Duckworth, Kontowski complete Italian all-star tour with championship
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Alverno College Basketball Coach Brad Duckworth, along with sophomore standout Alicia Kontowski (South Milwaukee, Wis.), represented the United States on a 10 day, four game tour of Italy. The all-star team, consisting of players from across the United States, was organized by American Sports Tours International.

The first game of the tour was an exhibition game played near Florence, Italy on Thursday, May 28, against a B1 level team where the American team fell 84-80.

“This was our first experience with international play. The physical style surprised us a little,” Duckworth said.

Two days later near Venice the American team got things moving in the right direction with a 71-47 victory, led by Kontowski’s game-high 21 points, in the first of the friendly competition games.

“Alicia played great and our team really figured out how to match the intensity and play of the Italians. Once we had our first win we knew that we could handle ourselves,” Duckworth said.

On Monday, June 1, the team traveled to San Marino for the semifinal game facing another B1 level team. The American team used the momentum of their first win to roll to a 72-59 victory. Kontowski continued her hot shooting pouring in 15, including three 3-point field goals.

The championship game was held just outside Como, Italy on Wednesday, June 3, as the American team faced an Italian all-star team from A2 and B1 level teams. It was the most exciting game of the week as the American team jumped out to an early 22-5 lead midway through the first quarter before the Italian team stormed back to take a 46-42 lead at the half.

“Our team really came out inspired to win this thing. It was a great 6 minutes of basketball but then the length of the week and tired legs hit us for a while,” Duckworth said. “We talked at halftime about finding a way to push through it.”

After a back and forth third quarter the American team found itself down three with 2 minutes to play in the game. Following a time-out the American team was boosted by a layup by Centenary College guard Kristin Camuso, the 2009 NCAA Division III leader in 3-point field goals per game.

Trailing by one the American team created a turnover that led to Camuso getting fouled. Camuso went 2-for-2 at the foul line to put the team up one.

Needing another big defensive series the American team once again came up with a stop as Kontowski snatched a defensive rebound with 7 seconds remaining. She was immediately fouled and went 1-for-2 from the line to increase the lead to two. The 40-foot last second attempt by the Italian team fell short as the American team won the All-Star Championship 86-84. Kontowski finished with nine points in the final.

The trip was highlighted by visits to Florence, Como, San Marino, Venice and Milan. “This was an amazing experience for all of us. Our team played great and Italy was simply amazing,” commented Duckworth.

Courtesy of Alverno College, Sports Information Department, June 9, 2009.