Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked E.Ashkelon (10-2) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by ninth ranked M.Ramat Gan (6-6) 84-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of E.Ashkelon. M.Ramat Gan shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Kevin Capers (188-1993, college: FSC, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 9 assists and Sean Evans (203-1988, college: St.John’s) who added 18 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was power forward Thomas Gipson (202-1993, college: Kansas St.) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. E.Ashkelon’s coach Avi Sukar tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. M.Ramat Gan moved-up to eighth place. E.Ashkelon at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. M.Ramat Gan are looking forward to face higher ranked E.Netanya (#3) at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. E.Ashkelon will play against the league’s second-placed H.Afula where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Very significant was H.Afula’s (#3) 82-75 road victory against second-best M.Ma’ale Adum.. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of M.Ma’ale Adum.. It was a key game for the second position in the league. The winners were led by American Jimmy Hall (203-1994, college: Kent St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points and 17 rebounds and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick supported him with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 34 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds by Canadian center Eddie Ekiyor (206-1997, college: Carleton) did not help to save the game for M.Ma’ale Adum.. H.Afula (9-3) moved-up to second place. M.Ma’ale Adum. at the other side dropped to the third position with four games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. H.Afula will play against league’s leader E.Ashkelon at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. M.Ma’ale Adum. will play against M.Rehovot and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Netanya supposed to be also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Maccabi Rishon (8-4) played at the court of sixth ranked E.Netanya (8-4). E.Netanya did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 91-71 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Ethan Butler who scored 27 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. E.Netanya’s coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Isaiah Cousins who recorded 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. E.Netanya moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Maccabi Rishon. Maccabi Rishon lost third consecutive game. E.Netanya will meet M.Ramat Gan (#8) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Maccabi Rishon will play against I.Nahariya (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
There were no shocking results in the other games in round 12: M.Rehovot won against H.Ramat Gan on the opponent’s court 84-73. I.Nahariya outscored E.Shomron in a home game 90-71. M.Raanana managed to beat Ramat Hash. on the road 93-80.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 26 points and 9 rebounds by Willy Workman of M.Raanana.
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E.Ashkelon – M.Ramat Gan 81-84
The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked E.Ashkelon (10-2) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by ninth ranked M.Ramat Gan (6-6) 84-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of E.Ashkelon. M.Ramat Gan shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Kevin Capers (188-1993, college: FSC, agency: BIG) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 9 assists and Sean Evans (203-1988, college: St.John’s) who added 18 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Four M.Ramat Gan players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was power forward Thomas Gipson (202-1993, college: Kansas St.) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and forward Dakarai Tucker (196-1994, college: Utah) scored 16 points. E.Ashkelon’s coach Avi Sukar tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. M.Ramat Gan moved-up to eighth place. E.Ashkelon at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. M.Ramat Gan are looking forward to face higher ranked E.Netanya (#3) at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. E.Ashkelon will play against the league’s second-placed H.Afula where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
E.Ashkelon: T.Gipson 20+11reb+2ast, D.Tucker 16+4reb+3ast, S.David 12+5reb+2ast, B.David Omer 9+4reb+4ast, C.Rosenberg 6+7reb+1ast, G.Chen 5+1reb
M.Ramat Gan: K.Capers 22+4reb+9ast, S.Evans 18+10reb+2ast, H.Dadon 17+4reb+2ast, E.Hirsh 17+5reb+4ast, D.Rosenbaum 5+5reb+2ast, B.Altit 3+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1022052
E.Netanya – M.Rishon 91-71
The game in Netanya supposed to be also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Maccabi Rishon (8-4) played at the court of sixth ranked E.Netanya (8-4). E.Netanya did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 91-71 on Saturday. E.Netanya forced 23 Maccabi Rishon turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was naturalized Canadian forward Ethan Butler (198-2002) who scored 27 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. American center Justin Robinson (206-1996, college: Duke) chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds. Four E.Netanya players scored in double figures. E.Netanya’s coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Isaiah Cousins (193-1994, college: Oklahoma) who recorded 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and power forward Jonatan Mor (204-1995) added 7 points and 8 rebounds respectively. E.Netanya moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Maccabi Rishon. Maccabi Rishon lost third consecutive game. E.Netanya will meet M.Ramat Gan (#8) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Maccabi Rishon will play against I.Nahariya (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
M.Rishon: J.Armstrong 14, I.Cousins 12+7reb+5ast, I.Nesterenko 8+6reb+1ast, G.Palatin 8+2reb+6ast, H.Halfon 8+3reb, J.Mor 7+8reb+3ast
E.Netanya: B.Ethan 27+5reb+9ast, I.Ariel 16, D.Reuven 14+4reb+2ast, J.Robinson 12+8reb+3ast, Y.Atias 9+4reb+1ast, A.Aminu 8+4reb+6ast
gschID: 1022053
H.Ramat Gan – M.Rehovot 73-84
Rather expected game in Givataim where 13th ranked H.Ramat Gan (2-10) was defeated by eleventh ranked M.Rehovot (5-7) 84-73 on Saturday. M.Rehovot looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was naturalized American forward Josh Freund (204-1997, college: Roanoke) who scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward AlLonzo Coleman (203-1989, college: Presbyterian) chipped in 9 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Four M.Rehovot players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Storm Warren (211-1988, college: LSU) who recorded 23 points and 9 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Stedmon Lemon (198-1992, college: JCSU) added 20 points respectively. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. M.Rehovot moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Ramat Hash. H.Ramat Gan lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with ten games lost. M.Rehovot will meet at home higher ranked M.Ma’ale Adum. (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. H.Ramat Gan will play against M.Raanana (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
H.Ramat Gan: S.Warren 23+9reb+2ast, S.Lemon 20+2reb+2ast, N.Uzan 10+1ast, T.Eliad 8+8reb+1ast, N.Gil 6+8reb+6ast, G.Ofek 4+2reb
M.Rehovot: J.Freund 16+7reb+4ast, B.Jackson 14+5reb, G.Shay Guy 13+4reb+2ast, G.Itay 11+4reb+4ast, A.Coleman 9+6reb+6ast, I.Rejwan 9+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1022055
I.Nahariya – E.Shomron 90-71
Very predictable result when fifth ranked I.Nahariya (8-4) smashed at home 12th ranked E.Shomron (3-9) 90-71 on Saturday. I.Nahariya made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when I.Nahariya made 8 blocks. The best player for the winners was American power forward Romello White (203-1998, college: Ole Miss) who scored 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). The former international point guard Yogev Ohayon (189-1987) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points, 11 assists and 4 steals. Four I.Nahariya players scored in double figures. I.Nahariya’s coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Duke Shelton (208-1995, college: Tampa) who recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Raijon Kelly (193-1993, college: Angelo St.) added 9 points and 6 assists respectively. I.Nahariya have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. E.Shomron lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the twelfth position with nine games lost. I.Nahariya will meet Maccabi Rishon (#6) in the next round. E.Shomron will play against H.Hevel Modi’in (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
E.Shomron: A.Amit 12+1reb+2ast, C.Ahrak 11, D.Shelton 11+15reb+1ast, L.Yuval 9+1reb, R.Kelly 9+4reb+6ast, I.Flaisher 7+7reb
I.Nahariya: R.White 29+5reb+4ast, D.Burnett 20+2reb, I.Eisendorf 11+5reb+3ast, Y.Ohayon 10+4reb+11ast, D.Drapic 8+3reb+2ast, A.Chubrevich 5+11reb+3ast
gschID: 1022056
M.Ma’ale Adum. – H.Afula 75-82
Very significant was H.Afula’s (#3) 82-75 road victory against second-best M.Ma’ale Adum.. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of M.Ma’ale Adum.. It was a key game for the second position in the league. They outrebounded M.Ma’ale Adum. 51-31 including a 35-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. H.Afula players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. The winners were led by American Jimmy Hall (203-1994, college: Kent St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points and 17 rebounds and the other American import Toarlyn Fitzpatrick (206-1989, college: S.Florida) supported him with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Four H.Afula players scored in double figures. Even 34 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds by Canadian center Eddie Ekiyor (206-1997, college: Carleton) did not help to save the game for M.Ma’ale Adum.. American forward Duane Johnson (201-1991, college: ESU) added 16 points and 9 rebounds. H.Afula (9-3) moved-up to second place. M.Ma’ale Adum. at the other side dropped to the third position with four games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. H.Afula will play against league’s leader E.Ashkelon at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. M.Ma’ale Adum. will play against M.Rehovot and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
M.Ma’ale Adum.: E.Ekiyor 34+9reb, D.Johnson 16+9reb+3ast, J.Cohen 10+2reb+2ast, A.Noam 5+4reb+1ast, A.Derhy 4+2ast, S.Eilon 3+3reb+1ast
H.Afula: J.Hall 24+17reb+2ast, T.Fitzpatrick 16+9reb+5ast, L.Goldenberg 14+9reb+3ast, R.Netzia 11+5reb, T.Asayag 9+1reb+4ast, K.Zorno 6+3reb+4ast
gschID: 1022057
Ramat Hash. – M.Raanana 80-93
The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Ramat Hash.‘s (5-7) home loss to seventh ranked M.Raanana (7-5) 80-93 on Saturday. M.Raanana looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was naturalized American Willy Workman (198-1990, college: Amherst) who scored 26 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Alon Sapir (201-1994) chipped in 21 points and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was center Amit Bier-Katz (208-1988) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and point guard Amit Ebo (180-1999) added 16 points and 7 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ramat Hash.’s coach let to play ten players, but that didn’t help to avoid defeat in this game. M.Raanana have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 7-5 record. Loser Ramat Hash. dropped to the ninth place with seven games lost. They share the position with M.Rehovot. M.Raanana will meet at home H.Ramat Gan (#13) in the next round where they are favorite. Ramat Hash. will play against M.Haifa (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ramat Hash.: A.Bier-Katz 16+13reb+2ast, D.Watkins 16+1reb+6ast, A.Ebo 16+2reb+7ast, T.Wideman 15+8reb+1ast, S.Omer 8+3reb, G.Ferber 5+2reb
M.Raanana: W.Workman 26+9reb+2ast, A.Sapir 21+2reb+6ast, R.Geffen 19+3ast, J.Canty 10+8reb+2ast, A.Leder 6+6reb+3ast, M.Ziv 5+1reb
gschID: 1022058
