Hempe and Sheppard, both with more than 20 points, set the offensive pace for an Aragón side that performed in bursts throughout the game. Brito and Garzón also showed glimpses of what they can offer, demonstrating that they will be important players over the course of the season. In particular, both rotated between the ‘four’ and ‘three’ positions, suggesting they can contribute in different roles. Junior players Cloe Sánchez, Candela Cuevas and Belcim Sahinkanat saw minutes in the rotation because of the absences.
This first preseason test was also an opportunity to watch the new signings, particularly because of the five absences caused by international commitments (Mariona, Voráčková and Oma) and WNBA duties (Bankolé and Fingall). As a result, Cantero opted for an initial lineup of Laia Flores, Aisha Sheppard, Yarden Garzón, Kristine Vitola and Merritt Hempe. Three academy players—Cloe Sánchez, Belcim Sahinkanat and Candela Cuevas—were also added to complete the squad.
THE GAME
The opening pace was frenetic, with both teams constantly looking for quick attacks. In the exchange of blows, the red-and-white side benefited from Sheppard, who was already showing her confidence in looking for her shots, and Hempe, who was highly accurate with her attempts. However, Gernika’s three-pointers kept the gap from growing beyond five points. In the final stretch, the Macedonian center emerged, already with 11 points to her name, and two consecutive three-pointers put the score at 20-27 at the end of the first 10 minutes. Junior players Candela Cuevas and Cloe Sánchez also made their first-team debuts.
The remaining debut also came with the first minutes for Turkish player Belcim Sahinkanat. However, the joy of the first quarter did not last long, as Elena Puiggrós and Ridard began sinking three-pointers with remarkable ease, and before the midway point of the second quarter, Gernika had gone on a 16-5 run. This negative momentum forced Cantero to stop the game and reorganize his team, with the scoreboard reading 36-32.
Without Hempe on the court, the red-and-white team’s offense failed to flow and, beyond a three-pointer from Cloe Sánchez and a few quick breaks, the second quarter made it clear that this was the first game of the season, as the defense was completely broken down. The 28-14 quarter score was proof of that, and the teams went into halftime with the Basque side leading 48-41.
SECOND HALF
Aisha Sheppard took charge offensively and, with 12 points in the third quarter and 17 overall, cut the deficit to just one point. Although the defensive level improved, the game entered its final 10 minutes with Gernika leading 65-63.
The difference was small, but somehow the red-and-white side could not find a way to turn the score around. That changed when Yarden Garzón found her range from three-point territory, making two superb shots to put Carlos Cantero’s team back in front.
The Basque side refused to surrender and, with less than a minute remaining, led 82-81 on the scoreboard. However, several needless fouls by Vitola and Hempe, combined with a missed late three-pointer by Garzón, meant that Casademont Zaragoza began preseason with a defeat.
