Superleague Round 19: Al Shorta edge Al-Hashd by three points

The Regular Season in Superleague is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 19 in the Superleague took place in Baghdad. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Al-Hashd (10-3) to second ranked Al Shorta (12-1) 85-82 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al-Hashd. Al Shorta held Al-Hashd to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. The former international guard Hassan Abdullah (190-94) fired 24 points for the winners. Hasan Saymarlee chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds. The former international forward Thulfiqar Hammoodi (196-92) produced a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Al Shorta maintains second place with 12-1 record having just three points less than leader Al Naft. Newly promoted Al-Hashd keeps the third position with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Baghdad: Al Naft (#1) and Al Kahraba (#4). Al Naft (14-0) crushed visiting Al Kahraba (9-4) by 17 points 93-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Kahraba. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Kevin Galloway (200-88, college: Texas Southern) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Ihab Al-Zuhairi contributed with 17 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. American guard Aaron Mitchell (188-89, college: Longwood) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for Al Kahraba. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Al Naft have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 14-0 record. Al Kahraba at the other side keeps the fourth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked AL-Adhamiya managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of two consecutive losses on Monday night. This time they outleveled tenth-ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal in Kirku 74-55. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 19-point difference proves that AL-Adhamiya was well-prepared to that game. It was a great evening for AlaA Al-Saedi who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 14 rebounds. At the losing side Ali Fadhil responded with 9 points and 13 rebounds. AL-Adhamiya (2-11) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with defeated Ghaz Al-Shamal. AL-Adhamiya will meet higher ranked Zakho (#7) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ghaz Al-Shamal will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 19 Al-Khtot was defeated by Nift Al-Basra in a road game 70-55.

Nift Al-Basra - Al-Khtot 70-55

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Al-Khtot's (4-9) road loss to seventh ranked Nift Al-Basra (5-5) 55-70 on Sunday. Nift Al-Basra held Al-Khtot to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. They outrebounded Al-Khtot 44-30 including 31 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American guard Demarius Bolds (193-84, college: MWSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points. The former international forward Dhulfiqar Al-Hchaimi (202-91) helped adding 18 points and 9 rebounds. Bolds is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side Hamzah Abs responded with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Safaa Al-Saedi (171-94) scored 17 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Nift Al-Basra moved-up to sixth place. Al-Khtot lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Nift Al-Basra will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al-Khtot will play against Al Hilla (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al-Khtot: S.Al-Saedi 17+3reb+1ast, A.Nawras 11+6reb+1ast, A.Hamzah 11+7reb+5ast, A.Zuhair 6, A.Hussein 5+6reb, I.Ahmed 3+4reb
Nift Al-Basra: D.Bolds 22+4reb+3ast, D.Al-Hchaimi 18+9reb, A.Hameed 11+9reb, A.Diyar 7+2reb+4ast, A.Jasim 6+8reb+1ast, A.Aljuboori 2+11reb+2ast

Ghaz Al-Shamal - AL-Adhamiya 55-74

Bottom-ranked AL-Adhamiya managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of two consecutive losses on Monday night. This time they outleveled tenth-ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal in Kirku 74-55. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 19-point difference proves that AL-Adhamiya was well-prepared to that game. They held Ghaz Al-Shamal to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. AL-Adhamiya forced 19 Ghaz Al-Shamal turnovers. It was a great evening for AlaA Al-Saedi who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 14 rebounds. Hussein Rubaye helped adding 8 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Four AL-Adhamiya players scored in double figures. At the losing side center Ali Fadhil (202-99) responded with 9 points and 13 rebounds and Kayhan Saeed scored 13 points. AL-Adhamiya (2-11) moved-up to tenth place, which they share with defeated Ghaz Al-Shamal. AL-Adhamiya will meet higher ranked Zakho (#7) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ghaz Al-Shamal will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ghaz Al-Shamal: A.Rekan 14+3reb, S.Kayhan 13+1reb+3ast, A.Fadhil 9+13reb+1ast, A.Yousif 6+3reb+2ast, S.Khalid 6+8reb+1ast, R.Sobara 5+3reb
AL-Adhamiya: A.AlaA 27+14reb+1ast, K.Hayder 14+3reb+3ast, A.Al Abboodi 13+5reb+3ast, A.Rasheed 10+3reb+4ast, R.Hussein 8+14reb+5ast, A.Mohammed 2

Al Shorta - Al-Hashd 85-82

The most exciting game of round 19 in the Superleague took place in Baghdad. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 3rd placed Al-Hashd (10-3) to second ranked Al Shorta (12-1) 85-82 in the game for the second place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al-Hashd. Al Shorta held Al-Hashd to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. The former international guard Hassan Abdullah (190-94) fired 24 points for the winners. Hasan Saymarlee chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds. The former international forward Thulfiqar Hammoodi (196-92) produced a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Lebanese power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-90, college: Michigan Tech, agency: BIG) added 25 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Al Shorta maintains second place with 12-1 record having just three points less than leader Al Naft. Newly promoted Al-Hashd keeps the third position with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al-Hashd: T.Hammoodi 28+10reb+4ast, M.Haidar 25+7reb+2ast, A.Al-Draisawi 11+4reb+2ast, M.Nahi 9+1reb+1ast, A.Ahmed 6+4reb+4ast, A.Al-Nasrawi 3+4reb+2ast
Al Shorta: H.Abdullah 24+3reb+3ast, S.Hasan 19+5reb, M.Al-Khafaji 15+1ast, H.Talib 9+10reb+1ast, Q.Davis 8+4reb+3ast, M.Abdulqader 6+7reb+5ast

Al Naft - Al Kahraba 93-76

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Baghdad: Al Naft (#1) and Al Kahraba (#4). Al Naft (14-0) crushed visiting Al Kahraba (9-4) by 17 points 93-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Kahraba. Al Naft held Al Kahraba to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Al Naft had a 15-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Kevin Galloway (200-88, college: Texas Southern) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international center Ihab Al-Zuhairi (209-98) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. American guard Aaron Mitchell (188-89, college: Longwood) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Mostafa Al-Mjruss added 13 points in the effort for Al Kahraba. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Naft have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 14-0 record. Al Kahraba at the other side keeps the fourth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Kahraba: A.Mitchell 22+10reb+4ast, A.Mostafa 13+3reb+3ast, A.Hussein 10+1ast, J.Hasan 8+4reb, K.Ahmed 7+2reb, N.Zeyad 6+2reb
Al Naft: K.Galloway 25+5reb+7ast, A.Hamad 17+6reb+1ast, I.Al-Zuhairi 17+16reb, K.Hamzah 8+2reb+4ast, A.Abdullah 6+1reb, A.Ismael 6+5reb+1ast



Tags : HASSAN ABDULLAH, AL SHORTA POLICE, IRAQI BASKETBALL