National League Round 20: E.Ashkelon lose to H.Hevel Modi'in

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Hevel Modi'in between second ranked E.Ashkelon (14-6) and fourteenth ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (4-17) on Tuesday night. E.Ashkelon was crushed by H.Hevel Modi'in on the road 82-101. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of E.Ashkelon. They outrebounded E.Ashkelon 44-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. H.Hevel Modi'in looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 29 personal fouls committed by E.Ashkelon helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 19 rebounds. The other American import point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St.) contributed with 22 points and 11 assists for the winners. Guard Shlomi Harush (185-1987) replied with 17 points and 4 assists for E.Ashkelon. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. H.Hevel Modi'in moved-up to thirteenth place. E.Ashkelon at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. H.Hevel Modi'in are looking forward to face higher ranked M.Rehovot (#11) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. E.Ashkelon will play against E.Netanya (#3) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Maccabi Rishon (13-7) against tenth ranked M.Haifa (9-11) on Friday night. Visiting Maccabi Rishon was defeated by M.Haifa in Haifa 95-85. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Maccabi Rishon. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Danel Kozahinof (177-2001) who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 9 assists and 4 steals and Admon Gilder who added 20 points during the contest. American point guard Jawun Evans (185-1996, college: OK State) responded with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Maccabi Rishon's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. M.Haifa maintains tenth position with 9-11 record. Maccabi Rishon at the other side keeps the third place with seven games lost. They share the position with E.Netanya. M.Haifa will play against higher ranked M.Ramat Gan (#6) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Maccabi Rishon will play against Ramat Hash. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
National League top team - H.Afula (15-5) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat eleventh ranked M.Rehovot (7-13) 77-72. The winners were led by Lucas Goldenberg who had that evening a double-double by scoring 13 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 23 points and 6 rebounds by Brent Jackson did not help to save the game for M.Rehovot. M.Rehovot's coach Kobi Hasson tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. H.Afula maintains first position with 15-5 record. M.Rehovot lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh place with 13 games lost. They share the position with E.Shomron. H.Afula will meet at home M.Raanana (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. M.Rehovot will play against H.Hevel Modi'in (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 20: I.Nahariya smashed H.Ramat Gan on the road 89-66. M.Ma'ale Adum. was destroyed by E.Netanya on its own court 76-104. M.Ramat Gan managed to outperform M.Raanana in a road game 90-78. Ramat Hash. managed to beat E.Shomron at home 93-91.

H.Hevel Modi'in - E.Ashkelon 101-82

The most important game in the last round took place in Hevel Modi'in between second ranked E.Ashkelon (14-6) and fourteenth ranked H.Hevel Modi'in (4-17) on Tuesday night. E.Ashkelon was crushed by H.Hevel Modi'in on the road 82-101. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of E.Ashkelon. They outrebounded E.Ashkelon 44-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. H.Hevel Modi'in looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 29 personal fouls committed by E.Ashkelon helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American center Michael Holyfield (211-1992, college: SHSU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 19 rebounds. The other American import point guard Keron DeShields (190-1992, college: Tennessee St.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 assists for the winners. Guard Shlomi Harush (185-1987) replied with 17 points and 4 assists and naturalized American guard Clarke Rosenberg (193-1993, college: Chicago St.) added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for E.Ashkelon. Five H.Hevel Modi'in and four E.Ashkelon players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. H.Hevel Modi'in moved-up to thirteenth place. E.Ashkelon at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. H.Hevel Modi'in are looking forward to face higher ranked M.Rehovot (#11) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. E.Ashkelon will play against E.Netanya (#3) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
E.Ashkelon: S.Harush 17+4reb+4ast, D.Tucker 13+5reb+1ast, W.Lewis 13+3reb, C.Rosenberg 11+6reb+6ast, G.Gilinski 8+6reb+4ast, B.David Omer 5+1reb+1ast
H.Hevel Modi'in: M.Holyfield 28+19reb, K.DeShields 22+3reb+11ast, G.Shoham 16+7reb+4ast, E.Mor-Yosef 14+1reb+3ast, S.Malkov 13+8reb+3ast, T.Efi 4

H.Ramat Gan - I.Nahariya 66-89

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked I.Nahariya (12-8) crushed bottom-ranked H.Ramat Gan (3-16) in Givataim 89-66 on Tuesday. I.Nahariya dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to H.Ramat Gan's 34. They outrebounded H.Ramat Gan 44-25 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. I.Nahariya looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by American power forward Romello White (203-1998, college: Ole Miss) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds and the former international center Alexey Chubrevich (212-1986) supported him with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Four I.Nahariya players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 7 rebounds by American Storm Warren (211-1988, college: LSU) did not help to save the game for H.Ramat Gan. Forward Aviv Shimoni (198-1996) added 12 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. I.Nahariya moved-up to fifth place. H.Ramat Gan lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 16 games lost. I.Nahariya will meet at home M.Ma'ale Adum. (#8) in the next round. H.Ramat Gan will play against E.Shomron (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
H.Ramat Gan: S.Warren 18+7reb, A.Shimoni 12+5reb+3ast, T.Eliad 12+7reb, N.Uzan 9+1reb+4ast, A.Harari 8+1reb+4ast, N.Gil 4+2reb+5ast
I.Nahariya: R.White 19+12reb+2ast, A.Chubrevich 18+6reb+2ast, D.Drapic 17+6reb+1ast, M.Trent 17+2reb+2ast, I.Eisendorf 8+8reb+2ast, Y.Ohayon 6+3reb+11ast

M.Haifa - M.Rishon 95-85

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Maccabi Rishon (13-7) against tenth ranked M.Haifa (9-11) on Friday night. Visiting Maccabi Rishon was defeated by M.Haifa in Haifa 95-85. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Maccabi Rishon. M.Haifa forced 19 Maccabi Rishon turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Danel Kozahinof (177-2001) who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 9 assists and 4 steals and American guard Admon Gilder (193-1995, college: Gonzaga) who added 20 points during the contest. American point guard Jawun Evans (185-1996, college: OK State) responded with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and his fellow American import guard Isaiah Cousins (193-1994, college: Oklahoma) scored 22 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Maccabi Rishon's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. M.Haifa maintains tenth position with 9-11 record. Maccabi Rishon at the other side keeps the third place with seven games lost. They share the position with E.Netanya. M.Haifa will play against higher ranked M.Ramat Gan (#6) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Maccabi Rishon will play against Ramat Hash. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
M.Rishon: I.Cousins 22+5reb+2ast, J.Evans 21+6reb+6ast, J.Mor 13+10reb+1ast, I.Nesterenko 13+3reb+1ast, G.Palatin 9+3reb+4ast, Y.Amiram 4+3reb+3ast
M.Haifa: A.Gilder 20+1ast, S.Davis 14+1reb, K.Danel 13+3reb+9ast, R.Howell 11+4reb+1ast, E.Abaev 10+3reb, D.Sharp 8+4reb+2ast

M.Ma'ale Adum. - E.Netanya 76-104

Rather expected game when 7th ranked M.Ma'ale Adum. (11-9) was smashed by fourth ranked E.Netanya (13-7) in Ma'ale Adumim 104-76 on Tuesday. E.Netanya outrebounded M.Ma'ale Adum. 46-32 including 18 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by swingman Dori Sahar (195-2001, agency: Avi Zilberman) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and guard Ethan Butler (190-2002) supported him with 21 points and 5 assists. Five E.Netanya players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds by Canadian center Eddie Ekiyor (206-1997, college: Carleton) did not help to save the game for M.Ma'ale Adum.. American forward Duane Johnson (201-1991, college: ESU) added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. E.Netanya moved-up to third place, which they share with M.Rishon. Loser M.Ma'ale Adum. dropped to the sixth position with nine games lost. They share it with M.Ramat Gan and M.Raanana. E.Netanya will meet at home league's second-placed E.Ashkelon in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. M.Ma'ale Adum. will play against I.Nahariya (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
M.Ma'ale Adum.: E.Ekiyor 26+15reb+2ast, D.Johnson 16+8reb+4ast, A.Derhy 11+1reb, S.Halpert 8+1reb+1ast, S.Eilon 4+2reb+2ast, I.Shabat 3+2reb+5ast
E.Netanya: B.Ethan 21+3reb+5ast, J.Robinson 18+6reb+1ast, D.Sahar 18+10reb+3ast, A.Aminu 11+9reb, S.Ben 10+3reb+6ast, P.Yahel 9+3reb+4ast

M.Raanana - M.Ramat Gan 78-90

There was a small surprise when eighth ranked M.Ramat Gan (11-9) won against on the road 6th ranked M.Raanana (11-9) 90-78 on Wednesday. It was a great shooting night for M.Ramat Gan especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. The winners were led by American guard Kevin Capers (188-1993, college: FSC, agency: BIG) who scored that evening 29 points and 4 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) and the other American import forward Demetrius Treadwell (201-1991, college: Akron) supported him with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Jalen Canty (203-1995, college: UCSB, agency: Haylett Sports) did not help to save the game for M.Raanana. Naturalized American point guard Alex Leder (180-1997, college: Gettysburg) added 20 points for the hosts. Five M.Raanana players scored in double figures. M.Ramat Gan moved-up to sixth place, which they share with M.Raanana and M.Ma'ale Adum. M.Raanana lost third consecutive game. M.Ramat Gan will meet at home M.Haifa (#10) in the next round. M.Raanana will play against the league's leader H.Afula (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
M.Raanana: A.Leder 20+1reb+2ast, J.Canty 16+8reb, J.Siggers 13+1reb+6ast, R.Geffen 13+5reb+3ast, W.Workman 11+7reb+2ast, A.Sapir 5+1reb+3ast
M.Ramat Gan: K.Capers 29+3reb+4ast, D.Treadwell 14+15reb+3ast, D.Rosenbaum 13+5reb, J.Cohen 10+1ast, H.Dadon 9+3reb, E.Hirsh 7+3reb

Ramat Hash. - E.Shomron 93-91

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked E.Shomron (7-13) was edged by ninth ranked Ramat Hash. (10-10) in Ramat Hasharon 93-91 on Friday. Ramat Hash. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American Tyler Wideman (203-1995, college: Butler) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import point guard Diante Watkins (175-1990, college: RMU) supported him with 22 points and 8 assists. Even 24 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Keith Stone (206-1997, college: Miami, FL) did not help to save the game for E.Shomron. Point guard Eyal Shulman (192-1987, agency: Avi Zilberman) added 13 points and 12 assists for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Ramat Hash. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 10-10 record. Newly promoted E.Shomron keeps the eleventh place with 13 games lost. They share the position with M.Rehovot. Ramat Hash. will meet higher ranked Maccabi Rishon (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. E.Shomron will play against H.Ramat Gan (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
E.Shomron: K.Stone 24+8reb+2ast, A.Amit 23+3reb+1ast, E.Shulman 13+2reb+12ast, I.Flaisher 11+9reb, Y.Michaeli 7+1reb+3ast, S.Gal 4+6reb
Ramat Hash.: T.Wideman 25+11reb+1ast, D.Watkins 22+1reb+8ast, A.Ebo 18+2reb+8ast, O.Hai 11+3reb+2ast, A.Bier-Katz 9+10reb+2ast, Y.Yam 4+2reb

M.Rehovot - H.Afula 72-77

National League top team - H.Afula (15-5) added another victory to their record on Wednesday. This time they beat eleventh ranked M.Rehovot (7-13) 77-72. They outrebounded M.Rehovot 41-28 including 31 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by naturalized Argentinian swingman Lucas Goldenberg (190-1993) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 13 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and American Toarlyn Fitzpatrick (206-1989, college: S.Florida) supported him with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Even 23 points and 6 rebounds by American swingman Brent Jackson (193-1994, college: Columbus St.) did not help to save the game for M.Rehovot. Naturalized American forward Josh Freund (204-1997, college: Roanoke) added 9 points for the hosts. M.Rehovot's coach Kobi Hasson tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. H.Afula maintains first position with 15-5 record. M.Rehovot lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh place with 13 games lost. They share the position with E.Shomron. H.Afula will meet at home M.Raanana (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. M.Rehovot will play against H.Hevel Modi'in (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
M.Rehovot: B.Jackson 23+6reb+2ast, G.Shay Guy 9+2reb+2ast, J.Freund 9+4reb+2ast, A.Coleman 8+2reb, G.Itay 7+1reb+1ast, Y.Holodov 6+1ast
H.Afula: T.Fitzpatrick 18+8reb+2ast, L.Goldenberg 13+12reb+5ast, T.Asayag 11+3reb+1ast, T.Spector 10, J.Hall 8+8reb+2ast, R.Netzia 8+5reb