Basketball | LEB Silver
Cartagena’s basketball returns to a professional category 30 years later with the well-deserved triumph of those from Aranzana, thanks to the 22-17 run in the last quarter against Zentro Madrid Basket (75-71)
Cartagena basketball has returned this Sunday to a professional category thirty years later, the LEB Plata, with the dream debut: the hard-earned and deserved victory of FC Cartagena CB against Zentro Madrid Basket (75-71). The team coached by the renowned Gustavo Aranzana held on to their good last quarter, where they broke the differences with a 25-17 run, enough to take the victory. More than 700 spectators witnessed it at the Palacio de Deportes, including the president of Efesé Paco Belmonte and the general sports manager, Manuel Sánchez Breis.
The historic appointment with Cartagena’s basketball also deserved the presence of numerous families, with their children, and a lively sports atmosphere with the speaker Chema Martínez. In a match almost always tight, the ‘Cebé’ Cartagena always maintained composure and balance, to win each of the quarters by 23-18, 37-35, 53-52 and the final 75-71. Enough poise for the Albinegros in their debut, with only Gaona and David Álvarez from last season.
Those of Aranzana managed to stay in the most delicate moments. They did it despite losing a maximum advantage of 11 points, in the second quarter; and in decisive moments at the end, when the team was behind on the scoreboard with a partial of 0-8 and 57-62 down. Aranzana’s time-out and the success of Víctor Aguilar and Samu Rodríguez in triples, energetic and balanced in attack and defense, made it possible to put 73-69 with 27 seconds remaining.
Also noteworthy is the role of forward Manel Signes, who accumulated 11 points and 5 rebounds in the 16 minutes on the court. Maximum profitability, therefore. The Cameroonian Johan Kody grew clearly from less to more, who used his 2.08 to hunt 11 rebounds (7 defensive), some in key moments; and take advantage of one of them to score his two free throws and make it 75-69 with three tenths remaining from the end. The president, David Ayala, rose several times from his seat to celebrate the stellar appearances of the American Martyce Kimbrough, the leading scorer (13 points), including several triples.
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