VIAGRANDE (Catania) – There couldn’t have been a better debut, in 2024, for Pallacanestro Viagrande. The team coached by coach Tania Seino beat the leaders of the Sicilian women’s Serie B, I Have a Team Ragusa, with a wide 90-45, in the big match of the ninth day. At the “PalaTomarchio” a renewed Etna team takes the field, with the additions of Anna Hvichiani, who will be the top scorer of the challenge, and Giuliana La Manna, both making their seasonal debut with the Viagrandese tank top. Only Francesca Amico was absent, not at her best.
The first minutes of the game
Balanced match only in the first minutes of the game. Hvichiani immediately presents himself with a center from the arc which allows the hosts to overtake at 5-2 and, after Mertz’s center, it will be the Ukrainian player who allows the further extension with the second triple of the day, which on 10-6. The Ragusan team attempted to react and came close to making a comeback, stopping at 12-10, but, from that moment on, they gradually lost contact with the Etna team, who closed the first quarter at 27-10.
High guard in defense
In the second half the pace of the match slows down. The Viagrandesi slow down, but keep their guard up in defense and the half-match siren rings with a reassuring 42-20 in their favor. A further leap is needed to be able to reserve a controlled race finish. Upon returning to the field, Viagrande sprints again with the 3+2 signed by Hvichiani and Scordino which confirms the inertia of the match. The PalaTomarchio is enhanced by the physicality of Clara Mertz, fundamental under the boards, but also with the shots of Giulia Spampinato. They are the ones who drag the home team beyond the 30 point lead, among other things with two triples from Capitana Etna, who remains relentless from distance. As well as Martina Lombardo, who signed the “+3” which was worth the temporary 71-30, then corrected, at the end of the quarter, to 71-33 by Salice and Mallo from Ragusa. The large advantage allows coach Seino’s team to manage their energy in the last quarter, with the trio of Hvichiani, Scordino and Scalia making their voices heard.
Coach Tania Seino
“I saw a team with a great desire for redemption and a very positive attitude. The girls entered the field with the right concentration. Since the beginning of the year we have been working hard on every aspect, one step at a time. The new additions have brought added value that allows us to take advantage of rotations and fully express our game. We still have to work a lot on the attack phase given that, for example, Anna has only recently arrived. However, I remain satisfied with the performance which was proof of how this team takes to the field for a common goal. Now let’s enjoy the victory, but let’s keep our feet on the ground and continue working. Thanks go to the Viagrande public who never abandoned us even in difficult times.”
Anna Hvichiani, top scorer of the match
“The atmosphere was great, the team was great, tonight. We played great defense. We had a good race. I tried to help the team, simply trying to do what I had to. I had fun on the pitch. The 22 points? I never played for statistics, no matter how many points I scored. The most important thing was winning. I was hoping I could have an impact like that.”
2024-01-16 21:25:36
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