Serie A2 Round 6 of Regular Season

There were just 6 rounds played in Regular Season of Serie A2 and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of league's leader Avellino (5-1) against eighth ranked Brindisi (4-2) 83-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Avellino. Brindisi looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a good game for American center JaCorey Williams (203-1994, college: MTSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. The other American import guard Kendrick Ray (188-1994, college: KSU) contributed with 14 points and 4 assists for the winners. Naturalized Argentinian forward Lucas Fresno (195-2004) replied with 15 points and 5 assists for Avellino. Brindisi moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Avellino at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. They share it with Pesaro. They were replaced at the leadership position by Livorno. Avellino will play next round against strong Pesaro trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Brindisi will try to continue on its current victory against thirteenth ranked Mestre on the road.
Undefeated Pesaro (5-1) recorded its first loss at the home court. Hosts were edged by sixth ranked Torino (4-1) 73-71. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Pesaro. American guard Zach Harvey (194-2001, college: UCSB, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 23 points to lead the charge for the winners and Federico Massone chipped in 6 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Torino's coach Paolo Moretti allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American forward Tevin Mack (200, college: Clemson, agency: Octagon Europe) with 21 points. Torino have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Pesaro at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. They share it with Avellino. Torino will play against Montecatini (#19) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Pesaro will play against the league's second-placed Avellino (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Cremona is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their sixth consecutive match to twelfth ranked Pistoia (3-3) 75-72 on Sunday evening. Caleb Walker notched 26 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 10 points and 9 assists by Lorenzo Maspero did not help to save the game for Cremona. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Pistoia have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Forli and Sassari. Loser Cremona still closes the standings with six games lost. Pistoia will meet at home higher ranked Fortitudo (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Cremona will play against Rieti (#8) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 6: Sassari was beaten by Puglia on the road 79-63. Caserta Pap. won against Mestre on its own court 77-70. Livorno managed to outperform Forli in a road game 92-87. Montecatini recorded a loss to Cento at home 71-77. Vigevano defeated Fortitudo on the opponent's court 93-85. Rimini smashed Rieti in a home game 96-73.
The most impressive performance of 6th round was 8 points and 9 rebounds by DeShawn Stephens of Rimini.



Brindisi - Avellino 83-70:
First defeat of league's leader Avellino (5-1) against eighth ranked Brindisi (4-2) 83-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Avellino. Brindisi looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a good game for American center JaCorey Williams (203-1994, college: MTSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. The other American import guard Kendrick Ray (188-1994, college: KSU) contributed with 14 points and 4 assists for the winners. Naturalized Argentinian forward Lucas Fresno (195-2004) replied with 15 points and 5 assists and ex-international Mattia Palumbo (198) added 13 points in the effort for Avellino. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Brindisi moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Avellino at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. They share it with Pesaro. They were replaced at the leadership position by Livorno. Avellino will play next round against strong Pesaro trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Brindisi will try to continue on its current victory against thirteenth ranked Mestre on the road.
Top scorers:
Brindisi: W.JaCorey 20+11reb+3ast, R.Kendrick 14+3reb+4ast, M.Martino 13+1reb, E.Ethan 12+7reb+1ast, C.Lorenzo 7+9ast, M.Gabriele 6+4reb
Avellino: L.Fresno 15+1reb+5ast, M.Mollura 15+1reb, M.Palumbo 13+3reb+3ast, T.Owens 12+5reb+1ast, G.Dell'Agnello 6+6reb+2ast, M.Serpilli 5+7reb

Puglia - Sassari 79-63:
There was a surprise result when seventeenth ranked Puglia (2-4) beat higher ranked Sassari (3-3) in Ruvo di Puglia 79-63 on Sunday. They made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. Swingman Riccardo Chinellato (198, agency: SLN) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and Matteo Bogliardi (189-2002) supported him with 22 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds by American-Nigerian Bryce Nze (210-1998, college: Butler) did not help to save the game for Sassari. point guard Alessandro Grande (185-1994) added 24 points. Sassari's coach Luca Vitali rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Puglia moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Sassari dropped to the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Pistoia and Forli. Puglia will meet higher ranked Forli (#9) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Sassari will play against Caserta Pap. and hope to secure a win and be promoted back to the Serie A just one year after relegation.
Top scorers:
Puglia: B.Matteo 22+4reb+5ast, C.Riccardo 19+12reb+5ast, H.Dustin 12+7reb, G.Vincenzo 7+1reb+1ast, L.Prince 5+1reb, V.Leonardo 5+4reb+1ast
Sassari: A.Grande 24+1reb+1ast, B.Nze 17+13reb+1ast, J.Brooks 7+4reb+1ast, S.Flood 5+4reb+3ast, M.Vitali 4+1reb, S.Aromando 3+5reb+1ast

Caserta Pap. - Mestre 77-70:
There was a minor upset when 11th ranked Mestre (2-4) lost on the road to fourteenth ranked Caserta Pap. (2-3) 77-70 on Sunday. Strangely Mestre outrebounded Caserta Pap. 48-28 including a 17-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. American power forward Jalen Henry (203-1996, college: SIUE) notched 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and point guard Domenico DArgenzio (176-2001, agency: SLN) supported him with 15 points and 5 assists. Caserta Pap.'s coach Lino Lardo used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds by American forward Hasan Varence (203-1997, college: Ohio Dominican) did not help to save the game for Mestre. point guard Simone Valsecchi (186-2004) added 15 points. Five Caserta Pap. and four Mestre players scored in double figures. Caserta Pap. moved-up to twelfth place. Loser Mestre dropped to the thirteenth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Caserta Pap. will meet higher ranked Sassari (#11) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Mestre will play against Brindisi and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Caserta Pap.: D.Domenico 15+3reb+5ast, H.Jalen 13+7reb+4ast, H.Damir 13+1reb, L.Andrea 11+4reb+2ast, S.Alessandro 10+2reb+1ast, J.Jaron 5+3reb+1ast
Mestre: H.Varence 18+16reb, S.Valsecchi 15+2reb+3ast, K.Curry 11+3reb+2ast, C.Bechi 10+5reb+2ast, C.Lorenzo 7+8reb+1ast, L.Galmarini 6+8reb+2ast

Cremona - Pistoia 72-75:
Bottom-ranked Cremona is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their sixth consecutive match to twelfth ranked Pistoia (3-3) 75-72 on Sunday evening. American guard Caleb Walker (193-1989, college: Nebraska) notched 26 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and ex-international forward Simone Zanotti (208-1992) supported him with 16 points. Even 10 points and 9 assists by point guard Lorenzo Maspero (184-1998) did not help to save the game for Cremona. Power forward Alexander Cicchetti (203-1998, agency: Players Group) added 15 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Pistoia have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Forli and Sassari. Loser Cremona still closes the standings with six games lost. Pistoia will meet at home higher ranked Fortitudo (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Cremona will play against Rieti (#8) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Pistoia: W.Caleb 26+8reb+3ast, Z.Simone 16+4reb, J.Ife 12+4reb, F.Ariel 9+1reb+3ast, B.Gabriele 6+3reb+1ast, B.Leonardo 4+1reb
Cremona: E.Reed Jr. 16+3reb+1ast, A.Cicchetti 15+4reb+1ast, L.Maspero 10+4reb+9ast, J.Robinson 9+6ast, D.Ursulo 7+8reb, A.Conti 4+1reb

Forli - Livorno 87-92:
Very predictable result when top-ranked Livorno (6-0) won against on the road 9th ranked Forli (3-3) 92-87 on Sunday. American Matthew Tiby (203-1992, college: Milwaukee) notched 20 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and power forward Giovanni Vildera (205-1995) supported him with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Four Livorno players scored in double figures. Livorno's coach Andrea Diana used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds by Cape Verdean-American forward Marcus Santos-Silva (201-1997, college: Texas Tech) did not help to save the game for Forli. Forward Mattia Ceccato (195-2007) added 25 points. Livorno have an impressive six-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Loser Forli keeps the ninth place with three games lost. They share the position with Pistoia and Sassari. Livorno will meet Vigevano (#16) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Forli will play against Puglia (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Livorno: T.Matthew 20+5reb+3ast, P.Lorenzo 14+2reb+4ast, V.Giovanni 12+8reb+1ast, P.Matteo 11+4reb+2ast, F.Niccolo 8+3reb, G.Jayvon 8+3reb+5ast
Forli: M.Ceccato 25+4reb+1ast, M.Santos-Silva 23+14reb+2ast, F.Mian 11+1reb, T.Perkovic 9+1ast, N.Berdini 6+3reb+6ast, J.Andrija 6+2reb+2ast

Montecatini - Cento 71-77:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fifteenth ranked Cento and 16th ranked Montecatini had identical 1-4 record. But Montecatini was not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Cento 77-71 on Sunday night. American point guard Avery Woodson (188-1993, college: Butler, agency: SLN) notched 31 points to lead the effort and ex-international Pietro Aradori (195-1988) supported him with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Even a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds by naturalized Moldovan power forward Ion Lupusor (202-1996, agency: SLN) did not help to save the game for Montecatini. American guard Marquis Barnett (194-2003, college: Kent St.) added 12 points and 6 rebounds. Four Montecatini players scored in double figures. Montecatini's coach Marco Andreazza rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Cento (2-4) moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Montecatini lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the eighteenth position with five games lost. They share it with Milano Urania. Cento will meet at home Cividale (#15) in the next round. Montecatini will play against Torino where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Cento: W.Avery 31+3reb+3ast, A.Pietro 14+7reb+1ast, C.Luca 13+5reb, T.Nicolas 8+2ast, M.Matteo 7+1reb+1ast, M.Samuele 2+12reb+2ast
Montecatini: I.Lupusor 16+10reb+1ast, M.Barnett 12+6reb+1ast, A.Bargnesi 10+2reb+2ast, J.Harris 10+2reb+1ast, M.Acunzo 7+4reb+2ast, K.Strautmanis 6+2reb

Pesaro - Torino 71-73:
Undefeated Pesaro (5-1) recorded its first loss at the home court. Hosts were edged by sixth ranked Torino (4-1) 73-71. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Pesaro. American guard Zach Harvey (194-2001, college: UCSB, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 23 points to lead the charge for the winners and point guard Federico Massone (191-1998) chipped in 6 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Torino's coach Paolo Moretti allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American forward Tevin Mack (200, college: Clemson, agency: Octagon Europe) with 21 points and guard Gabriele Stefanini (191-1999, college: USF) scored 19 points. Torino have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Pesaro at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. They share it with Avellino. Torino will play against Montecatini (#19) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Pesaro will play against the league's second-placed Avellino (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Torino: H.Zach 23+4reb, P.Simone 11+3reb, A.Terry 11+5reb+2ast, F.Stefano 6+3reb+1ast, G.Matteo 6+5reb+2ast, M.Federico 6+5reb+8ast
Pesaro: T.Mack 21+4reb, G.Stefanini 19+2reb+2ast, R.Miniotas 10+4reb+3ast, M.Tambone 7+4reb+3ast, A.De Nicolao 6+2ast, N.De Vico 4+3reb+1ast

Fortitudo BO - Vigevano 85-93:
There was a surprise result when eighteenth ranked Vigevano (2-4) defeated higher ranked Fortitudo (4-2) in Bologna 93-85 on Sunday. Vigevano looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American guard Isaiah Brickner (193-2003, college: Idaho) notched 26 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Deshawn Freeman (201-1994, college: Rutgers, agency: One Motive Sports) supported him with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 26 points by American guard Jamel Morris (193-1992, college: Fairmont St., agency: SLN) did not help to save the game for Fortitudo. point guard Alessandro Zanelli (187-1992, agency: Players Group) added 21 points and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Fortitudo BO's coach Demis Cavina rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Vigevano moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Fortitudo BO dropped to the fifth position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Vigevano will meet at home league's leader Livorno in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Fortitudo will play against Pistoia (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Vigevano: B.Isaiah 26+8reb+3ast, F.Deshawn 16+9reb+5ast, B.Alfredo 11+1reb+11ast, G.Nemanja 11+3reb+3ast, R.Francesco 9+1reb, T.Edoardo 9+5reb+1ast
Fortitudo BO: J.Morris 26+3reb+3ast, A.Zanelli 21+3reb+5ast, A.Sarto 13+1reb+1ast, T.Radonjic 11+4reb+1ast, P.Sorokas 8+12reb+1ast, T.Guariglia 3+1reb+2ast

Rimini - Rieti 96-73:
There was a minor upset when 5th ranked Rieti (4-2) was outleveled on the road by seventh ranked Rimini (4-2) 96-73 on Sunday. Rimini outrebounded Rieti 46-25 including a 16-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Rimini looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Rieti's players. Davide Denegri (184-1998, agency: SLN) notched 17 points and 8 assists to lead the effort and ex-international Mattia Udom (202-1993) supported him with 16 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Even 14 points and 4 assists by the former international point guard Matteo Imbro (192-1994) did not help to save the game for Rieti. American guard Devonte Green (191-1997, college: Indiana) added 14 points. Four Rieti players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rimini have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Rieti. Rimini will meet Milano Urania (#18) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Rieti will play against Cremona (#20) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rimini: D.Davide 17+2reb+8ast, U.Mattia 16+3reb+2ast, M.Pierpaolo 11+2reb+2ast, T.Giovanni 10+1reb+3ast, L.Matteo 8+5reb+1ast, S.DeShawn 8+9reb+2ast
Rieti: D.Green 14+1reb+2ast, M.Imbro 14+1reb+4ast, L.Piccin 11+3reb, G.Severini 11+2reb+1ast, E.Rota 10+2reb, E.Hadji Deme 6+6reb+1ast