Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Third defeat of league’s leader Maccabi Tel-Aviv (15-3) against second ranked Hapoel Tel-Aviv (16-3) 76-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Maccabi Tel-Aviv. It was a key game for the top position in the league. H.Tel-Aviv made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. It was a good game for the former international point guard Yam Madar (190-2000) who led his team to a victory with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. American center Johnathan Motley (207-1995, college: Baylor) contributed with 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Hapoel Tel-Aviv’s coach Dimitris Itoudis used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cuban center Jasiel Rivero (206-1993) replied with 15 points and 6 rebounds for M.Tel-Aviv. Hapoel Tel-Aviv have a solid three-game winning streak. H.Tel-Aviv keeps a position of league leader. Defending champion M.Tel-Aviv dropped to the second place with three games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by H.Tel-Aviv. M.Tel-Aviv will play next round against H.Afula trying to make it back to the top of the standings. H.Tel-Aviv will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked H.Holon at home.
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 smashed 9th ranked Galil Elion in Tel Aviv 99-77. American center Johnathan Motley (207-1995, college: Baylor) scored 20 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Antonio Blakeney chipped in 22 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. 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.Tel-Aviv have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they took over a top position. H.Galil Elion at the other side dropped to the tenth place with 12 games lost. H.Galil Elion will play next round against E.Netanya trying to get back on the winning streak. H.Tel-Aviv will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked H.Holon at home.
The game between 14th ranked Hapoel Haifa (2-16) and fourth ranked Ramat Gan (11-7) in Haifa on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Ramat Gan outscored Hapoel Haifa 106-79. Kendale McCullum notched 26 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) to lead the effort. Even 17 points by Jakeenan Gant did not help to save the game for H.Haifa. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. M.Ramat Gan maintains fourth position with 11-7 record, which they share with H.Holon. H.Haifa lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. M.Ramat Gan will meet at home higher ranked H.Jerusalem (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. H.Haifa will play against H.Be’er Sheva (#8) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Kiryat Ata was beaten by E.Netanya on the road 89-74. I.Ness Ziona won against H.Afula on its own court 87-74. H.Gilboa Galil unfortunately lost to H.Galil Elion in Kfar Blum 69-76. H.Jerusalem managed to beat Bnei Hertzeliya at home 94-79. H.Be’er Sheva was defeated by H.Holon on the opponent’s court 88-82.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 19 points by Marcus Bingham Jr of H.Tel-Aviv.

E.Netanya – Kiryat Ata 89-74

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when thirteenth ranked E.Netanya (6-12) beat at home 12th ranked Kiryat Ata (6-12) 89-74 on Monday. E.Netanya forced 20 Kiryat Ata turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American guard Kyler Edwards (193-1999, college: Houston) notched 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and the other American import guard Carlos Marshall Jr (198-1999, college: Santa Clara) supported him with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Five E.Netanya players scored in double figures. Even 16 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) by Angolan forward Silvio de Sousa (206-1998, college: Chattanooga) did not help to save the game for Kiryat Ata. Naturalized American swingman JJ Kaplan (196-1997, college: UAH) added 11 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. E.Netanya moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Kiryat Ata and H.Afula. E.Netanya will meet at home higher ranked H.Galil Elion (#10) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kiryat Ata will play against I.Ness Ziona and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
E.Netanya: C.Marshall Jr. 17+6reb+2ast, K.Edwards 17+8reb+5ast, I.Moshkovitz 12+1reb+6ast, B.Washington 11+9reb+2ast, S.Doron 11+4reb+2ast, E.Romero 10+6reb
Kiryat Ata: S.de Sousa 16+7reb+1ast, J.Kaplan 11+3reb+5ast, T.King 9+2reb+1ast, Y.Levin 9+1reb+1ast, L.O’Reilly 9+5ast, Y.Amiram 6+2reb+1ast

gschID: 1196118

H.Haifa – M.Ramat Gan 79-106

The game between 14th ranked Hapoel Haifa (2-16) and fourth ranked Ramat Gan (11-7) in Haifa on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Guests from Ramat Gan outscored Hapoel Haifa 106-79. M.Ramat Gan made 24-of-31 free shots (77.4 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 53.8 percentage. M.Ramat Gan looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American point guard Kendale McCullum (184-1996, college: Lewis) notched 26 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) to lead the effort and the former international Adam Ariel (193-1994) supported him with 24 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Even 17 points by American forward Jakeenan Gant (203-1996, college: Louisiana) did not help to save the game for H.Haifa. His fellow American import guard Bryon Allen (192-1992, college: GMU) added 10 points and 7 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. M.Ramat Gan maintains fourth position with 11-7 record, which they share with H.Holon. H.Haifa lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. M.Ramat Gan will meet at home higher ranked H.Jerusalem (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. H.Haifa will play against H.Be’er Sheva (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
M.Ramat Gan: K.McCullum 26+7reb+7ast, A.Ariel 24+1reb+1ast, A.Crawford 13+2reb+2ast, A.Stevens 12+1reb+3ast, B.Srur 9+8reb+1ast, D.Sahar 7+4reb+3ast
H.Haifa: J.Gant 17+2reb, M.Coleman III 14+1reb+1ast, D.Pinckney 11+6reb+2ast, A.Gershon 10+1reb, B.Allen 10+2reb+7ast, A.Sobel 6+2reb+1ast

gschID: 1196119

H.Tel-Aviv – M.Tel-Aviv 76-70

gschID: 1196120

I.Ness Ziona – H.Afula 87-74

Rather expected game when 11th ranked Afula (6-12) lost to eighth ranked Ironi Nes-Ziona (8-10) in Nes Ziyona 74-87 on Wednesday. I.Ness Ziona looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American players dominated the game. Bryce Brown (190-1997, college: Auburn) notched 26 points to lead the effort and swingman Jake Van Tubbergen (201-1998, college: GVSU) supported him with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Even 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists by guard JCovan Brown (190-1990, college: Texas) did not help to save the game for H.Afula. Jalen Lecque (194-2000, college: NC State) added 18 points. I.Ness Ziona moved-up to seventh place, which they share with H.Be’er Sheva. H.Afula lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 12 games lost. They share it with Kiryat Ata and E.Netanya. I.Ness Ziona will meet Kiryat Ata (#13) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. H.Afula will play against the league’s second-placed M.Tel-Aviv where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
I.Ness Ziona: B.Brown 26+3reb+3ast, J.Van Tubbergen 17+9reb+1ast, D.Edge 14+4reb+8ast, I.Segev 9+8reb+1ast, Y.Kravits 8+3reb+5ast, J.Meyinsse 6+3reb
H.Afula: J.Brown 22+5reb+7ast, J.Lecque 18+2reb+3ast, J.Mutts 12+6reb+1ast, J.Tokoto 7+4reb+1ast, S.Cohen III 6+5reb+2ast, N.Avivi 4+2reb

gschID: 1196121

H.Galil Elion – H.Gilboa Galil 76-69

There was a small surprise when ninth ranked Galil Elion (7-12) won against their close opponent H.Gilboa Galil (7-11) in Kfar Blum 76-69 on Sunday. H.Galil Elion outrebounded H.Gilboa Galil 35-23 including 21 on the defensive glass. H.Galil Elion looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Lennard Freeman (203-1995, college: NC State) notched 16 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) supported him with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Galil Elion’s coach Guni Israeli allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 17 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) by American forward Ben Moore (203-1995, college: SMU) did not help to save the game for H.Gilboa Galil. The former international point guard Niv Misgav (181-1995) added 13 points and 7 assists. Four H.Galil Elion and five H.Gilboa Galil players scored in double figures. Despite that victory H.Galil Elion went down to tenth position due to points difference. Newly promoted H.Gilboa Galil keeps the ninth place with 11 games lost. H.Galil Elion will meet E.Netanya (#11) on the road in the next round. H.Gilboa Galil will play against Bnei Hertzeliya and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
H.Galil Elion: L.Freeman 16+9reb+1ast, M.Carr 14+5reb+5ast, L.Carreira 13+4reb+3ast, R.Alkins 11+8reb+5ast, Y.Hanochi 10+1ast, T.Asayag 6+1reb+1ast
H.Gilboa Galil: B.Moore 17+9reb+2ast, N.Misgav 13+2reb+7ast, G.Lavi 13+6reb, P.Scruggs 12+1reb+1ast, I.El-Amin 10+1reb+1ast, E.Childs 4+1reb

gschID: 1196122

H.Jerusalem – Bnei Hertzeliya 94-79

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Bnei Hertzeliya (10-8) lost on the road to third ranked Hapoel Jerusalem (14-4) 94-79 on Sunday. H.Jerusalem shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 54.5 percentage. American point guard Jared Harper (178-1997, college: Auburn) notched 15 points and 8 assists to lead the effort and the former international Khadeen Carrington (193-1995, college: Seton Hall) supported him with 15 points. Five Hapoel Jerusalem players scored in double figures. Even 25 points by American John Meeks (197-1999, college: Charleston) did not help to save the game for Bnei Hertzeliya. Gabonese Chris Silva (206-1996, college: S.Carolina) added 15 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. H.Jerusalem maintains third position with 14-4 record having just three points less than leader H.Tel-Aviv. Loser Bnei Hertzeliya keeps the sixth place with eight games lost. H.Jerusalem will meet M.Ramat Gan (#4) on the road in the next round. Bnei Hertzeliya will play against H.Gilboa Galil in Gan Ner and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
H.Jerusalem: T.Phillip 16+1reb+2ast, K.Carrington 15+3reb+3ast, J.Harper 15+2reb+8ast, J.Smith 15+5reb, Y.Zoosman 10+4reb, J.Morgan 7+3reb
Bnei Hertzeliya: J.Meeks 25+4reb+1ast, C.Silva 15+9reb+2ast, E.Burg 11+2reb+5ast, O.Ben David 8+4reb+5ast, J.Hawley 7+8reb+1ast, F.Bourdillon 6+3reb+2ast

gschID: 1196123

H.Holon – H.Be’er Sheva 88-82

Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Hapoel Holon (11-7) defeated at home 7th ranked Hapoel Beer Sheva (8-10) 88-82 on Monday. H.Holon looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American players dominated the game. Forward Justin Alston (203-1994, college: Boston U.) notched 23 points and 7 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and point guard DJ Cooper (183-1990, college: Ohio) supported him with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Four Hapoel Holon players scored in double figures. Even 27 points by forward Justin McKoy (203-2001, college: Hawaii) did not help to save the game for H.Be’er Sheva. Guard Cody Demps (193-1993, college: Sacramento St.) added 17 points. Hapoel Beer Sheva’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. H.Holon moved-up to fourth place, which they share with M.Ramat Gan. Loser Hapoel Beer Sheva keeps the seventh position with ten games lost. They share it with I.Ness Ziona. H.Holon will meet league’s leader H.Tel-Aviv in the next round and it may be the game of the week. H.Be’er Sheva will play against H.Haifa (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
H.Holon: J.Alston 23+7reb+2ast, D.Cooper 15+5reb+9ast, I.Zalmanson 12+1reb+1ast, M.Davis Jr. 11+3reb+2ast, E.Tal 10+5reb+2ast, Y.Ziv 6+5reb+9ast
H.Be’er Sheva: J.McKoy 27+4reb+1ast, C.Demps 17+2reb+2ast, R.Zipper 9+2reb+2ast, I.Molinar 7+1reb+4ast, M.Santos-Silva 7+8reb, S.Iorio 5+3reb+1ast

gschID: 1196124

H.Tel-Aviv – H.Galil Elion 99-77

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 smashed 9th ranked Galil Elion in Tel Aviv 99-77. The game was mostly controlled by H.Tel-Aviv. H.Galil Elion was better in fourth quarter 21-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Hapoel Tel-Aviv made 20-of-22 charity shots (90.9 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American center Johnathan Motley (207-1995, college: Baylor) scored 20 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Antonio Blakeney (193-1996, college: LSU) chipped in 22 points during the contest. Five Hapoel Tel-Aviv players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Tomer Asayag (192-1999) scored 19 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. H.Tel-Aviv have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they took over a top position. H.Galil Elion at the other side dropped to the tenth place with 12 games lost. H.Galil Elion will play next round against E.Netanya trying to get back on the winning streak. H.Tel-Aviv will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked H.Holon at home.
Top scorers:
H.Tel-Aviv: A.Blakeney 22+2reb+1ast, J.Motley 20+5reb, M.Bingham Jr. 19+4reb, J.Ragland 13+2reb+8ast, M.Foster 10+1reb+1ast, B.Timor 5+1reb+3ast
H.Galil Elion: T.Asayag 19+4reb+3ast, R.Alkins 16+6reb+4ast, L.Goldenberg 10+8reb+2ast, L.Freeman 8+5reb+1ast, R.Cohen 7+2reb, L.Carreira 7+5reb+1ast