Superleague Round 20 (Regular Season): Zob Ahan lose to Tabiat in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Esfahan. Second-ranked host Zob Ahan (15-5) lost to third ranked Tabiat (14-6) 82-71. It was a great shooting night for Tabiat especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who helped to win the game recording 32 points and the former international Arman Zangeneh (202-1993, agency: BIG) who added 10 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. American point guard Dwight Buycks (191-1989, college: Marquette, agency: Epic Sports Consulting LLC) responded with 28 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tabiat have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Tabiat maintains third position with 14-6 record having four points less than leader Gorgan. Zob Ahan at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. Tabiat are looking forward to face Limondis (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Zob Ahan will play against Naft Abadan (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Superleague top team - Gorgan (18-2) added another victory to their record. This time they beat eleventh ranked Foolad (4-16) 96-89. The winners were led by international point guard Sina Vahedi (185-2001) who scored that evening 42 points (!!!) and Arsalan Kazemi supported him with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Even 40 points (!!!) and 6 assists by American point guard JVon McCormick (183-1997, college: Auburn) did not help to save the game for Foolad. Foolad's coach Reza Hengampour rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gorgan have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-2 record. Newly promoted Foolad keeps the eleventh place with 16 games lost. Gorgan will play against Averta (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Foolad will play against Kerman and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Seventh ranked Kalleh (10-10) crushed at home 12th ranked Raad (1-19) by 55 points 117-62, which is the biggest margin this round on Sunday night. The best player for the winners was Matin Aghajanpour who scored 21 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Pedram Fakhfori produced 24 points for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Kalleh maintains seventh position with 10-10 record. Raad lost seventeenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games. Kalleh will meet Rafsanjan (#10) on the road in the next round. Raad will play against Mahram and hope to win that game.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 20: Averta was destroyed by Limondis on the opponent's court 91-71. Mahram managed to outperform Naft Abadan in a home game 73-68. Rafsanjan recorded a loss to Kerman on the road 77-66. Averta was defeated by Rafsanjan on its own court 74-81.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points and 8 rebounds by Majid Rahimian of Averta.



Kalleh - Raad 117-62

Seventh ranked Kalleh (10-10) crushed at home 12th ranked Raad (1-19) by 55 points 117-62, which is the biggest margin this round on Sunday night. Kalleh dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Raad's 28 and made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Kalleh forced 20 Raad turnovers and outrebounded them 44-27 including 31 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was the former international Matin Aghajanpour (198-2001) who scored 21 points (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Mohammadmahdi Lakzaifard chipped in 19 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Five Kalleh players scored in double figures. Pedram Fakhfori produced 24 points and Pouria Sajadimanesh added 10 points and 5 assists respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Kalleh maintains seventh position with 10-10 record. Raad lost seventeenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games. Kalleh will meet Rafsanjan (#10) on the road in the next round. Raad will play against Mahram and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Raad: F.Pedram 24+4reb+2ast, S.Pouria 10+4reb+5ast, A.Bostanian 8+5reb, J.Behnam 5+2reb, M.Ali 77 Amir 4+1reb, H.Mahdi 4+2reb+1ast
Kalleh: A.Matin 21+4reb+2ast, L.Mohammadmahdi 19+2reb, P.Rembert 14+2reb+3ast, N.Reyneh Ali 12+5reb, A.Jalal 10+7reb+1ast, M.Mirzaei 9+5reb+2ast

Limondis - Averta 91-71

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 8th ranked Averta (8-12) was crushed on the road by ninth ranked Limondis (7-13) 91-71 on Sunday. Limondis shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 58.3 percentage. The best player for the winners was American point guard Jalen Bradley (185-1993, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) who scored 22 points. Vahid Aliabadi (197) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Four Limondis players scored in double figures. Nima Fathi produced 12 points and 5 assists and forward Mohammad Yazdanpanah (201-1995) added 12 points respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Newly promoted Limondis maintains ninth position with 7-13 record. Averta lost fifth consecutive game. Averta at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighth place with 12 games lost. Limondis will meet higher ranked Tabiat (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Averta will play against the league's leader Gorgan (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Averta: M.Yazdanpanah 12+4reb+2ast, R.Majid 12+4reb+2ast, F.Nima 12+3reb+5ast, J.van der List 9+7reb+2ast, E.Beigi 8+6reb+1ast, A.Mortazavi 6+2reb+1ast
Limondis: J.Bradley 22+2reb+3ast, V.Aliabadi 14+5reb+2ast, V.Dalirzahan 14+2reb+2ast, M.Khaleghifard 12+4reb+1ast, K.Mohammadamin 11+6reb, S.Mortaza Jafari 9+4reb+6ast

Mahram - Naft Abadan 73-68

Everything could happen in Tehran at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Mahram and 5th ranked Naft Abadan had identical 12-7 record. This time Mahram used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Abadan 73-68 on Sunday night. Mahram forced 21 Naft Abadan turnovers. The best player for the winners was American-Guinea-Bissau point guard Parrish Petty (185-1988, college: UTRGV) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds. The former international Mohammad Jamshidi (199-1991, agency: BIG) chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds. Petty is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The former international center Hamed Haddadi (218-1985, agency: BIG) produced a double-double by scoring 28 points and 24 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and the former international guard Ehsan Dalirzahan (186-2000) added 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Naft Abadan's coach Hemad Sameri tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Mahram have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 13-7 record. Loser Naft Abadan keeps the fifth place with eight games lost. They share the position with Kerman. Mahram will meet bottom-ranked Raad (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Naft Abadan will play against the league's second-placed Zob Ahan (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Naft Abadan: H.Haddadi 28+24reb+3ast, N.Khajezadeh 12+4reb+2ast, D.Ehsan 12+8reb+4ast, S.Amir 7+3reb, F.Aslani 5+1reb+3ast, H.Mehdi 3+5reb
Mahram: M.Jamshidi 24+5reb+1ast, P.Petty 23+13reb+3ast, S.Mashayekhi 11+6reb+1ast, S.Pazrofteh 8+10reb, N.Jankovic 4+4reb, G.Piter 2+1reb

Kerman - Rafsanjan 77-66

Not a big story in a game when 10th ranked Rafsanjan (6-14) was defeated on the road by sixth ranked Kerman (12-8) 77-66 on Monday. Kerman looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Rafsanjan's players. The best player for the winners was American point guard Corin Henry (183-1988, college: Tarleton St., agency: BIG) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 assists. Serbian forward Aleksandar Mitrovic (203-1990) chipped in 13 points. American power forward Jervon Pressley (203-1992, college: Hampton) produced 26 points and 8 rebounds and Ali Vernosafadarani added 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kerman have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Naft Abadan. Loser Rafsanjan keeps the tenth position with 14 games lost. Kerman will meet Foolad (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. Rafsanjan will play against Kalleh and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rafsanjan: J.Pressley 26+8reb, V.Ali 16+11reb+4ast, Y.Pouya 11+8reb+3ast, T.Mohamadreza 9+2reb+1ast, A.Amin 2+2reb, A.Meysam 2+1reb
Kerman: C.Henry 21+4reb+10ast, A.Mitrovic 13+4reb+3ast, E.Sajjad 9+5reb+3ast, H.Seyed 8+3reb+1ast, M.Mohsen 8+9reb+2ast, M.Esmaeili 6+9reb+1ast

Gorgan - Foolad 96-89

Superleague top team - Gorgan (18-2) added another victory to their record. This time they beat eleventh ranked Foolad (4-16) 96-89. Gorgan made 28-of-35 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Gorgan outrebounded Foolad 38-20 including a 28-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Foolad was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by international point guard Sina Vahedi (185-2001) who scored that evening 42 points (!!!) and the former international Arsalan Kazemi (201-1990, college: Oregon, agency: BIG) supported him with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Five Gorgan players scored in double figures. Even 40 points (!!!) and 6 assists by American point guard JVon McCormick (183-1997, college: Auburn) did not help to save the game for Foolad. Montenegrin center Marko Perovic (204-1992, agency: PEPI SPORT) added 16 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Foolad's coach Reza Hengampour rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gorgan have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-2 record. Newly promoted Foolad keeps the eleventh place with 16 games lost. Gorgan will play against Averta (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Foolad will play against Kerman and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Foolad: J.McCormick 40+2reb+6ast, M.Perovic 16+6reb, H.Eshagh 8+1reb+3ast, J.Sarem 6+6reb+2ast, G.Omid 6+2reb, P.Kiani 6
Gorgan: V.Sina 42+1reb+2ast, A.Kazemi 12+14reb+3ast, S.Monji 12+8reb, A.Gholizadeh 12+2reb+1ast, A.Azari 10+4reb+5ast, M.Sheikhi 8+3ast

Zob Ahan - Tabiat 71-82

The game between Top Four teams took place in Esfahan. Second-ranked host Zob Ahan (15-5) lost to third ranked Tabiat (14-6) 82-71. It was a great shooting night for Tabiat especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) who helped to win the game recording 32 points and the former international Arman Zangeneh (202-1993, agency: BIG) who added 10 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. American point guard Dwight Buycks (191-1989, college: Marquette, agency: Epic Sports Consulting LLC) responded with 28 points and 4 assists and international Rasoul Mozafari (188-1994) scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tabiat have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Tabiat maintains third position with 14-6 record having four points less than leader Gorgan. Zob Ahan at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. Tabiat are looking forward to face Limondis (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Zob Ahan will play against Naft Abadan (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Zob Ahan: D.Buycks 28+4reb+4ast, R.Mozafari 21+8reb+4ast, A.Kardoust 10+9reb+1ast, P.Shayan 3+1reb, M.Soleymani 2+1reb, A.Davoudichegani 2+1reb+1ast
Tabiat: J.Stevens 32+4reb+3ast, M.Shahrian 12+1reb+2ast, J.Matin 10+1reb, A.Zangeneh 10+11reb+1ast, S.Davarpanah 9+4reb+2ast, J.Ashkan 6+3reb

Averta - Rafsanjan 74-81

There was a small surprise when tenth ranked Rafsanjan (6-14) beat on the road 8th ranked Averta (8-12) 81-74 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was guard Pouya Yakhchali (-1996) who scored 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Croatian swingman Fran Pilepic (194-1989) chipped in 10 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. The former international Majid Rahimian produced 19 points and 8 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and forward Mohammad Yazdanpanah (201-1995) added 20 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Averta's coach Siamak Veisi tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Rafsanjan maintains tenth position with 6-14 record. Averta lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eighth place with 12 games lost. Rafsanjan will meet at home higher ranked Kalleh (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Averta will play against the league's leader Gorgan and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Averta: M.Yazdanpanah 20+10reb, R.Majid 19+8reb+3ast, F.Nima 11+2reb+5ast, Y.Shaloushi 10+9reb+2ast, S.Amirmehdi 3+2reb, K.Mohammad 3+3reb+2ast
Rafsanjan: Y.Pouya 20+7reb+4ast, J.Pressley 14+4reb, A.Amin 11+2reb+1ast, F.Pilepic 10+5reb+8ast, V.Ali 10+4reb+3ast, T.Mohamadreza 8+8reb+3ast