Superleague Round 23 of Regular Season

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game in Najef was quite interesting. Third ranked Al-Hashd (13-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Al-Tadamoun (5-7). Al-Hashd did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 78-61 on Monday. Al-Hashd held Al-Tadamoun to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Al-Hashd looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Lebanese power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-90, college: Michigan Tech, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international forward Thulfiqar Hammoodi (196-92) contributed with 19 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. Rashwan Kadhim answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists for Al-Tadamoun. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al-Hashd have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Al-Tadamoun lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with seven games lost. Al-Hashd will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al-Tadamoun will play on the road against Ghaz Al-Shamal (#10) in Kirku and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
The game in Basra was also worth to mention about. 4th placed Al Kahraba (9-5) played at the court of fifth ranked Nift Al-Basra (7-5). Nift Al-Basra managed to secure a 5-point victory 78-73. It was a great evening for American guard Demarius Bolds (193-84, college: MWSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points and 8 rebounds. Jasim Al-Saeed helped adding 17 points and 10 rebounds. The former international forward Ahmed Al-Tameemi (200-84) responded with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Nift Al-Basra have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 7-5 record. Al Kahraba at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game between eleventh ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal (3-12) and 12th ranked Al Hilla (1-12) in Kirku on Monday ended with biggest points difference. Ghaz Al-Shamal beat guests from Al Hilla 85-67. It was a quality performance for Rekan Abdulla who led the winners and scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Ghaz Al-Shamal's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. AlaA Abed came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds for Al Hilla in the defeat. Ghaz Al-Shamal moved-up to tenth place. Al Hilla lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Ghaz Al-Shamal will meet at home higher ranked Al-Tadamoun (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Hilla will play against Nift Al-Shamal (#9) in Kirkuk and hope to win that game.

Al-Tadamoun - Al-Hashd 61-78

The game in Najef was quite interesting. Third ranked Al-Hashd (13-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Al-Tadamoun (5-7). Al-Hashd did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 78-61 on Monday. Al-Hashd held Al-Tadamoun to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Al-Hashd looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Lebanese power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-90, college: Michigan Tech, agency: BIG) orchestrated the victory by scoring 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international forward Thulfiqar Hammoodi (196-92) contributed with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. Rashwan Kadhim answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists and Hussein Al-Murshedi added 22 points in the effort for Al-Tadamoun. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al-Hashd have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Al-Tadamoun lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with seven games lost. Al-Hashd will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al-Tadamoun will play on the road against Ghaz Al-Shamal (#10) in Kirku and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Al-Hashd: M.Haidar 28+8reb+5ast, T.Hammoodi 19+16reb+3ast, A.Al-Draisawi 17+4reb+6ast, A.Ahmed 9+5reb+6ast, A.Sajjad 3+2reb+1ast, M.Nahi 2+6reb+1ast
Al-Tadamoun: A.Hussein 22+2reb+2ast, K.Rashwan 15+12reb+6ast, A.Mohammed 8+5reb+4ast, D.Abdullah 6+4reb, A.Sadeq 5+6reb, A.Hayder 4+6reb+1ast

Nift Al-Basra - Al Kahraba 78-73

The game in Basra was also worth to mention about. 4th placed Al Kahraba (9-5) played at the court of fifth ranked Nift Al-Basra (7-5). Nift Al-Basra managed to secure a 5-point victory 78-73. Nift Al-Basra held Al Kahraba to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Nift Al-Basra forced 19 Al Kahraba turnovers. They brought some defensive toughness making 8 blocks. It was a great evening for American guard Demarius Bolds (193-84, college: MWSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points and 8 rebounds. The former international guard Jasim Al-Saeed (192-95) helped adding 17 points and 10 rebounds. Bolds is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Nift Al-Basra players scored in double figures. The former international forward Ahmed Al-Tameemi (200-84) responded with 19 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Aaron Mitchell (188-89, college: Longwood) scored 9 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Nift Al-Basra have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fifth place with 7-5 record. Al Kahraba at the other side keeps the fourth position with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Nift Al-Basra: D.Bolds 25+8reb+3ast, A.Diyar 21+5reb+4ast, A.Jasim 17+10reb+3ast, A.Hameed 15+10reb+1ast, A.Sajjad 0, A.Mohammed 0
Al Kahraba: A.Al-Tameemi 19+8reb+2ast, A.Hussein 17+2reb+1ast, M.Mahdi 11+7reb, A.Mitchell 9+13reb+5ast, A.Mostafa 8+5reb+1ast, N.Zeyad 6+5reb+1ast

Ghaz Al-Shamal - Al Hilla 85-67

The game between eleventh ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal (3-12) and 12th ranked Al Hilla (1-12) in Kirku on Monday ended with biggest points difference. Ghaz Al-Shamal beat guests from Al Hilla 85-67. Ghaz Al-Shamal held Al Hilla to an opponent 0.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 0.0 percent accuracy of the winners. Ghaz Al-Shamal forced 24 Al Hilla turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a quality performance for Rekan Abdulla who led the winners and scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Khalid Sultan accounted for 13 points and 16 rebounds for the winning side. Four Ghaz Al-Shamal players scored in double figures. Ghaz Al-Shamal's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward AlaA Abed (195-87) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and point guard Mohammed Abbas (178-1) added 18 points and 6 assists respectively for Al Hilla in the defeat. Ghaz Al-Shamal moved-up to tenth place. Al Hilla lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Ghaz Al-Shamal will meet at home higher ranked Al-Tadamoun (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Al Hilla will play against Nift Al-Shamal (#9) in Kirkuk and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ghaz Al-Shamal: A.Rekan 21+8reb+7ast, A.Fadhil 19+6reb, S.Khalid 13+16reb+1ast, A.Yousif 11+3reb+3ast, A.Mustafa 9+2reb, R.Sobara 6+1reb+1ast
Al Hilla: M.Abbas 18+4reb+6ast, A.Abed 17+12reb+1ast, A.Ahmed 10+2reb+4ast, K.Mortada 7+3reb+5ast, A.Abdullah 6+13reb, A.Mousa Alhamzah 4+2reb



Tags : MOHAMAD HAIDAR, AL-HASHD SOCIAL SPORTS CLUB, IRAQI BASKETBALL