After securing victory in the 2023 Migdal State Cup against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem has once again emerged triumphant.
In the inaugural official competition of the season, the red-and-white team clinched the Israeli Winner Cup by defeating the EuroLeague participant with a final score of 79-71.
Speedy Smith, previously named MVP in the Israeli State Cup last year, proved to be a pivotal asset for his team once more, contributing 21 points with a 4/7 success rate from beyond the arc.
Zach Hankins came close to achieving a double-double with 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Levi Randolph added 17 points to the tally for Aleksandar Dzikic’s squad.
Conversely, Maccabi Tel Aviv faced considerable challenges, struggling both in three-point shooting (5/24, 21.0%) and at the free-throw line with six misses out of 18 attempts.
Despite the loss, Lorenzo Brown managed to accumulate 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for the yellow-and-blue team.
Hapoel Jerusalem surprised Maccabi Tel Aviv to win the 2023 Israeli Winner Cup, the first official trophy of the season 🇮🇱
The core that brought the red-and-white team to the 2023 #BasketballCL Final Four delivered once more, with Speedy Smith shining:https://t.co/0QOkLMoVuy
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 1, 2023