LBL Round 8: Beirut Club beat Hoops by one after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eleventh-ranked Hoops (1-5) used its home court advantage to challenge top-ranked Beirut Club (6-0) on Sunday. The visitors managed to secure only one-point victory 72-71. However their fans expected much easier game. 26 personal fouls committed by Hoops helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. International power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) saved the victory by scoring 27 points and 9 rebounds. American-Georgian guard Michael Dixon (186-1990, college: Memphis) contributed with 12 points and 5 assists for the winners. American power forward Julian Scott (203-1990, college: ASU) replied with 22 points and 8 rebounds for Hoops. Hoops' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Undefeated Beirut Club have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 6-0 record behind leader Sagesse. Hoops at the other side dropped to the tenth place with five games lost. They share the position with Homentmen. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
The game in Zahle supposed to be also worth to mention about. Top-ranked Sagesse (7-0) played at the court of 7th ranked Atlas (2-5). Sagesse smashed Atlas 112-71. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and Ali Mezher who added 13 points and 15 assists during the contest. American forward Sidney Wilson (201-1999, college: SIUE, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 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. Undefeated Sagesse have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Atlas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with five games lost. They share the position with NSA. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.

In the last two games of round 8 Homentmen was smashed by Champville on the road 95-71. Liders won against NSA on its own court 68-64.
The most impressive performance of 8th round was 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals by Isaiah Hammons of NSA.

Hoops - Beirut Club 71-72

Eleventh-ranked Hoops (1-5) used its home court advantage to challenge top-ranked Beirut Club (6-0) on Sunday. The visitors managed to secure only one-point victory 72-71. However their fans expected much easier game. 26 personal fouls committed by Hoops helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. International power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) saved the victory by scoring 27 points and 9 rebounds. American-Georgian guard Michael Dixon (186-1990, college: Memphis) contributed with 12 points and 5 assists for the winners. American power forward Julian Scott (203-1990, college: ASU) replied with 22 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Chris Washburn (203-1993, college: TCU) added 9 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Hoops. Hoops' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Beirut Club have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains second position with 6-0 record behind leader Sagesse. Hoops at the other side dropped to the tenth place with five games lost. They share the position with Homentmen. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: M.Haidar 27+9reb+3ast, M.Dixon 12+4reb+5ast, K.Horton 11+5reb+1ast, E.Rustom 9+4reb+1ast, O.Jamaleddine 7+3reb+1ast, R.Akl 3+2reb+4ast
Hoops: J.Scott 22+8reb+1ast, J.Zaloum 18+3reb+2ast, K.Aoun 10+7reb+2ast, C.Washburn 9+12reb+4ast, E.Helou Hicham 7+3reb+3ast, S.Elios 3+2reb

Champville - Homentmen 95-71

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Champville (3-3) crushed 10th ranked Homentmen (1-5) in Dik El Mehdi 95-71. Champville forced 19 Homentmen turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Jimmy Salem (190-1995) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Georges Choueiry (184-1995) who added 18 points during the contest. Five Champville players scored in double figures. American center Jarred Shaw (208-1990, college: Utah St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) scored 25 points and 6 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Champville moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Antranik. Homentmen at the other side keeps the tenth position with five games lost. They share it with Hoops. Champville will play against Hoops (#11) in Beirut in the next round where they are favorite. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Dynamo.
Top scorers:
Champville: J.Salem 33+11reb+5ast, G.Choueiry 18+4reb+3ast, M.Abi-Kheres 11+7reb+5ast, M.Lomayo 11+1ast, R.Monyyong 11+7reb+2ast, Z.Elio 5
Homentmen: J.Shaw 26+11reb, J.Jones 25+3reb+6ast, A.Tanios 8+4reb+1ast, D.Baghdadian 4+5reb+1ast, Y.Mostapha 3+1reb, H.Toufic 3+1reb

Atlas - Sagesse 71-112

The game in Zahle supposed to be also worth to mention about. Top-ranked Sagesse (7-0) played at the court of 7th ranked Atlas (2-5). Sagesse smashed Atlas 112-71. Sagesse dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Atlas' 36. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 32 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Atlas' players. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and international point guard Ali Mezher (182-1994) who added 13 points and 15 assists during the contest. Five Sagesse players scored in double figures. American forward Sidney Wilson (201-1999, college: SIUE, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Myles Carter (185-1999, college: Delaware St.) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Sagesse have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Atlas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with five games lost. They share the position with NSA. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: C.Alexander 32+11reb+1ast, K.Roach II 19+7reb+1ast, A.Abdel Massih 14+2reb+4ast, M.Khoueiry 14+4reb+3ast, A.Mezher 13+2reb+15ast, J.Jarrouge 11+3reb+1ast
Atlas: S.Wilson 26+12reb+1ast, M.Carter 22+12reb+4ast, F.Pierre 6+3reb+1ast, C.Kassouf 4+2reb+1ast, H.Turfe 4+5reb+1ast, M.Tarek 3+2ast

Liders - NSA 68-64

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both seventh ranked Liders and 8th ranked NSA had identical 2-4 record. This time Liders used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from 68-64. Worth to mention a great performance of American Alex Peacock (199-1997, college: Texas St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds and the former international swingman Christophe Khalil (192-1999) who added 16 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American point guard Isaiah Hammons (194-1997, college: MACU) responded with 27 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals and his fellow American import forward Anthony Fairley (203-1999, college: Miles) scored 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. Newly promoted Liders maintains seventh position with 3-4 record. NSA lost third consecutive game. NSA at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighth place with five games lost. They share the position with Atlas. Liders will play against bottom-ranked Byblos (#12) at home in the next round where they are favorite. NSA will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Liders: A.Peacock 22+11reb+3ast, K.Christophe 16+5reb+2ast, H.Mike 14+4reb, M.Hijazi 6+3reb+5ast, Y.Ghantous 5+8reb+4ast, K.Smith 5+11reb
NSA: I.Hammons 27+9reb+5ast, A.Fairley 14+9reb+5ast, N.Souaid 7+4reb, O.Kaissy 5+3reb+1ast, B.Bechara 4+6reb, K.Jadayel 3+1reb



Tags : MOHAMAD HAIDAR, BEIRUT CLUB, LEBANESE BASKETBALL