Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The biggest surprise of round 23 in Serie A2 was guest Fortitudo‘s (14-9) road victory over Verona (#8) 77-67 on Sunday evening. Fortitudo outrebounded Verona 38-22 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Fortitudo especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Swingman Riccardo Bolpin (197-1997) chipped in 14 points. Fortitudo BO’s coach Attilio Caja used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Zach Copeland (193-1997, college: Illinois St.) produced 21 points for the hosts. Fortitudo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Milano Urania and Rieti. Verona at the other side keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. They share it with Pesaro and Avellino. Fortitudo is looking forward to face higher ranked Cantu (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Verona will play against Nardo (#19) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Udine (17-6) against thirteenth ranked Brindisi (10-13) on Saturday night. Host Udine was defeated by Brindisi in Udine 90-79. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Udine. American forward Mark Ogden (206-1994, college: Utah Tech) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eleven shots !!!). Tommaso Laquintana contributed with 10 points and 7 assists for the winners. American Xavier Johnson (201-1993, college: Colorado) answered with 14 points and 6 rebounds for Udine. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Brindisi moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Torino. Udine at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Brindisi will play against league’s leader Rimini at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Udine will play against Vigevano and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Cantu (16-7) against fifth ranked Milano Urania (14-9) on Friday night. Visiting Cantu was defeated by Milano Urania in a tough game in Milano 57-63. It was a great evening for Alessandro Gentile who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks. Dustin Hogue responded with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Milano Urania maintains fifth place with 14-9 record, which they share with Fortitudo and Rieti. Loser Cantu keeps the third position with seven games lost. Milano Urania will meet bottom-ranked Piacenza (#20) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Cantu will play against Fortitudo (#7) in Bologna and hope to secure a win.
Other games of round 23 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Cividale was crushed by Rieti in a road game 90-71. Rimini beat Piacenza at home 81-76. Cento won against Torino on the opponent’s court 88-71. Livorno Libertas managed to outperform Forli in a home game 80-73. Avellino recorded a loss to Vigevano on the road 79-69. Orzinuovi was defeated by Juvi Cremona on its own court 88-89. Nardo was beaten by Pesaro in a road game 84-70.
The best stats of 23th round was 17 points and 7 rebounds by VJ King of Pesaro.
Rieti – Cividale 90-71
There was a minor upset when 4th placed Cividale (15-8) was crushed on the road by seventh ranked Rieti (14-9) 90-71 on Saturday. Rieti made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Rieti outrebounded Cividale 49-34 including a 38-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American guard Jordan Harris (194-1997, college: Georgia) who led his team to a victory scoring 31 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import power forward Skylar Spencer (206-1994, college: SDSU, agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 8 points and 16 rebounds. Rieti’s coach Alessandro Rossi allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international Francesco Ferrari (204-2005) responded with 22 points and 6 rebounds and the former international swingman Leonardo Marangon (197-2005) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Four Cividale players scored in double figures. Rieti moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fortitudo and Milano Urania. Loser Cividale keeps the fourth position with eight games lost. Rieti will meet Cento (#18) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Cividale will play against Juvi Cremona (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rieti: J.Harris 31+8reb+5ast, K.Viglianisi 15+1reb, A.Cicchetti 12+8reb, M.Spanghero 8+1reb+1ast, S.Spencer 8+16reb+1ast, A.Sarto 6+3reb+2ast
Cividale: F.Ferrari 22+6reb, L.Marangon 12+8reb+1ast, G.Dell’Agnello 11+6reb+1ast, L.Redivo 10+4reb+3ast, E.Rota 6+3reb+2ast, D.Lamb 5+5reb+3ast
gschID: 1184583
Rimini – Piacenza 81-76
No shocking result in a game when first ranked Rimini (18-5) defeated at home bottom-ranked Piacenza (3-20) 81-76 on Sunday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Rimini outrebounded Piacenza 41-29 including 30 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for point guard Alessandro Grande (185-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 4 assists. American Justin Johnson (200-1996, college: WKU) helped adding 14 points and 11 rebounds. Michele Serpilli (201-1999) responded with 18 points and 6 rebounds and guard Saverio Bartoli (194-2000) scored 12 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Five Rimini and four Piacenza players scored in double figures. Rimini maintains first place with 18-5 record. Piacenza lost their eighth game in a row. They stay dead last with 20 lost games. Rimini will meet Brindisi (#13) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Piacenza will play against Milano Urania (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rimini: A.Grande 20+3reb+4ast, P.Marini 14+2reb+3ast, G.Robinson 14+2reb+3ast, J.Johnson 14+11reb, G.Camara 12+11reb+1ast, A.Simioni 5+5reb+1ast
Piacenza: M.Serpilli 18+6reb+1ast, F.Bonacini 16+4reb+1ast, S.Bartoli 12+5reb+7ast, M.Gilmore 12+3reb+1ast, U.D’Almeida 7+3reb, O.Suljanovic 6+1reb
gschID: 1184584
Torino – Cento 71-88
There was an upset when higher ranked Torino (10-13) was defeated at home by eighteenth ranked Cento (8-15) 88-71 on Sunday. It was a great evening for Lorenzo Benvenuti (205-1995, agency: Players Group) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Stacy Davis (198-1994, college: Pepperdine) helped adding 18 points. Four Cento players scored in double figures. Cento’s coach Emanuele Di Paolantonio allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Nigerian-American forward Ife Josh Ajayi (201-1996, college: USA, agency: Players Group) responded with 21 points and 9 rebounds and American swingman Kevion Taylor (196-1999, college: Valpo) scored 13 points and 6 assists. The victory was the third consecutive win for Cento. They moved-up to sixteenth place, which they share with Vigevano and Livorno Libertas. Loser Torino keeps the twelfth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Brindisi. Cento will meet at home higher ranked Rieti (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Torino will play against Forli (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cento: G.DeVoe 18+3reb+1ast, S.Davis 18+4reb+2ast, L.Benvenuti 15+8reb+2ast, C.Delfino 12+8reb+2ast, N.Alessandrini 9+3reb+1ast, N.Berdini 7+7reb+9ast
Torino: I.Josh Ajayi 21+9reb+2ast, K.Taylor 13+1reb+6ast, M.Schina 9+1reb+3ast, F.Seck 7+5reb, M.Ladurner 7+5reb, M.Ghirlanda 6+2reb+2ast
gschID: 1184585
Udine – Brindisi 79-90
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Udine (17-6) against thirteenth ranked Brindisi (10-13) on Saturday night. Host Udine was defeated by Brindisi in Udine 90-79. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Udine. Brindisi dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Udine‘s 32. Brindisi players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. American forward Mark Ogden (206-1994, college: Utah Tech) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eleven shots !!!). Point guard Tommaso Laquintana (188-1995, agency: SLN) contributed with 10 points and 7 assists for the winners. American Xavier Johnson (201-1993, college: Colorado) answered with 14 points and 6 rebounds and naturalized American guard Mirza Alibegovic (196-1992) added 15 points and 4 assists in the effort for Udine. Four Udine players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Brindisi moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Torino. Udine at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Brindisi will play against league’s leader Rimini at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Udine will play against Vigevano and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Brindisi: M.Ogden 25+10reb+2ast, I.Brown 11+2reb+3ast, N.De Vico 10+2reb+1ast, T.Laquintana 10+7ast, G.Vildera 8+2reb+3ast, E.Del Cadia 7+3reb+5ast
Udine: M.Alibegovic 15+4ast, X.Johnson 14+6reb+2ast, L.Ambrosin 13+2ast, M.Da Ros 10+2reb+2ast, A.Hickey 8+4reb+1ast, I.Ikangi 6+2reb+2ast
gschID: 1184586
Livorno Libertas – Forli 80-73
There was a surprise result when seventeenth ranked Livorno Libertas (8-15) beat at home higher ranked Forli (12-11) 80-73 on Sunday. Strangely Forli outrebounded Livorno Libertas 48-36 including a 18-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American-Israeli Adrian Banks (191-1986, college: Arkansas St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 8 assists. Naturalized Romanian center Dorin Buca (216-2002) helped adding 14 points and 8 rebounds. The former international power forward Raphael Gaspardo (207-1993, agency: Players Group) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds and the former international forward Davide Pascolo (201-1990) scored 15 points and 8 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Four Forli players scored in double figures. Livorno Libertas moved-up to sixteenth place, which they share with Vigevano and Cento. Loser Forli dropped to the eleventh position with 11 games lost. Livorno Libertas will meet at home higher ranked Orzinuovi (#15) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Forli will play against Torino (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Livorno Libertas: A.Banks 21+3reb+8ast, D.Buca 14+8reb, N.Italiano 12+3reb+1ast, L.Tozzi 9+4reb, A.Bargnesi 8+2reb+5ast, A.Filloy 5+6reb+1ast
Forli: D.Pascolo 15+8reb+1ast, T.Perkovic 14+3reb, R.Gaspardo 14+12reb, R.Tavernelli 12+7reb+3ast, S.Dawson 8+8reb+2ast, D.Magro 6+3reb+2ast
gschID: 1184587
Verona – Fortitudo BO 67-77
The biggest surprise of round 23 in Serie A2 was guest Fortitudo‘s (14-9) road victory over Verona (#8) 77-67 on Sunday evening. Fortitudo outrebounded Verona 38-22 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Fortitudo especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Swingman Riccardo Bolpin (197-1997) chipped in 14 points. Fortitudo BO’s coach Attilio Caja used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Zach Copeland (193-1997, college: Illinois St.) produced 21 points and forward Liam Udom (199-2000) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Fortitudo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Milano Urania and Rieti. Verona at the other side keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. They share it with Pesaro and Avellino. Fortitudo is looking forward to face higher ranked Cantu (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Verona will play against Nardo (#19) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Fortitudo BO: D.Freeman 17+10reb, F.Mian 15+1reb+1ast, R.Bolpin 14+4reb+1ast, L.Battistini 10+6reb, P.Aradori 8+1reb+2ast, D.Thomas 6+7reb+2ast
Verona: Z.Copeland 21+4reb+1ast, L.Udom 15+5reb+2ast, J.Cannon 12+2reb+1ast, L.Penna 11+4reb+7ast, E.Esposito 6+5reb, L.Faggian 2
gschID: 1184588
Milano Urania – Cantu 63-57
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Cantu (16-7) against fifth ranked Milano Urania (14-9) on Friday night. Visiting Cantu was defeated by Milano Urania in a tough game in Milano 57-63. It was a great evening for the former international swingman Alessandro Gentile (201-1992) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks. Naturalized Cameroonian center Kevin Ndzie (213-2003) helped adding 6 points and 15 rebounds. American Dustin Hogue (198-1992, college: Iowa St.) responded with 11 points and 9 rebounds and Matteo Piccoli (195-1995, agency: SLN) scored 8 points and 8 rebounds. Milano Urania maintains fifth place with 14-9 record, which they share with Fortitudo and Rieti. Loser Cantu keeps the third position with seven games lost. Milano Urania will meet bottom-ranked Piacenza (#20) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Cantu will play against Fortitudo (#7) in Bologna and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Milano Urania: A.Gentile 16+6reb+3ast, A.Amato 11+2reb+5ast, G.Leggio 8+4reb+1ast, N.Potts 8+5reb+3ast, L.Cesana 8+2reb, K.Ndzie 6+15reb+3ast
Cantu: D.Hogue 11+9reb, F.Rossi 10+1reb+3ast, G.Basile 10+5reb+1ast, M.Piccoli 8+8reb+1ast, A.De Nicolao 8+3reb+5ast, R.Moraschini 7+9reb+1ast
gschID: 1184589
Vigevano – Avellino 79-69
There was an upset when higher ranked Avellino (13-10) was defeated on the road by sixteenth ranked Vigevano (8-15) 79-69 on Sunday. It was a great evening for guard Michele Peroni (190-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. American point guard Myles Mack (178-1993, college: Rutgers) helped adding 14 points and 7 assists. Five Vigevano players scored in double figures. American Jaren Lewis (201-1996, college: ACU) responded with 17 points and 7 rebounds and Estonian Mikk Jurkatamm (195-2000) scored 13 points and 9 rebounds. Vigevano maintains sixteenth place with 8-15 record, which they share with Cento and Livorno Libertas. Newly promoted Avellino dropped to the eighth position with ten games lost. They share it with Pesaro and Verona. Vigevano will meet at home league’s second-placed Udine in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Avellino will play against Pesaro (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vigevano: M.Mack 14+1reb+7ast, M.Peroni 13+7reb+5ast, G.Leardini 12+9reb+1ast, C.Taflaj 11+5reb, A.Smith 11+8reb+1ast, F.Rossi 10+4reb+4ast
Avellino: J.Lewis 17+7reb+2ast, M.Jurkatamm 13+9reb+2ast, A.Sabatino 9+1reb+1ast, M.Bortolin 9+6reb, M.Earlington 8+3reb+1ast, F.Mussini 6+5reb+3ast
gschID: 1184590
Orzinuovi – Juvi Cremona 88-89
We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fifteenth ranked Juvi Cremona (9-14) edged on the road 14th ranked Orzinuovi (9-14) 89-88 on Sunday. Juvi Cremona looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American-Dominican point guard Eddy Polanco (193-1994, college: SE Louisiana, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Point guard Gianmarco Bertetti (179-2001) helped adding 21 points and 4 assists. Juvi Cremona’s coach Luca Bechi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The former international point guard Stefano Bossi (190-1994, agency: Players Group) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists and American power forward Jarvis Williams (203-1993, college: Murray St.) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. Five Juvi Cremona and four Orzinuovi players scored in double figures. Juvi Cremona moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with defeated Orzinuovi. Orzinuovi lost their sixth game in a row. Juvi Cremona will meet higher ranked Cividale (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Orzinuovi will play against Livorno Libertas (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Juvi Cremona: E.Polanco 23+7reb+6ast, G.Bertetti 21+3reb+4ast, A.Morgillo 12+5reb, S.Barbante 11+4reb+2ast, Y.Giombini 10+5reb+1ast, L.Tortu 4+3reb
Orzinuovi: S.Bossi 21+5reb+12ast, J.Williams 21+11reb+3ast, T.Guariglia 13+7reb, C.Costi 12+5reb+2ast, A.Bertini 9+2reb, A.Loro 5
gschID: 1184591
Pesaro – Nardo 84-70
There was no surprise when 19th ranked Nardo (6-17) was defeated on the road by eleventh ranked Pesaro (13-10) 84-70 on Sunday. Pesaro forced 22 Nardo turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American forward VJ King (198-1997, college: Louisville, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 7 rebounds. Center Quirino De Laurentiis (206-1992) helped adding 13 points and 7 rebounds. Four Pesaro players scored in double figures. Pesaro’s coach Spiro Leka allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American Wayne Stewart Jr (201-1996, college: A&M-Commerce) responded with 20 points and 4 steals and the former international power forward Antonio Iannuzzi (208-1991) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Pesaro. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Verona and Avellino. Loser Nardo keeps the nineteenth position with 17 games lost. Pesaro will meet Avellino (#9) on the road in the next round. Nardo will play against Verona (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Pesaro: V.King 17+7reb, K.Ahmad 16+1reb+4ast, Q.De Laurentiis 13+7reb+2ast, M.Imbro 11+2reb+5ast, L.Bucarelli 7+1reb+7ast, S.Zanotti 7+3reb
Nardo: W.Stewart Jr 20+4reb+1ast, L.Donadio 17+6reb, A.Iannuzzi 12+10reb+1ast, M.Giuri 9+3reb+5ast, R.Zugno 5+4reb+6ast, M.Ebeling 3+3reb
gschID: 1184592
