Superleague Round 20 (Regular Season): Al-Difaa beat Al-Hashd in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Baghdad. First ranked Al-Difaa faced 4th ranked Al-Hashd. Guests from (15-2) defeated host Al-Hashd (9-9) 97-80. They outrebounded Al-Hashd 42-26 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al-Difaa looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC) who scored 27 points and 6 rebounds. International power forward Ihab Al-Zuhairi (210-1998) chipped in 14 points and 15 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). American forward Darrious Agnew (203-1999, college: Alcorn St., agency: MSG) produced 20 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al-Difaa have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 15-2 record. Al-Hashd lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with nine games lost.
Another exciting game was played in Kirku between eighth ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal and 5th ranked Al Karkh where host Ghaz Al-Shamal (6-7) won against Al Karkh (9-10) 85-75. American guard Kaleb Hunter (193-1998, college: UNCG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Mohammed Abdulqader contributed with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. The former international center Ali Hameed (208-1984) replied with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks for Al Karkh. Ghaz Al-Shamal maintains eighth position with 6-7 record. Al Karkh at the other side keeps the fifth place with ten games lost.
A very close game took place in between Tijarah and Al Kahraba. Tenth ranked Tijarah (3-13) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Al Kahraba (3-12). Tijarah managed to escape with a 2-point win 72-70 on Thursday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Reggie Baker who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Brian Bridgeforth responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds. Tijarah maintains tenth position with 3-13 record. Al Kahraba lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 12 games lost.

In the last two games of round 20 Al Kahraba was defeated by Al Karkh in a road game 74-65. Al Hilla was beaten by Zakho at home 64-71.



Al Karkh - Al Kahraba 74-65

There was no surprise when 9th ranked Al Kahraba (3-12) was defeated on the road by fifth ranked Al Karkh (9-10) 74-65 on Tuesday. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Shakir Smith (185-1992, college: ASU) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 4 assists and American-Nigerian Barry Ogalue (198-1994, college: LBSU) who added 20 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. American center Brian Bridgeforth (208-1994, college: WAU, agency: Gulf Coast Hoops) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 17 rebounds and the former international forward Hayder Aldiwani (200) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Al Karkh maintains fifth position with 9-10 record. Al Kahraba lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Kahraba: B.Bridgeforth 21+17reb, H.Aldiwani 17+10reb+2ast, T.Shine 10+4reb+2ast, A.Kareem 8+2reb+3ast, M.Kareem 6+2reb, S.Al-Saedi 3+6reb+3ast
Al Karkh: S.Smith 24+2reb+4ast, B.Ogalue 20+6reb+1ast, H.Almurshedi 13+4reb+1ast, A.Hameed 8+15reb+2ast, F.Mahdi 6+5reb+4ast, A.Al-Draisawi 3+4reb

Tijarah - Al Kahraba 72-70

A very close game took place in between Tijarah and Al Kahraba. Tenth ranked Tijarah (3-13) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Al Kahraba (3-12). Tijarah managed to escape with a 2-point win 72-70 on Thursday evening. Tijarah forced 19 Al Kahraba turnovers. Strangely Al Kahraba outrebounded Tijarah 52-31 including a 19-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American Reggie Baker (193-1993, college: BCU) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and the other American import forward Julio Guity (204-1995, college: Montevallo, agency: The French Family Consulting) who added 19 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Tijarah players scored in double figures. American center Brian Bridgeforth (208-1994, college: WAU, agency: Gulf Coast Hoops) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds and the former international forward Hayder Aldiwani (200) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds. Tijarah maintains tenth position with 3-13 record. Al Kahraba lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Kahraba: T.Shine 22+3reb+2ast, B.Bridgeforth 17+17reb+2ast, H.Aldiwani 15+17reb+1ast, M.Kareem 7+3reb+2ast, S.Al-Saedi 6+7reb+2ast, A.Kareem 3+4reb+1ast
Tijarah: R.Baker 22+5reb+4ast, J.Guity 19+5reb+2ast, A.Al-Abboodi 10+1reb, A.Al-Saedi 10+11reb+1ast, S.Al-Saedi 5+1reb+2ast, M.Alganahi 4+2reb

Ghaz Al-Shamal - Al Karkh 85-75

Another exciting game was played in Kirku between eighth ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal and 5th ranked Al Karkh where host Ghaz Al-Shamal (6-7) won against Al Karkh (9-10) 85-75. Ghaz Al-Shamal players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. American guard Kaleb Hunter (193-1998, college: UNCG) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Mohammed Abdulqader (183-1995) contributed with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. The former international center Ali Hameed (208-1984) replied with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks and American-Nigerian Barry Ogalue (198-1994, college: LBSU) added 18 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Al Karkh. Five Ghaz Al-Shamal and four Al Karkh players scored in double figures. Ghaz Al-Shamal maintains eighth position with 6-7 record. Al Karkh at the other side keeps the fifth place with ten games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Karkh: B.Ogalue 18+5reb+1ast, S.Smith 17+2reb+4ast, A.Hameed 17+22reb+3ast, A.Al-Draisawi 11+3reb+3ast, F.Bradley Jr. 4+4reb+2ast, R.Al-Ammari 3+2reb
Ghaz Al-Shamal: K.Hunter 23+15reb+4ast, M.Nasradin 17+6reb+4ast, A.Albasrawi 16+6reb+2ast, M.Abdulqader 16+5reb+9ast, R.Artis II 13+11reb+4ast, A.Talal 0

Al Hilla - Zakho 64-71

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when seventh ranked Zakho (8-7) defeated on the road 6th ranked Al Hilla (8-11) 71-64 on Thursday. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Marcus Burwell (190-1997, college: Catawba) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 5 rebounds and forward Isaac Banks (201-1994, college: ETSU) who added 7 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Guard John Crosby (190-1996, college: Delaware St.) responded with 22 points and 9 rebounds and forward Daytone Jennings (206-1997, college: CSUSB, agency: SLN) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds. Al Hilla's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Zakho moved-up to sixth place. Loser Al Hilla dropped to the seventh position with 11 games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Hilla: J.Crosby 22+9reb+3ast, D.Jennings 20+12reb+1ast, A.Al-Musawi 8+7reb+1ast, A.Abs 5+4reb+4ast, M.Ismael 4+4reb+1ast, A.Abed 3+5reb+1ast
Zakho: M.Burwell 30+5reb+2ast, Z.Alyousif 15+4reb+2ast, M.Murad 12+7reb+4ast, I.Banks 7+16reb+5ast, M.Hussein 5+2reb+1ast, M.Zewki 2+9reb+2ast

Al-Hashd - Al-Difaa 80-97

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Baghdad. First ranked Al-Difaa faced 4th ranked Al-Hashd. Guests from (15-2) defeated host Al-Hashd (9-9) 97-80. They outrebounded Al-Hashd 42-26 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al-Difaa looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC) who scored 27 points and 6 rebounds. International power forward Ihab Al-Zuhairi (210-1998) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 15 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). American forward Darrious Agnew (203-1999, college: Alcorn St., agency: MSG) produced 20 points and 6 rebounds and international forward Abdullah Al-Shujairi (187-1996) added 18 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al-Difaa have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 15-2 record. Al-Hashd lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with nine games lost.
Top scorers:
Al-Hashd: D.Agnew 20+6reb+1ast, A.Al-Shujairi 18+5reb+3ast, M.Ktaiman 14+1reb+1ast, B.Al-Rubaye 11+3reb+6ast, M.Al-Rubaye 8+3reb+4ast, H.Khudhair 3+1reb
Al-Difaa: U.McLean 27+6reb+3ast, D.Johnson-Odom 20+1reb+7ast, I.Al-Zuhairi 14+15reb+2ast, D.Summers 13+5reb+1ast, J.Al-Juboori 7, A.Ismael 4+4reb+3ast