Tezenis’ season ends in game 3 of the semi-final against Trapani who deservedly gains access to the last dance of the championship. The yellow-blues fight with pride, they try to stay in the match in the first half and come back into contact in the second but this Trapani team has infinite resources and wins 78-95.
NEWS
Coach Ramagli chooses the quintet with Penna, Devoe, Udom, Esposito and the returning Buva. Coach Diana responds with the usual starting five made up of Gentile, Notae, Mollura, Alibegovic and Horton. Notae and Horton are the references of the Granata attack at the start of the match, Penna and Devoe start with high gears from long range and put Tezenis ahead 6-4 after 2 minutes of play. Ivan Buva is also released from the line, Esposito does the same and is +4 yellow-blue. Tezenis bites in defense, is aggressive on the ball and manages to run on the counterattack; many good shots, however, fail to hit the target and Trapani overcomes with Alibegovic and Mollura. 10-14 and Ramagli timeout with 4 minutes to play. Buva moves the home scoreboard with the first triple of his evening and Verona, with Penna’s free throws and the plays of Gazzotti and Buva, makes the break. 20-16 and Diana timeout. The period ends with two more free throws from Buva which extend the yellow-blue partial, we go to the first break at 22-16.
Mobio and Buva exchange baskets at the start of the second quarter. Trapani raises its percentages, scores two triples in a row with Pullazi and Mian and manages to contain the yellow-blue’s attempts to reach forward. The pace of Ramagli’s attack is good and manages to involve several players, it is Stefanelli’s free throws that give Verona the 29-25 in the 13th minute. The Sharks do not lose their composure, they ride Pullazi and Marini and score the counter-overtaking 29-30. When we enter the last five minutes of the period the match continues point by point, it is the Granata who unbalance the score with baskets from Alibegovic and Notae. 34-42 and second timeout for Coach Ramagli. Trapani explodes all his offensive talent and runs away with authority thanks to Horton’s devastating dunks. Tezenis, for its part, lost its fluidity and was down 41-54 at halftime.
A shock is needed to give Tezenis hope of a comeback, Buva and Penna try to lead the way but Trapani is lethal in punishing any carelessness of the home defense and after 4 minutes of the third quarter they are ahead 51-68. Stefanelli scores the sixth point of the evening, but the Sharks continue to hammer and with Alibegovic they make it +20, maximum advantage and Ramagli timeout with 3’55” to play in the period. Baskets from Stefanelli and Vittorio Bartoli, followed by Pullazi’s free throws, close a third period which seems to put an end to the match. The scoreboard says 60-80 with 10 minutes to go.
At the start of the fourth quarter there is a proud yellow-blue reaction led by Vittorio Bartoli, 4 points from Spoleto and 2 from Devoe make it 6-0. Diana timeout at 66-80 in the 31st minute. The Bartoli brothers don’t stop, Saverio’s smash, Vittorio’s bomb and -7 Tezenis. Stefanelli scores a triple from -6 but Notae dampens the enthusiasm of the Pala AGSM AIM and closes the score with two talented plays. 76-85 and Verona timeout 4′ from the end. The last possessions of the match are managed by the Sharks, Tezenis ends her season with honor and to the applause of the home crowd. Final score 78-95.
TEZENIS VERONA – TRAPANI SHARK 78-95 (22-16, 41-54, 60-80)
Tezenis Verona: Mbacke ne, Stefanelli 12, Gazzotti 3, Gajic ne, Devoe 10, Esposito 4, Penna 14, Buva 17, Udom 4, Bartoli V. 11, Bartoli S. 3. All. Ramagli
Shark drills: Notae 21, Horton 9, Alibegovic 27, Imbrò 3, Mian 3, Pugliatti, Mollura 12, Mobio 5, Gentile 2, Marini 3, Pullazi 10. All. Diana
