Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Hapoel Tel-Aviv as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Hapoel Tel-Aviv edged 8th ranked Kiryat Ata in Tel Aviv 96-95. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kiryat Ata. Kiryat Ata cut a 18-point first quarter deficit to one at the end of the game. Hapoel Tel-Aviv made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Kiryat Ata helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Antonio Blakeney (193-1996, college: LSU) who saved his team from a defeat with 19 points. Brazilian center Bruno Caboclo (208-1995) contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Hapoel Tel-Aviv’s coach Stefanos Dedas used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American Chris Smith (206-1999, college: UCLA) replied with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for Kiryat Ata. Undefeated H.Tel-Aviv (5-0) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Kiryat Ata at the other side dropped to the ninth place with four games lost. They share the position with H.Afula. Kiryat Ata will play next round against I.Ness Ziona trying to get back on the winning streak. H.Tel-Aviv will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked H.Holon on the road.
Undefeated Maccabi Tel-Aviv (5-1) recorded its first loss in Hod Hasharon. Visitors were defeated by sixth ranked Bnei Hertzeliya (4-2) 106-101. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Maccabi Tel-Aviv. American guard Jimmy Clark III (191-2001, college: Duquesne, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Chris Silva chipped in 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was French-American Jaylen Hoard (204-1999, college: Wake Forest) with 20 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Maccabi Tel-Aviv’s coach tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Bnei Hertzeliya maintains sixth position with 4-2 record. Defending champion M.Tel-Aviv keeps the second place with one game lost. They share the position with H.Jerusalem. Bnei Hertzeliya will play against E.Netanya (#12) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. M.Tel-Aviv will play against H.Galil Elion (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Kfar Blum was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Ramat Gan (4-1) played at the court of 7th ranked Galil Elion (3-4). Ramat Gan defeated Galil Elion 96-80 on Sunday. Amin Stevens notched 20 points and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the effort. Even 30 points (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) by Rawle Alkins did not help to save the game for H.Galil Elion. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. M.Ramat Gan moved-up to fourth place, which they share with H.Holon. Loser Galil Elion keeps the seventh position with four games lost. M.Ramat Gan will meet at home H.Be’er Sheva (#8) in the next round. H.Galil Elion will play against M.Tel-Aviv in Tel Aviv and hope to secure a win.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 6: H.Gilboa Galil was smashed by H.Afula on the road 96-62. H.Haifa was destroyed by H.Jerusalem on its own court 61-82. E.Netanya was outscored by H.Be’er Sheva in Beer Sheva 88-69. H.Holon managed to beat I.Ness Ziona at home 91-85.
The most impressive performance of 6th round was 19 points and 9 rebounds by Ricardo Lindo Jr of I.Ness Ziona.
H.Afula – H.Gilboa Galil 96-62
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both twelfth ranked Afula and 13th ranked H.Gilboa Galil had identical 1-4 record. This time Afula used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Gan Ner 96-62 on Friday night. H.Afula dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to H.Gilboa Galil‘s 16 and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. H.Afula forced 20 H.Gilboa Galil turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when H.Afula made 8 blocks. American guard Armaan Franklin (193-2000, college: Virginia) notched 19 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Justyn Mutts (201-1999, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Pensack Sports) supported him with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Afula players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds by forward Gur Lavy (198-2001, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for H.Gilboa Galil. American guard Ishmael El-Amin (189-1998, college: URI) added 17 points and 5 steals. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. H.Afula (2-4) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Kiryat Ata. H.Gilboa Galil lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the twelfth position with five games lost. They share it with I.Ness Ziona and E.Netanya. H.Afula will meet league’s second-placed H.Jerusalem on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. H.Gilboa Galil will play against H.Haifa (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
H.Afula: J.Lecque 20+1reb+4ast, A.Franklin 19+7reb+3ast, S.Cohen III 15+2reb+1ast, J.Mutts 12+11reb+5ast, J.Tokoto 11+4reb+6ast, N.Avivi 6+4reb+1ast
H.Gilboa Galil: G.Lavy 17+12reb+2ast, I.El-Amin 17+1reb+2ast, G.Beni 5+2reb+4ast, B.Moore 5+7reb+1ast, L.Amsalem 4+1reb+1ast, J.Davis 4+6reb+4ast
gschID: 1196034
H.Haifa – H.Jerusalem 61-82
Very expected game when 11th ranked Hapoel Haifa (1-4) was smashed at home by third ranked Hapoel Jerusalem (5-1) 82-61 on Sunday. H.Jerusalem made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by H.Haifa‘s players. The former international swingman Yovel Zoosman (200-1998) notched 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and American Chris Johnson (198-1990, college: Dayton) supported him with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Four Hapoel Jerusalem players scored in double figures. Even 16 points and 7 rebounds by American forward DeAndre Pinckney (203-2000, college: Southern Miss) did not help to save the game for H.Haifa. His fellow American import point guard Kenny Boynton (188-1991, college: Florida) added 16 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hapoel Jerusalem have a solid four-game winning streak. H.Jerusalem moved-up to second place, which they share with M.Tel-Aviv. H.Haifa lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with four games lost. H.Jerusalem will meet at home H.Afula (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. H.Haifa will play against H.Gilboa Galil in Gan Ner and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
H.Jerusalem: Y.Zoosman 17+9reb+4ast, C.Johnson 16+12reb+1ast, K.Carrington 13+3reb+4ast, J.Harper 12+2reb+4ast, D.Ogbeide 10+5reb+1ast, G.Chachashvili 9+5reb+3ast
H.Haifa: K.Boynton 16+2reb+1ast, D.Pinckney 16+7reb, C.Young 8+4reb, A.Sobel 7+4reb+1ast, D.Rosenbaum 5+4reb, T.Bey 3+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1196035
H.Be’er Sheva – E.Netanya 88-69
Rather predictable result when tenth ranked Hapoel Beer Sheva (2-3) rolled over at home 13th ranked E.Netanya (1-5) 88-69 on Monday. H.Be’er Sheva forced 19 E.Netanya turnovers. Panamanian guard Iverson Molinar (193-1999, college: MSU) notched 25 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and the former international Spencer Weisz (193-1995, college: Princeton) supported him with 8 points and 13 rebounds. Even 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists by the former international guard Roy Paretsky (194-2002) did not help to save the game for E.Netanya. The former international swingman Itay Moshkovitz (192-2000) added 17 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. H.Be’er Sheva moved-up to eighth place. E.Netanya lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the twelfth position with five games lost. They share it with H.Gilboa Galil and I.Ness Ziona. H.Be’er Sheva will meet higher ranked M.Ramat Gan (#5) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. E.Netanya will play against Bnei Hertzeliya (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
H.Be’er Sheva: I.Molinar 25+2reb+5ast, R.Spalding 16+7reb, P.Scruggs 14+1reb+2ast, S.Weisz 8+13reb+3ast, N.Segal 8+2reb+2ast, E.Griffin 8+7reb+2ast
E.Netanya: I.Moshkovitz 17+6reb+2ast, B.Washington 14+8reb+2ast, R.Paretsky 11+8reb+6ast, S.Doron 9+4reb, E.Romero 7+4reb, C.Demps 4+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1196036
H.Tel-Aviv – Kiryat Ata 96-95
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Hapoel Tel-Aviv as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Hapoel Tel-Aviv edged 8th ranked Kiryat Ata in Tel Aviv 96-95. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kiryat Ata. Kiryat Ata cut a 18-point first quarter deficit to one at the end of the game. Hapoel Tel-Aviv made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Kiryat Ata helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Antonio Blakeney (193-1996, college: LSU) who saved his team from a defeat with 19 points. Brazilian center Bruno Caboclo (208-1995) contributed with 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Hapoel Tel-Aviv’s coach Stefanos Dedas used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American Chris Smith (206-1999, college: UCLA) replied with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) added 22 points, 5 assists and 4 steals (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) in the effort for Kiryat Ata. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. H.Tel-Aviv (5-0) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Kiryat Ata at the other side dropped to the ninth place with four games lost. They share the position with H.Afula. Kiryat Ata will play next round against I.Ness Ziona trying to get back on the winning streak. H.Tel-Aviv will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked H.Holon on the road.
Top scorers:
H.Tel-Aviv: A.Blakeney 19+3reb, M.Foster 17+3ast, B.Caboclo 14+6reb+1ast, P.Beverley 11+3reb+3ast, T.Ginat 10+5reb, B.Timor 8+2reb+2ast
Kiryat Ata: C.Lewis 22+4reb+5ast, C.Smith 19+8reb+5ast, J.Kaplan 18+7reb+2ast, R.Adam 13+6reb+5ast, S.de Sousa 11+6reb, A.Pruitt 9+4reb+1ast
gschID: 1196037
H.Galil Elion – M.Ramat Gan 80-96
The game in Kfar Blum was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Ramat Gan (4-1) played at the court of 7th ranked Galil Elion (3-4). Ramat Gan defeated Galil Elion 96-80 on Sunday. M.Ramat Gan made 17-of-18 free shots (94.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by H.Galil Elion‘s players. American forward Amin Stevens (203-1990, college: FAMU) notched 20 points and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and the other American import point guard Kendale McCullum (184-1996, college: Lewis) supported him with 11 points and 13 assists. Even 30 points (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) by American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) did not help to save the game for H.Galil Elion. Canadian guard Marcus Carr (188-1999, college: Texas) added 15 points and 6 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. M.Ramat Gan moved-up to fourth place, which they share with H.Holon. Loser Galil Elion keeps the seventh position with four games lost. M.Ramat Gan will meet at home H.Be’er Sheva (#8) in the next round. H.Galil Elion will play against M.Tel-Aviv in Tel Aviv and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
M.Ramat Gan: R.Gallinat 21+2reb+1ast, A.Stevens 20+4reb+5ast, A.Ariel 13+6reb+4ast, K.McCullum 11+2reb+13ast, I.Miles 9+4reb+1ast, Y.Melamed 9+4reb
H.Galil Elion: R.Alkins 30+2reb+2ast, M.Carr 15+3reb+6ast, L.Freeman 11+6reb, L.Goldenberg 10+2reb+3ast, T.Asayag 8+2reb+2ast, L.Carreira 2+9reb+2ast
gschID: 1196038
Bnei Hertzeliya – M.Tel-Aviv 106-101
Undefeated Maccabi Tel-Aviv (5-1) recorded its first loss in Hod Hasharon. Visitors were defeated by sixth ranked Bnei Hertzeliya (4-2) 106-101. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Bnei Hertzeliya made 28-of-36 charity shots (77.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 M.Tel-Aviv turnovers. Strangely M.Tel-Aviv outrebounded Bnei Hertzeliya 41-26 including 30 on the defensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. M.Tel-Aviv was plagued by 29 personal fouls down the stretch. American guard Jimmy Clark III (191-2001, college: Duquesne, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Gabonese Chris Silva (206-1996, college: S.Carolina) chipped in 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was French-American Jaylen Hoard (204-1999, college: Wake Forest) with 20 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and American Levi Randolph (198-1992, college: Alabama, agency: Slash Sports) scored 17 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Maccabi Tel-Aviv’s coach tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Bnei Hertzeliya maintains sixth position with 4-2 record. Defending champion M.Tel-Aviv keeps the second place with one game lost. They share the position with H.Jerusalem. Bnei Hertzeliya will play against E.Netanya (#12) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. M.Tel-Aviv will play against H.Galil Elion (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bnei Hertzeliya: X.Sneed 25+1reb+1ast, C.Silva 25+5reb+5ast, J.Clark III 19+7reb+9ast, J.Hawley 16+8reb+1ast, E.Burg 8+1reb+5ast, D.Francis 6+3reb+2ast
M.Tel-Aviv: J.Hoard 20+3reb+2ast, L.Randolph 17+3reb+2ast, D.DeJulius 15+1reb+3ast, R.Sorkin 12+6reb+3ast, W.Rayman 8+4reb, R.Jokubaitis 8+4reb+7ast
gschID: 1196039
H.Holon – I.Ness Ziona 91-85
Not a big story in a game when 12th ranked Ironi Nes-Ziona (1-5) lost on the road to sixth ranked Hapoel Holon (4-1) 91-85 on Monday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. American center Marcus Bingham Jr (213-2000, college: Michigan St.) notched 20 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international point guard Niv Misgav (181-1995) supported him with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by American Bryce Brown (190-1997, college: Auburn) did not help to save the game for I.Ness Ziona. Panamanian-American forward Ricardo Lindo Jr (203-2000, college: GWU) added 19 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. H.Holon moved-up to fourth place, which they share with M.Ramat Gan. Loser Ironi Nes-Ziona dropped to the bottom position with five games lost. They share it with H.Gilboa Galil and E.Netanya. H.Holon will meet at home league’s leader H.Tel-Aviv in the next round and it may be the game of the week. I.Ness Ziona will play against Kiryat Ata (#10) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
H.Holon: M.Bingham Jr. 20+5reb+1ast, Y.Ziv 14+1reb+3ast, J.Adams 13+3reb+2ast, N.Misgav 12+5reb+6ast, N.Artzi 9+3reb+2ast, I.Zalmanson 9+2reb+2ast
I.Ness Ziona: B.Brown 22+6reb+4ast, R.Lindo Jr. 19+9reb+3ast, J.Van Tubbergen 19+5reb, D.Edge 11+4reb, R.Turell 6+2reb, Y.Kravitz 4+5ast
gschID: 1196040