Allianz Derthona Basket are champions of Italy at Under-19 level for the first time. The Tortona side overwhelmed Vis 2008 Ferrara 93-69 in the final of the Under 19 d'Eccellenza Kellogg's at the Palasport in Piazzale Apollodoro, turning the disappointment of their 2024 final defeat to Olimpia Milano in Chiusi into tears of joy and a maiden national title.
It was a fitting climax to a landmark Sunday for the Piedmontese club, which had opened the day at the same Rome venue by winning the women's U19 Coppa Italia. Captain Andrjia Josovic (206-2006), who cut down the net, set the tone early with a hot hand, and after Ferrara repeatedly clawed back within single digits, Derthona always had a response. Four Andrjia Josovic free throws opened the first crack, Oumar Coulibaly (197-C-2008)'s dunks and a thunderous block stretched it, and Tortona led 28-18 after the first quarter and 45-37 at the break despite Ferrara hanging tough behind Ablaye Cisse (208-C-2009).
The decisive blow came in the third quarter. A barrage of three-pointers Bellinaso, DiMeo, then a Bresciani three-point play for a 17-point lead, capped by Andrjia Josovic's dagger triple and a Bresciani half-court buzzer-beater sent Derthona into the final period ahead 75-53. The rout rolled on in the fourth, Di Meo punishing Ferrara from deep and Bottelli's basket making it 89-59, before both benches emptied to standing ovations and a 93-69 final.
Edoardo DiMeo (180-PG-2008) led the winners with 22 points, Andrjia Josovic added 19 and Oumar Coulibaly a hyper-efficient 18 (9-of-12). Ferrara, who had no shortage of fight, got a game-high 23 from Ablaye Cisse and 18 from Susanni but could not contain Derthona's shooting.
In the third-place game, Virtus Bologna bounced back from their semifinal loss to Ferrara to beat a battling Cantu 62-52. Cantu dug themselves an early grave, managing just four points in a 19-4 first quarter, and although they repeatedly cut the deficit back to single digits, Bologna always answered. Matteo Lenci (205-C-2007) led the V-nere with 14 points, Thomas Acunzo (207-C-2008) and Simone Ventura (196-G-2009) had 12 apiece for Cantu.