Bertram Derthona loses 69 to 74 against Junior Casale
The Memorial Cima 2017 rewards Novipiù Casale Monferrato, more ready than a Bertram with the work in progress sign safe on its wagon and able to make up for the absences of its roster. After an excellent start to the match, coach Pansa's Bianconeri experienced a moment of difficulty during the two central quarters, only to then get the match back on its feet and come back to -3 within a turn of the clock from the final siren. The final run-up, involving the large Tortonese audience at the PalaCima, was not completed, thus leaving the "title" in Casale's hands.
The setting of the PalaCima was always splendid, which saw a correct audience from both sides brought together by a common charitable purpose in favor of the Idea Onlus association.
Derthona starts off on the right foot; Garri and Sorokas are the star performers of the Juventus attack, while the Novipiù defense struggles to read Tortona's offensive patterns. The entry of Melvin Johnson and a quick transition by Sorokas worth the Juventus lead (17-7 in the 8th minute), but Casale leaves no space and with two excellent baskets by Ielmini and Tomassini it shortens to 20-15 in the 10th minute , and later equalized thanks to Severini's volley of points (11 in the second quarter alone). Bertram Derthona felt the pinch and trailed 34-39 at halftime, a result that was almost replicated at the half (38-45) and at the end of the third period (52-58).
Novipiù extends at the start of the final period, overtaking the double-digit lead, but Derthona is not there: the Juventus defensive lines rise a step and the attack starts to turn again, creating the conditions for the comeback, which materializes with Garri's two triples bringing Bertram to 69-72 with one minute to go. The Bianconeri have the potential equalizer ball in their hands, but Johnson and Garri's attempts fail to hit the target; on the other side, Tomassini is fouled and, converting both free throws, gives victory and trophy to Novipiù.
Lorenzo Pansa: “We managed to express offensive fluidity only in the first quarter, while we had a long period of confusion between the second and third quarters, in which we played in a superficial way and allowed Casale to dig an important gap thanks even to their most established organization. The positive sign is that we returned to the match with energy on two occasions and then committed two trivial errors which rightly tipped the scales towards Casale after arriving at -3"
Bertram Derthona – Novipiù Casale 69-74
Derthona: Meluzzi 2, Stefanelli 4, Pilati ne, Sorokas 16, Radonjic 2, Apuzzo, Quaglia 3, Garri 17, Mei 6, Billi ne, Johnson 15, Spanghero 4. All. Pansa
Casale: Ielmini 3, Banchero, Nicora ne, Tomassini 9, Valentini 4, Blizzard 16, Severini 18, Cattapan 10, Tulumello ne, Bellan 6, Sanders 8. Coach Ramondino
Notes: T2: De 13/36, Ca 19/42; De 10/24, Ca 9/23; Tl: De 13/15, Ca 9/11.
