Simpson leads Al Hala to title - Jul 2, 2011 AL HALA were last night crowned champions of this year's Zain Bahrain Basketball League. Led by American professional Patrick Simpson (206-F-83, college: SMU), who erupted for an astounding 45 points, Hala clinched the title with a come-from-behind 82-76 victory over Muharraq in the third and decisive game of the league championship series, played at a jam-packed Zain Basketball Arena in Um Al Hassam. It was the third national crown in Hala club history, as it adds to their first two championships won in 1994 and 1996. Tagged as underdogs heading into yesterday's game, Hala defied the odds and overcame a nine-point deficit in the third quarter before taking control early in the fourth and then riding their momentum until the very end. Veteran skipper Ahmed Malallah, who was a part of Hala's first two title teams, contributed 14 points in the win and was later named the game's Most Valuable Player. The backcourt tandem of Abbas Jawadi and Ahmed Ali added 13 and 10, respectively. They were the only other players to score for the newly crowned champions in game. 'It's been 15 long years since our last league title - we told ourselves that that is enough, and we were really determined to get the win tonight,' Hala head coach Saleh Al Haddad told the GDN. 'We thank God for this victory,' Malallah added. 'It may have been over a decade since we were last champions, but this win feels just as good as the first one, and to bring the trophy back to our club means everything to our team.' Following the game, the victors were awarded the champions' trophy by Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) president MP Adel Al Assoumi, BBA vice-president Jassim Al Sindi, BBA general secretary Abdulelah Abdulghaffar and officials from league sponsors Zain, in the presence of Muharraq Governor Salman bin Hindi. A Malallah three-pointer to start the fourth quarter gave Hala a narrow 63-61 lead and swung the momentum in their favour. Later in the final period, Simpson hit a crucial shot against the tough defence of opposing import Ira Clark to give Hala a 77-74 edge with less than two minutes to play. Celebrations Back-to-back turnovers from Clark and Muharraq captain Ahmed Al Doy then proved costly, as Simpson capitalised by hitting a pair of pressure-packed free-throws to extend Hala's lead to five with just seconds remaining. Clark answered with a pair of his own charities to cut the deficit back to three, but after a 24-second violation on Hala, Clark missed a point-blank lay-up that would have gotten them to within one, and the Muharraq big man fouled out in frustration as Simpson grabbed the rebound. Simpson then iced the contest from the free-throw line, signalling the start of Hala's wild celebrations. 'It's been a long season for us; we started off at the bottom and now end up on top; it's a really great feeling to have won the title with this team,' Simpson said. 'All season long, people doubted us, but we continued to fight each game. I'm proud of our guys for having met the challenge head on, and now we can enjoy our hard work.' Commented Jawadi: 'We are the youngest team in the Bahrain league, and to say that we are full of happiness right now is an understatement. These finals were the most difficult games for us, but we played our best at the right time.' A pair of Clark baskets late in each of the opening two periods were all that separated the two sides in the first 20 minutes of action. Clark grabbed an offensive rebound and scored from close range to beat the quarter buzzer and give Muharraq a slim 22-20 edge at the end of the first. Then, in the second, after the lead exchanged hands several times, Clark again handed Muharraq the advantage with a jumper after another offensive rebound, this time as time expired making it 40-39 at the half-time interval. Starting the third, Muharraq appeared to be taking control. They first utilised a 12-4 run capped by a Clark three-pointer to take their biggest lead, 52-43, midway through. But Hala stepped up their defence and gradually fought back, and Simpson had a three-point play at the end of the quarter to cut Muharraq's lead to just one, 60-61, heading into the final frame. Clark finished with 35 points to pace Muharraq in the loss. Mohammed Abdulmajeed had 15, while Mohammed Abdulhakeem contributed 14. Source GDN By PATRICK SALOMON , Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 Manama Club Champions - Feb 9, 2011 MANAMA were last night crowned champions of this year's Zain Bahrain Basketball Cup. The victors romped to a 105-81 victory over bitter rivals Al Ahli to emphatically sweep their best-of-three championship series in two games and win back the crown. American professional Darius Rice (208-F-82, college: Miami (FL)) led the way for Manama. The six-foot, 10-inch centre poured in a game-high 35 points while pulling down 13 rebounds. Point Guard Ahmed Abdulaziz chipped in with 20, while All star trio Mohammed Hassan, Mahmood Ghuloom and Ahmed Al Mutawa (199-F/C-81, agency: Low Country Sports, college: Broward CC) had nine points apiece. Also Al mutawa had 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Coach Jason Rabedeaux (agency: Edge Sports ) in just a short time transformed Manama into a dominant powerhouse giving players direction and confidence, Manama were on fire from beyond the arc, burying 13 three-pointers in the game. Rice alone had six. With the win, Manama came away with their third Cup triumph in the last four years. They lost last year's title to Muharraq, but before that won it two seasons in a row. They have now claimed the annual competition a record 14 times overall. 'This is like a dream!' Al Mutawa told the press. The team's inspirational and defensive leader added: 'We worked hard for this, but it's not over yet; we are now going to fight for the league Championship' After playing most of his younger years with Manama, Al Mutawa moved on to greener pastures in Kuwait for a few years before finally returning to his old club this season. 'This is why I came back,' Al Mutawa said while pointing to the thousands of jubilant Manama supporters who flocked to Zain Basketball Arena in support of their club. With Ahli playing without influential court general Hussain Shaker, Manama were in control of the game from the opening tip. They led 27-16 at the end of the first quarter, and then in the second, blew the game wide open and took a 59-33 lead into the half. Guard Bader Abdulla Malabes came off the bench to help spark Manama into extending their lead. Malabes hit two successive triples that made it 48-30, and they never looked back. Manama eventually led by as many as 40 points in the third quarter before cruising the rest of the way. Added Rice, who only joined Manama mid-season: 'My teammates have really made me feel like a part of the family since I've arrived. I'm glad to have helped Manama win this title.' Of his stellar offensive display, Rice said: 'I love championship games. They bring out the best in me.' Maytham Jameel top scored for Ahli with 30 points in the loss. Import Marquin Chandler (202-F-82, college: San Jose St.) from the US scored 23 before fouling out. Both teams were awarded their respective trophies and medals by Bahrain Olympic Committee chief executive Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa in the presence of Bahrain Basketball Association officials. |
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