Givova Scafati’s Season Concludes with Derby Loss to Napoli

The 2023-2024 Italian Serie A basketball season concluded with a keenly contested, though ultimately inconsequential, derby between Ge.Vi. Napoli and Givova Scafati. While carrying little weight in the final standings, the match held significant emotional value for both teams and their passionate fan bases. Napoli emerged victorious, securing a 102-92 win. Both squads had flirted with playoff contention throughout the year; however, with Napoli narrowly missing the postseason, the stakes felt somewhat diminished. Despite this, the intensity on the court remained high, providing an engaging spectacle for the spectators. Napoli maintained control for most of the game, though Scafati mounted a late challenge in the final quarter. The scores at the end of each quarter were 25-25, 56-46, and 85-72.

Coach Matteo Boniciolli reflected on the game, stating, “It was expected to be a lackluster affair between two teams that had already achieved their objectives. Instead, it was a fiercely competitive match that entertained the crowd, a testament to the players’ commitment. Our inconsistency throughout the season – alternating strong performances with subpar ones – hampered us, even with our experienced roster. I want to thank owner Longobardi, who gave me the opportunity to return to Serie A coaching and be a part of this hard-fought survival, a success made possible by his substantial financial sacrifices. This marks our third consecutive season in the top league – a historic achievement. I did my best, despite the significant setback of losing key players like Logan, Strelnieks, and Gentile within a short period. This represented a considerable technical challenge, which, despite the club’s financial efforts, proved difficult to overcome. I’m grateful for my relationship with Mr. Longobardi – a frank and open one, sometimes challenging but always respectful. I acknowledge his considerable investment, which is crucial for Italian basketball and enables a smaller team like Scafati to compete with larger cities. While our final win-loss record might seem negative, it’s important to consider that our early-season success contrasts with the strong late-season performances of the teams that were ultimately relegated. A balanced perspective on the entire season is essential.”

Scafati’s leading scorers were Rossato (18 points), Robinson and Blakes (17 each), Pinkins (13), Gamble (6), Mouaha (5), Nunge (4), and Pini (2). For Napoli, Zubcic excelled, contributing 20 points. Givova Scafati concluded the season in twelfth place with 24 points, securing their place in Serie A for another year.