May 24, 2008, 2:51 pm
Scavolini try to confirm its playmaker Kiki Clark, but till now I haven't news about his future. Now the Scavolini-Spar have to decide the badget to next two years, before re-sign its player or move to the market.
Quote:ITA ââ¬â New class inducted for Italia Basket Hall of Fame
BOLOGNA (FIBA) - The latest class to enter Italyââ¬â¢s Basketball Hall of Fame was inducted in Bologna over the weekend where the Coppa Italia was staged and CSKA Moscow coach Ettore Messina was among those to go in.
Italy have moved into the spotlight as one of three candidates to stage the 2014 FIBA World Championship, and Sundayââ¬â¢s ceremony was another example of the sport having a rich tradition in the country.
FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General Emeritus Boris Stankovic, FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin and FIBA Sports Director Lubo Kotleba were in Bologna for the event.
Those inducted were former players Ottorino Flaborea, Aldo Ossola, Nidia Pausich; Aldo Vitale (a life in basketball); former Italy coaches Nello Paratore and Giancarlo Primo (both honored posthumously) and Messina; and Giancarlo Vitolo (referee for 22 years in Lega A).
"Today is a great day for me, not only for the awards we are handing out but for the people that are receiving them,ââ¬Â said recently elected Italian Basketball Federation president Dino Meneghin, who spoke at the event.
"Some of these people have taught me how to grow up.
"We are very good at forgetting quickly those that have given so much to basketball. The Italian Basketball Hall of Fame allows us in one way to make amends."
Messina was among those who spoke in Bologna, one of the cities where he once coached.
He was a long-serving boss of Virtus Bologna, leading them to two European titles and numerous other achievements.
"I have been fortunate,ââ¬Â he said. ââ¬ÅI have had strong teams and great assistants like Giordano Consolini and great teachers like Sandro Gamba.
ââ¬ÅI am 50, but in my head, I feel like Iââ¬â¢m 27.
"I am among the best but I see them very far away from me, in a way, unreachable.
ââ¬ÅI am very proud to be here today."
Meneghin also used the occasion to promote Italyââ¬â¢s bid to host the FIBA World Championship.
"Our basketball in general is ready to host the World Championship of 2014,ââ¬Â he said.
ââ¬ÅWe have presented a wonderful candidature and now FIBA have the final say."
Quote:Defending Italian chapions Montepaschi Siena left no chances for their opponents from Milan in game 1 of Serie A finals. Siena side led by Lithuanian shooting guard Rimantas Kaukenas recorded a massive win and a confidence boost after they won the first game of the series 80-57.
Only the first quarter promised some intrigue as AJ Milano held their rivals within a close distance 15-16. The gap started to increase later in the game and there were no chances for Milan team to comeback.
80 - Montepaschi: Rimantas Kaukenas 17, Romain Sato 15, Henry Domercant 11, Terrell McIntyre 10, Ksistof Lavrinovic 8, Morris Finley 7, Shaun Stonerook 6, Marco Carraretto 4, Benjamin Eze 2.
57 - AJ Milano: Jobey Thomas 13, David Hawkins 11, Hollis Price 10, Mike Hall 7, Yohann Sangare 7, Marco Mordente 5, Luca Vitali 2, Mindaugas Katelynas 2.
Quote:Montepaschi Siena took the lead early in the game, never to look back, and beat Milano 79-66. The series goes to Milano now, were Siena hopes to sweep Armani and give an early end to the series winning yet another championship, while the milanesi will fight to stay alive since they are down 2-0.
Siena, who has won all but 1 game in the regular season and hasn't lost once in the playoffs, is looking forward to end an amazing year with 38 wins and just 1 defeat in the scudetto. Milano on the other was placed 6th in the regular season, yet managed to reach the finals and are hoping to turn the situation in their favor.
Siena: Domercant 9, McIntyre 15, Eze 7, Carraretto 6, Sato 11, Lavrinovic 8, Kaukenas 16, Stonerook 7
Milano: Hall 9, Mordente 5, Vitali 3, Price 12, Hawkins 8, Katelynas 14, Marconato 5, Taylor 10
Quote:Montepaschi Siena completed their amazing playoff run unbeaten, after winning for the second time in Milano against Armani to be crowned Italian Champions for the third consecutive season and fourth overall.
Siena entered the game hot, stepped on the gas and never looked back again. The first quarter saw Armani laying whole 23 points (!!) behind Siena, with the score being 9-32. A 30-point margin was established at the halftime which would only grow bigger until the end of the game.
The final score was 47-82 with David Hawkins having 13 points for the hosts (and some hospitality it was!). Ksystof Lavrinovic scored 15, Romain Sato 14, Rimantas Kaukenas 12 and Terrell McIntyre 11.
This is the fourth championship overall for Siena who had also won the Italian Cup in 2009, so completing a double this year.
Quote:Results:
Air Avelino 88-78 Ferrara
Varese 68-78 Virtus Bo.
AJ Milano 73-53 Cantu
Biella 72-80 Siena
Teramo 92-85 Caserta
Scavolini 73-84 Roma
Napoli 51-78 Montegranaro
Cremona 95-73 Benetton
Earl Rowland of Cremona was the MVP of gameday 6 as he scored 37 IRP. Dee Brown of Avelino led all scorers with 27 and his teammate Chevon Troutman all rebounders with 18. Giuseppe Poeta, Morris Finley and Randolph Childress, had 6 assists each.
Standings:
1.Siena 6-0
2.Avelino 6-0
3.Caserta 4-2
4.Benetton 4-2
5.Biella 4-2
6.Virtus Bo. 4-2
7.Cantu 4-2
8.Roma 3-3
9.AJ Milano 3-3
10.Teramo 2-4
11.Varese 2-4
12.Cremona 2-4
13.Montegranaro 2-4
14.Ferrara 1-5
15.Scavolini 0-6
16.Napoli 0-5