Naples, 5 May 2024 – Classic match of end of the season at the Fruit Village Arena of Naples in the Campania derby staged between “disappointed” as the GeVi Napoli Basketball and the Givova Scafati which, despite zero motivation on both sides, still gave rise to a very enjoyable game which in the end saw the Azzurri victorious 102-92.
Both returning from two KOs, a Reggio Emilia for the GeVi Napoli Basketball with consequent mathematical exclusion from the Playoffs and at home vs Sassari for the Givova Scafatithe two teams then played open face confirm i many advantages of their attacks but also, if not above all, i many limitations of theirs defensive phases.
For Naples Thus ends a season nothing short of positive despite the exclusion from post-season was not very welcome, with the conquest of Italian Cup final vs Milan unexpected to say the least and yet perhaps it has turned off the motivational light a little to overcome the various obstacles, including physical ones, that coach Milicic he had to face after the triumph in Turin.
A roster Moreover short perhaps beyond any reasonable doubtespecially after the problem at shoulder which tormented for at least a month and a half Markel Brown and which also coincided with a clear decline in form of Tomislav Zubcicuntil two months ago at times devastating.
But, we repeat, a positive season for Naples with the advent of Alessandro Dalla Salda as the AM and Pedro Llompart as GM and from which we will have to start again, trying if possible not to make revolutions and perhaps holding back Tyler Ennis, Tariq Owens or Michal Sokolowski and strengthening the tricolor package in which, this evening, Alexander Lever showed interesting numbers.
For the Givova Scafati instead a predictable defeat in light of the farewell to Demetre Rivers immediately after having achieved the salvation desired in a stubborn way by coach Matteo Boniciollitook over from Pino Sacripanti who retired at the same time in early December due to physical problems, luckily already back but having first taken the scalp of Milan.
A too fluctuating trend for the yellow and blue of the very president Lombards but with them chances concrete chances of being able to play for the historic, first Scudetto Playoffs and putting in sight two very interesting prospects such as the aforementioned Rivers and John Nungeailments aside, and Alessandro Gentile promoted to point guard.
The arrival then of Julian Gamble before and of Gerry Blakes after that they consolidated a talented roster with also Kruize Pinkins but that, without a doubt, he could have done more. Certainly something will have to be done for next year with some surprises that, rest assured, it will come up with In the Lombards.
The match saw a good start from Scafati with Napoli ready to respond blow for blow and with Sokolowski’s dunk giving Napoli the +3 at 20-17. Gentile, and Blakes’ bomb allowed Scafati to overtake 20-22 but the first quarter ended in a draw 25-25.
Second period, with Zubcic and Ennis very inspired Napoli flew ahead +8 and at 39-31 with Boniciolli forced to call time out. Scafati reacted with a partial 0-5, but the bombs of Owens, Lever and Brown put Napoli back ahead by 10 points at 48-38 in the 18th minute of the game. The teams went to half-time with Napoli ahead on the score 56-46.
Third period, Scafati was proud to close the gap and bring himself to -5 (59-54) in the 22nd minute. Lever replied by scoring his third bomb followed immediately by the usual Blakes. But Sokolowski with 5 consecutive points brought Naples back to +10 (67-57) in the 26th minute and the Azzurri managed the advantage, even reaching +13 at 72-59. New reaction from Scafati but Pullen, with 5 consecutive points, brought Napoli back to +13 at 77-64. Dut Mabor’s dunk on his fifth point allowed Napoli to reach their maximum lead 79-65 and, from the bench, here was Saccoccia who got on the scoresheet with two free throws made, in the 30th minute they went to the 85-72.
Fourth period, Scafati started strong in the last quarter with a 0-7 run with Napoli finding its first basket with Ennis in the 35th minute. Scafati thus closed the game to -6 (89-83) and Milicic called Time out. Pullen’s bomb brought Napoli back to +9 and Scafati took refuge in the time out. Thus, in the 38th minute of the game Napoli managed the lead, taking it to +11 (98-87) and, in the final, Napoli was in total control and Sokolowski broke through the 100 barrier from three, and so it ended 102-92.
Pressroom
Matteo Boniciolli
Igor Milicic
GeVi Napoli Basket – Givova Scafati 102-92
Partial: 25-25; 31-21; 29-26; 5-8pm.
Progression: 25-25; 56-46; 85-72; 102-92
