CAMPOBASSO – Not only the concrete basis of a last sensational season, but also of the additions of undoubted importance that increasingly launch the rossoblù club into the upper echelons of the Italian national basketball universe. Molisana Magnolia begins its signing campaign by bringing back to Italy a long-standing all-round player (both indoor and 3×3) of the caliber of Sara Madera from Livorno. Twenty-four years old, 190 centimetres, despite his very young age, the Tuscan pivot winger, capable of disengaging even from five, boasts an impressive CV not only at a national level with three under-18 and one under-20 championships and two second places in the EuroCup in club level, but also, with the national team (specifically 3×3), an Olympic qualification and a bronze at the latest edition of the Mediterranean Games in Oran.
For her who, in addition to Venice, also competed in Lucca and Broni in the top national basketball series, Campobasso and La Molisana Arena also retain a very sweet memory, the one linked to the semi-final of the 2022/23 Italian Cup in which with her 21 points and an 8/12 from the field (with a 4/6 from 3) for a 26 rating was the factor that allowed Reyer Venezia to prevail by 15 (78-63) over Virtus Bologna. After all, the figures are loyal allies of the long Tuscan capable of always traveling in the double-digit area and who – to get out of his comfort zone – spent the last season in Spain, in the Basque Country, with Gernika in a team in which there was also a former #steelfior like the French pivot Marie-Michelle Milapie. For the player from Livorno an average of 7.1 points in the EuroCup with an exit in the round of 16 against the triumphant London team and a Liga lived with ever greater substance, match after match.
SORRY FOR THE DELAY Furthermore, Madera’s presence in the rossoblù would have been such well before the 2024/25 season. In the 2019/20 season, then interrupted by Covid-19, the club from the regional capital closed on hiring the long Tuscan player as support for the A2 playoffs for the jump to A1.
«True, we had defined everything for the double membership – recalls the person concerned – then the raging pandemic interrupted everything. But it is also true that, since that season, Campobasso has experienced exponential growth on all fronts with a well-defined constant that of warm and passionate support. In fact, since that time we have always remained in contact and when, in recent weeks, there was the possibility of defining the agreement, I was very happy to project weapons into this project”.
GROWTH PATH At the base, for Madera, is the desire to continue along a path of growth that has seen the player herself particularly question herself, projecting herself, last season, with the Iberian experience.
«Going abroad takes you out of your own country comfort zones and it is an opportunity for growth from all points of view, both personal and basketball. I had the opportunity to compete with even faster basketball and, training after training, I had the opportunity to experiment with myself and my qualities, so much so that, after this experience, I had also received other calls from abroad, but I chose to give priority to Campobasso, as a new challenge for the future and also as a signal sent towards a continuously growing society”.
BETWEEN STREET AND PARQUET An all-round basketball player, in 3×3 Madera was able to gain an Olympic qualification for Tokyo (an event which she was then unable to take part in due to a series of bureaucratic quibbles), as well as other prestigious results in the international FIBA tour .
«The three against three – he explains – allows you to explore all the technical dimensions which you can then bring back to the parquet. Even before the Italian experience, in the summer, compatibly with commitments with the clubs, I was trying to free myself on this front. However, I am a long player who loves to open the court and take advantage of my versatility in trying to take advantage of both the front and back of the basket and this, for many, was an aspect that would have helped me a lot in getting used to the 3×3. I must say that, however, the first training session wasn’t the happiest one, but as the sessions went by the inclusion in this context was increasingly profitable.”
«This discipline is not just one against one, but requires you to think a lot and verify numerous aspects and also, as the years go by, refereeing conduct itself is opening up to a dimension increasingly closer to five against five, where versatility is important . There is no transition, but having quality in the ball handling in reading situations, in cutting, in bringing blocks and in many individual aspects of the game he ensures that there are many useful situations to bring back to indoor experiences.”
THE AIR OF THE ARENA Returning to the adventure in Molise, Madera can’t wait «to be able to play for the rossoblù public, which I have had the opportunity to appreciate on several occasions as an opponent. Personally, I will give my all and I believe that, together, as a team, we will try to repeat or, better yet, improve on a unique last season. Hence my invitation to everyone to come and see us and support us because the show on the parquet is even more engaging with the support of the public.”
RESILIENT STYLE The playing philosophy of the rossoblù coach Mimmo Sabatelli also gave enthusiasm to the Tuscan player. «I really like his way of understanding basketball. This last season’s Magnolia was a hymn to resilience and, personally, this represents a stimulus and a challenge for me. I have always been an attacking player, but in recent seasons I have also been focusing a lot on defense and being able to be in a team that makes this aspect a basis of its basketball essence will only help me.”
EUROPEANS AT THE DOORS Also because, next year, it will also be that of the European Championships which, in the first phase, will see Italy and Bologna in the front row. «The goal of all Italian players is the blue shirt – Madera comments – because it makes a particular fire burn inside you at a competitive level. Personally, I will try to create a good season so that I can be monitored and try to aspire to an event like the continental one.”
