Depiro in the Shield semifinals, against Luxol

Depiro 60 Starlites Naxxar 57 (16-13, 12-12, 18-16, 14-16)

Starlites had beaten Hibs in their opening match but they lost by just three points to Depiro as the latter side made their way into the first semi final to face the current champions and holders these last two seasons Luxol.

Depiro made the first couple of hoops with the Spaniard Patricia Arguello netting a Starlites triple. Tina DeMartino then put in two more Depiro hoops.

The two sides then alternated in their points as Gaby Mifsud sank a Depiro trey and Joey Grima made the next four hoops for Starlites. Depiro held their advantage till the end of the session with Murray hoops.

The second period had Starlites with a three basket spread but free throws had Depiro on a tied score. Grima gave Starlites another lead but Depiro made up a good 9-2 run beginning with a Murray trey as they kept the same advantage till the interval on a 28-25 score.

After the break, Starlites went level on points with Arguello netting another trey. Depiro were ahead once more keeping their lead until Danielle Agius hoops gave Starlites an advantage.

Sam Brincat sank a Depiro triple and her side finished off the period with a 7-2 run. to lead 46-41 at the start of the last quarter. Starlites were adamant and made up a 9-2 run with an early Stephanie davies trey.

Depiro’s reaction brought a 7-2 run with Murray points and another triple. Depiro were ahead but more Arguello points had Starlites pushing hard but always just behind their opponents leaving Depiro with their noses in front as Murray sealed their win with a late free shot. Depiro: A. Mifsud, G. Mifsud4, N. Agius 2, S. Brincat 7, M. Bonett 16, C. Camilleri 2, S. Murray 19, M. Scicluna 1, M. Micallef, T. DeMartino 4, C. Ciantar 5 Starlites: D. Agius 8, J. Doughty, S. Tabone 4, K. Pirotta 1, J. Micallef, J. Grima 26, P. Arguello 13, E. Magrin, S. Davies 5, A. Demanuele Referees: B. Vassallo, T. Helenius their adversaries and set up a match against Starlites with the winners grabbing a second semi final spot.

Hibs faced an uphill task from the start as Athleta poured in their points. An 11-0 beginning had Athleta’s Grima netting a triple. Iona Agius netted the Paolites’ firat hoop but Athleta continued with another 12-0 run with Grima and Simmons points. Hibs’ reply were Elena Cassar free throws.

In the second session, the Paolites managed some points and with Elena Pace sinking an Athleta triple.

Hibs made a three hoop spread only for Athleta to come up with a late 13-1 run and another Grima trey.

At the interval Athleta were on a 42-17 advantage.

After the break, it was Athleta making a three basket run. A couple of Paolite free shots only preluded a heavy 15-3 run going on till the end of the session with two more Grima treys and Sharon Vella points.

Julia Scerri managed a Hibs triple but Athleta ‘s advantage was evident in a 63-23 score.

In the last quarter the play was more balanced but the match was already done and dusted. Hibs put in a 7-1 run with Nicole Vella points and later on Naomi Farrugia netted a triple but their final score was still distant from Athleta’s final tally. Hibs: E. Micallef, E. Cassar, N. Vella, I. Agius, K. Caruana, K. Portanier Mifsud, N. Farrugia, T. Armstead, J. Scerri Athleta: C. Grima,M. Debono, S. Pisani, L. Sciberras, A. Simmons, D. Said Hollier, A. Borg, M. Pollacco, S. Vella, E. Pace, C. Mifsud Referees: G. Barbara, E. Mangani