Superleague Round 11 (Regular Season): Zob Ahan defeat Limondis in the closest game of the week

Superleague is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 11 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Tenth-ranked Limondis (3-8) gave a tough game to first ranked Zob Ahan (11-1) on Monday. The visitors from Esfahan managed to secure only one-point victory 77-76. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for the former international power forward Rouzbeh Arghavan (214-1988) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points and 7 rebounds. American point guard Dwight Buycks (191-1989, college: Marquette) helped adding 17 points. American point guard Jalen Bradley (185-1993, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) responded with 27 points and 8 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zob Ahan have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place with 11-1 record. Limondis lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the tenth position with eight games lost. Zob Ahan are looking forward to face Raad (#11) in Mashhad in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Limondis will play at home against the league's second-placed Gorgan and are hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Important game to mention about took place in . Eighth ranked Averta (5-5) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Kerman (5-5) 81-79 in the game for the seventh place. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Kerman. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Majid Rahimian who led the winners and scored 27 points. Nima Fathi accounted for 17 points and 6 rebounds. Averta's coach Siamak Veisi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American point guard Corin Henry (183-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) came up with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for Kerman in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Averta. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Kerman. Averta will play against higher ranked Kalleh (#5) in Amol in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kerman will play against Tabiat and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between Top Four teams took place in . 3rd placed host Tabiat (7-4) was smashed by second ranked Gorgan (9-1) 94-72. The best player for the winners was Sina Vahedi who scored 19 points and 9 assists. Gorgan's coach Mostafa Hashemi felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jordan Stevens produced 30 points and 4 steals for the hosts. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Gorgan. Defending champion maintains second place with 9-1 record having 2 victories less than leader Zob Ahan. Newly promoted Tabiat keeps the third position with four games lost. They share it with Mahram and Kalleh. Gorgan will meet Limondis (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tabiat will play against Kerman (#8) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 11: Mahram won against Rafsanjan on the opponent's court 94-79. Raad was outscored by Naft Abadan in a home game 68-94. Kalleh managed to beat Sanaye on the road 101-87.



Averta - Kerman 81-79

Important game to mention about took place in . Eighth ranked Averta (5-5) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Kerman (5-5) 81-79 in the game for the seventh place. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Kerman. Averta made 25-of-29 charity shots (86.2 percent) during the game. Kerman was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for the former international Majid Rahimian who led the winners and scored 27 points. Nima Fathi accounted for 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Averta's coach Siamak Veisi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American point guard Corin Henry (183-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) came up with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Mohsen Moradkhani added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Kerman in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Averta. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with defeated Kerman. Averta will play against higher ranked Kalleh (#5) in Amol in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kerman will play against Tabiat and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Kerman: C.Henry 25+5reb+5ast, M.Mohsen 12+7reb, S.Erfan 9+3reb, A.Mehdi 9+1reb+1ast, H.Seyed 8+8reb+1ast, M.Esmaeili 6+4reb
Averta: R.Majid 27+4reb+3ast, F.Nima 17+6reb+2ast, J.van der List 14+2reb+3ast, E.Beigi 8+3reb, M.Yazdanpanah 7+12reb, K.Mohammad 4+2reb

Limondis - Zob Ahan 76-77

Tenth-ranked Limondis (3-8) gave a tough game to first ranked Zob Ahan (11-1) on Monday. The visitors from Esfahan managed to secure only one-point victory 77-76. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for the former international power forward Rouzbeh Arghavan (214-1988) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points and 7 rebounds. American point guard Dwight Buycks (191-1989, college: Marquette) helped adding 17 points. American point guard Jalen Bradley (185-1993, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) responded with 27 points and 8 assists and Serbian center Dragan Tubak (216-1987, agency: BIG) scored 15 points and 8 rebounds. Four Limondis players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Zob Ahan have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place with 11-1 record. Limondis lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the tenth position with eight games lost. Zob Ahan are looking forward to face Raad (#11) in Mashhad in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Limondis will play at home against the league's second-placed Gorgan and are hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Limondis: J.Bradley 27+1reb+8ast, D.Tubak 15+8reb+1ast, V.Dalirzahan 11+6reb+2ast, A.Sabeti 10+2reb+1ast, V.Aliabadi 7+1reb+2ast, K.Mohammadamin 6+4reb+1ast
Zob Ahan: D.Buycks 17+4reb+3ast, R.Arghavan 16+7reb+1ast, A.Davoudichegani 13+3reb+6ast, R.Mozafari 9+2reb+3ast, M.Soleymani 8+1reb, J.Jones 8+7reb+1ast

Rafsanjan - Mahram 79-94

Very expected game when 9th ranked Rafsanjan (4-7) was defeated at home by fourth ranked Mahram (7-4) 94-79 on Monday. Mahram dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Rafsanjan's 40. Mahram forced 22 Rafsanjan turnovers. The best player for the winners was the former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) who scored 35 points (!!!). Nigerian-American power forward OD Anosike (203-1991, college: Siena) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Pouya Yakhchali (-1996) produced 14 points and 6 rebounds and Mohamadreza Taghiloo (192-2000) added 18 points respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Mahram moved-up to third place, which they share with Kalleh and Tabiat. Rafsanjan lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with seven games lost. Mahram will meet bottom-ranked Sanaye (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rafsanjan will play against Naft Abadan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rafsanjan: T.Mohamadreza 18+3reb, F.Pilepic 15+2reb+2ast, Y.Pouya 14+6reb+3ast, A.Amin 10+6reb+2ast, A.Meysam 9+3reb, J.Jucikas 7+1reb
Mahram: M.Jamshidi 35+2reb+1ast, S.Pazrofteh 14+2reb+2ast, O.Anosike 10+12reb+4ast, P.Petty 10+4reb+1ast, R.Mohammadmehdi 9+1reb+1ast, G.Piter 7+2reb+4ast

Raad - Naft Abadan 68-94

Rather predictable result in Mashhad where seventh ranked Naft Abadan (6-5) smashed 11th ranked Raad (1-10) 94-68 on Monday. Naft Abadan made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Raad turnovers. Naft Abadan looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Mehdi Hasanzadeh who scored 19 points and 9 rebounds. Hesam Rezaei chipped in 13 points and 6 assists. Five Naft Abadan players scored in double figures. Pooria Khalifeh produced 19 points and Pedram Fakhfori added 17 points respectively 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. Naft Abadan moved-up to sixth place. Raad lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with ten games lost. Naft Abadan will meet Rafsanjan (#9) on the road in the next round. Raad will play against the league's leader Zob Ahan and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Raad: K.Pooria 19+4reb+3ast, F.Pedram 17+3reb, E.Samadi 8+2reb+3ast, S.Hosein 7+1reb+2ast, H.Amir 4+5reb+1ast, N.Alireza 4+2reb+1ast
Naft Abadan: H.Mehdi 19+9reb+2ast, N.Khajezadeh 15+4reb+1ast, S.Amir 13+1reb+3ast, R.Hesam 13+1reb+6ast, D.Ehsan 13+1reb+5ast, M.Torabi 8+6reb+1ast

Sanaye - Kalleh 87-101

Not a big story in a game in Bandar Abbass where bottom-ranked Sanaye (0-11) was defeated by fifth ranked Kalleh (7-4) 101-87 on Monday. Kalleh made 30-of-37 free shots (81.1 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Patrick Rembert (185-1990, college: UC Irvine, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 assists. Forward Nosrat Yazarloo (197-2002) chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Montenegrin center Marko Perovic (204-1992, agency: PEPI SPORT) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds and the former international forward Eshagh Hatami (190-2000) added 21 points and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Kalleh. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Mahram and Tabiat. Sanaye lost their eleventh game in a row. They still close the standings with 11 games lost. Kalleh will meet Averta (#7) in the next round. Sanaye will play against Mahram (#4) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Sanaye: M.Perovic 24+15reb+3ast, H.Eshagh 21+3reb+5ast, M.Vaez 12+1reb+3ast, G.Omid 10+3reb, S.Pooria 8+4reb+4ast, D.Mohammadamin 7+1ast
Kalleh: P.Rembert 19+3reb+11ast, A.Jalal 19+3reb+1ast, Y.Nosrat 16+8reb+5ast, A.Matin 15+5reb+1ast, L.Mohammadmahdi 11+1reb, D.Ali 7+3reb+3ast

Tabiat - Gorgan 72-94

The game between Top Four teams took place in . 3rd placed host Tabiat (7-4) was smashed by second ranked Gorgan (9-1) 94-72. Gorgan looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was international point guard Sina Vahedi (185-2001) who scored 19 points and 9 assists. Lebanese-American forward Norvel Pelle (208-1993, college: Iona, agency: BIG) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four Gorgan players scored in double figures. Gorgan's coach Mostafa Hashemi felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) produced 30 points and 4 steals and the former international Arman Zangeneh (202-1993, agency: BIG) added 4 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Gorgan. Defending champion maintains second place with 9-1 record having 2 victories less than leader Zob Ahan. Newly promoted Tabiat keeps the third position with four games lost. They share it with Mahram and Kalleh. Gorgan will meet Limondis (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tabiat will play against Kerman (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tabiat: J.Stevens 30+2ast, M.Gbinije 12+6reb+1ast, A.Akbari Hasan 10+9reb, M.Shahrian 6+3ast, T.Morteza 5+1reb+2ast, A.Zangeneh 4+15reb+4ast
Gorgan: V.Sina 19+1reb+9ast, A.Azari 16+1reb+2ast, N.Pelle 13+11reb+1ast, N.Rezaeifar 11+2reb+1ast, S.Monji 10+1reb, A.Kazemi 9+11reb+5ast