Dragged by the Americans (57 points between them), the Granata earned two very important points
Hdl Nardò Basket returns to victory in the penultimate match of the “clock” phase. A convincing performance against Moncada Energy Fortitudo Agrigento, which yields two points of enormous importance and which restores confidence and morale. Dragged by the Americans Smith and Stewart jr. (57 points between two), the Granata team carried out the task perfectly, despite a refereeing mix-up at the end of the match which heated up the spirits and perhaps reopened a practically one-sided dispute.
Parravicini, Baldasso, La Torre, Stewart jr. and Donda is Dalmonte’s starting quintet, who has to give up Iannuzzi. The grenade start is stratospheric. 16-1 at half time with 10 points from Stewart jr. and 6 from Baldasso (two triples each), the Sicilians broke the ice with Meluzzi from the line only after three and a half minutes. Toro takes a breather and Sperduto and Cohill slowly eat into the home team’s advantage with a 10-0 run. Nikolic and Smith enter, the American immediately stamps from the arc. Another 4 consecutive points from Stewart jr. they keep the Fortitudo of Sicily at a safe distance. Maspero and Ferrara also enter. A few questionable whistles from the triad raise the already very hot temperature of the Pala San Giuseppe. The first break arrives at 26-19.
Agrigento now plays better and dominates under the scoreboard, taking full advantage of Iannuzzi’s absence. Nardò then goes to the perimeter and Smith scores another triple. Ambrosin responds immediately, scoring the first personal points of the match. If Toro suffers in the paint, Agrigento’s problem is to neutralize Smith’s incursions to the basket, who chooses the central corridor as his favorite one. Two free throws from the New Yorker bring Hdl back to +11, La Torre shortly after makes it +13. Dalmonte makes Alessandro Ceparano debut, his energy will also be needed. Meanwhile, Smith extends his collection of shots from the 6.75 line and Nardò goes to +16. Maspero lands badly in the third period and his ankle goes down, he will never return. He goes to the locker room at 50-33, it’s one of the best versions of Toro so far.
Cohill’s triple opens the hostilities upon returning to the field, Ambrosin also scores in the same way. The grenade attack is suddenly jammed, Dalmonte immediately calls a time-out. Moncada Energy blows on Nardò’s neck with another terrible partial of 10-0. We need to find the way to the basket as soon as possible, which arrives from the line after almost five minutes with Smith (2/2). Nikolic meanwhile commits his fourth personal foul. It’s a balanced and not beautiful phase of the match, Stewart jr takes care of it. to embellish it by crushing a rebound from Smith’s shot. Ferrara (basket and free throw) and Smith again bring Hdl back to a more reassuring +15. The American with the number 3 shirt is having one of his brightest days (in the end his number will be 35), he scores again from far away with a forced shot that forces coach Pilot to stop the game. Upon returning Ambrosin scores, then Stewart jr., the score is 70-54 before the last act.
Clouds of fouls loom over Toro, 4 for Smith and Baldasso and 5 for Nikolic, who goes out. Baldasso eases the tension with a vitally important suspended basket, Ferrara blocks Cohill and the clock runs benignly. With 3′ 58″ from the end Ferrara, the most valuable man in this final, collects and scores another very heavy ball and Nardò goes +18. The visiting team surrenders again to Stewart jr., the granata feel the finish line is close. Then the bad thing. Smith suffers a blatant foul from Chiarastella, one of the referees whistles for the infringement and then a technical to the American, who is silent and immobile. The protests cost him expulsion. After the free throws, we start again at +15, which Ambrosin immediately reduces to +12. Baldasso also goes off for five fouls, but La Torre repeats a 2 out of 2 from the line. There is also glory for Ceparano from the arc. The final is 89-76.
It’s a very positive Sunday also due to the simultaneous defeat of Luiss Roma, Hdl’s next opponent. With the survival group on the horizon, next Sunday’s match is worth a slice of the season.
Tags: HDL STARS STRIPES FOLDED AGRIGENTO
