologna (16-7) against seventh ranked Trieste (15-9) on Saturday night. Visiting Virtus Bologna was defeated by Trieste in a tough game in Trieste 78-85. American Markel Brown (193-1992, college: OK State) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Denzel Valentine (196-1993, college: Michigan St.) contributed with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Five Trieste players scored in double figures. Georgian Tornike Shengelia (206-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Will Clyburn (201-1990, college: Iowa St.) added 20 points in the effort for Virtus. Virtus Bologna’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Trieste moved-up to sixth place. Virtus at the other side dropped to the second position with seven games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Trieste will play against bottom-ranked Pistoia (#16) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Virtus will play against Reggio Emilia (#7) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Virtus BO: T.Shengelia 25+7reb+4ast, W.Clyburn 20+4reb+1ast, M.Morgan 13+2reb+1ast, A.Pajola 9+4reb+3ast, A.Zizic 4+1reb+1ast, A.Polonara 4+4reb
Trieste: M.Brown 18+7reb+1ast, D.Valentine 17+5reb+4ast, J.Brooks 13+5reb+1ast, M.Ruzzier 11+2reb+9ast, J.Uthoff 11+11reb, S.McDermott 9
gschID: 1184190
Trapani – Brescia 94-88
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Trapani. First ranked Trapani faced 3rd placed Brescia. Host Trapani (17-6) defeated guests from Brescia (16-7) 94-88. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Trapani looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for American guard JD Notae (188-1998, college: Arkansas) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points and 7 assists. His fellow American import guard Langston Galloway (188-1991, college: St.Joseph’s) helped adding 12 points and 5 assists. Trapani’s coach Jasmin Repesa used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American point guard Chris Dowe (189-1991, college: Bellarmine) responded with 21 points and Croatian center Miro Bilan (213-1989) scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Brescia players scored in double figures. Trapani have a solid series of four victories in a row. Newly promoted Trapani maintains first place with 17-6 record. Loser Brescia dropped to the second position with seven games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Trapani will meet Sassari (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Brescia will play against the league’s second-placed Trento (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brescia: C.Dowe 21+3reb+3ast, A.Della Valle 18+5reb+3ast, M.Bilan 16+5reb+5ast, J.Burnell 12+2reb+2ast, M.Ndour 10+6reb+1ast, D.Rivers 7+3reb+1ast
Trapani: J.Notae 26+2reb+7ast, A.Alibegovic 16+2reb, L.Galloway 12+3reb+5ast, R.Rossato 9+3reb, A.Yeboah 9+3reb+3ast, C.Horton 8+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1184191
Reggio Emilia – Venezia 87-92
There was a minor upset when 7th ranked Reggio Emilia (14-9) was defeated at home by ninth ranked Umana Venezia (13-10) 92-87 on Sunday. It was a great evening for Canadian power forward Mfiondu Kabengele (207-1997, college: FSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Canadian point guard Tyler Ennis (188-1994, college: Syracuse) helped adding 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. American point guard Cassius Winston (185-1997, college: Michigan St.) responded with 30 points and 4 assists and the other American import power forward Kwan Cheatham Jr (206-1995, college: Akron) scored 16 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Umana Venezia have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain ninth place with 13-10 record. Loser Reggio Emilia keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. They share it with Tortona. Venezia will meet at home higher ranked Tortona (#8) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Reggio Emilia will play against Virtus in Bologna and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Reggio Emilia: C.Winston 30+4reb+4ast, K.Cheatham Jr. 16+4reb, M.Faye 11+8reb, J.Barford 10+4reb, L.Uglietti 9+3reb+4ast, K.Faried 6+3reb+2ast
Venezia: R.McGruder 20+4reb, M.Kabengele 17+15reb+4ast, T.Ennis 15+6reb+4ast, K.Wiltjer 10+1ast, J.Parks 9+5reb, A.Simms 7+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1259447
