National League Round 13: E.Ashkelon lose to Hapoel Afula

National League is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 13 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise took place in Afula where host H.Afula (10-3) edged league's leader E.Ashkelon (10-3) 79-76 on Tuesday evening. It was a key game for the top position in the league. H.Afula looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Jimmy Hall (203-1994, college: Kent St.) fired 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. His fellow American import Toarlyn Fitzpatrick (206-1989, college: S.Florida) chipped in 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Naturalized Polish guard Gal Gilinski (195-1995, agency: Avi Zilberman) produced 8 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists for lost side. E.Ashkelon's coach Avi Sukar tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. H.Afula have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with defeated E.Ashkelon. E.Ashkelon will play next round against M.Rehovot trying to make it back to the top of the standings. H.Afula will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked E.Netanya at home.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked E.Netanya (8-5) against eighth ranked M.Ramat Gan (7-6) on Tuesday night. Visiting E.Netanya was defeated by M.Ramat Gan in a tough game in Ramat Gan 72-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of E.Netanya. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American forward Elijah Hirsh (203-1997, college: Berry) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 8 rebounds. Sean Evans contributed with 9 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized Canadian forward Ethan Butler (198-2002) answered with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for E.Netanya. E.Netanya's coach let to play eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. M.Ramat Gan maintains eighth place with 7-6 record. E.Netanya at the other side dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. M.Ramat Gan will play against higher ranked I.Nahariya (#6) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. E.Netanya will play against the league's leader H.Afula having rather not much hope for a victory.
Bottom-ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (0-13) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 85-77 loss to twelfth ranked E.Shomron (4-9) in on Tuesday evening. Raijon Kelly stepped up and scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. E.Shomron's coach Dror Cohen used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Michael Holyfield responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Newly promoted E.Shomron maintains twelfth place with 4-9 record. Loser H.Hevel Modi'in still closes the standings with 13 games lost. E.Shomron will meet higher ranked Maccabi Rishon (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. H.Hevel Modi'in will play against Ramat Hash. (#11) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

Other games of round 13 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Ramat Hash. was defeated by M.Haifa in a road game 105-103. M.Raanana beat H.Ramat Gan at home 87-85. M.Ma'ale Adum. was destroyed by M.Rehovot on the opponent's court 86-66. M.Rishon managed to outperform I.Nahariya in a home game 78-74. M.Haifa managed to beat H.Hevel Modi'in on the road 86-77.
The best stats of 13th round was 28 points and 9 rebounds by Admon Gilder of M.Haifa.

H.Afula - E.Ashkelon 79-76

The biggest surprise took place in Afula where host H.Afula (10-3) edged league's leader E.Ashkelon (10-3) 79-76 on Tuesday evening. It was a key game for the top position in the league. H.Afula looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Jimmy Hall (203-1994, college: Kent St.) fired 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. His fellow American import Toarlyn Fitzpatrick (206-1989, college: S.Florida) chipped in a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Naturalized Polish guard Gal Gilinski (195-1995, agency: Avi Zilberman) produced 8 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists and American power forward Thomas Gipson (202-1993, college: Kansas St.) added 15 points (made all of his seven free throws) respectively for lost side. E.Ashkelon's coach Avi Sukar tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. H.Afula have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with defeated E.Ashkelon. E.Ashkelon will play next round against M.Rehovot trying to make it back to the top of the standings. H.Afula will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked E.Netanya at home.
Top scorers:
E.Ashkelon: D.Tucker 15+2reb+1ast, T.Gipson 15+4reb+1ast, C.Rosenberg 11+2reb+1ast, B.Yanir 10+2reb+1ast, S.Harush 10+3reb+2ast, G.Gilinski 8+5reb+11ast
H.Afula: J.Hall 21+9reb+5ast, T.Fitzpatrick 19+10reb+4ast, L.Goldenberg 13+11reb+5ast, T.Asayag 8+2reb+4ast, R.Netzia 8+4reb+1ast, K.Zorno 7+2reb+5ast

M.Haifa - Ramat Hash. 105-103

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked M.Haifa and 11th ranked Ramat Hash. had identical 5-7 record. This time M.Haifa used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Ramat Hasharon 105-103 on Wednesday night. M.Haifa forced 19 Ramat Hash. turnovers. Strangely Ramat Hash. outrebounded M.Haifa 42-27 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American guard Admon Gilder (193-1995, college: Gonzaga) stepped up and scored 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and point guard Danel Kozahinof (177-2001) chipped in 14 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists. At the losing side American point guard Diante Watkins (175-1990, college: RMU) responded with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import Tyler Wideman (203-1995, college: Butler) produced a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ramat Hash.'s coach gave the chance to play for ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. M.Haifa (6-7) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with M.Rehovot. Loser Ramat Hash. keeps the eleventh position with eight games lost. M.Haifa will meet at home H.Ramat Gan (#13) in the next round. Ramat Hash. will play against H.Hevel Modi'in and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ramat Hash.: D.Watkins 28+9reb+6ast, T.Wideman 26+14reb+2ast, A.Ebo 24+6reb+5ast, G.Ferber 14+1reb, A.Bier-Katz 5+3reb+5ast, Y.Yam 4+3reb+4ast
M.Haifa: A.Gilder 22+8reb+6ast, O.Malka 21+3ast, T.Cohen 17+4reb+2ast, K.Danel 14+5reb+11ast, A.Shoutvin 10+3reb+1ast, D.Koperberg 9+3reb+3ast

M.Ramat Gan - E.Netanya 80-72

Very important is a road loss of third ranked E.Netanya (8-5) against eighth ranked M.Ramat Gan (7-6) on Tuesday night. Visiting E.Netanya was defeated by M.Ramat Gan in a tough game in Ramat Gan 72-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of E.Netanya. E.Netanya was plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American forward Elijah Hirsh (203-1997, college: Berry) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 8 rebounds. American Sean Evans (203-1988, college: St.John's) contributed with 9 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. Four M.Ramat Gan players scored in double figures. Naturalized Canadian forward Ethan Butler (198-2002) answered with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and American-Nigerian Al-Wajid Aminu (201-1998, college: UNF) added 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 blocks in the effort for E.Netanya. E.Netanya's coach let to play eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. M.Ramat Gan maintains eighth place with 7-6 record. E.Netanya at the other side dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. M.Ramat Gan will play against higher ranked I.Nahariya (#6) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. E.Netanya will play against the league's leader H.Afula having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
E.Netanya: A.Aminu 17+8reb+2ast, B.Ethan 16+5reb+7ast, J.Robinson 9+15reb+1ast, D.Sahar 9+3reb, S.Ilay 7+5reb+3ast, I.Ariel 5+1reb
M.Ramat Gan: E.Hirsh 22+8reb+2ast, K.Capers 16+4reb+5ast, H.Dadon 10+5reb+3ast, E.Alber 10+7reb+2ast, D.Rosenbaum 9+2reb+1ast, S.Evans 9+17reb+2ast

M.Raanana - H.Ramat Gan 87-85

No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked M.Raanana (8-5) edged at home 13th ranked H.Ramat Gan (2-11) 87-85 on Friday. However just two-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. M.Raanana looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Swingman Jason Siggers (194-1985, college: Albany, agency: Avi Zilberman) stepped up and scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and forward Jalen Canty (203-1995, college: UCSB, agency: Haylett Sports) chipped in 12 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four M.Raanana players scored in double figures. M.Raanana's coach Nir Kaplan used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side guard Stedmon Lemon (198-1992, college: JCSU) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists and Storm Warren (211-1988, college: LSU) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds. M.Raanana have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. H.Ramat Gan lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. M.Raanana will meet at home M.Ma'ale Adum. (#7) in the next round. H.Ramat Gan will play against M.Haifa (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
H.Ramat Gan: S.Warren 27+10reb+3ast, S.Lemon 25+6reb+11ast, T.Eliad 15+6reb+3ast, N.Gil 8+3reb+8ast, A.Shimoni 7+5reb+1ast, H.Omer 3+1ast
M.Raanana: J.Siggers 24+5reb+8ast, W.Workman 14+9reb+3ast, J.Canty 12+14reb, A.Sapir 11+1reb+3ast, A.Leder 10+3ast, B.Yuval 5+1reb

E.Shomron - H.Hevel Modi'in 85-77

Bottom-ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (0-13) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 85-77 loss to twelfth ranked E.Shomron (4-9) in on Tuesday evening. They made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game, while H.Hevel Modi'in only scored eight points from the stripe. American guard Raijon Kelly (193-1993, college: Angelo St.) stepped up and scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and naturalized Polish center Ido Flaisher (208-1998, college: Hawaii) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. E.Shomron's coach Dror Cohen used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and the other American import point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St.) scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Newly promoted E.Shomron maintains twelfth place with 4-9 record. Loser H.Hevel Modi'in still closes the standings with 13 games lost. E.Shomron will meet higher ranked Maccabi Rishon (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. H.Hevel Modi'in will play against Ramat Hash. (#11) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
H.Hevel Modi'in: K.DeShields 24+5reb+6ast, M.Holyfield 23+13reb, S.Malkov 9+10reb+2ast, E.Mor-Yosef 8+2reb+1ast, N.Baloul 5, N.Ben Shemen 4+7reb
E.Shomron: R.Kelly 22+5reb+5ast, I.Flaisher 15+5reb, E.Shulman 13+3reb+3ast, D.Shelton 9+10reb+1ast, A.Amit 9+4reb+4ast, C.Ahrak 7+2reb

M.Rehovot - M.Ma'ale Adum. 86-66

There was an upset when higher ranked M.Ma'ale Adum. (8-5) was rolled over on the road by eleventh ranked M.Rehovot (6-7) 86-66 on Tuesday. M.Rehovot forced 22 M.Ma'ale Adum. turnovers. Shay Guy Guetta (-1995) stepped up and scored 23 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and American forward AlLonzo Coleman (203-1989, college: Presbyterian) chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side Canadian center Eddie Ekiyor (206-1997, college: Carleton) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds and American forward Duane Johnson (201-1991, college: ESU) scored 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. M.Rehovot moved-up to ninth place, which they share with M.Haifa. Loser M.Ma'ale Adum. dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. M.Rehovot will meet at home league's second-placed E.Ashkelon in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. M.Ma'ale Adum. will play against M.Raanana and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
M.Ma'ale Adum.: D.Johnson 13+6reb+4ast, I.Shabat 12+1reb+2ast, M.Ben 10+2reb+1ast, E.Ekiyor 10+11reb+3ast, J.Cohen 6+3reb, A.Noam 4+1reb
M.Rehovot: G.Shay Guy 23+8reb+2ast, B.Jackson 18+2reb+2ast, J.Freund 17+6reb, A.Coleman 13+8reb+4ast, Y.Holodov 6+1ast, I.Rejwan 4+2reb+1ast

M.Rishon - I.Nahariya 78-74

Everything could happen in Rishon Le-Zion at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Maccabi Rishon and 4th placed I.Nahariya had identical 8-4 record. This time Maccabi Rishon used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Nahariya 78-74 on Tuesday night. Maccabi Rishon made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Point guard Guy Palatin (192-2000) stepped up and scored 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals for the winners and power forward Jonatan Mor (204-1995) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side the former international point guard Yogev Ohayon (189-1987) responded with 15 points and 7 assists and American forward Dominez Burnett (196-1992, college: Davenport) scored 21 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. I.Nahariya's coach gave the chance to play for ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Maccabi Rishon (9-4) moved-up to third place. Loser I.Nahariya keeps the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Maccabi Rishon will meet at home E.Shomron (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. I.Nahariya will play against M.Ramat Gan (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
I.Nahariya: D.Burnett 21+1reb+4ast, Y.Ohayon 15+4reb+7ast, O.Ben-Yakov 13+2reb+2ast, I.Eisendorf 11+7reb, R.White 6+3reb+2ast, O.Tal 3+1reb+1ast
M.Rishon: G.Palatin 20+8reb+7ast, I.Cousins 16+5reb+2ast, J.Mor 14+7reb+3ast, H.Halfon 13+4reb+1ast, I.Nesterenko 6+2reb, Y.Amiram 4+4reb

Round 12

H.Hevel Modi'in - M.Haifa 77-86

Not a big story in a game when bottom-ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (0-13) was defeated at home by tenth ranked M.Haifa (6-7) 86-77 on Friday. M.Haifa forced 22 H.Hevel Modi'in turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American guard Admon Gilder (193-1995, college: Gonzaga) stepped up and scored 28 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and point guard Danel Kozahinof (177-2001) chipped in 12 points, 7 assists and 5 steals. At the losing side guard Shoham Gat (185-2002, agency: Avi Zilberman) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 assists and American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks. Four H.Hevel Modi'in players scored in double figures. H.Hevel Modi'in's coach Yehu Orland gave the chance to play for ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. M.Haifa moved-up to ninth place, which they share with M.Rehovot. Loser H.Hevel Modi'in still closes the standings with 13 games lost. M.Haifa will meet at home H.Ramat Gan (#13) in the next round. H.Hevel Modi'in will play against Ramat Hash. and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
H.Hevel Modi'in: G.Shoham 20+4reb+11ast, M.Holyfield 18+13reb+2ast, K.DeShields 12+9reb+2ast, S.Malkov 12+6reb+1ast, E.Mor-Yosef 6+4reb+1ast, H.Omer 4+3reb
M.Haifa: A.Gilder 28+9reb+3ast, D.Sharp 12+2reb+1ast, K.Danel 12+2reb+7ast, O.Malka 10+2reb+8ast, E.Abaev 9+7reb, T.Cohen 8+4reb