Superleague Round 4: Duhok keeps a leadership position

There was no lack of excitement in the last round games. The round ended with derby games, favorites losing the games, games ending by tiny margin and even winless team recording their first victory. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Duhok as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Duhok smashed 6th ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal at home 92-65. Duhok held Ghaz Al-Shamal to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Chris Johnson (192-91, college: St.Catharine) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Ahmed Al-Tameemi (200-84) who added 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side Hasan Saymarlee responded with 20 points and 6 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. Duhok have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Ghaz Al-Shamal lost third consecutive game. Ghaz Al-Shamal at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the sixth place with three games lost. They share the position with Zakho. Ghaz Al-Shamal will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Duhok will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Al Naft in Baghdad.
Undefeated Al-Tadamoun (2-1) recorded its first loss in Baghdad. Visitors were defeated by top-ranked Al Naft (3-0) 90-72. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al-Tadamoun. It was a key game for the second position in the league. The winners were led by the former international forward Ali Ismael (199-94) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks and Demario Mayfield supported him with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists by American forward R.J. McGhee (198, college: Oklahoma City) did not help to save the game for Al-Tadamoun. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Naft have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 3-0 record behind leader Duhok. Al-Tadamoun at the other side dropped to the fifth place with one game lost. Al Naft will play against league's leader Duhok at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al-Tadamoun will play against Al Kahraba (#11) in Baghdad and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Al Hilla (1-1) against ninth ranked Zakho (2-3) on Friday night. Visiting Al Hilla was defeated by Zakho in Zakho 80-70. Sanar Shamdeen fired 32 points and 6 assists for the winners. Hrvoje Puljko produced 30 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Al Hilla's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Zakho moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Ghaz Al-Shamal. Loser Al Hilla dropped to the eighth position with one game lost. Zakho will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al Hilla will play against Nift Al-Janoub (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
AL-Adhamiya has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Al Kahraba (0-3) 67-64. It was a very good performance for Layth Al-Hilfi who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. AL-Adhamiya (1-3) left bottom position moving up to tenth place. It was Al Kahraba's third loss in a row. They still close the standings with three games lost. AL-Adhamiya's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Baghdad Al Shurtah.
Bottom-ranked Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya (0-4) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fourth consecutive match to fifth ranked Al Mina (3-1) 81-54 on Saturday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Jeffery Stubbs who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Al Mina's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Al Mina have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya still closes the standings with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last game of round 4 Ghaz Al-Shamal lost to Zakho on the opponent's court 90-97.

Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya - Al Mina 54-81

Bottom-ranked Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya (0-4) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their fourth consecutive match to fifth ranked Al Mina (3-1) 81-54 on Saturday evening. Al Mina held Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. They outrebounded Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya 48-33 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Mina looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Jeffery Stubbs (189-91, college: Jackson St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international point guard Ali Aljuboori (167-87) who added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. Al Mina's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American swingman Christopher McEachin (198-89, college: Norfolk St.) responded with 12 points and 5 rebounds and Mohammed Al-Hassany scored 8 points and 9 rebounds. Al Mina have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya still closes the standings with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Mina: J.Stubbs 25+10reb+8ast, S.Al-Saedi 19+3reb+2ast, A.Aljuboori 10+7reb+9ast, M.Al-Jebur 8+3reb+1ast, M.Mahdi 7+11reb+3ast, K.Al-Elayawi 5+6reb
Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya: C.McEachin 12+5reb+3ast, A.Ahmad 10+1ast, I.Ahmed 9+3reb, A.Mohammed 8+9reb, N.Mohammed 7+5reb+1ast, A.Omer 6+2reb+2ast

AL-Adhamiya - Al Kahraba 67-64

AL-Adhamiya has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Al Kahraba (0-3) 67-64. AL-Adhamiya held Al Kahraba to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. It was a very good performance for Layth Al-Hilfi who helped to win the game recording 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Hayder Khudhair contributed with 22 points for the winners. Ali Saeed replied with 17 points and 6 rebounds and the former international center Malik Nahi (210-88) added 8 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Al Kahraba. AL-Adhamiya (1-3) left bottom position moving up to tenth place. It was Al Kahraba's third loss in a row. They still close the standings with three games lost. AL-Adhamiya's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Baghdad Al Shurtah.
Top scorers:
AL-Adhamiya: K.Hayder 22+4reb, A.Zuhair 16+4reb+1ast, A.Layth 13+9reb+7ast, M.Abdulhay 7+13reb, A.Abulfadhel 5+2reb, A.Bilal 4+1ast
Al Kahraba: S.Ali 17+6reb, K.Ahmed 10+4reb+3ast, A.Hussein 10+10reb, A.Baqer 8+4reb+1ast, M.Nahi 8+12reb, A.Hussein 5+1reb

Al Naft - Al-Tadamoun 90-72

Undefeated Al-Tadamoun (2-1) recorded its first loss in Baghdad. Visitors were defeated by top-ranked Al Naft (3-0) 90-72. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al-Tadamoun. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Al Naft held Al-Tadamoun to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Al Naft forced 19 Al-Tadamoun turnovers and outrebounded them 48-35 including 17 on the offensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Al Naft brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. The winners were led by the former international forward Ali Ismael (199-94) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks and international swingman Demario Mayfield (196-91, college: Angelo St., agency: Two Points) supported him with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Al Naft players scored in double figures. Even 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists by American forward R.J. McGhee (198, college: Oklahoma City) did not help to save the game for Al-Tadamoun. Guard Abbas Al-Draisawi (188-98) added 23 points for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Naft have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 3-0 record behind leader Duhok. Al-Tadamoun at the other side dropped to the fifth place with one game lost. Al Naft will play against league's leader Duhok at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Al-Tadamoun will play against Al Kahraba (#11) in Baghdad and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Al Naft: D.Mayfield 20+7reb+5ast, A.Ismael 18+15reb+5ast, I.Al-Zuhairi 14+14reb+2ast, A.Hamad 11+1reb+4ast, A.Abdullah 9+2reb, M.Fareed 7+2reb
Al-Tadamoun: A.Al-Draisawi 23+4reb+2ast, R.McGhee 17+9reb+4ast, A.Ahmed 9+8reb+1ast, A.Hussein 7+5reb, A.Hasan 6+7reb+3ast, A.Mohammed 4+1reb+4ast

Zakho - Ghaz Al-Shamal 97-90

There was a minor upset when 6th ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal (2-3) was defeated on the road by ninth ranked Zakho (2-3) 97-90 on Tuesday. Zakho held Ghaz Al-Shamal to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward James Johnson (196-92, college: Culver Stockton) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 7 rebounds and the former international point guard Sanar Shamdeen (173, college: Alders.-Broad.) who added 19 points and 10 assists during the contest. Johnson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side Mohammed Al-Lawi responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds and American center Antonio Bishop (205, college: Columbus St.) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Zakho moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Ghaz Al-Shamal. Ghaz Al-Shamal lost third consecutive game. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Zakho: J.Johnson 27+7reb+1ast, S.Shamdeen 19+4reb+10ast, Z.Jagarkhin 18+1reb+3ast, Z.Mohammed 18+7reb+4ast, M.Hussein 9+4reb, A.Omran 3+6reb
Ghaz Al-Shamal: A.Bishop 19+10reb+5ast, A.Mohammed 19+14reb+3ast, S.Hasan 18+3reb+1ast, A.Mohammed 12+3reb+1ast, A.Mustafa 8+4reb+1ast, S.Kayhan 6+1ast

Duhok - Ghaz Al-Shamal 92-65

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Duhok as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Duhok smashed 6th ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal at home 92-65. Duhok held Ghaz Al-Shamal to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Chris Johnson (192-91, college: St.Catharine) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Ahmed Al-Tameemi (200-84) who added 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Four Duhok players scored in double figures. At the losing side Hasan Saymarlee responded with 20 points and 6 rebounds and American center Antonio Bishop (205, college: Columbus St.) scored 9 points and 15 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. Duhok have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Ghaz Al-Shamal lost third consecutive game. Ghaz Al-Shamal at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the sixth place with three games lost. They share the position with Zakho. Ghaz Al-Shamal will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Duhok will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Al Naft in Baghdad.
Top scorers:
Duhok: C.Johnson 40+10reb+4ast, A.Al-Tameemi 22+7reb+5ast, R.Haji Alatroshi 13+6reb+3ast, A.Hameed 10+13reb+3ast, O.Alazawi 4+7reb+2ast, A.Qosay 3+3reb
Ghaz Al-Shamal: S.Hasan 20+6reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 17+6reb+1ast, A.Bishop 9+15reb, Z.Mohammed 8+6reb+2ast, A.Radhwan 4+1reb+1ast, A.Mustafa 3+5reb+1ast

Zakho - Al Hilla 80-70

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Al Hilla (1-1) against ninth ranked Zakho (2-3) on Friday night. Visiting Al Hilla was defeated by Zakho in Zakho 80-70. They held Al Hilla to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. The former international point guard Sanar Shamdeen (173, college: Alders.-Broad.) fired 32 points and 6 assists for the winners. Mohammed Zewki chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds. Croatian guard Hrvoje Puljko (193-83) produced 30 points and 9 rebounds and Khalid Sultan added 7 points and 14 rebounds respectively for lost side. Al Hilla's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Zakho moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Ghaz Al-Shamal. Loser Al Hilla dropped to the eighth position with one game lost. Zakho will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al Hilla will play against Nift Al-Janoub (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zakho: S.Shamdeen 32+2reb+6ast, J.Johnson 18+7reb+2ast, Z.Mohammed 13+16reb+1ast, M.Warcheen 6+9reb, Z.Jagarkhin 5+2reb, M.Hussein 4+3reb+2ast
Al Hilla: H.Puljko 30+9reb+2ast, A.Ahmed 10+1reb, M.Abbas 8+2reb+4ast, S.Khalid 7+14reb, A.Ahmed 6+2reb+1ast, A.Abed 5+10reb+1ast



Tags : CHRIS JOHNSON, DUHOK, IRAQI BASKETBALL