CADET CHAMPIONSHIP: Zagreb CO wins the title, Mario Hezonja named MVP

2011 Croatian Cadet Championship Final Four took place in Trnsko, Zagreb. This was yet another opportunity for the latest Zagreb CO phenom Mario Hezonja to showcase his overall skills and recent development, while upgrading his profile in scouts’ notebooks. Here are the results:

Saturday, June 4th 2011

Cedevita Zagreb vs Dubrava Zagreb   75:70

RECAP: Cedevita led by Dorian Jelenek (27pts+21reb) was able to take 33:12 lead at the beginning of 2nd quarter and was able to survive late comeback by Dubrava

Zagreb CO vs Feniks Zagreb   70:60

RECAP: Feniks led by Karlo Zganec (26pts+22reb+6ast) was able to hold off Zagreb CO phenom Mario Hezonja to 0-16 shooting from the long range. With Hezonja fouled out with 1:46 left in the game Zagreb CO unit proved it’s up to the task and was able to hold off  Feniks for the win.

Sunday, June 5th 2011
3rd place game: Feniks Zagreb vs Dubrava Zagreb   66:39

RECAP: Mostly because of it’s zone defence Feniks recorded the most dominant victory of the competition. Zganec Brothers combined for 33 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists, while commiting as much as 16 turnovers.

Final: Zagreb CO vs Cedevita Zagreb   88:84

RECAP: Although Zagreb CO phenom Mario Hezonja scored as much as 46 points (including 5 huge slam dunks) on 14/29 shooting from the field Cedevita managed to stay close late in the game (71:71, 83:83) thanks to it’s team defense and balanced scoring. However, Cedevita was not able to score in the closing minute and came up short of victory. For Cedevita, F Mateo Juricic had 18 points and 13 boards, while Dorian Jelenek added 16 points.

Zagreb CO phenom Mario Hezonja was voted MVP of the Tournament, while also leading all scorers with 72 points in two games over the weekend. All-Tournament team consists of Mario Hezonja (Zagreb), Marko Milekic (Zagreb CO),  Gordan Njegovan (Cedevita), Dorian Jelenek (Cedevita) and Karlo Zganec (Feniks).

COMING UP: FINAL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS