Great Defense and Clarity in Attack: BCC Wins in Battipaglia and the Poker Drops
OME.PS Battipaglia-Autosped BCC Derthona 55-66
(18-19, 32-35, 42-54)
Scoreboards:
- Battipaglia: Drake 9, Cupido 10, Seka 2, Vojtulek, Baldassarre 4, Potolicchio 3, Ndiaye ne, Nardoni ne, Prete ne, Pavic 9, Benson 17, Smorto 1. All. Minions
- BCC Derthona: Dotto 10, Marangoni 2, Fontaine 12, Premasunac ne, Lokoka ne, Leonardi 3, Arado 4, Attura 19, Melchiori 7, Penna 7, Gatti 2, Coates ne. All. Cuttlefish
Autosped BCC Derthona has pieced together a four-piece puzzle of victories, conquering the PalaZauli in Battipaglia like a magician pulling rabbits out of hats, albeit without the awkward pointer stick and top hat. Despite being without their star players Coates and Premasunac, the team, coached by Orazio “Not Quite a Cutthroat” Cutugno, showcased a commanding presence on the court, sprinkling defensive prowess with a dash of offensive flair – a dish best served hot, just like any good Italian meal!
The game got off to what you might call a “regular” start. It was like the first act of a sitcom: a balanced first half filled with ups and downs. The hosts may have started strong, but by the end of the first quarter, BCC was leading by a whisker with a score of 18-19. Much like examining your fridge at 2 AM, the second quarter saw Battipaglia turn on the charm with some close saves and strategic time-outs, pushing ahead to momentarily lead 32-31. But it wasn’t enough to keep those pesky Giraffes down, especially when Attura and Fontaine weaved a tapestry of tough plays to end the half at 32-35.
However, if you thought the second half would be anything less than a drama-fest, think again. As the teams emerged from the locker rooms like actors from behind stage curtains, it became clear that BCC was not just here to participate; they were here to dominate. With stone-cold defense and adjustments in their play that would make even a chess master proud, BCC took off, creating a substantial lead. By the third quarter’s end, the score read 42-54 as the crowd could only gulp back popcorn in awe.
In the final act, the drama didn’t quite drop as one might expect. Sure, BCC’s shooting percentages plummeted like my expectations for a romantic evening at a fast-food drive-thru, but their defensive strategy stood sturdy like an immovable wall. Battipaglia attempted valiantly to climb back, but the Giraffes were having none of it, sealing the deal at 55-66 and leaving the opponents pondering what might have been.
The captain, Beatrice Attura, chimed in post-game, stating, “It was a very difficult match on a very hot pitch. The key to the victory was the defense in the second half. We are very happy with the four consecutive victories and we go into the break with great confidence. I’m playing very calmly, thanks to the staff and my teammates, in whom I have total trust: I try to be an example and a point of reference, in attack and defense.” Well, that’s what you call captain material, folks! Even the sun couldn’t make her sweat under pressure!
Coach Cutugno shared his thoughts, hinting at the age-old wisdom of taking things one game at a time, coupled with injury woes and overall development, saying, “We are happy with how the team reacted, from the match against Geas, to the injuries suffered, progressing. Tonight we played with ups and downs, but we put in a good defensive performance. We have very good girls for this level, the club has taken a step forward to adapt to this level. We think one game at a time, drawing ideas to do better.” Words of wisdom, perhaps – or just the calming sound of a man who’s just grabbed a victory and doesn’t want to spoil it with premature celebrations!
And with that, the Giraffes look forward to their next encounter – a showdown scheduled for November 17! Let’s hope they bring their A-game and maybe a few less dramatic plot twists to keep us all amused!
Great defense and clarity in attack: BCC wins in Battipaglia and the poker drops
OME.PS Battipaglia-Autosped BCC Derthona 55-66
(18-19, 32-35, 42-54)
Scoreboards:
Battipaglia: Drake 9, Cupido 10, Seka 2, Vojtulek, Baldassarre 4, Potolicchio 3, Ndiaye ne, Nardoni ne, Prete ne, Pavic 9, Benson 17, Smorto 1. All. Minions
BCC Derthona: Dotto 10, Marangoni 2, Fontaine 12, Premasunac ne, Lokoka ne, Leonardi 3, Arado 4, Attura 19, Melchiori 7, Penna 7, Gatti 2, Coates ne. All. Cuttlefish
With a final score of 66-55, Autosped BCC Derthona secured their fourth consecutive victory in Serie A1, triumphing over Battipaglia at the PalaZauli arena. The team, coached by Orazio Cutugno, demonstrated resilience despite being without key players Coates and Premasunac. The decisive break came during the third quarter, marked by exceptional defensive efforts and strategic offensive plays that widened their lead and allowed them to maintain control of the game. This commanding lead ultimately thwarted any comeback attempts from the home team.
Supporters witnessed a hard-fought first half highlighted by numerous effective offensive plays from both squads. The match kicked off with Battipaglia taking the early lead, but BCC quickly rallied back to edge ahead, settling at 18-19 by the end of the first quarter. In a closely contested second quarter, BCC’s coaching staff attempted to build momentum. However, Battipaglia responded valiantly, leveraging two consecutive time-outs to pivot the score to 32-31 in their favor just before halftime. Strong plays from Attura and Fontaine helped BCC finish the half strong, closing with a 32-35 margin.
The third quarter marked a significant turning point as BCC returned to the court revitalized, showcasing impressive offensive teamwork and executing successful plays at the basket. This offensive barrage, complemented by a stifling defensive strategy and timely three-point shots, enabled BCC to establish a comfortable double-digit lead, wrapping up the quarter at 42-54. Although BCC’s shooting percentages dipped in the final quarter, their steadfast defense effectively rebuffed Battipaglia’s attempts to close the gap, culminating in a hard-earned victory at 55-66.
So is the captain Beatrice Attura at the end of the race: “It was a very difficult match on a very hot pitch. The key to the victory was the defense in the second half. We are very happy with the four consecutive victories and we go into the break with great confidence. I’m playing very calmly, thanks to the staff and my teammates, in whom I have total trust: I try to be an example and a point of reference, in attack and defense.”.
Coach’s words Orazio Cutugno: “We are happy with how the team reacted, from the match against Geas, to the injuries suffered, progressing. Tonight we played with ups and downs, but we put in a good defensive performance. We have very good girls for this level, the club has taken a step forward to adapt to this level. We think one game at a time, drawing ideas to do better.”.
**Interview with Beatrice Attura, Captain of BCC Derthona**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Beatrice! Congratulations on the victory against Battipaglia. It’s your fourth consecutive win. How does it feel to be on such a winning streak?
**Beatrice Attura:** Thank you! It feels amazing. We’ve been working really hard as a team, and these consecutive wins are a testament to our effort and teamwork. It boosts our confidence as we look forward to the challenges ahead.
**Interviewer:** The match was quite intense, especially in the first half. What was going through your mind during that period when the game was so closely contested?
**Beatrice Attura:** It was definitely a battle! I felt that we needed to stay focused and composed. The first half was really about staying in it and sticking to our game plan. I tried to encourage my teammates and reinforce that we had what it takes to pull ahead in the second half.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the importance of defense in your post-game comments. Can you elaborate on what changed defensively in the second half that allowed you to take control of the game?
**Beatrice Attura:** Absolutely! In the second half, we tightened our defense significantly. We focused on communication and made sure everyone knew their assignments. We were more aggressive and created turnovers, which allowed us to capitalize on those fast breaks. It was really a collective effort on the defensive end.
**Interviewer:** Coach Cutugno highlighted the need to take things one game at a time. How does the team plan to maintain this mindset moving forward?
**Beatrice Attura:** It’s all about not getting ahead of ourselves. We know that every game presents its own challenges. We’ll continue working on our strategies in practice, staying humble, and focusing on our next opponent. Every match is a new opportunity to improve.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you and the team in the upcoming games?
**Beatrice Attura:** Fans can expect to see our team continue to grow and improve! We’re going to keep pushing ourselves, both offensively and defensively. We want to keep the momentum going and deliver more exciting performances. We appreciate all the support from our fans, and we hope to make them proud in our next games!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Beatrice! Best of luck in your upcoming matches.
**Beatrice Attura:** Thank you so much! We appreciate it!
