Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Diante Watkins

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in National League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most shocking disappointment of round 24 was a home defeat of 7th ranked M.Raanana (12-13) to eighth ranked Ramat Hash. (13-12) 111-106 in the game for the seventh place. Ramat Hash. made 27-of-34 free shots (79.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by M.Raanana helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Diante Watkins (175-1990, college: RMU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists and the other American import Tyler Wideman (203-1995, college: Butler) who added 32 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was naturalized American Willy Workman (198-1990, college: Amherst) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Ramat Hash. moved-up to seventh place. M.Raanana lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with 13 games lost. Ramat Hash. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. M.Raanana will play again at home against Ramat Hash. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Ashkelon. Third ranked host E.Ashkelon (16-8) defeated one of their biggest challengers Maccabi Rishon (15-9) 77-66. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Maccabi Rishon. The winners were led by American power forward Thomas Gipson (202-1993, college: Kansas St.) who scored that evening 22 points and 6 rebounds and Gal Gilinski supported him with 11 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Even a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds by American forward Cody Riley (206-1997, college: UCLA) did not help to save the game for Maccabi Rishon. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. E.Ashkelon maintains third position with 16-8 record having just three points less than leader H.Afula. Maccabi Rishon at the other side keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with M.Ramat Gan. E.Ashkelon will play against M.Ramat Gan (#4) on the road in the next round. Maccabi Rishon will play against the league’s second-placed E.Netanya and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
National League top team – H.Afula (19-5) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed fourteenth ranked H.Ramat Gan (4-20) in Givataim 83-54. The best player for the winners was Jimmy Hall who scored 17 points. H.Afula’s coach Roi Perl felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was Eliad Tal who recorded 16 points and 8 rebounds. H.Afula have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 19-5 record. H.Ramat Gan lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 20 lost games. H.Afula will meet at home M.Ma’ale Adum. (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. H.Ramat Gan will play against M.Rehovot (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 24: I.Nahariya lost to H.Hevel Modi’in on the opponent’s court 85-86. M.Haifa managed to outperform M.Raanana in a home game 66-59. M.Ramat Gan rolled over M.Ma’ale Adum. on the road 87-44. Ramat Hash. defeated M.Rehovot on its own court 98-92.

E.Ashkelon – M.Rishon 77-66

The game between Top Four teams took place in Ashkelon. Third ranked host E.Ashkelon (16-8) defeated one of their biggest challengers Maccabi Rishon (15-9) 77-66. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Maccabi Rishon. E.Ashkelon players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. The winners were led by American power forward Thomas Gipson (202-1993, college: Kansas St.) who scored that evening 22 points and 6 rebounds and naturalized Polish guard Gal Gilinski (195-1995, agency: Avi Zilberman) supported him with 11 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Five E.Ashkelon players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds by American forward Cody Riley (206-1997, college: UCLA) did not help to save the game for Maccabi Rishon. Guard Daniel Danino (186-1996, agency: BIG) added 13 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. E.Ashkelon maintains third position with 16-8 record having just three points less than leader H.Afula. Maccabi Rishon at the other side keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with M.Ramat Gan. E.Ashkelon will play against M.Ramat Gan (#4) on the road in the next round. Maccabi Rishon will play against the league’s second-placed E.Netanya and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
E.Ashkelon: T.Gipson 22+6reb+3ast, S.Harush 12+1reb+3ast, G.Gilinski 11+9reb+5ast, R.Pitshon 10+5reb+2ast, D.Tucker 10+5reb+3ast, C.Rosenberg 5+6reb+4ast
M.Rishon: C.Riley 20+13reb+1ast, J.Evans 14+2reb+5ast, D.Danino 13+7reb+3ast, G.Palatin 9+5reb+5ast, T.Cohen 5+3reb, I.Nesterenko 4+5reb+1ast

gschID: 1022136

H.Hevel Modi’in – I.Nahariya 86-85

There was an upset when higher ranked I.Nahariya (14-10) was edged on the road by thirteenth ranked H.Hevel Modi’in (7-18) 86-85 on Tuesday. H.Hevel Modi’in looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 18 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Shmuel Malkov (193-1994, agency: Avi Zilberman) chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds. Five H.Hevel Modi’in players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international center Alexey Chubrevich (212-1986) who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and guard Dolev Drapic (191-1992) added 15 points respectively. I.Nahariya’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. H.Hevel Modi’in maintains thirteenth position with 7-18 record. Loser I.Nahariya keeps the sixth place with ten games lost. H.Hevel Modi’in will meet higher ranked M.Haifa (#10) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. I.Nahariya will play against E.Shomron (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
H.Hevel Modi’in: M.Holyfield 25+18reb, S.Malkov 21+8reb+3ast, G.Shoham 14+3reb+9ast, K.DeShields 14+1reb+5ast, E.Mor-Yosef 12+6reb+3ast, R.Ram 0
I.Nahariya: A.Chubrevich 21+11reb+2ast, D.Drapic 15+4reb+2ast, R.White 9+3reb+1ast, M.Trent 8+2ast, I.Eisendorf 8+4reb+2ast, A.Reuven 8+2reb+6ast

gschID: 1022137

H.Ramat Gan – H.Afula 54-83

National League top team – H.Afula (19-5) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed fourteenth ranked H.Ramat Gan (4-20) in Givataim 83-54. H.Afula dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to H.Ramat Gan’s 26. They outrebounded H.Ramat Gan 42-26 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. H.Afula looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American Jimmy Hall (203-1994, college: Kent St.) who scored 17 points. The other American import Toarlyn Fitzpatrick (206-1989, college: S.Florida) chipped in 14 points. H.Afula’s coach Roi Perl felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was swingman Eliad Tal (198-2002) who recorded 16 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Lamonte Bearden (191-1995, college: WKU) added 9 points, 6 assists and 5 steals respectively. H.Afula have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 19-5 record. H.Ramat Gan lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 20 lost games. H.Afula will meet at home M.Ma’ale Adum. (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. H.Ramat Gan will play against M.Rehovot (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
H.Afula: J.Hall 17+3reb+3ast, T.Fitzpatrick 14+3reb+3ast, A.Druker 9+1reb+3ast, N.Daniel 8+3reb+2ast, T.Asayag 7+4reb+2ast, T.Spector 7+6reb+2ast
H.Ramat Gan: T.Eliad 16+8reb+2ast, A.Harari 10+2reb+1ast, L.Bearden 9+2reb+6ast, S.Warren 7+7reb+1ast, A.Shimoni 6+3reb+2ast, H.Omer 5+2reb+1ast

gschID: 1022138

M.Haifa – M.Raanana 66-59

There was a small surprise when tenth ranked M.Haifa (11-13) defeated at home 7th ranked M.Raanana (12-13) 66-59 on Tuesday. M.Haifa forced 23 M.Raanana turnovers. The best player for the winners was American guard Admon Gilder (193-1995, college: Gonzaga) who scored 18 points. The other American import guard Stedmon Lemon (198-1992, college: JCSU) chipped in 18 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Jalen Canty (203-1995, college: UCSB, agency: Haylett Sports) who recorded a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds and guard Eidan Alber (192-2000, agency: Avi Zilberman) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. M.Haifa moved-up to ninth place, which they share with M.Ma’ale Adum. M.Raanana lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with 13 games lost. M.Haifa will meet at home H.Hevel Modi’in (#13) in the next round. M.Raanana will play against Ramat Hash. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
M.Haifa: A.Gilder 18+4reb+1ast, S.Lemon 18+3reb, R.Howell 8+9reb+4ast, D.Koperberg 6+10reb+2ast, E.Abaev 5+5reb+1ast, O.Malka 5+1reb+4ast
M.Raanana: E.Alber 13+5reb+4ast, W.Workman 12+3reb+3ast, J.Canty 10+13reb+1ast, J.Siggers 8+3reb+1ast, B.Yuval 5+6reb+3ast, R.Geffen 5+6reb

gschID: 1022139

M.Ma’ale Adum. – M.Ramat Gan 44-87

Not a big story in a game in Ma’ale Adumim where 8th ranked M.Ma’ale Adum. (11-13) was rolled over by fifth ranked M.Ramat Gan (15-9) 87-44 on Tuesday. M.Ramat Gan outrebounded M.Ma’ale Adum. 52-36 including a 43-27 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Demetrius Treadwell (201-1991, college: Akron) who had a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds. Point guard Amit Aharoni (185-2002, agency: Avi Zilberman) chipped in 10 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. Five M.Ramat Gan players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Canadian center Eddie Ekiyor (206-1997, college: Carleton) who recorded 23 points and 9 rebounds and naturalized American swingman Simcha Halpert (190-1997, college: Yeshiva) added 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. M.Ramat Gan have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with M.Rishon. M.Ma’ale Adum. lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. They share it with M.Haifa. M.Ramat Gan will meet at home higher ranked E.Ashkelon (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. M.Ma’ale Adum. will play against the league’s leader H.Afula (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
M.Ramat Gan: E.Hirsh 16+4reb+1ast, D.Rosenbaum 13+2reb, D.Treadwell 13+16reb+2ast, K.Capers 11+4reb+1ast, N.Sharon 11+6reb+6ast, A.Aharoni 10+7reb+9ast
M.Ma’ale Adum.: E.Ekiyor 23+9reb+1ast, S.Halpert 10+6reb+3ast, D.Johnson 4+7reb+2ast, A.Derhy 2+1ast, W.Matan 2, I.Ben 2+3reb+2ast

gschID: 1022140

Ramat Hash. – M.Rehovot 98-92

Everything went according to plan in Ramat Hasharon where eighth ranked Ramat Hash. (13-12) beat 12th ranked M.Rehovot (7-17) 98-92 on Tuesday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Ramat Hash. made 20-of-22 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was point guard Amit Ebo (180-1999) who scored 28 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. American point guard Diante Watkins (175-1990, college: RMU) chipped in 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Ramat Hash.’s coach used an eleven-player rotation saving starting five for next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American swingman Brent Jackson (193-1994, college: Columbus St.) who recorded 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import power forward Brandon Sherrod (198-1992, college: Yale) added 21 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Ramat Hash. moved-up to seventh place. M.Rehovot lost seventh consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the twelfth position with 17 games lost. Ramat Hash. will meet M.Raanana (#8) on the road in the next round. M.Rehovot will play against H.Ramat Gan (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ramat Hash.: A.Ebo 28+5reb+9ast, D.Watkins 26+5reb+4ast, T.Wideman 24+10reb+1ast, O.Hai 7+2reb+2ast, G.Ferber 6+1reb+1ast, Y.Yam 5+5reb+2ast
M.Rehovot: B.Jackson 33+7reb+2ast, B.Sherrod 21+9reb+3ast, J.Freund 19+3reb, I.Rejwan 6, R.Cornelius 4+2reb+3ast, Y.Holodov 4+3reb+4ast