National League Round 8: H.Afula is defeated by M.Raanana

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Raanana between second ranked H.Afula (6-2) and eighth ranked M.Raanana (4-4) on Tuesday night. H.Afula was defeated by M.Raanana in a tough game on the road 89-93. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of H.Afula. M.Raanana made 25-of-31 free shots (80.6 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for M.Raanana especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by H.Afula helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Jason Siggers (194-1985, college: Albany, agency: Avi Zilberman) who helped to win the game recording 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and naturalized American Willy Workman (198-1990, college: Amherst) who added 20 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. American Jimmy Hall (203-1994, college: Kent St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. M.Raanana moved-up to sixth place, which they share with M.Ramat Gan and I.Nahariya. H.Afula at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. M.Raanana is looking forward to face M.Rehovot (#9) on the road in the next round. H.Afula will play against M.Haifa (#10) and is hoping to win this game.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Ashkelon. Top-ranked host E.Ashkelon (8-0) defeated 4th ranked E.Netanya (6-3) 93-88. The winners were led by American power forward Thomas Gipson (202-1993, college: Kansas St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and Dakarai Tucker supported him with 17 points and 4 assists (was perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line !!!). Even 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks by American center Justin Robinson (206-1996, college: Duke) did not help to save the game for E.Netanya. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Undefeated E.Ashkelon have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. E.Netanya at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. E.Ashkelon will play against I.Nahariya (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. E.Netanya will play against H.Hevel Modi'in (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (0-9) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their ninth consecutive match to tenth ranked M.Rehovot (3-5) 66-62 on Tuesday evening. The best player for the winners was Brent Jackson who scored 21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. M.Rehovot's coach Kobi Hasson used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Demetrius Treadwell produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 16 rebounds for the hosts. M.Rehovot moved-up to ninth place, which they share with M.Haifa and E.Shomron. Loser H.Hevel Modi'in still closes the standings with nine games lost. M.Rehovot will meet at home higher ranked M.Raanana (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. H.Hevel Modi'in will play against E.Netanya (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 8: E.Shomron won against H.Ramat Gan on the opponent's court 93-82. M.Haifa managed to outperform M.Ramat Gan in a home game 87-69. I.Nahariya recorded a loss to M.Ma'ale Adum. on the road 70-65. Ramat Hash. was defeated by M.Rishon on its own court 74-92. Winless H.Hevel Modi'in was beaten by E.Netanya in a road game 82-81.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 23 points and 11 rebounds by Tyler Wideman of Ramat Hash..

E.Ashkelon - E.Netanya 93-88

The game between Top Four teams took place in Ashkelon. Top-ranked host E.Ashkelon (8-0) defeated 4th ranked E.Netanya (6-3) 93-88. E.Ashkelon made 28-of-33 charity shots (84.8 percent) during the game. E.Ashkelon had a 33-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. E.Netanya was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by American power forward Thomas Gipson (202-1993, college: Kansas St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Dakarai Tucker (196-1994, college: Utah) supported him with 17 points and 4 assists (was perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line !!!). Four E.Ashkelon players scored in double figures. Even 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks by American center Justin Robinson (206-1996, college: Duke) did not help to save the game for E.Netanya. Naturalized Canadian forward Ethan Butler (198-2002) added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. E.Ashkelon have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 8-0 record. E.Netanya at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. E.Ashkelon will play against I.Nahariya (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. E.Netanya will play against H.Hevel Modi'in (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
E.Ashkelon: T.Gipson 25+15reb+4ast, D.Tucker 17+4reb+4ast, S.David 12+4reb+3ast, C.Rosenberg 10+3reb+1ast, B.David Omer 8+1reb+2ast, G.Gilinski 8+7reb+6ast
E.Netanya: J.Robinson 23+9reb+2ast, A.Aminu 13+2reb+2ast, S.Ilay 11+3ast, S.Ben 9+4reb+2ast, B.Ethan 9+5reb+5ast, P.Yahel 8+4reb+2ast

H.Hevel Modi'in - M.Rehovot 62-66

Bottom-ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (0-9) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their ninth consecutive match to tenth ranked M.Rehovot (3-5) 66-62 on Tuesday evening. M.Rehovot forced 20 H.Hevel Modi'in turnovers. The best player for the winners was American swingman Brent Jackson (193-1994, college: Columbus St.) who scored 21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. The other American import forward Al'Lonzo Coleman (203-1989, college: Presbyterian) chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. Jackson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. M.Rehovot's coach Kobi Hasson used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Demetrius Treadwell (201-1991, college: Akron) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 16 rebounds and guard Shoham Gat (185-2002, agency: Avi Zilberman) added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists respectively for the hosts. M.Rehovot moved-up to ninth place, which they share with M.Haifa and E.Shomron. Loser H.Hevel Modi'in still closes the standings with nine games lost. M.Rehovot will meet at home higher ranked M.Raanana (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. H.Hevel Modi'in will play against E.Netanya (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
M.Rehovot: B.Jackson 21+7reb+5ast, A.Coleman 16+12reb+1ast, G.Shay Guy 14+7reb+1ast, J.Freund 7+7reb, Y.Holodov 3+1reb+2ast, I.Rejwan 3
H.Hevel Modi'in: D.Treadwell 19+16reb+2ast, G.Shoham 10+7reb+8ast, K.DeShields 9+2reb+3ast, S.Malkov 8+2reb, E.Mor-Yosef 6+4reb+1ast, T.Efi 4+2reb

H.Ramat Gan - E.Shomron 82-93

Everything could happen in Givataim at the game between two tied teams. Both thirteenth ranked E.Shomron and 11th ranked H.Ramat Gan had identical 2-5 record. But H.Ramat Gan was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from 93-82 on Tuesday night. E.Shomron made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was point guard Eyal Shulman (192-1987, agency: Avi Zilberman) who scored 17 points and 4 assists. Point guard Amit Alon (180-2000) chipped in 20 points. American guard Stedmon Lemon (198-1992, college: JCSU) produced 30 points and 6 assists and his fellow American import Storm Warren (211-1988, college: LSU) added 20 points and 14 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. H.Ramat Gan's coach Amit Tamir rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. E.Shomron (3-5) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with M.Rehovot and M.Haifa. H.Ramat Gan lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with six games lost. They share it with Ramat Hash.. E.Shomron will meet at home higher ranked M.Ma'ale Adum. (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. H.Ramat Gan will play against the league's second-placed Maccabi Rishon (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
E.Shomron: A.Amit 20+3reb+1ast, E.Shulman 17+4reb+4ast, L.Yuval 15+8reb+1ast, R.Kelly 13+3reb+4ast, K.Stone 9+4reb+5ast, S.Gal 8+5reb+1ast
H.Ramat Gan: S.Lemon 30+2reb+6ast, S.Warren 20+14reb+2ast, A.Shimoni 11+5reb+1ast, T.Eliad 10+6reb+2ast, N.Uzan 5+3reb+4ast, G.Ofek 3

M.Haifa - M.Ramat Gan 87-69

There was a surprise result when eleventh ranked M.Haifa (3-5) defeated at home higher ranked M.Ramat Gan (4-4) 87-69 on Friday. M.Haifa forced 26 M.Ramat Gan turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward DeSean Parsons (201-1995, college: Portland St.) who scored 23 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. The other American import guard Admon Gilder (193-1995, college: Gonzaga) chipped in 25 points. American guard Kevin Capers (188-1993, college: FSC, agency: BIG) produced 18 points and 6 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and naturalized American forward Elijah Hirsh (203-1997, college: Berry) added 11 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. M.Haifa moved-up to ninth place, which they share with M.Rehovot and E.Shomron. Loser M.Ramat Gan keeps the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with I.Nahariya and M.Raanana. M.Haifa will meet higher ranked H.Afula (#3) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. M.Ramat Gan will play against Ramat Hash. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
M.Haifa: A.Gilder 25+2reb+2ast, D.Parsons 23+8reb+8ast, D.Sharp 14+3reb+3ast, O.Malka 8+4reb+3ast, E.Abaev 7+7reb+1ast, A.Shoutvin 5
M.Ramat Gan: K.Capers 18+3reb+6ast, B.Altit 11+8reb, E.Hirsh 11+10reb+3ast, E.Alber 8+4reb+6ast, B.Yoav 7+2reb+2ast, D.Rosenbaum 7+5reb

M.Ma'ale Adum. - I.Nahariya 70-65

Everything could happen in Ma'ale Adumim at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked M.Ma'ale Adum. and 7th ranked I.Nahariya had identical 4-3 record. This time M.Ma'ale Adum. used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Nahariya 70-65 on Tuesday night. M.Ma'ale Adum. made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Canadian center Eddie Ekiyor (206-1997, college: Carleton) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Point guard Ido Shabat (182-1999) chipped in 7 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward Dominez Burnett (196-1992, college: Davenport) produced 22 points and 5 assists and the former international point guard Yogev Ohayon (189-1987) added 6 points and 10 assists respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. M.Ma'ale Adum. (5-3) moved-up to fifth place. Loser I.Nahariya dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. They share it with M.Ramat Gan and M.Raanana. M.Ma'ale Adum. will meet E.Shomron (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. I.Nahariya will play against the league's leader E.Ashkelon (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
M.Ma'ale Adum.: E.Ekiyor 22+11reb+1ast, D.Johnson 14+4reb+1ast, A.Derhy 11+1ast, J.Cohen 9+6reb+4ast, I.Shabat 7+9reb+5ast, A.Noam 3+2reb+1ast
I.Nahariya: D.Burnett 22+2reb+5ast, I.Eisendorf 11+5reb, R.White 10+7reb, D.Drapic 6+2reb, Y.Ohayon 6+3reb+10ast, A.Chubrevich 4+7reb+1ast

M.Raanana - H.Afula 93-89

The most important game in the last round took place in Raanana between second ranked H.Afula (6-2) and eighth ranked M.Raanana (4-4) on Tuesday night. H.Afula was defeated by M.Raanana in a tough game on the road 89-93. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of H.Afula. M.Raanana made 25-of-31 free shots (80.6 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for M.Raanana especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by H.Afula helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Jason Siggers (194-1985, college: Albany, agency: Avi Zilberman) who helped to win the game recording 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and naturalized American Willy Workman (198-1990, college: Amherst) who added 20 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. American Jimmy Hall (203-1994, college: Kent St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Tomer Asayag (190-1999) scored 16 points. Four H.Afula players scored in double figures. M.Raanana moved-up to sixth place, which they share with M.Ramat Gan and I.Nahariya. H.Afula at the other side dropped to the third position with two games lost. M.Raanana is looking forward to face M.Rehovot (#9) on the road in the next round. H.Afula will play against M.Haifa (#10) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
M.Raanana: J.Siggers 28+5reb+5ast, W.Workman 20+8reb+3ast, R.Geffen 15+1ast, A.Morse 9+3reb+2ast, A.Sapir 7+6reb+3ast, J.Lewis 6+2reb+3ast
H.Afula: J.Hall 21+14reb+5ast, T.Asayag 16+3reb+2ast, L.Goldenberg 14+1reb+5ast, T.Fitzpatrick 10+5reb+5ast, R.Netzia 9+1reb+4ast, A.Dor 8+1reb

Ramat Hash. - M.Rishon 74-92

Everything went according to plan in Ramat Hasharon where third ranked Maccabi Rishon (7-1) beat 12th ranked Ramat Hash. (2-6) 92-74 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was American forward Rakeem Buckles (202-1990, college: FIU, agency: GoEmpire Group) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds. The other American import guard Isaiah Cousins (193-1994, college: Oklahoma) chipped in 18 points and 9 assists. American Tyler Wideman (203-1995, college: Butler) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and center Amit Bier-Katz (208-1988) added 17 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Maccabi Rishon have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Loser Ramat Hash. keeps the twelfth position with six games lost. They share it with H.Ramat Gan. Maccabi Rishon will meet at home H.Ramat Gan (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ramat Hash. will play against M.Ramat Gan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
M.Rishon: I.Cousins 18+3reb+9ast, R.Buckles 18+15reb+3ast, G.Palatin 18+7reb+5ast, J.Armstrong 15+2reb+2ast, H.Halfon 7+1ast, P.Tal-Or 6
Ramat Hash.: T.Wideman 23+11reb+1ast, A.Bier-Katz 17+7reb+3ast, R.Haynes 11+6reb+1ast, A.Ebo 10+6ast, Y.Yam 9+2reb+5ast, G.Ferber 4+3reb+2ast

E.Netanya - H.Hevel Modi'in 82-81

There was no surprise when bottom-ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (0-9) was edged on the road by fourth ranked E.Netanya (6-3) 82-81 on Friday. However just one-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. E.Netanya maintains fourth position with 6-3 record. Loser H.Hevel Modi'in still closes the standings with nine games lost. E.Netanya will again meet at home bottom-ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. H.Hevel Modi'in will have a break next round.