Superleague Round 17: Niroo Zamini still unable to win any game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bottom-ranked Niroo Zamini (0-10) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 81-69 loss to third ranked Kerman (6-3) in Kerman on Wednesday evening. Kerman outrebounded Niroo Zamini 48-29 including 16 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Igor Shomakov who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. The former international center Asghar Kardoust (212-86, agency: BIG) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Guard Pouya Yakhchali (-96) produced 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kerman have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 6-3 record having just two points less than leader Chemidor, which they share with Kouchin. Niroo Zamini at the other side still closes the standings with ten games lost. Kerman is looking forward to face league's leader Gorgan at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Niroo Zamini will play against Zob Ahan (#5) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Ahvaz supposed to be also worth to mention about. Third ranked Sirjan (7-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Khouzestan (2-6). Sirjan smashed Khouzestan 90-64. Montenegrin-Serbian forward Nikola Dragovic (206-87, college: UCLA, agency: BeoBasket) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds. Ebrahim Beigi contributed with 10 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Arash Sabeti answered with 25 points and 6 rebounds for Khouzestan. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sirjan moved-up to second place. Khouzestan lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with six games lost. Sirjan will play against Kerman (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Khouzestan will play against Naft Abadan (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Abadan was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Kouchin (6-3) played at the court of 6th ranked Naft Abadan (3-7). Kouchin defeated Naft Abadan 63-48 on Tuesday. Matin Aghajanpour stepped up and scored 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Ehsan Dalirzahan responded with 26 points and 6 rebounds. Naft Abadan's coach Ali Towfigh rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kouchin have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Kerman. Loser Naft Abadan keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. Kouchin will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Naft Abadan will play against Khouzestan (#7) in Ahvaz and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Khouzestan - Sirjan 64-90

The game in Ahvaz supposed to be also worth to mention about. Third ranked Sirjan (7-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Khouzestan (2-6). Sirjan smashed Khouzestan 90-64. Sirjan dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Khouzestan's 28. They outrebounded Khouzestan 51-26 including a 35-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sirjan players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Montenegrin-Serbian forward Nikola Dragovic (206-87, college: UCLA, agency: BeoBasket) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds. The former international center Ebrahim Beigi (211-94) contributed with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Four Sirjan players scored in double figures. Arash Sabeti answered with 25 points and 6 rebounds and American swingman Darington Hobson (201-87, college: N.Mexico) added 10 points in the effort for Khouzestan. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sirjan moved-up to second place. Khouzestan lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with six games lost. Sirjan will play against Kerman (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Khouzestan will play against Naft Abadan (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Khouzestan: A.Sabeti 25+6reb+2ast, D.Hobson 10+2reb+2ast, P.Behnam 7+3reb+1ast, A.Mostafa 5+5reb+1ast, M.Morteza 5+1ast, G.Abolfazl 5+2reb+2ast
Sirjan: N.Dragovic 23+11reb+1ast, M.Shahrian 14+7reb+2ast, A.Ponkrashov 13+4reb+8ast, E.Beigi 10+14reb+2ast, N.Reza 7+3reb+3ast, M.Soleymani 6+2reb+1ast

Naft Abadan - Kouchin 48-63

The game in Abadan was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Kouchin (6-3) played at the court of 6th ranked Naft Abadan (3-7). Kouchin defeated Naft Abadan 63-48 on Tuesday. Kouchin forced 24 Naft Abadan turnovers. The former international Matin Aghajanpour (199-1) stepped up and scored 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and Jalal Aghamiri chipped in 12 points and 13 rebounds. Four Kouchin players scored in double figures. The former international guard Ehsan Dalirzahan (186-0) responded with 26 points and 6 rebounds and the former international swingman Saeid Mohammadi (187-92) scored 6 points and 5 rebounds. Naft Abadan's coach Ali Towfigh rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kouchin have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Kerman. Loser Naft Abadan keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. Kouchin will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Naft Abadan will play against Khouzestan (#7) in Ahvaz and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Naft Abadan: D.Ehsan 26+6reb+3ast, S.Mohammadi 6+5reb+2ast, S.Adnan 5+2reb, A.Nasser 4+6reb+1ast, R.Ranjbar 3+7reb+2ast, A.Doraghi 2+1reb
Kouchin: A.Matin 15+8reb+6ast, Y.Amirhossein 15+9reb, M.Jafari 13+5reb, A.Jalal 12+13reb+2ast, D.Balaban 4+2reb, L.Mohammadmahdi 4+1ast

Kerman - Niroo Zamini 81-69

Bottom-ranked Niroo Zamini (0-10) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 81-69 loss to third ranked Kerman (6-3) in Kerman on Wednesday evening. Kerman outrebounded Niroo Zamini 48-29 including 16 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Igor Shomakov who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. The former international center Asghar Kardoust (212-86, agency: BIG) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Four Kerman players scored in double figures. Guard Pouya Yakhchali (-96) produced 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Khashayar Ali-Akbari added 19 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kerman have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 6-3 record having just two points less than leader Chemidor, which they share with Kouchin. Niroo Zamini at the other side still closes the standings with ten games lost. Kerman is looking forward to face league's leader Gorgan at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Niroo Zamini will play against Zob Ahan (#5) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Niroo Zamini: Y.Pouya 27+6reb+4ast, A.Khashayar 19+10reb+3ast, S.Reza 11+4reb, A.Mahdi 6+1reb+3ast, M.Payam 3+1reb, Z.Soheil 3+2reb
Kerman: S.Igor 19+10reb, S.Torabikhah 19+3reb, A.Kardoust 17+9reb+2ast, I.Williams 13+4reb+4ast, K.Ali 4+3reb, M.Falahat 4+6reb+8ast



Tags : ASGHAR KARDOUST, MES KERMAN, IRANIAN BASKETBALL