National League Round 2 of Regular Season

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in National League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of Ashkelon against Hapoel Haifa 94-77 was the most important game of the last round. H.Haifa made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Ashkelon helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Robert Allen (206-2000, college: N.Texas, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). point guard Amit Alon (180-2000) contributed with 19 points and 5 assists for the winners. American-Nigerian Kingsley Okanu (202-2000, college: GVSU, agency: Helping Ballers) replied with 15 points and 7 rebounds for Ashkelon. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ashkelon will play next round against strong I.Nahariya trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Hapoel Haifa will try to continue on its current victory against M.Raanana on the road.
E.Netanya smashed H.Migdal at home 103-67. American guard Gabe DeVoe (191-1995, college: Clemson) scored 25 points to lead the charge for the winners and Ishmael Lane chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Guard Matan Hachamo (189-2003) responded with 18 points, 8 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.Migdal will play next round against M.Rehovot trying to get back on the winning streak. E.Netanya will try to continue on its current victory against E.Yavne at Yavne.
M.Rehovot recorded a loss at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were edged by E.Shomron 88-86. Ryan Turell notched 27 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists by Gal Bitner did not help to save the game for M.Rehovot. M.Rehovot's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. E.Shomron will meet at home Otef Darom in the next round. M.Rehovot will play against H.Migdal in Nazareth and hope to win that game.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 2: E.Yavne lost to I.Nahariya on the road 58-71. M.Kiryat Gat lost to M.Raanana on its own court 84-96. M.Kiryat Motzkin unfortunately lost to Otef Darom in a road game 83-87. M.Petah Tikva managed to beat Ramat Hash. at home 91-79.
The most impressive performance of 2nd round was 36 points (!!!) and 5 steals by Brandon Tabb of M.Petah Tikva.



H.Haifa - Ashkelon 94-77:
First defeat of Ashkelon against Hapoel Haifa 94-77 was the most important game of the last round. H.Haifa made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Ashkelon helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Robert Allen (206-2000, college: N.Texas, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). point guard Amit Alon (180-2000) contributed with 19 points and 5 assists for the winners. American-Nigerian Kingsley Okanu (202-2000, college: GVSU, agency: Helping Ballers) replied with 15 points and 7 rebounds and American guard Lior Berman (193-2001, college: Auburn) added 18 points and 4 steals in the effort for Ashkelon. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ashkelon will play next round against strong I.Nahariya trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Hapoel Haifa will try to continue on its current victory against M.Raanana on the road.
Top scorers:
H.Haifa: A.Robert 28+9reb+4ast, A.Amit 19+4reb+5ast, P.Jalen 17+5reb+1ast, S.Neta 12+1reb+6ast, T.Alex 7+7reb+2ast, I.Shneider 3+2reb+3ast
Ashkelon: L.Berman 18+2reb+1ast, K.Okanu 15+7reb, N.Naor 11+4reb+2ast, A.Tilghman 11+6reb+3ast, O.Sadeh 8+4reb+2ast, A.Reuven 7+1reb+5ast

I.Nahariya - E.Yavne 71-58:
No shocking result in a game when I.Nahariya beat at home E.Yavne 71-58 on Friday. I.Nahariya forced 25 E.Yavne turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American forward Amin Stevens (203-1990, college: FAMU) notched 16 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and guard Eidan Alber (192-2000) supported him with 9 points and 7 assists. Even a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds by American forward CJ Walker (203-2001, college: ECU) did not help to save the game for E.Yavne. Guard Or Forer (185-2006) added 17 points for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. I.Nahariya will meet Ashkelon on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. E.Yavne will play against E.Netanya and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
I.Nahariya: J.Justin 16+4reb, S.Amin 16+7reb+2ast, A.Ariel 9+6reb+4ast, A.Eidan 9+4reb+7ast, W.Storm 7+4reb, B.Boris 6+2reb+1ast
E.Yavne: F.Or 17+3ast, C.Walker 16+16reb, D.Greidi 5+3reb+1ast, S.David 5+6reb+1ast, I.Harel 5+1reb, H.Ori 4+3reb+1ast

M.Kiryat Gat - M.Raanana 84-96:
Very expected game when M.Kiryat Gat lost at home to M.Raanana 96-84 on Friday. M.Raanana made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They also forced 22 M.Kiryat Gat turnovers. M.Raanana looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American guard Davon Barnes (193-2002, college: Ole Miss) notched 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and guard Ron Cohen (191-2002) supported him with 21 points and 4 assists. Four M.Raanana players scored in double figures. M.Raanana's coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) by American forward Derrick Walker (206-1997, college: Nebraska, agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for M.Kiryat Gat. His fellow American import guard Marcus Tyus (185-1994, college: Omaha) added 21 points and 7 assists for the hosts. M.Raanana will meet at home H.Haifa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. M.Kiryat Gat will play against H.Hevel Modiin in Hevel Modi'in and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
M.Raanana: B.Davon 23+8reb+5ast, C.Ron 21+3reb+4ast, P.Yahel 11+4reb+8ast, A.Yariv 10+2reb+1ast, B.Albert 10+2reb+1ast, H.Josh 9+8reb+1ast
M.Kiryat Gat: D.Walker 24+13reb+1ast, M.Tyus 21+3reb+7ast, T.Cohen 13+4reb, J.Mor 9+6reb, A.Sanker 8+1ast, N.Yaacobi 4+2reb+5ast

M.Rehovot - E.Shomron 86-88:
M.Rehovot recorded a loss at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were edged by E.Shomron 88-86. E.Shomron forced 19 M.Rehovot turnovers. American guard Ryan Turell (201-1999, college: Yeshiva) notched 27 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import power forward Makhi Mitchell (206-2000, college: Arkansas) supported him with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists by guard Gal Bitner (182-2003) did not help to save the game for M.Rehovot. Forward Nitai Rosenberg (198-2001) added 23 points and 4 steals for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. M.Rehovot's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. E.Shomron will meet at home Otef Darom in the next round. M.Rehovot will play against H.Migdal in Nazareth and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
E.Shomron: T.Ryan 27+5reb+3ast, M.Makhi 16+10reb+4ast, R.Clarke 16+4reb, R.Hitkes 13+1reb+1ast, D.Antonio 6+1reb+7ast, S.Eilon 5+1reb
M.Rehovot: N.Rosenberg 23+3reb+2ast, B.Gal 18+6reb+7ast, L.West 12+5reb+2ast, T.Yussuf 10+7reb+2ast, D.Gueta 7+2reb+2ast, H.Dadon 6+2reb

E.Netanya - H.Migdal 103-67:
E.Netanya smashed H.Migdal at home 103-67. E.Netanya players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. American guard Gabe DeVoe (191-1995, college: Clemson) scored 25 points to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import power forward Ishmael Lane (203-1997, college: NSU) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Guard Matan Hachamo (189-2003) responded with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and ex-international Karam Mashour (198-1991, college: Morehead St.) scored 8 points and 10 rebounds. 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.Migdal will play next round against M.Rehovot trying to get back on the winning streak. E.Netanya will try to continue on its current victory against E.Yavne at Yavne.
Top scorers:
E.Netanya: D.Gabe 25+2reb+3ast, L.Ishmael 17+7reb, O.Lavie 13+1ast, P.Tomer 11+9reb+3ast, S.Dan 10+1reb, P.Tal-Or 10+1ast
H.Migdal: M.Hachamo 18+8reb+4ast, S.Gal 11+4reb, K.Williams 8+6reb, K.Mashour 8+10reb+2ast, K.Riddley 7+1reb+2ast, B.Onche 7+1reb+1ast

Otef Darom - M.Kiryat Motzkin 87-83:
Otef Darom used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Kiryat Motzkin 87-83 on Friday night. Otef Darom looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Ahmir Langlais (206-2001, college: Tennessee St.) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and forward Lotan Amsalem (200-2001) supported him with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds by American forward Jermaine Marshall (198-2000, college: Samford) did not help to save the game for M.Kiryat Motzkin. His fellow American import guard Dirk Williams (195-1994, college: UAB) added 18 points and 6 assists for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Otef Darom will meet E.Shomron on the road in the next round. M.Kiryat Motzkin will play against M.Petah Tikva and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Otef Darom: L.Ahmir 18+13reb+2ast, Y.Shafrir 18+2reb, C.Vince 17+6reb, A.Lotan 12+7reb+6ast, S.Naor 8+3reb+11ast, G.Tamir 7+6reb+1ast
M.Kiryat Motzkin: J.Marshall 24+15reb+1ast, D.Williams 18+4reb+6ast, D.Najar 17+4reb+6ast, O.Cohen 11+9reb, S.Yhali 7+2reb, A.Roy 2

M.Petah Tikva - Ramat Hash. 91-79:
There was a minor upset when Ramat Hash. lost on the road to M.Petah Tikva 91-79 on Friday. M.Petah Tikva looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American center Brandon Tabb (193-1995, college: BCU) notched 36 points (!!!) and 5 steals to lead the effort and the other American import forward Jimmy Hall (203-1994, college: Kent St.) supported him with 14 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists. Tabb is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five M.Petah Tikva players scored in double figures. Even 24 points and 8 assists by center Eitan Drut (207-2002) did not help to save the game for Ramat Hash.. Guard Ido Davidi (192-1996) added 14 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. M.Petah Tikva will meet M.Kiryat Motzkin on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ramat Hash. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
M.Petah Tikva: T.Brandon 36+3reb+3ast, S.Bar 14+5reb+3ast, H.Jimmy 14+16reb+7ast, B.Kyree 12+3reb+6ast, S.Aviv 10+5reb+1ast, I.Shavit 5+3reb+3ast
Ramat Hash.: E.Drut 24+3reb+8ast, I.Davidi 14+5reb+3ast, A.Danieli 12+4reb, C.Riley 9+9reb+2ast, Y.Keller 8+6reb+2ast, A.Bier-Katz 6+2reb