Category: Malta Basketball

Luxol coach Vella targeting strong start in Super Cup showdown

The curtain raiser of the new season is here with Caffe Moak Luxol and Depiro facing off the Women’s Super Cup on Sunday at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.

The fixture which pits against each other last season’s playoff finalists brings to the court double winners Luxol who lifted the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League and the John Tabone Shield against Knockout winners Depiro. However, both teams have undergone a summer of changes with new players and promotions to their respective youth coaches towards a role as senior team coaches this season.

Speaking to Malta Basketball, Luxol women’s coach Roderick Vella said the game will be a “good test to measure our ambitions” as the club continues to focus on youth development.

“The Super Cup final tomorrow is a good test to measure our ambitions for the season,” Vella said. We face a Depiro side that held on to their core players and added an import who is also of a very good level. They have a new coach too that will bring new ideas and more energy to the team. 

“We aim to give our best in every game and try to win as many games as possible starting tomorrow.  A final like tomorrow is also a very important part of the growth of our young players.

“For the club, it is also important that we keep on challenging for silverware to keep the club’s status in the local game.”

The Malta women’s youth coach will be taking over the helms of the Luxol senior team as former mentor Santino Coppa who in the past years had been an icon among the local community with regards to women’s basketball. The Italian, who has since returned to Sicily after more than a decade in Malta produced a moment of magic in last season’s playoffs with his team down 2-0 against a solid Depiro side, turning the tie around and winning the league title after Game Five.

Vella believes he has tough shoes to fill but will continue to focus on the improvement of the team in the same manner as he makes his debut on the team’s sidelines on Sunday.

“This will be the start of a new experience for me and the team,” Vella said. 

“Filling the shoes of a mentor like Santino (Coppa) is not easy but in agreement with the club, this season we will push even more the development of our youth players to continue their improvement even in the senior league.  

“It’s been quite a short pre-season considering that most players were with the senior and youth national teams this summer and needed a resting period, but we worked hard over these past 4 weeks to try and be ready in the best way for the game tomorrow.”

While the team was able to prepare with their new import player Brandy Huffhines, the team will be missing key player Shanice Farrugia, who had an impressive season during the last campaign. Farrugia suffered an ACL injury during Malta youth commitments over the summer and will be missing the season. On Sunday, Luxol will also be missing Sarah Sciberras, who like Farrugia endured an ankle injury during her time with the Youth National Team. Malta international Josephine Diaby is now available to play on Sunday after recovering from an injury herself.

US forward Eric Terry joins Valletta BC

As they head into their second season in the BOV Division One, Valletta BC have signed another US import player, with Eric Terry joining the team for the coming campaign, Malta Basketball can confirm. 

The 6’8 forward joins the Capital club after a two-season stint in the French NM2 league Gennevilliers Basket during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. 

Terry who can play as both a forward and a centre will be a valid rotational partner with fellow new signing Piotr Stelmach who was a force in those same positions last season with Athleta.

The Texas native joins compatriot Lorenzo Anderson on the team led by coach Harry Savaya as the Capital club looks to be stacking up to meet the challenge of the top echelon of Maltese basketball after their experimental debut saw them struggling to keep up.

Last season, Valletta finished in the final spot of the standings after failing to win any games in the Division One regular season. They did put themselves in the winning charts once in all competitions last season when they beat Luxol in the John Tabone Shield back in October.

Over the summer, however, the team has expanded its operations with numerous signings that signal the willingness to put their name in the winning column this coming season.

Tigers BT complete Matthew Brown signing

After confirming Lebanese duo Serge Hamparsoumian and Michel Jalkh to their squad for the coming season, new BOV Division One side Tigers Basketball have signed US Import Matthew Brown.

Brown, a 6’6 forward, will be joining the team after his time in the East Coast Basketball League (ECBL) with the SC Letitfly Webdogs after his college career in the NCAA Division Two at the Anderson Trojans and earlier with high school team The Spartanburg Day Griffins where he shared the court with now NBA star Zion Williamson.

In August, it was the player himself who announced he would be signing with a Maltese club on his socials, initially mentioning Valletta BC as the team he would be playing for in Malta. However, now the team is confirmed as the Citizens’ partner club as he joins the debutants this coming October.

Valletta trio makes switch to Tigers

Meanwhile, three players have made the switch from Valletta BC to the Tigers this summer. Daniel Massa, Daniele Militello, and Telmanovic ‘Sasha’ Saakian will all be on the books of the debutants for the coming campaign.

Massa had joined the citizens late in the 23/24 season and played just one game under Harry Savaya where he scored four points, and made two assists and another two rebounds in a defeat to Athleta. He now joins his new team in search of a full season in Division One.

Militello and Saakian both started last season at Valletta. While Militello was a fringe player at the Capital club, Saakian played 13 games across all competitions for the side.

The Russian forward averaged six points, 10.3 rebounds, and two assists a game for Valletta and will surely be bringing well-needed experience to the side.

‘Grateful’ Reddish Rhone embracing impressive debut

Just a few weeks after Starlites announced the signing of import guard Trevon Reddish Rhone, the American put up a 20-point showing against Anorthosis Famagusta in the team’s opening leg of the FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.

Speaking to the press after the game on Tuesday, the former Presbyterian College player said he was ‘blessed and ‘grateful’ for the opportunity.

“Personally, I’m just really proud of the guys, proud of the team. This was big for the country overall – this country hasn’t seen anything like this. So it was a blessing and I’m grateful just to be able to, you know, play for this country and play the game like this,” Reddish Rhone said.

Reddish Rhone, who shot 62.5% while grabbing six rebounds and three steals in 32.07 minutes experienced the physicality of the European game in an impressive debut, which saw him finish second in scoring before getting fouled out late in the game.

Speaking about the level of opponents, he admitted “They’re pros for a reason”.

“This team was way more physical than probably an average college team that I’ve played,” he said.

“They’re way more organised, faster, and more athletic. I mean, they’re pros, and you know, they’re pros for a reason. They make a lot of wild threes. They’re still beatable, for sure, though, but that’s probably some of the key differences.”

Asked about his debut, the 6’4 guard said it would give him confidence for the coming games.

“This was a good first experience for me, a good first European professional basketball game,” Reddish Rhone said. 

“I learned a lot from this game in terms of just keeping a cool temper. I see how they call fouls now – they call little tic-tac fouls and travels. The scrimmages prepared me as well. It’s always different from a real European game, but this was a really good experience for me.

“It’s going to give me more confidence – I’m a paid player. I get fouled a lot. I was making free throws and that opened up my game more. 

“When I get deep in the paint, a lot of people like to collapse on me. I’ve got to kick the ball out and get somebody wide on the three. That’s going to open up the game for me and our team as a whole. We’ve got shooters all around the court.

“I was trying to force sometimes – that’s why I had six turnovers. But I’m going to watch film to learn from this game and get better from this game. 

“We’re going to scout. They’re going to scout me. They’re going to scout our team and all. It’s a film session tomorrow. We, as a team, learn from this. It’s going to be a really good game. We’ve got to take it to them.”

Starlites ‘not easy to stop’ says Anorthosis coach Constantinides

With the opening fixture of this season’s FIBA Europe Cup in the books, Anorthosis Famagusta coach Antonis Constantinides believes his team would be making a mistake by believing the contest is over.

Speaking to a post-match press conference after their 81-74 victory against Starlites in the first leg of their qualifiers, the 2023-24 Cypriot League’s coach of the year said it was a pleasure playing against the Malta champions on Tuesday.

“First of all, I want to give my huge congratulations to Starlites for what they showed today,” Constantinides said. 

“From the time when we had the draw in FIBA and we recognised we would play against this team, I tried to find information and it was difficult for me and I recognised there is one really good and helpful organisation in this club. As a person of basketball, it is my pleasure to watch and play against me in this competition clubs like Starlites.”

Asked about the game, which brought to the Ta’ Qali Pavilion more than 800 spectators, the Famagusta coach said it was a deserved win.

“I think it is very clear. From the time when we had, we led for almost 39 minutes so, most probably we deserve this win,” he explained, “But this is what I said to my players: ‘if you are not serious for 40 minutes and make our lead bigger when we are up by 10 or 13 points, teams like Starlites can cause you a lot of damage’. 

“[The return leg] is difficult for both teams because both teams travel. But I think the game on Friday will be much more interesting also and start from 0-0. So we make a very big mistake if we believe it’s finished. We have just one small advantage on these seven points. 

Bench impact amid foul trouble

As is customary with Starlites, the second half brings out the side’s mentality and this caused Anorthosis’ momentum to falter. Constantinides believes they can’t underestimate Starlites despite the difference on paper.

“The game started from the beginning in the last two minutes of the third quarter when it was 13 points, and we made two or three mistakes at the top of the basket,” he said.

“For me, honestly, it’s unacceptable for a professional team to do so. It was like a school team in the last two minutes of the third quarter and it’s a very good lesson for us and we are lucky because at the end of the day, we didn’t finish in defeat.”

Asked about the impact of bench players, Constantinides said: “That is why we pay them to do a good job”, lauding the efforts of new signing Andreas Himonas who joined him at the press conference.

“That’s why one team is from 10 or 12 players,” he remarked. 

“That’s why we pay them to do a good job and that’s why Andreas Himonas is here with me because for me he was the MVP today in defence and in offence, and we have to give him congratulations. But I don’t want to underestimate all the efforts Starlites made. They play offensively, it’s not easy for any team to stop this.”

By the end of the third quarter on Tuesday, Anorthosis was at risk of losing three players to fouls, and early on in the fourth, they did in fact, lose centre Andrew Gordon. However, Constantinides believes that was not much of an issue, referencing his philosophy of physical basketball.

“As a coach, this is my philosophy – this is all what I believe. I start first from the defence and after from the offence. I don’t care if they make five fouls or four fouls. That’s why I have 12 players, 10 players,” he explained.

Cancer survivor Himonas lauds ‘great opportunity’

Cypriot guard Himonas came off the bench on Tuesday to finish with eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists in around 20 minutes of play. Asked about the experience with his new team after joining over the summer, Himonas a recovered cancer survivor after having been diagnosed last November, said it was an honour.

“First of all, I want to congratulate Starlites for a great game,” Himonas said, “it’s an honour to represent a huge club like Anorthosis. 

“It’s a great opportunity for us, all of my teammates, to play in the Europe Cup and try to be the first team for this club to go to the group stage. We try our best to play for what we represent, our country and the huge club we represent.”

Ferrante praises ‘professional’ Starlites after FIBA Europe Cup debut

32 years after the previous Maltese club took part in European competition, Starlites got their debut in the FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers out of the way on Tuesday with a close 81-74 defeat to Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.

Speaking to the press after the game, Starlites coach Paul Ferrante said this opener would give him and his staff a clear image of what needed to be fixed.

“Talking after a loss is always difficult, irrespective of the loss,” he said. Today we managed to stay close to our opponents, but that was not our main job.”

“I would like to congratulate my players for the job they did on the court and obviously, the opponents, because they beat us. But the thing is, we have to look at what situations we need to fix.

“We had an idea of the players they had but we did not have an idea of the team, because you couldn’t find anything of their friendly games. All that we can say now is that in this ‘first half’, they are plus-seven. 

“This is a game that continues, but it continues in their own home. Nevertheless, the game is still open.

Professional Starlites mentality

Asked about the difference in level the team experienced on the day, Ferrante mentioned the physical nature of play, as well as the use of the Instant Replay System (IRS), which had also been proposed for the local game a few years ago, but never materialised.

“This was a very physical game. In Malta, we are not used to playing this physically because we call many more fouls, many more contacts, but this is a good level of basketball,” he said. 

“This is also the first time we used the IRS in Malta. For the past two years, we never used the VAR system. And smartly enough, it was used by the other team to break the rhythm. This is also one thing which we can do as coaches. When you want to break the rhythm of the game, you can ask also for a review. And obviously, it has to be the referees who have to agree on it.”

Despite talks of ‘professional vs amateur’ before the tie, this was not the case on Tuesday as the teams showed no sign of disparity throughout the game.

“Famagusta are a professional team. But I would praise my guys because they acted like a professional team. And I would like to reiterate that having guys, getting time off work to come, you know, practise in the morning so that they still manage to fit two sessions shows determination,” Ferrante said.

“Putting the group together was not easy in such a short span, with so many changes. I think the guys who came in did a good job.”

Speaking about the second leg, Ferrante said they have a better idea of what to expect.

“Now that we have a game against them under our belt, it will be easier to see what they can do. We had an idea because all the imports they had were full games of where they were playing last year.

“We don’t have the advantage of having the recovery that our opponents have, because we have to go to work in the morning. But again, the difference between us today wasn’t that big.

“They were better in some aspects and we were careless in some other aspects. So, if we took away half of the careless mistakes, which were a considerable number, maybe we would be talking in a different way now. Having said that, they still remain the favourites.

“Now they have a seven-point lead. This was the first half. Second half – bigger supporters for them.”

Starlites face tough European test as Anorthosis come to town

The Ta’ Qali Pavilion will be buzzing with excitement on Tuesday evening as Malta’s VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar host Cyprus’ Anorthosis Famagusta in the first leg of their Europe Cup qualifying tie (tip-off: 20:00). 

It’s a key moment for both teams, as they look to take a crucial step towards the European group stages.

Starlites come into this tie after a dominant domestic season. The Maltese club completed a clean sweep, winning all four domestic trophies available, establishing themselves as the island’s unbeatable force. However, their coach, Paul Ferrante, is aware that European competition presents a different kind of challenge.

“This year, basically, we have a different start to the season,” Ferrante remarked in his pre-game comments to the team’s socials. 

“It was only fair that we give them the opportunity to compete at another level. We had a lot of changes from last year… but overall, the club deserves this opportunity to play against a pro team because let’s not forget that Famagusta are a professional team.”

Ferrante has made key additions to his squad during the summer, bringing in players like Kolten Mortensen, Carson Newsome, Joe Davis, Trevon Reddish Rhone, and Andrew Aquilina to bolster their ranks for what promises to be an intense season ahead. Despite the changes, six core players from last year remain, giving Starlites the experience and cohesion needed to take on such high-level opposition.

Anorthosis Eyeing Group Stage

Anorthosis Famagusta, meanwhile, have their sights firmly set on progressing in Europe. After finishing second in the regular season of the Cypriot League and losing out in the playoffs, they are eager to push forward on the European stage. 

Last year, Anorthosis competed in the FIBA Europe Cup but were unable to make an impact, losing both games they played.

Despite these setbacks, the Cypriot side, under the guidance of Antonis Constantinides – last season’s coach of the year in Cyprus – remain confident. 

The club has made a string of significant signings over the summer, including Andrew Gordon, Kentwan Smith, Greg Williams Jr, Jarvis Garrett, Viktoras Jeronimides, Andreas Chimonas, and Stefanos Iliadis adding both international flair and local talent. 

Technical director Sakis Pasha expressed optimism about the match, noting the importance of their fan support.

“Our goal is to all be together for the first time in a European group stage,” said Pasha, “I’ve heard that we’ll have a good crowd in Malta as well.”

With both teams making key summer signings and aiming for European success, this promises to be an intriguing match-up. 

Starlites will look to make their home advantage count, while Anorthosis are determined to learn from last year’s Europe Cup campaign and push for a result away from home.

A lot will depend on how quickly these revamped squads gel under pressure. With passionate fans expected on both sides, it’s sure to be a thrilling contest that will bring high-level basketball to the Maltese scene.

Valletta BC sign Lorenzo Anderson

After a Malta Basketball report in August indicated the move, it is now confirmed that Harry Savaya-led Valletta BC will be joined by US import player Lorenzo Anderson.

6’3 guard Anderson is said to have signed with the club late in August with the news coming from his agent at ASG Sports. Now Malta Basketball can assure the move is 100% with the American player officially registered with the MBA ahead of the coming season.

The Georgia native joins the capital club after a season in Kazakhstan with BC Irbis where he was part of the team that won the League Cup. 

Last season, Anderson averaged 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in his rookie season as a professional basketball player. 

He now joins a Valletta side looking to improve on last season’s Division One debut where they struggled to put up points on the standings during an experimental first campaign, winning their only game in the John Tabone Shield.

Tigers BT sign Lebanese duo Hamparsoumian, Jalkh

New BOV Division One side Tigers Basketball’s debut will present a set of new players to the Ta’ Qali Pavilion and Malta Basketball can confirm they have signed Lebanese guard duo Serge Hamparsoumian and Michel Jalkh.

18-year-old guard Hamparsoumian, who also holds Cypriot citizenship, joins the club after stints with Lebanese clubs Kahraba BC and Centrale Club, and most recently with Cypriot side Phoenix MJ.

Last season, Hamparsoumian averaged 7.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 14 games as the Limassol club finished with a 7-9 record. 

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Jalkh is another young addition to the side with the former Antonine guard joining the Tigers as a second import player.

They now join a side which will be aiming to hit the ground running in their first season in Division One and sources have told Malta Basketball, they are nearing an agreement with a new head coach ahead of the start of the John Tabone Shield when they face Athleta in the first round.

Tigers stack up on local-foreign ballers

The Lebanese duo will be part of a Tigers squad which will also involve the Filipino quintet of David Constantino, Jhun Jhun Lisondra, Elbert Masilungan, Bryan Bernat, and Keith Micaller.

Lisondra was part of the Valletta Fighters squad last season on loan from Mellieha Libertas. Now that the northern club has opted out of the coming season, the speedy guard moves to the Tigers

Andy Calago, who passed away earlier this summer, had been registered by the club as well before his unfortunate passing.

Ferrante focusing on tangibles after short preseason

As Starlites prepare for their debut in the FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers, coach Paul Ferrante believes it will be a case of doing their job as best as they can on Tuesday after a short preseason.

Asked by Malta Basketball during a press conference on Tuesday about what the focus will be for his side now that the team is set up and ready for action, the Starlites coach said there are many factors which are new but if they ‘focus on the tangibles’, a good result is possible.

“Our focus will be always on the tangibles – putting these things together, the result may come. The reason I say this is because it is a first for us, even in the sense that we’ve never had five imports and in the local scene, we have to see how this will impact our team,” Ferrante said. 

“We’ve had a taste of this in the Elite basketball preseason tournament when we played USA Select, but we have another week to improve. Our job will be to do the best we can on the day.”

Speaking about the team’s overall level of preparation, Ferrante believes many of his players are match-fit, while others will be better off the bench.

“Next week we’ll be one week more match fit than we were in the last,” he explained. 

“Comparing budgets with the Anorthosis Famagusta, they’ve probably started training before us. We had a shorter preseason. The majority are match fit and we’ve got others who will give an important input but with less minutes.”

Team Dynamics

The Starlites coach made reference to team dynamics, lauding the way the players have come together so quickly.

This was echoed by new import signing Joe Davis, who said it was an honour to be playing with such a team.

“It’s an incredible experience and opportunity for myself,” the Canadian told Malta Basketball, “being here the last couple of days and really just getting to know the basketball community and the staff and the volunteers and everyone that’s involved with Starlites Basketball. 

“You learn really quickly that it’s not about you at all and there’s much more going on here. These guys have put a lot of work in for a very long time and it just makes you realise that this experience is so much greater than yourself as an individual.

“I’m very lucky to be here. It’s a great honour to come here and play for these guys. It makes you want to work that much harder and do that much better as a team just to represent the Starlights in Malta.”

Speaking to Malta Basketball, co-captain Kurt Xuereb, who re-signed with the club earlier in September, said “Everyone stepped up to the challenge” as the team went through big changes over the summer.

“The dynamic is very different within the team due to us having five imports, so everyone is trying to settle in and get on the same page so that we can handle plays and other new things,” Xuereb said.

“However, the work we’ve done as a team shows that everyone stepped up to the challenge.

“We’re training early in the morning when obviously a lot of the players have work or school so it’s not easy but I believe we are in a good state. Training and the game are all of a high level which gives us a good basis to compete.”

Starlites will be playing a friendly game against Hibernians this weekend, facing what Ferrante said were the “the best other local team”

“They have a 7’2 guy plus two Americans so it will be of a high enough level for us to test our fitness in general,” Ferrante said.