Scafati – Last match before the national break for the local Serie A with Varese looking for a longed-for continuity on the Scafati pitch. Important challenge with a team tied in the standings at OJM: Tyus will be there and we will see what coach Mandole’s choices will be regarding the turnover. Let’s follow it together.
THE LIVE
FOURTH ROOM
Librizzi goes to earn free throws, Pinkins continues to hurt: 69-73 at 31′. Varese doesn’t make perfect offensive choices at the start and Scafati takes the lead: 71-73 in the 32nd minute. The new counter-overtake arrives: a triple from Sorokas followed by a painful turnover which leads to two easy ones for Stewart on the counterattack. 76-73 at 33′. Gray hits it from the corner, but Scafati gets back ahead: 78-76 in the 34th minute. OJM in difficulty: a field violation also arrives on a throw-in and Stewart shoots from the arc to make it 81-76 in the 35th minute. Hands dives in, Kao corrects, then a series of errors: 81-78 in the 36th minute. Varese forgets Gray who hits from the arc, then Librizzi serves Alviti in the corner: 84-81 in the 37th minute. Pinkins for +5, then Varese misses a couple of attacks. Pinkins doesn’t score, Hands forces and Gray punishes OJM: 88-81 in the 38th minute. Alviti and Johnson waste, Scafati leaves a gap where Librizzi enters in: 88-83 at -75″. Rob Gray misses the entry, but Akin takes advantage of the fact that Kao goes to block to collect the rebound and basket: 90-83 at -52″. Varese constructs a terrible shot at the stroke of 24″ and Scafati brings home the success before the national break.
THIRD QUARTER
Miaschi with the first two of the half, then Alviti raises it for Kao: 51-52 at 21′. Hands with the triple, then confusing phases with Alviti who eats two penetrating baskets: 51-55 at 22′. Miaschi scores the equalizer, then Hands shoots a triple in Pinkins’ face: 55-58 in the 23rd minute. Double from the arc for Varese: Alviti in the corner on an assist from Librizzi, Hands alone to make it 59-64 in the 24th minute. OJM reaches the maximum advantage again at +7, but Pinkins is not there: 63-66 at 25′. Series of errors on both sides and we have to wait for Akin on the line at 26’30”: 65-66 at 26’30”. Too many turnovers for Varese at this juncture while Tyus wastes a possible basket 3 times, but Scafati doesn’t shine either: 65-66 in the 28th minute. Gray breaks the deadlock when he hits an assist from Hands, then Sorokas hits the line to make it 67-69 in the 29th minute. Tyus makes himself felt on the offensive rebound and Harris comes in on one of his extra possessions to make it 67-71.
SECOND QUARTER
Hands scores the first 3 and it’s a new overtaking: 27-28 in the 11th minute. Another triple with Gray receiving on the arc for 27-31 at 11’30”. Akin with the dunk for -1, Hands serves a beautiful ball in the corner for Gray who punishes in the corner: 30-34 at 12’30”. The defense holds, Hands goes with the give and go with Alviti for 30-36 at 13’30”. Sorokas with another bomb, then Johnson responds in kind: 35-39 at 14’30”. OJM makes a mistake in his choices, then the usual Rob Gray equalizes on the counterattack: 39-39 at 15’30”. Assui enters and keeps the public danger Rob Gray in defense while Johnson earns free throws: 39-41 at 16’30”. 30″ of fire for Kao who first smashes sensationally, then blocks Scafati and goes with an alley hoop served by Johnson: 39-45 at 17′. Assui holds Gray, does well on the rebound and then also gets the foul: 41-48 at 18′. In the moment of difficulty Cinciarini takes care of taking his team by the hand: first a triple, assisting the kiss for Pinkins then for the 46-48 in the 19th minute. The first shot arrives and the first points for Tyus, capable of offensive rebounding, then Miaschi’s bomb for the final 49-50.
FIRST QUARTER
There is no Brown in the 12 while Tyus starts from the bench. First minute without baskets with two errors for Varese. Rob Gray follows the shot and is rewarded with the first basket of the day, then Kao blocks Sorokas who redeems himself with the triple: 5-0 in the 2nd minute. OJM recovering with a Librizzi counterattack and a forgotten Kao in the area: 5-4 in the 3rd minute. Cinciarini beats Librizzi in the low post and goes to the basket: 9-6 at 4′. Good inside-out ball for Varese and Hands hits from 7 meters, but the former Sorokas player keeps Scafati ahead: 10-9 in the 5th minute. Alviti scores the first overtaking with a triple and fouls immediately: 10-13. Kao spends his second foul and the moment of Tyus’ debut arrives: 11-13 at 5’30”. Gray continues to hammer the red and white basket while Harris spends a foul in attack: 15-15 at 6′. Johnson with a nice spin and shot in the medium post, then Hands immediately opens for Gray who scores on the counterattack: 17-19 in the 7th minute. Rob Gray already reaches 12 with Varese alternating between different defenders without success: 21-19 in the 8th minute. OJM wastes a couple of opportunities and McRae puts his team back ahead: 24-22 in the 9th minute. Alviti signs another overtaking with the reception on the arc, but Zanelli doesn’t fit: 27-25 at -15″.
Givova Scafati – Openjobmetis Varese 94-85 (27-25, 49-50, 67-71)
Scafati: Gray R., Sangiovanni, Zanelli, Ulaneo, Sorokas, Miaschi, Pinkins, Cinciarini, Stewart, McRae, Akin, Greco. All. Nicola.
Varese: Harris, Alviti, Gray J., Librizzi, Virginia, Bosio, Fall, Hands, Tyus, Johnson, Akobundu-Ehiogu, Assui. All. Almonds.
Referees: Bartoli, Borgo, Patti.
Matteo Gallo
