Seventh-ranked Bnei Hertzeliya (11-13) made lots of trouble for third ranked Hapoel Tel-Aviv (18-6) in Hod Hasharon on Wednesday. The visitors from Tel Aviv managed to secure only two-point victory 82-80. However their fans expected much easier game. H.Tel-Aviv made 28-of-34 free shots (82.4 percent) during the game. 25 personal fouls committed by Bnei Hertzeliya helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was the former international Tomer Ginat (202-1994, agency: Avi Zilberman) who scored 23 points (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Colombian swingman Braian Angola-Rodas (198-1994, college: FSU) chipped in 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Hapoel Tel-Aviv’s coach Danny Franco used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American Tyler Stone (203-1991, college: SEMO) who recorded 17 points and 7 rebounds. H.Tel-Aviv moved-up to second place, which they share with M.Ramat Gan. Bnei Hertzeliya lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 13 games lost. They share it with H.Haifa. An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Jerusalem. Third ranked Ramat Gan faced 4th placed Hapoel Jerusalem. Guests from Ramat Gan (18-6) defeated host Hapoel Jerusalem (14-10) 93-82. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Hapoel Jerusalem. It was a good game for South Sudanese-American Nuni Omot (204-1994, college: Baylor) who led his team to a victory with 20 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Mangok Mathiang contributed with 16 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. American swingman Levi Randolph (198-1992, college: Alabama, agency: Slash Sports) answered with 26 points for H.Jerusalem. Hapoel Jerusalem’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Ramat Gan have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. M.Ramat Gan moved-up to second place, which they share with H.Tel-Aviv. H.Jerusalem at the other side keeps the fourth position with ten games lost. Bottom-ranked Hapoel Beer Sheva managed to get a sixth victory, breaking the series of three consecutive losses on Wednesday night. This time they outleveled sixth-ranked Kiryat Ata 98-78. It’s especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 20-point difference proves that Hapoel Beer Sheva was well-prepared to that game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kiryat Ata. Hapoel Beer Sheva (6-18) moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with H.Galil Elion. Loser Kiryat Ata keeps the sixth position with 12 games lost. Other games of round 27 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are: H.Holon defeated H.Be’er Sheva in a road game 94-79. H.Jerusalem beat H.Eilat at home 103-85. H.Haifa won against H.Galil Elion on the opponent’s court 83-76. H.Eilat managed to outperform H.Holon in a home game 75-62. H.Afula recorded a loss to Kiryat Ata on the road 90-73. I.Ness Ziona was crushed by H.Tel-Aviv on its own court 63-102. The best stats of 27th round was 23 points and 11 rebounds by Kris Bankston of H.Be’er Sheva.
H.Be’er Sheva – H.Holon 79-94
There was no surprise when 13th ranked Hapoel Beer Sheva (6-18) was defeated at home by fifth ranked Hapoel Holon (13-11) 94-79 on Thursday. H.Holon shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 63.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for international forward Netanel Artzi (197-1997) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Justin Smith (201-1999, college: Arkansas) helped adding 13 points and 11 rebounds. Five Hapoel Holon players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Jakeenan Gant (203-1996, college: Louisiana) with 19 points and 6 rebounds and the former international swingman Egor Koulechov (196-1994, college: Florida, agency: Avi Zilberman) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. H.Holon maintains fifth place with 13-11 record. H.Be’er Sheva lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the twelfth position with 18 games lost. They share it with H.Galil Elion.
H.Jerusalem – H.Eilat 103-85
No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Hapoel Jerusalem (14-10) defeated at home 11th ranked Hapoel Eilat (7-17) 103-85 on Wednesday. H.Jerusalem dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Hapoel Eilat’s 28. H.Jerusalem looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The game was dominated by American players. It was a great evening for swingman Levi Randolph (198-1992, college: Alabama, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points. Center JaCorey Williams (203-1994, college: MTSU) helped adding 14 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was point guard Jeremy Senglin (188-1995, college: Weber St.) with 27 points and 5 assists (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and guard Elijah Stewart (196-1995, college: USC) scored 24 points. Five H.Jerusalem and four H.Eilat players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Hapoel Jerusalem. H.Jerusalem maintains fourth place with 14-10 record. Loser Hapoel Eilat keeps the eleventh position with 17 games lost.
H.Galil Elion – H.Haifa 76-83
Rather expected game in Kfar Blum where 11th ranked Galil Elion (6-18) was defeated by eighth ranked Hapoel Haifa (11-13) 83-76 on Friday. Strangely H.Galil Elion outrebounded H.Haifa 50-25 including a 22-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. H.Haifa looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Dakarai Tucker (196-1994, college: Utah, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 6 steals. Point guard Amit Gershon (191-1995, agency: Avi Zilberman) helped adding 15 points and 6 rebounds. Four Hapoel Haifa players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American-Dominican center James Feldeine (193-1988, college: Quinnipiac) with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Lotan Amsalem (200-2001, agency: Avi Zilberman) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds. H.Haifa moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Bnei Hertzeliya. Loser Galil Elion dropped to the bottom position with 18 games lost. They share it with H.Be’er Sheva.
H.Eilat – H.Holon 75-62
There was a surprise result when eleventh ranked Hapoel Eilat (7-17) beat at home higher ranked Hapoel Holon (13-11) 75-62 on Wednesday. H.Eilat made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American guard Deishuan Booker (191-1996, college: LBSU, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import JaJuan Johnson (208-1989, college: Purdue) helped adding 18 points and 9 rebounds. Four Hapoel Eilat players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was international forward Netanel Artzi (197-1997) with 9 points and 5 rebounds and Belgian Hans Vanwijn (207-1995) scored 10 points and 5 rebounds. H.Eilat maintains eleventh place with 7-17 record. Loser Hapoel Holon keeps the fifth position with 11 games lost.
H.Jerusalem – M.Ramat Gan 82-93
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Jerusalem. Third ranked Ramat Gan faced 4th placed Hapoel Jerusalem. Guests from Ramat Gan (18-6) defeated host Hapoel Jerusalem (14-10) 93-82. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Hapoel Jerusalem. M.Ramat Gan shot 63.2 percent from the field.…
