U17 National Excellence Finals: the Lions beat Pesaro and qualify among the top 12 in Italy.
Allianz Derthona – VL Pesaro 80-65
(22-18, 23-13, 12-19-23-15)
Derthona: Dusio ne, Solazzi 19 (6/12 two-pointers, 4 ast), Wilkinson 18 (4/7 three-pointers, 15 reb), Zampaloni, Obakhavbaye 10, Gilli 5, Chikal 13 (6/6 free throws), Furfaro 4, De Santis 3 (5 ast), Gregori 2, Ferrante 3, Montiglio 3. Coach Roncari, Assistant Gagliardini, Censurini
Pesaro: Grasso 24, Merli 12, Montesi, Leonardi 12, Virgili 3, Moneti, Ziah 8, Cornis, Mattei 2, Carnaroli 2, Cardinali, Bedini 2. Coach: Luminati
Derthona Basket's U17 Excellence team is once again among the top 12 teams in Italy. For the third consecutive year, the Piedmontese team has achieved a significant milestone and cemented its place among the youth elite.
The Lions secured a decisive victory in the decisive match against VL Pesaro, where they won 80-65, climbing to third place in Group A. Coach Roncari's men maintained a commanding performance, successfully repelling every attempt by their opponents to come back. A decisive second-quarter run set the tone for the game, with Tortona pulling away thanks to solid defense and superior scoring power. Key players in the game included Alessio Solazzi with 19 points and 4 assists, and Rufus Wilkinson, who recorded a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds, was not to be underestimated.
The knockout stages begin tomorrow, Thursday, May 21st. At 4:00 PM at the Palasport in Agropoli, Derthona will take to the field against Stamura Ancona to compete for a spot in the quarterfinals, where the winner will face the top-seeded team in Group D.
