Superleague Round 9 (Regular Season): Zob Ahan edge Tabiat by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 3rd placed Tabiat (6-3) to first ranked Zob Ahan (9-1) 80-79 on Friday evening. Zob Ahan made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international center Asghar Kardoust (212-1986, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. American point guard Dwight Buycks (191-1989, college: Marquette) chipped in 21 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who recorded 42 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. Zob Ahan have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-1 record. Newly promoted Tabiat keeps the third position with three games lost. Zob Ahan are looking forward to face Naft Abadan (#6) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Tabiat will play against Limondis and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Abadan. Fourth ranked Mahram faced their close opponent Naft Abadan. Guests from Tehran (5-4) defeated host Naft Abadan (5-4) 98-89. It was a good game for Nigerian-American power forward OD Anosike (203-1991, college: Siena) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 18 rebounds. Mohammad Jamshidi contributed with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Mehdi Hasanzadeh answered with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds for Naft Abadan. Mahram maintains fourth place with 5-4 record, which they share with Kalleh and Naft Abadan. Naft Abadan lost their fourth game in a row. Mahram will play against Raad (#11) in Mashhad in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Naft Abadan will play on the road against the league's leader Zob Ahan (#1) in Esfahan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Esfahan. First ranked Zob Ahan faced 4th placed Mahram. Host Zob Ahan (9-1) defeated guests from Tehran (5-4) 78-63. Dwight Buycks stepped up and scored 25 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. The best for the losing side was Mohammad Jamshidi with 15 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Zob Ahan. They maintain first place with 9-1 record. Mahram at the other side keeps the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Kalleh and Naft Abadan. Zob Ahan will meet at home Naft Abadan (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Mahram will play against Raad and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 9 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Limondis were defeated by Averta in a road game 99-97. Rafsanjan was beaten by Kerman at home 79-87. Kalleh won against Raad on the opponent's court 94-82. Winless Sanaye lost to defending champion Gorgan in a home game 54-96.



Averta - Limondis 99-97

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Averta and 10th ranked Limondis had identical 3-5 record. This time Averta used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from 99-97 on Thursday night. Averta made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. American-Haitian guard Derric Jean (188-1997, college: La Tech, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and the former international Majid Rahimian chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was American point guard Jalen Bradley (185-1993, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) with 28 points and center Seyed Mortaza Jafari (178-2001) scored 17 points and 7 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Limondis' coach Mohammed Eslami tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Averta (4-5) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Rafsanjan. Limondis at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keep the tenth position with six games lost. Averta will meet league's second-placed Gorgan on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Limondis will play against Tabiat (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Averta: J.van der List 20+2reb+2ast, D.Jean 20+8reb+5ast, R.Majid 18+6reb+2ast, M.Yazdanpanah 18+6reb+1ast, F.Nima 10+3reb+3ast, E.Beigi 8+4reb+1ast
Limondis: J.Bradley 28+4reb+2ast, S.Mortaza Jafari 17+4reb+7ast, A.Sabeti 15+3reb, V.Aliabadi 15+2ast, D.Tubak 12+5reb+1ast, M.Rezaei 4+1reb

Rafsanjan - Kerman 79-87

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when eighth ranked Kerman (4-4) defeated on the road 7th ranked Rafsanjan (4-5) 87-79 on Thursday. Kerman made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Rafsanjan's players. Mehdi Afkhami stepped up with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners and Seyed Hoseini chipped in 24 points. The best for the losing side was Croatian swingman Fran Pilepic (194-1989) with 24 points and Mohamadreza Taghiloo (192-2000) scored 21 points. Four Rafsanjan players scored in double figures. Rafsanjan's coach O. Movahed rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Kerman. They moved-up to seventh place. Rafsanjan at the other side dropped to the eighth position with five games lost. They share it with Averta. Kerman will meet at home bottom-ranked Sanaye (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Rafsanjan will play against Kalleh (#5) in Amol and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kerman: H.Seyed 24+4reb+2ast, A.Mehdi 17+5reb+10ast, S.Erfan 17+3reb+5ast, M.Amirhosein 9+4reb+6ast, M.Mohsen 9+11reb+1ast, M.Esmaeili 5+6reb+3ast
Rafsanjan: F.Pilepic 24+1reb+3ast, T.Mohamadreza 21+4reb+3ast, Y.Pouya 16+3reb+4ast, J.Jucikas 15+4reb, V.Ali 2+9reb+1ast, S.Ali 1+1reb

Raad - Kalleh 82-94

Very expected game in Mashhad where 11th ranked Raad (1-8) was defeated by sixth ranked Kalleh (5-4) 94-82 on Thursday. Kalleh dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Raad's 36 and made 26-of-34 free shots (76.5 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Raad 47-26 including a 22-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international Matin Aghajanpour (199-2001) stepped up and scored 39 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) for the winners and the former international center Meisam Mirzaei (210-1992) chipped in 14 points and 15 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Mohsen Varankeshi with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and Pooria Khalifeh scored 19 points and 6 assists. Four Raad players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kalleh moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Mahram and Naft Abadan. Raad lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with eight games lost. Kalleh will meet at home Rafsanjan (#8) in the next round. Raad will play against Mahram in Tehran and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Kalleh: A.Matin 39+9reb+2ast, M.Mirzaei 14+15reb+3ast, A.Jalal 12+5reb, D.Ali 7+2reb+3ast, Y.Amirhossein 6+4reb+1ast, R.Ranjbar 6+2reb
Raad: K.Pooria 19+2reb+6ast, J.Behnam 19+2reb+1ast, V.Mohsen 13+10reb+5ast, F.Pedram 11+5reb+2ast, S.Hosein 8+3reb, N.Danial 6

Naft Abadan - Mahram 89-98

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Abadan. Fourth ranked Mahram faced their close opponent Naft Abadan. Guests from Tehran (5-4) defeated host Naft Abadan (5-4) 98-89. Mahram players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was a good game for Nigerian-American power forward OD Anosike (203-1991, college: Siena) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 18 rebounds. The former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) contributed with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Mehdi Hasanzadeh answered with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 17 rebounds and the former international point guard Farid Aslani (183-1988) added 16 points in the effort for Naft Abadan. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Mahram maintains fourth place with 5-4 record, which they share with Kalleh and Naft Abadan. Naft Abadan lost their fourth game in a row. Mahram will play against Raad (#11) in Mashhad in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Naft Abadan will play on the road against the league's leader Zob Ahan (#1) in Esfahan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Mahram: O.Anosike 23+18reb+3ast, M.Jamshidi 23+5reb+5ast, S.Mashayekhi 16+1reb+2ast, P.Petty 14+7reb+7ast, S.Pazrofteh 9+7reb+4ast, G.Piter 9+1ast
Naft Abadan: H.Mehdi 23+17reb+3ast, S.Amir 16+3reb, F.Aslani 16+4reb+3ast, N.Khajezadeh 11+3reb+1ast, D.Ehsan 10+4reb+5ast, R.Hesam 6+1reb+1ast

Tabiat - Zob Ahan 79-80

This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 3rd placed Tabiat (6-3) to first ranked Zob Ahan (9-1) 80-79 on Friday evening. Zob Ahan made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international center Asghar Kardoust (212-1986, agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. American point guard Dwight Buycks (191-1989, college: Marquette) chipped in 21 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who recorded 42 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and the former international Arman Zangeneh (202-1993, agency: BIG) added 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Four Tabiat players scored in double figures. Zob Ahan have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 9-1 record. Newly promoted Tabiat keeps the third position with three games lost. Zob Ahan are looking forward to face Naft Abadan (#6) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Tabiat will play against Limondis and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Zob Ahan: D.Buycks 21+2reb+4ast, A.Kardoust 20+12reb+1ast, J.Jones 13+4reb, M.Hossien 9+4reb+2ast, R.Mozafari 8+3reb+9ast, M.Soleymani 5+1reb
Tabiat: J.Stevens 42+6reb+2ast, M.Shahrian 14+3reb+5ast, A.Zangeneh 12+9reb+4ast, M.Gbinije 10+3reb, A.Akbari Hasan 1+4reb+1ast, S.Majid 0

Sanaye - Gorgan 54-96

Very predictable result in Bandar Abbass where second ranked Gorgan (8-1) outscored bottom-ranked Sanaye (0-9) 96-54 on Monday. Gorgan dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Sanaye's 32. They outrebounded Sanaye 44-30 including a 32-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international guard Navid Rezaeifar (185-1996) stepped up and scored 16 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Mohammad Yousefvand chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds. Four Gorgan players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was point guard Mohammadamin Dehghanzadeh (185-2002) with 15 points and Salari Pooria scored 9 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Gorgan. Defending champion maintains second place with 8-1 record behind leader Zob Ahan. Sanaye lost their ninth game in a row. They still close the standings with nine games lost. Gorgan will meet at home Averta (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sanaye will play against Kerman and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Gorgan: Y.Mohammad 18+6reb, N.Rezaeifar 16+9reb+3ast, S.Monji 12+6reb, V.Sina 11+2reb+2ast, N.Pelle 9+11reb, A.Gholizadeh 8+1reb+1ast
Sanaye: D.Mohammadamin 15+4reb+1ast, G.Omid 9+4reb, S.Pooria 9+5reb+1ast, M.Perovic 6+3reb, P.Kiani 5+7reb, J.Sarem 4+3reb

Zob Ahan - Mahram 78-63

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Esfahan. First ranked Zob Ahan faced 4th placed Mahram. Host Zob Ahan (9-1) defeated guests from Tehran (5-4) 78-63. Zob Ahan made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. American point guard Dwight Buycks (191-1989, college: Marquette) stepped up and scored 25 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and the former international center Asghar Kardoust (212-1986, agency: BIG) chipped in 15 points and 12 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was the former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) with 15 points and the former international forward Sajjad Pazrofteh (205-1996) scored 11 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Zob Ahan. They maintain first place with 9-1 record. Mahram at the other side keeps the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with Kalleh and Naft Abadan. Zob Ahan will meet at home Naft Abadan (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Mahram will play against Raad and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zob Ahan: D.Buycks 25+6reb+1ast, A.Kardoust 15+12reb+2ast, R.Mozafari 13+3reb+3ast, J.Jones 9+6reb+2ast, M.Soleymani 8+4reb+1ast, A.Davoudichegani 5+6ast
Mahram: M.Jamshidi 15+2reb+2ast, G.Piter 11+3reb+1ast, S.Pazrofteh 11+6reb+1ast, S.Mashayekhi 9+5reb+4ast, O.Anosike 7+7reb+1ast, S.Ali Reza 6+2reb