The Cima Memorial is from Tortona!
First victory in the preseason for Tortona who won the eighth edition of the Memorial Cima by beating Junior Casale at the end of a very balanced race.
Over 600 spectators and around 4000 euros in proceeds donated to charity completed a splendid setting for a sports festival.
Tortona rests Polk due to a muscle strain and starts with Simoncelli, Venuto, Tavernari, Crockett and Rotondo. First quarter with a continuous score swing of advantages with Giovara and Marshall in evidence on one side and Crockett and Tavernari on the other.
First period ends at 21-18 for coach Ramondino's boys,
Tortona comes back immediately with a 6-0 run. Then a triple from Blizzard and two free throws from Fall put Casale back ahead: 35-31 with 2' left in the second period.
Fall's second block of the match opens Marshall's transition for Giovara who scores the half-time score of 39-35.
In the third quarter, yet another triple from Marshall (there will be 7 sevens in the end for him) once again distances coach Cavina's boys, bringing the Junior score to 42-37. Casale seems launched and extends: +8 at 5' 32" from the third siren.
Tortona, however, reacts well and regains parity with Venuto's long range baskets, before Crockett gives the advantage and a show with the dunk to make it 56-54, 1 minute from the end of the third quarter.
The basket by an inspired Tavernari closes the half at 58-56 for the Tortona players.
At the start of the last quarter, Tortona extends the lead with Crockett: 62-56 with 8 minutes to go.
Casale doesn't want to lose, the match becomes vibrant even if his strength begins to fail: Natali's triple leads the comeback, completed by Marshall's free throws for Casale's +2.
Tortona still has the desire and Rotondo is the first to score 67-65 for Tortona, 3' from the end.
Crockett's dive with a recovered ball 26" from the end essentially closes the game, which ends at 75-70.
Tortona celebrates having beaten Casale after time immemorial, Memorial Cima takes the road to Tortona, Jonathan Tavernari is chosen as MVP.
At the end of the match, coach Cavina declared himself satisfied with his players' willingness and desire to scrape their knees, noting improvements in the defensive phase compared to the first outing.
NOVIPIU' CASALE – ORSI DERTHONA: 70-75 (21-18, 39-35, 56-58)
NOVIPIU' CASALE: Giovara E. 8, Amato, Tomassini 4, Natali 4, Butkevicius 2, Blizzard 9, Martinoni 5, Ruiu ne, Fall 6, Valentini ne, Giovara M. ne, Marshall 32 All. Ramondino
DERTHONA BEARS: Tavernari 19 (5/7, 3/6, 4r), Simoncelli 6 (1/5, 0/2, 2 r), Riva 0, Tava ne, Gioria 2 (0/0, 0/1, 2 /2), Venuto 8 (1/2, 2/7, 1 r), Valenti 3 (1/2, 0/2, 1/1, 3r), Strotz 0, Rotondo 13 (6/12, 0/1 1/3, 9 r), Carosi 2 (0/0, 0/1, 2/2), Crockett 22 (7/14, 0/2, 8/9, 10 r). All. Cavina
