Superleague Round 12 (Regular Season): Kerman 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 higher ranked Tabiat (7-5) to eighth ranked Kerman (6-6) 76-75 on Tuesday evening. The best player for the winners was Mostafa Abdolvand who scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. American point guard Corin Henry (183-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) chipped in 13 points and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who recorded 29 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kerman moved-up to seventh place. Newly promoted Tabiat dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. They share it with Naft Abadan. Kerman are looking forward to face Limondis (#10) in the next round. Tabiat will play against Kalleh (#4) in Amol and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Bandar Abbass. Third ranked Mahram faced bottom-ranked Foolad. Guests from Tehran (9-4) defeated host Foolad (0-12) 94-89. It was a good game for the former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory with 46 points (!!!) and 4 assists (went 16 for 16 at the free throw line !!!). Parrish Petty contributed with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) replied with 46 points (!!!) and 4 assists (went 16 for 16 at the free throw line !!!) for Foolad. Mahram have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-4 record having just three points less than leader Zob Ahan. Newly promoted Foolad still closes the standings with 12 games lost. Mahram will play against Averta (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Foolad will play against Naft Abadan (#5) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Leader Zob Ahan delivered the twelfth victory on Monday night. This time they crushed 11th ranked Raad (1-11) 85-65 in Mashhad. Worth to mention a quality performance of Rasoul Mozafari who helped to win the game recording 12 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. The best for the losing side was Hosein Shekari with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Zob Ahan (12-1) have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Raad lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 11 games lost. Zob Ahan will meet at home league's second-placed Gorgan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Raad will play against Rafsanjan (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 12 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Naft Abadan defeated Rafsanjan in a road game 85-82. Averta was beaten by Kalleh at home 70-83. Gorgan destroyed Limondis on the opponent's court 105-84. Kerman unfortunately lost to Mahram in a home game 82-89. Averta recorded a loss to Gorgan on the road 73-87.
The best stats of 12th round was 25 points by Nima Fathi of Averta.



Rafsanjan - Naft Abadan 82-85

There was no surprise when 9th ranked Rafsanjan (4-8) was edged at home by sixth ranked Naft Abadan (7-5) 85-82 on Saturday. Naft Abadan outrebounded Rafsanjan 47-34 including 16 on the offensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of Mehdi Hasanzadeh who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 20 rebounds and the former international guard Ehsan Dalirzahan (186-2000) who added 20 points and 7 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was Croatian swingman Fran Pilepic (194-1989) with 35 points (!!!) and Ali Vernosafadarani scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Naft Abadan moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Tabiat. Rafsanjan lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with eight games lost. Naft Abadan will meet at home bottom-ranked Foolad (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rafsanjan will play against Raad in Mashhad and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Naft Abadan: H.Mehdi 21+20reb, D.Ehsan 20+4reb+7ast, A.Taherkhani 18+10reb+2ast, S.Amir 9+6reb, R.Hesam 9+1reb+3ast, N.Khajezadeh 3+1reb
Rafsanjan: F.Pilepic 35+4reb+1ast, T.Mohamadreza 14+3reb+2ast, V.Ali 13+7reb+3ast, A.Amin 8+6reb+1ast, Y.Pouya 5+5reb+3ast, A.Mohamad 4+1reb

Averta - Kalleh 70-83

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Kalleh (8-4) defeated on the road 8th ranked Averta (5-7) 83-70 on Tuesday. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international Matin Aghajanpour (199-2001) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and the former international center Meisam Mirzaei (210-1992) who added 14 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Four Kalleh players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was the former international Majid Rahimian with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and Nima Fathi scored 16 points. Kalleh have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Kalleh maintains fourth position with 8-4 record. Averta at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighth place with seven games lost. Kalleh will meet at home Tabiat (#6) in the next round. Averta will play against Mahram in Tehran and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kalleh: A.Matin 31+4reb+1ast, M.Mirzaei 14+12reb+2ast, P.Rembert 11+3reb+9ast, A.Jalal 11+10reb, Y.Amirhossein 5, R.Ranjbar 4+3reb
Averta: R.Majid 17+8reb+6ast, F.Nima 16+4reb+1ast, E.Beigi 14+4reb+1ast, J.van der List 7+5reb+1ast, M.Yazdanpanah 7+10reb+2ast, S.Amirmehdi 6+1reb

Limondis - Gorgan 84-105

Very expected game when 10th ranked Limondis (3-9) were rolled over at home by second ranked Gorgan (11-1) 105-84 on Monday. Gorgan dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Limondis' 30. They outrebounded Limondis 45-24 including a 31-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Gorgan looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Gorgan made 8 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of international point guard Sina Vahedi (185-2001) who helped to win the game recording 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Lebanese-American forward Norvel Pelle (208-1993, college: Iona, agency: BIG) who added 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Five Gorgan players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American point guard Jalen Bradley (185-1993, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Vahid Aliabadi (197) scored 21 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Gorgan have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 11-1 record behind leader Zob Ahan. Limondis lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the tenth place with nine games lost. Gorgan will meet league's leader Zob Ahan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Limondis will play against Kerman (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gorgan: V.Sina 28+5reb+5ast, N.Pelle 15+9reb+1ast, W.Cherry 14+3reb+2ast, N.Rezaeifar 12+3reb+2ast, S.Monji 11+8reb+2ast, K.Yasin 6+3reb
Limondis: J.Bradley 22+6reb+6ast, V.Aliabadi 21+2reb+1ast, V.Dalirzahan 14+4reb+3ast, S.Mortaza Jafari 7+3reb+3ast, N.Reza 6+1reb, A.Sabeti 5

Raad - Zob Ahan 65-85

Leader Zob Ahan delivered the twelfth victory on Monday night. This time they crushed 11th ranked Raad (1-11) 85-65 in Mashhad. Zob Ahan forced 23 Raad turnovers. Worth to mention a quality performance of international Rasoul Mozafari (188-1994) who helped to win the game recording 12 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international center Asghar Kardoust (212-1986, agency: BIG) who added 14 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. The best for the losing side was Hosein Shekari with 20 points and 6 rebounds and Pooria Khalifeh scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Zob Ahan (12-1) have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Raad lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 11 games lost. Zob Ahan will meet at home league's second-placed Gorgan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Raad will play against Rafsanjan (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zob Ahan: A.Kardoust 14+3reb, P.Shayan 13+4reb, R.Mozafari 12+6reb+8ast, J.Jones 9+4reb+1ast, A.Davoudichegani 8+1reb+4ast, M.Hossien 7+3reb+1ast
Raad: S.Hosein 20+6reb+3ast, K.Pooria 11+5reb+4ast, V.Mohsen 8+6reb+2ast, S.Pouria 8+4reb, N.Danial 4, H.Amir 3+2reb+1ast

Foolad - Mahram 89-94

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Bandar Abbass. Third ranked Mahram faced bottom-ranked Foolad. Guests from Tehran (9-4) defeated host Foolad (0-12) 94-89. Mahram made 29-of-33 charity shots (87.9 percent) during the game. It was a good game for the former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory with 46 points (!!!) and 4 assists (went 16 for 16 at the free throw line !!!). American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Parrish Petty (185-1988, college: UTRGV) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Petty is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) replied with 46 points (!!!) and 4 assists (went 16 for 16 at the free throw line !!!) and American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Parrish Petty (185-1988, college: UTRGV) added 17 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Foolad. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Mahram have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-4 record having just three points less than leader Zob Ahan. Newly promoted Foolad still closes the standings with 12 games lost. Mahram will play against Averta (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Foolad will play against Naft Abadan (#5) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Sanaye: M.Bahram 33+5reb+3ast, M.Perovic 15+6reb+4ast, S.Pooria 13+5reb+2ast, H.Eshagh 8+4reb+3ast, J.Sarem 8+4reb, D.Mohammadamin 4


Tabiat - Kerman 75-76

This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of higher ranked Tabiat (7-5) to eighth ranked Kerman (6-6) 76-75 on Tuesday evening. The best player for the winners was Mostafa Abdolvand who scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. American point guard Corin Henry (183-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) chipped in 13 points and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who recorded 29 points and 6 rebounds and the former international Arman Zangeneh (202-1993, agency: BIG) added 20 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kerman moved-up to seventh place. Newly promoted Tabiat dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. They share it with Naft Abadan. Kerman are looking forward to face Limondis (#10) in the next round. Tabiat will play against Kalleh (#4) in Amol and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kerman: A.Mostafa 18+9reb+1ast, C.Henry 13+3reb+6ast, M.Mohsen 12+10reb, A.Mehdi 10+1reb+5ast, M.Esmaeili 8+3reb+3ast, S.Erfan 5+5reb+2ast
Tabiat: J.Stevens 29+6reb+2ast, A.Zangeneh 20+11reb+3ast, G.Seyed 11+4reb+1ast, M.Gbinije 11+2reb+1ast, M.Shahrian 2+2reb+4ast, A.Akbari Hasan 2+3reb+1ast

Kerman - Mahram 82-89

Very predictable result when third ranked Mahram (9-4) beat on the road 8th ranked Kerman (6-6) 89-82 on Thursday. Mahram looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Parrish Petty (185-1988, college: UTRGV) who helped to win the game recording 35 points (!!!) and 9 assists and Nigerian-American power forward OD Anosike (203-1991, college: Siena) who added 16 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Petty is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was Seyed Hoseini with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Mohsen Moradkhani produced a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Mahram have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 9-4 record having just three points less than leader Zob Ahan. Kerman at the other side dropped to the seventh place with six games lost. Mahram will meet at home Averta (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Kerman will play against Limondis and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mahram: P.Petty 35+3reb+9ast, O.Anosike 16+14reb+3ast, M.Jamshidi 13+3reb+4ast, S.Ali Reza 9+2reb+2ast, G.Piter 7+1reb+3ast, S.Pazrofteh 5+7reb+4ast
Kerman: H.Seyed 20+7reb+5ast, M.Mohsen 17+12reb+2ast, C.Henry 14+5reb+5ast, S.Erfan 9+6reb+8ast, A.Mostafa 8+3reb+1ast, A.Mehdi 7+1reb+6ast

Gorgan - Averta 87-73

Not a big story in a game when 8th ranked Averta (5-7) was defeated on the road by second ranked Gorgan (11-1) 87-73 on Saturday. Gorgan dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Averta's 28 and made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Averta 35-22 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of international point guard Sina Vahedi (185-2001) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international guard Navid Rezaeifar (185-1996) who added 14 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Gorgan's coach Mostafa Hashemi used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was Nima Fathi with 25 points and the former international Majid Rahimian scored 9 points. Gorgan have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 11-1 record behind leader Zob Ahan. Newly promoted Averta keeps the eighth place with seven games lost. Gorgan will meet league's leader Zob Ahan in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Averta will play against Mahram (#3) in Tehran and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gorgan: V.Sina 16+5reb+4ast, A.Azari 15+1reb, N.Rezaeifar 14+5reb+3ast, S.Monji 10+2reb, Y.Mohammad 8+6reb, N.Pelle 8+4reb
Averta: F.Nima 25+2reb+2ast, S.Amirmehdi 9+3reb+1ast, R.Majid 9+3reb+2ast, Y.Shaloushi 8+1reb, E.Beigi 8+5reb+1ast, M.Yazdanpanah 6+3reb+3ast