Dream Final Four: Gonzaga Verga Basket wins the U17 regional title!

After a long wait, Palermo returned to the spotlight of top-level youth basketball, hosting the Under-17 Women's Regional Final Four at PalaMangano. A moment of sport, celebration, and community that saw our Gonzaga Verga Basket U17 team take center stage , crowned Regional Champion after a thrilling final against a solid team like Katané Basket .

Led with passion and expertise by coach Matias Nicolas Dimarco and basketball coordinator Simona Chines , our girls best embodied the spirit of the Campus: determination, teamwork, mutual care and a commitment to excellence, not only in sport but also in human terms.

The roster of champions:

• 3 Calajò Gaia

• 6 Avellone Giorgia

• 8 Montalbano Alice

• 10 Riolo Giulia

• 12 Leone Sara (Chap.)

• 14 Romano Matilde

• 17 Lusco Matilde

• 22 Butera Carla

• 24 By Giovanni Sara

• 25 Clementi Emilia

• 66 Ciacciofera Chiara

• 91 Zanet Giulia

Visibly moved, Sports Director Davide Chinnici expressed his satisfaction: "I'm proud of the entire journey, of the girls and the staff. This result is the fruit of dedication, training, and team spirit."

Making the event even more special was the warm support of the Polisportiva Gonzaga soccer fans , who were in the stands to cheer on their basketball teammates. A living testimony to the community and brotherly spirit that animates our campus, where every sport is an opportunity to grow together and support one another.

Gonzaga Verga Basket's triumph was sealed at the awards ceremony, during which the cup was presented to captain Sara Leone by Fausto Chirizzi , President of the Territorial Organization Sector (SOT) and member of the Technical Commission of the Women's Youth Sector. It was a meaningful gesture, which paid tribute to the commitment and passion demonstrated by all the athletes on the court.

In line with the Jesuit educational inspiration of the Gonzaga Campus, this success represents much more than a sporting victory: it is the concrete sign of an education that also passes through the playing field and teaches us to become women and men for others , capable of facing challenges with heart, intelligence and a spirit of service.

A heartfelt thanks goes to FIP Sicilia , which organized the event with professionalism and attention, ensuring all the participating athletes and staff – Katané Basket , I Have a Team and ASD Fiamma Basket – an intense and well-structured experience.

It was a true honor for our sports club to welcome all the teams to PalaMangano for this weekend of sport and fellowship. Events like this remind us that sport, when embraced with passion and respect, can be a life-changing experience and a place to build strong, lasting bonds.

The event hosted the #BeActiveInTourism communications campaign , which aims to promote the island's tourist attractions through sport. Sport and tourism are inseparably linked to promote alternative tourism in collaboration with the Sicilian Region's Department of Tourism, Sport, and Entertainment.