The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Maccabi Tel-Aviv (21-4) on the court of fifth ranked Hapoel Holon on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Hapoel Holon 82-76. It ended at the same time the 18-game winning streak of Maccabi Tel-Aviv. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tahjere McCall (193-1994, college: Tennessee St.) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The other American import forward Justin Smith (201-1999, college: Arkansas) contributed with 17 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winners. American-Georgian guard Joe Thomasson (193-1993, college: Wright St., agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 19 points and 4 assists for M.Tel-Aviv. H.Holon maintains fifth position with 14-11 record. Defending champion M.Tel-Aviv still keeps top place with four games lost.
M.Ramat Gan – H.Jerusalem 79-93
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Ramat Gan (18-7) against fourth ranked Hapoel Jerusalem (15-10) on Friday night. Host Ramat Gan was defeated by Hapoel Jerusalem in Ramat Gan 93-79. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Ramat Gan. Worth to mention a great performance of American center JaCorey Williams (203-1994, college: MTSU) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 9 rebounds and Kenneth Smith who added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists during the contest. Hapoel Jerusalem’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side South Sudanese-Australian center Mangok Mathiang (208-1992, college: Louisville) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 12 rebounds. H.Jerusalem maintains fourth position with 15-10 record. Newly promoted M.Ramat Gan keeps the third place with seven games lost.
H.Afula – I.Ness Ziona 85-74
The game between closely ranked teams ended with ninth ranked Afula’s (11-14) home victory over 10th ranked Ironi Nes-Ziona (9-16) 85-74. H.Afula forced 19 I.Ness Ziona turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Marcellus Earlington (201-2000, college: San Diego) who helped to win the game recording 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international Spencer Weisz (193-1995, college: Princeton) who added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Afula’s coach Roi Perl used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side international guard Yair Kravitz (195-1999, agency: Avi Zilberman) responded with 12 points and 7 rebounds and the former international power forward Itay Segev (204-1995, agency: Avi Zilberman) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Newly promoted H.Afula maintains ninth position with 11-14 record. I.Ness Ziona lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 16 games lost.
