The friendly match record stands at two wins, both against Greece's Athinaikos, and two defeats, against Inversus Gernika and, most recently, Azul Marino Palma. Beyond the results, the focus should be on the sensations produced by the Aragonese team after a short preparation period of just over two weeks.
The team's core has been retained, one of the factors that invites them to repeat last year's achievements. Photo: Casademont Zaragoza
It should also be taken into account that important players such as Mariona Ortiz, Helena Oma and Veronika Vorackova already have a greater physical workload because of their international commitments. Added to these cases are the absences of Ornella Bankolé, who will miss the Super Cup, and Nadia Fingall, who will be available at the start of the season but has not completed preseason with the team. These are key factors when analyzing a preparation period that has been far from easy for Cantero, particularly when it comes to managing minutes and providing a good rotation for his entire roster.
THE TEAM'S CERTAINTIES AND QUESTIONS
The players who have spent a long time under Cantero's orders play almost by instinct, and that is an advantage very few teams possess. When executed to perfection, their collective play makes the red-and-white side virtually impossible to stop in attack. Merritt Hempe has been the best offensive player during this preparation period, while Sheppard has shown intermittently that she can unlock games.
Mariona, Hermosa, Oma and Vorackova have also produced good performances in their roles on the court during preseason, although the Czech player continues to give the impression of blowing hot and cold during games. The best news is that this core remains very strong enough to compete against any opponent, even though it must return to full fitness—something that can only be achieved by playing games in which there is genuinely something at stake.
In addition, the Aragonese side has been very difficult to overcome defensively, both because of the mobility of its players when switching matchups after screens and because of a defensive structure that forces opponents to give 100% to get off comfortable shots. They conceded more than 70 points in only one game, the opening match against Gernika, when they allowed 84. They even conceded just 47 against Athinaikos, showing how difficult they are to breach around their basket.
Three-point shooting has been the major weakness of this preseason, with very little success from beyond the arc. Photo: Casademont Zaragoza
The new signings are still adapting, and it is normal that they have not shown their full potential. However, Vitola has conveyed the best sensations, particularly when executing the team's systems to create opportunities for her own shot or for those of her teammates. Garzon and Sheppard have shown in flashes that they can score, but not consistently, while Brito is a tireless worker who currently lacks confidence in her shooting and contributes little from mid-range or beyond the arc.
Three-point shooting, particularly against Azul Marino, is precisely this team's main weakness, both in terms of consistency and accuracy. The departures of Leite, Pueyo and Mawuli, three good perimeter shooters, are being felt at the start of the season, and several players must step up in that area. Outside players Aisha Sheppard and Yarden Garzon must be the main weapons from beyond 6.75 meters, as that is where their ability to earn a place in the starting five and the rotation lies. Hempe and Vitola, meanwhile, are frontcourt players with sound shooting mechanics and considerable accuracy from the perimeter.
It is still preseason, and drawing conclusions from it would be premature—that is a reality. However, the positive aspects were already expected because the core has been retained, which is very important, but there are key areas to improve if the team wants to aspire to repeat, at the very least, last season's achievements.
