Cremona – The championship resumes after the break for the national team and Varese starts again late away at the Vanoli pitch. Both teams are returning from a defeat and Varese will make the debut of the new arrival Stewart: we will see what his impact can be.
And the impact of the former Hamburg player is one of super luxury: beyond the 19 points in 18 minutes, the American winger provides impact and right choices during the match, also giving an excellent impression at the control room level. Good choices despite playing little as a duo with Iroegbu, but the two of them are the mentors of this success. Their percussion in the area remains a puzzle for Vanoli who, strangely, suffers under the boards. The hosts came into this match with the reputation of being the second team in rebounding in the entire League. Varese leaves Pala Radi, however, with a 52-39 rebound which is also one of the keys to the match. And the Renfro Nkamhoua duo takes the lead in the first 20 minutes, but then explodes to produce dividends in the second half: 16 caroms brought home by the Finn while Renfro also becomes the protagonist with some key plays such as the block on Grant in the last fraction. It is also the success of an Alviti who is valuable all over the field and best in terms of evaluation with 23 and of a Moore who alternates good things with others that are difficult to understand. He remains a game activator with the 5 assists that are worth the title of best passer, but I still shudder for the crazy choice made around 60″ from the end: he must improve in his readings to become a truly interesting all-rounder. A success, that of Cremona, which is the fruit of the team as a whole it must be said. Everyone brought their own little piece: from Assui’s intense defense (even 8 rebounds) to Librizzi who provided the spark in one of the most difficult moments for Varese. In addition to the two points (and +8 in the direct match) OJM returns to Varese with the belief that they have probably found a solution in terms of defensive structure – which knows how to bite when needed – and with very specific responsibilities also in attack. The only foreign body is Freeman, but this is fine tonight. Winning away from home shooting with an oratorical 18% from 3 means that there is something burning inside. We’ll see how much on Sunday in Brescia, but the night is sweet in the red and white house.
THE LIVE
FIRST QUARTER
The first four attacks were only errors on both sides and with Renfro breaking through to the line area: 0-0 in the 1st minute. We have to wait until the 2nd minute to see Veronesi with a no look assist for Ndiaye for the bomb that made it 3-0. Varese’s defense can be largely reviewed with Durham who comfortably penetrates the rim first, then comes Willis’ open triple: 10-0 in the 3rd minute. Varese wastes a lot with Freeman absolutely out of context and Vanoli herself makes too many mistakes: still 10-0 at 4’30”. Renfro already has 2 fouls and at 5′, Varese finally breaks the deadlock: ball in the corner for Alviti who scores a triple. 11-3. Partial score of 0-7 with Stewart also scoring his first points in the red and white with a penetration along the baseline: 11-7 at 6’15”. Grant breaks the break with a powerful penetration, then Librizzi serves Stewart in the jump who makes the triple to make it 13-10 at 7’30”. OJM who reaches the equalizer with a positive Stewart – quick hands in defense – and with Alviti who serves a golden ball to Nkamhoua for 14 equal to 8’15”. Alviti also scores the first overtaking, then Jones puts the arrow back, but Cremona loses two fatal balls: 17-18 at -38″. Alviti places another bomb (8 points for him) and Stewart goes to the line at the end: 17-22.
SECOND QUARTER
OJM who gives the sensation of spinning better with this set-up and Nkamhoua completes an excellent assist with also the foul: 17-25 at 11’30”. Moore spends a naive second foul granting 3 free throws to Veronesi while he is already in double figures with a support on the scoreboard: 20-27 at 12′. Burns approaching for 23-27 in the 13′. OJM who wastes in this central phase by suffering the Cremonese defense which forces the Bosini to always shoot at 24″ and in defense comes Stewart’s third foul: 25-27 at 14’30”. Casarin wastes on the line, but Varese doesn’t take advantage by crashing into the home defense: 25-27 at 15’30”. Librizzi’s third foul also arrives, adding to those by Moore and Stewart: Willis scores at 27 at 16′. 5 straight points from Librizzi with then Freeman wasting an assist from the same captain: 29-32 at 17′. Two free throws from Librizzi, then Cremona passes the ball around perfectly and Ndiaye punishes Librizzi’s defense: 33-34 at 18′. Alviti misses the first, but not the second triple in the same action: 38-37 at -30′.
THIRD QUARTER
Nkamhoua touches it on the rebound, then Varese loses a trivial ball and Veronesi strikes in transition with the bomb to make it 42-41 at 21’30”. Varese finds Iroegbu often paired in defense with Anigbobu and the Vanoli center collects fouls: 44-41 at 22’30”. Varese is satisfied with the 3-point shot finding errors while Cremona alternates solutions from outside with Willis and then Durham who flies to the basket but injures his right ankle: 49-43 at 24′. Casarin attacks Alviti and scores while Assui suffers a foul on entry: 51-47 in the 25th minute. OJM finalizing the counterattack while Veronesi attacks the area with determination: 53-49 in the 26th minute. The Bosina defense fails to be intense with Cremona often beating the man and managing to get to the rim undisturbed: 59-51 at 27’30”. OJM continues to dance in defense and finds no rhythm in attack: Moore suffers a mid-field breakthrough from Casarin at 28’30”. 61-53. Willi with a great basket despite Librizzi’s defense while the captain can’t find the way to the basket from the arc: 63-55 at -30″.
FOURTH ROOM
In the third attack Varese manages to score the basket with Renfro after the errors of Nkamhoua and Alviti: 63-59 in the 31st minute. The defense holds and on the other front Nkamhoua hits with the dribble, arrest and shot from 4 meters: 63-61 and Vanoli time out in the 32nd minute. Nkamhoua paid a high price for his indecision, but Grant returned the favor and Iroegbu was approaching and scored at 63 in the 33rd minute. Moore loses Casarin, then Nkamhoua is stopped twice; in defense, a volley from Moore launches Iroegbbu on the counterattack: 65-65 in the 34th minute. Varese overtakes with a penetration by Stewart, then, despite the defensive changes that continue to put the small player with the big man, OJM maintains possession and in the 35th minute we are 65-67. Moore was fundamental in the offensive rebound with Stewart who drew the +4 and then Cremona spent a foul in attack with Anigbogu who left the field for 5 fouls in the 36th minute. Partial score of 0-10 for Varese with Stewart as the absolute protagonist, but Casarin doesn’t give up: 67-73 at 36’30”. Stewart is still the protagonist: he receives the ball in the mid-corner and scores a triple for 67-76 at 37’30”. Casarin, the soul of Cremona, first recovers the ball, then commits his fifth foul at 69-76 in the 38th minute while he is Cremona’s best scorer with 13. Stewart misses the knockout shot, then Willis misses the central triple from 8 meters and Stewart scores on the counterattack: 69-79 at -84″. Willis redeems himself with the assist for Ndiaye who dunks, then Moore goes to make a breakthrough at -56″: 71-79. Veronesi and Jones grace the red and whites from the arc who go to the line with Moore at -44″: 71-80. Willis keeps the door open: triple from over 7 meters and 74-80 at -38″. Moore on the line for 74-81 at -37″. Willis wastes from beyond the arc and Iroegbu on the line at -27″ can mortgage the result: 74-83. Varese manages in the final and takes home a success that is worth gold for the ranking and leaves the match in the hands of Reggio Emilia and Treviso.
Vanoli Cremona – Openjobmetis Varese 79-87 (17-22, 39-39, 63-57)
Cremona: Anigbogu 7 (1/3), Willis 19 (2/7, 4/11), Jones 3 (0/1, 1/5), Caarin 13 (5/6), Grant 6 (3/6), Galli said, Versi 9 (1/8), Burns 2 (1/1, 1/2), Durham 8 , 0/2), Night (3/3, 2/6). All. Brotto.
Varese: Stewart 19 (6/7, 2/5), Alviti 17 (4/6, 3/7), Moore 6 (2/7, 0/2). 5 (2/4). All. Castritis.
Referees: Borgioni, Lucotti, Attard.
Matteo Gallo
Photo Ossola
