Joe Ragland is the aggressor. The first game is approached like it was a lot more than a simple preseason game against a good Mantova team, maybe more prepared than Olimpia because it started the camp earlier bit still coming from the second division. The point guard plays a very consistent game, he pushes the ball up, creates opportunity and scores. He scored a lot in his debut, 23 points, 9/10 from the field. So Olimpia won, convincingly 94-68. MarShon Brooks had some downs but overall he was impressive in scoring 23 points like it was nothing with an array of drives, jump shots, free throws. Samardo Samuels aggressive play inside, against a very credible opponent like Johndre Jefferson, was another key factor. Just like the defensive pressure Bruno Cerella applied on Mantova’s ball handlers. Olimpia played its first preseason game without Alessandro Gentile and the recovering Nicolò Melli, but also with no Shawn James (a light injury will prevent him from playing during the Bormio stay) and Daniel Hackett, who suffered a left forearm inflammation.
OLIMPIA – Ragland 23 (6/6, 3/4), Brooks 23 (5/8, 4/8), Kleiza 11 (3/7, 1/4), Cerella 3 (0/1, 1/2), Samuels 16 (4/5, 1/1), Moss 12 (3/8, 2/3), Peterka 2 (1/2), Meacham (0/1, 0/1), Gigli 4 (1/2).