Superleague Round 4: Zob Ahan lose to Gorgan

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Zob Ahan (2-1) in Esfahan on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by Gorgan (3-1) 90-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zob Ahan. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Gorgan made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Zob Ahan helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Perry Petty (185-88, college: UTRGV) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-91, agency: BIG) who added 20 points during the contest. At the losing side the former international Arsalan Kazemi (200-90, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. Zob Ahan's coach Farzad Kouhian rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gorgan have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 3-1 record, which they share with Kerman. Zob Ahan at the other side dropped to the third place with one game lost. They share the position with Sirjan. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Sirjan. Second ranked host Sirjan (2-1) defeated one of their biggest challengers Kouchin (1-2) 88-82. The winners were led by Russian guard Anton Ponkrashov (200-86) who scored that evening 30 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Mohammad Shahrian supported him with 16 points and 8 assists. Sirjan's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 29 points and 6 steals by the former international Matin Aghajanpoor (199-1) did not help to save the game for Kouchin. Despite that victory Sirjan went down to third position due to points difference, which they share with Zob Ahan. Kouchin at the other side dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. They share the position with Naft Abadan. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Gorgan. Top-ranked host Gorgan (3-1) lost to second ranked Kerman (3-1) 86-82. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Gorgan. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Igor Chumakov fired 21 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Kerman's coach Mohammed Eslami used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Perry Petty produced 21 points for lost side. Kerman keeps a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Gorgan. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last two games of round 4 Kerman destroyed Niroo Zamini on the opponent's court 82-52. Zob Ahan outscored Niroo Zamini in a home game 89-44.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 15 points and 11 rebounds by Hamed Sohrabnejad of Zob Ahan.

Zob Ahan - Gorgan 84-90

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Zob Ahan (2-1) in Esfahan on Monday night. Hosts were defeated by Gorgan (3-1) 90-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zob Ahan. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Gorgan made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Zob Ahan helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Perry Petty (185-88, college: UTRGV) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-91, agency: BIG) who added 20 points during the contest. Petty is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side the former international Arsalan Kazemi (200-90, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international point guard Farid Aslani (183-88) scored 31 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Zob Ahan's coach Farzad Kouhian rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gorgan have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 3-1 record, which they share with Kerman. Zob Ahan at the other side dropped to the third place with one game lost. They share the position with Sirjan. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gorgan: P.Petty 24+5reb+4ast, M.Jamshidi 20+2reb+1ast, M.Mirzaei 10+7reb+2ast, A.Najafi 10+2reb+1ast, S.Pazrofteh 9+6reb+3ast, A.Sedighi 6+5reb+1ast
Zob Ahan: F.Aslani 31+5reb+4ast, A.Kazemi 22+15reb+6ast, S.Mashayekhi 21+4reb+5ast, A.Zangeneh 4+7reb+2ast, A.Khalilnejad 4+5reb+1ast, M.Reza Akbari 2+4reb+2ast

Niroo Zamini - Kerman 52-82

Very expected game in Tehran where bottom-ranked Niroo Zamini (0-4) was crushed by second ranked Kerman (3-1) 82-52 on Monday. Kerman dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Niroo Zamini's 24. They outrebounded Niroo Zamini 43-30 including a 26-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Kerman made 8 blocks. American guard Isaiah Williams (188-95, college: Georgia St., agency: BIG) fired 34 points (!!!) for the winners. Ukrainian center Igor Chumakov (208-90, agency: BIG) chipped in 9 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Williams is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Khashayar Ali-Akbari produced 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Pouya Yakhchali (-96) added 16 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kerman keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Gorgan. Loser Niroo Zamini still closes the standings with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kerman: I.Williams 34+3reb+1ast, S.Torabikhah 11+1reb, I.Chumakov 9+12reb+2ast, K.Ali 8+6reb, A.Rostami 6+5reb+1ast, A.Kardoust 6+5reb+1ast
Niroo Zamini: Y.Pouya 16+2reb+1ast, A.Khashayar 15+5reb+4ast, Z.Soheil 11+7reb, S.Reza 5+3reb+1ast, M.Reza 3, P.Ghonoudi 2+5reb+1ast

Sirjan - Kouchin 88-82

The game between Top Four teams took place in Sirjan. Second ranked host Sirjan (2-1) defeated one of their biggest challengers Kouchin (1-2) 88-82. Sirjan players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Kouchin was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by Russian guard Anton Ponkrashov (200-86) who scored that evening 30 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international swingman Mohammad Shahrian (193-93) supported him with 16 points and 8 assists. Sirjan's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 29 points and 6 steals by the former international Matin Aghajanpoor (199-1) did not help to save the game for Kouchin. Center Mehdi Jafari (204-96) added 15 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Despite that victory Sirjan went down to third position due to points difference, which they share with Zob Ahan. Kouchin at the other side dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. They share the position with Naft Abadan. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Sirjan: A.Ponkrashov 30+7reb+4ast, M.Shahrian 16+3reb+8ast, N.Dragovic 15+5reb+2ast, M.Soleymani 12+7reb, E.Samadi 8+2reb+2ast, A.Taherkhani 6+6reb+4ast
Kouchin: A.Matin 29+1reb+1ast, M.Jafari 15+8reb+1ast, L.Mohammadhadi 13+4reb+5ast, Y.Amirhossein 10+4reb+5ast, A.Jalal 8+5reb, L.Mohammadmahdi 7+3reb+2ast

Gorgan - Kerman 82-86

The game between Top Four teams took place in Gorgan. Top-ranked host Gorgan (3-1) lost to second ranked Kerman (3-1) 86-82. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Gorgan. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Kerman made 25-of-33 free shots (75.8 percent) during the game. Ukrainian center Igor Chumakov (208-90, agency: BIG) fired 21 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Asghar Kardoust (212-86, agency: BIG) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds. Kerman's coach Mohammed Eslami used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Perry Petty (185-88, college: UTRGV) produced 21 points and the former international center Keyvan Riaei (209-94) added 15 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Kerman and four Gorgan players scored in double figures. Kerman keeps a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Gorgan. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kerman: I.Chumakov 21+9reb+2ast, I.Williams 17+2reb+6ast, S.Torabikhah 13+1reb, A.Kardoust 13+13reb+1ast, M.Saleh 11+2reb+4ast, A.Reza 8+2reb+2ast
Gorgan: P.Petty 21+4reb+1ast, K.Riaei 15+7reb+2ast, A.Sedighi 12+3reb, M.Mirzaei 12+8reb+1ast, R.Mozafari 8+2reb+11ast, J.Ashkan 5+2reb+1ast

Zob Ahan - Niroo Zamini 89-44

Rather predictable result in Esfahan where fourth ranked Zob Ahan (2-1) smashed bottom-ranked Niroo Zamini (0-4) 89-44 on Wednesday. Zob Ahan dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Niroo Zamini's 22. They outrebounded Niroo Zamini 44-25 including a 34-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Zob Ahan looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Niroo Zamini's players. The former international Arsalan Kazemi (200-90, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) fired a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. The former international Hamed Sohrabnejad (205-83) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Four Zob Ahan players scored in double figures. Khashayar Ali-Akbari produced 13 points and 6 rebounds and Payam Mohammadi added 8 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Zob Ahan moved-up to third place, which they share with Sirjan. Loser Niroo Zamini still closes the standings with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Zob Ahan: S.Mashayekhi 17+5reb+3ast, A.Kazemi 16+10reb+4ast, H.Sohrabnejad 15+11reb+1ast, A.Gholizadeh 11+7reb, A.Khalilnejad 8+4reb+4ast, A.Mohmmad 7+1reb+5ast
Niroo Zamini: A.Khashayar 13+6reb, M.Payam 8+3reb+1ast, M.Reza 6+1reb+3ast, N.Maziar 5+3reb, Z.Soheil 4+3reb+1ast, A.Mahdi 3+2reb+3ast



Tags : PERRY PETTY, SHAHRDARI GORGAN, IRANIAN BASKETBALL