Superleague Round 17 (Regular Season): Gorgan is defeated by Naft Abadan

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Gorgan (15-2) on the court of fifth ranked Naft Abadan on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Naft Abadan 92-83. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Gorgan. They outrebounded Gorgan 55-37 including a 43-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Naft Abadan looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international center Hamed Haddadi (218-1985, agency: BIG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 blocks for the winners and Mehdi Hasanzadeh chipped in 19 points and 18 rebounds. American point guard Will Cherry (185-1991, college: Montana) responded with 26 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Naft Abadan have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Tabiat. Defending champion Gorgan still keeps top position with two games lost. Naft Abadan is looking forward to face Kerman (#6) on the road in the next round. Gorgan will play against Raad (#12) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Tehran. Seventh ranked Kerman (9-8) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Mahram (10-7) 99-97 on Tuesday evening. American point guard Corin Henry (183-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) nailed 33 points (!!!), 6 assists and 5 steals for the winning side and Mohsen Moradkhani accounted for 20 points and 10 rebounds. The former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) came up with 31 points and 9 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) for Mahram in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Kerman moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Kalleh. Mahram at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. Kerman will play against higher ranked Naft Abadan (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mahram will play against Kalleh in Amol and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Zob Ahan (14-3) against eighth ranked Kalleh (9-8) on Tuesday night. Visiting Zob Ahan was crushed by Kalleh in Amol 88-69. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Zob Ahan. The best player for the winners was Patrick Rembert who scored 23 points and 7 assists. Dwight Buycks produced 30 points for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kalleh moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Kerman. Loser Zob Ahan keeps the second position with three games lost. Kalleh will meet at home higher ranked Mahram (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zob Ahan will play against Averta and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 17: Tabiat won against Rafsanjan on the opponent's court 72-60. Bottom-ranked Raad unfortunately lost to Limondis in a home game 88-101. Averta recorded a loss to Foolad on the road 83-85. Kerman defeated Kalleh on its own court 74-69.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 23 points by Matin Aghajanpour of Kalleh.



Naft Abadan - Gorgan 92-83

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Gorgan (15-2) on the court of fifth ranked Naft Abadan on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Naft Abadan 92-83. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Gorgan. They outrebounded Gorgan 55-37 including a 43-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Naft Abadan looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The former international center Hamed Haddadi (218-1985, agency: BIG) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 blocks for the winners and Mehdi Hasanzadeh chipped in 19 points and 18 rebounds. American point guard Will Cherry (185-1991, college: Montana) responded with 26 points and 5 assists and the former international Arsalan Kazemi (201-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Gorgan players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Naft Abadan have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Tabiat. Defending champion Gorgan still keeps top position with two games lost. Naft Abadan is looking forward to face Kerman (#6) on the road in the next round. Gorgan will play against Raad (#12) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Naft Abadan: H.Haddadi 32+18reb+7ast, H.Mehdi 19+18reb+3ast, D.Ehsan 19+3reb+6ast, A.Khalilnejad 9+4reb+1ast, N.Khajezadeh 8+5reb+1ast, R.Hesam 3+1reb
Gorgan: W.Cherry 26+2reb+5ast, V.Sina 19+4reb+3ast, N.Rezaeifar 13+4reb+3ast, Y.Mohammad 10+8reb+2ast, A.Kazemi 10+12reb+5ast, N.Pelle 5+5reb+1ast

Rafsanjan - Tabiat 60-72

Very expected game when 9th ranked Rafsanjan (5-11) was defeated at home by fourth ranked Tabiat (11-6) 72-60 on Sunday. Tabiat forced 21 Rafsanjan turnovers. The best player for the winners was American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who scored 35 points (!!!) and 8 steals. The former international Arman Zangeneh (202-1993, agency: BIG) chipped in 8 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. American power forward Jervon Pressley (203-1992, college: Hampton) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds and Meysam Abedi added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Rafsanjan's coach O. Movahed rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Tabiat moved-up to third place, which they share with Naft Abadan. Rafsanjan lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Tabiat will meet at home Foolad (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rafsanjan will play against Limondis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tabiat: J.Stevens 35+4reb+3ast, A.Akbari Hasan 10+7reb, A.Zangeneh 8+6reb+5ast, S.Davarpanah 8+2reb+2ast, J.Ashkan 7+3reb+1ast, M.Gbinije 2+3reb+1ast
Rafsanjan: J.Pressley 19+12reb+1ast, A.Meysam 16+5reb+1ast, V.Ali 7+6reb+4ast, Y.Pouya 6+4reb+6ast, F.Pilepic 5+4reb+1ast, S.Ali 3+2reb

Raad - Limondis 88-101

Rather predictable result in Mashhad where tenth ranked Limondis (5-12) defeated bottom-ranked Raad (1-16) 101-88 on Monday. Limondis dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Raad's 36. They outrebounded Raad 40-27 including 28 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American point guard Jalen Bradley (185-1993, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) who scored 23 points and 6 rebounds. Vahid Aliabadi (197) chipped in 21 points. Hosein Shekari produced 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international swingman Ehsan Samadi (192-1998) added 18 points respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Limondis maintains tenth place with 5-12 record. Raad lost fourteenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Limondis will meet at home higher ranked Rafsanjan (#9) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Raad will play against the league's leader Gorgan and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Limondis: J.Bradley 23+6reb+3ast, V.Aliabadi 21+3reb+3ast, S.Mortaza Jafari 17+5reb+3ast, V.Dalirzahan 12+1reb+1ast, N.Reza 8+5reb, M.Rezaei 8+5reb
Raad: S.Hosein 19+5reb+4ast, E.Samadi 18+1reb+3ast, V.Mohsen 16+2reb, F.Pedram 13+2reb+2ast, S.Pouria 8+3reb+1ast, K.Pooria 7+2reb+5ast

Foolad - Averta 85-83

There was a minor upset in Bandar Abbass where 8th ranked Averta (8-8) was edged by eleventh ranked Foolad (3-14) 85-83 on Wednesday. Foolad made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Montenegrin center Marko Perovic (204-1992, agency: PEPI SPORT) who scored 32 points and 9 rebounds. American point guard JVon McCormick (183-1997, college: Auburn) chipped in 22 points and 4 assists. Forward Mohammad Yazdanpanah (201-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international Majid Rahimian added 18 points respectively for the guests. Five Averta players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Foolad maintains eleventh place with 3-14 record. Averta at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighth position with eight games lost. Foolad will meet higher ranked Tabiat (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Averta will play against the league's second-placed Zob Ahan (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Foolad: M.Perovic 32+9reb+1ast, J.McCormick 22+4reb+4ast, M.Bahram 11+4reb+7ast, J.Sarem 7+9reb, H.Eshagh 7+2reb+3ast, G.Omid 4+2reb+1ast
Averta: R.Majid 18+2reb+3ast, M.Yazdanpanah 18+11reb+4ast, J.van der List 16+4reb, D.Jean 15+4reb+1ast, A.Mortazavi 10+3reb, F.Nima 6+3reb+2ast

Kalleh - Zob Ahan 88-69

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Zob Ahan (14-3) against eighth ranked Kalleh (9-8) on Tuesday night. Visiting Zob Ahan was crushed by Kalleh in Amol 88-69. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Zob Ahan. Kalleh shot 19 for 28 from the free-throw line, while Zob Ahan only scored three points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was American point guard Patrick Rembert (185-1990, college: UC Irvine, agency: Archie Sports) who scored 23 points and 7 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). The former international Matin Aghajanpour (198-2001) chipped in a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. Four Kalleh players scored in double figures. American point guard Dwight Buycks (191-1989, college: Marquette) produced 30 points and international Rasoul Mozafari (188-1994) added 12 points and 6 assists respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kalleh moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Kerman. Loser Zob Ahan keeps the second position with three games lost. Kalleh will meet at home higher ranked Mahram (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zob Ahan will play against Averta and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kalleh: P.Rembert 23+2reb+7ast, Y.Amirhossein 20+5reb, A.Matin 19+12reb, A.Jalal 14+3reb+1ast, Y.Nosrat 8+4reb+1ast, M.Mirzaei 4+8reb+3ast
Zob Ahan: D.Buycks 30+4reb+2ast, R.Mozafari 12+2reb+6ast, A.Kardoust 8+7reb, A.Davoudichegani 6+2reb+2ast, M.Hossien 5, M.Reza Akbari 3+3reb+1ast

Mahram - Kerman 97-99

Important game to mention about took place in Tehran. Seventh ranked Kerman (9-8) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Mahram (10-7) 99-97 on Tuesday evening. Kerman made 26-of-34 charity shots (76.5 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Mahram was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. American point guard Corin Henry (183-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) nailed 33 points (!!!), 6 assists and 5 steals for the winning side and Mohsen Moradkhani accounted for 20 points and 10 rebounds. The former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) came up with 31 points and 9 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Parrish Petty (185-1988, college: UTRGV) added 28 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Mahram in the defeat. Four Mahram players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Kerman moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Kalleh. Mahram at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. Kerman will play against higher ranked Naft Abadan (#3) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mahram will play against Kalleh in Amol and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kerman: C.Henry 33+4reb+6ast, M.Mohsen 20+10reb+1ast, A.Mehdi 11+2reb+3ast, S.Erfan 11+1reb, H.Seyed 9+2reb, E.Sajjad 7+3reb+6ast
Mahram: M.Jamshidi 31+2reb+9ast, P.Petty 28+7reb+2ast, S.Pazrofteh 16+6reb+3ast, S.Mashayekhi 11+2reb+4ast, R.Mohammadmehdi 5+6reb, A.Khandanpour 3+5reb

Kerman - Kalleh 74-69

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Kerman's (9-8) home victory over 8th ranked Kalleh (9-8) 74-69 on Wednesday. Kerman looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard Corin Henry (183-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) who scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Mehdi Afkhami chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international Matin Aghajanpour (198-2001) produced 23 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and forward Nosrat Yazarloo (197-2002) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Kalleh's coach Ali Arezoomandi rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Kerman moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Kalleh. Kalleh lost fourth consecutive game. Kerman will meet at home higher ranked Naft Abadan (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kalleh will play against Mahram and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kerman: C.Henry 15+7reb+7ast, A.Mehdi 15+5reb+4ast, S.Erfan 14+3reb+1ast, H.Seyed 9+4reb+4ast, M.Mohsen 9+9reb+2ast, M.Amirhosein 8+4reb+1ast
Kalleh: A.Matin 23+4reb+1ast, P.Rembert 16+5ast, Y.Nosrat 15+5reb+1ast, Y.Amirhossein 4+4reb+1ast, L.Mohammadmahdi 3, M.Mirzaei 2+10reb+1ast