LBL Round 16: Sagesse beat Hoops in a derby game

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in LBL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#1) and Hoops (#6). Sagesse (13-1) won against visiting Hoops (5-8) 80-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Hoops. Sagesse made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) fired a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 20 rebounds for the winners. Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. Sagesse's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Chris Washburn (203-1993, college: TCU) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Sagesse have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-1 record. Hoops at the other side keep the sixth place with eight games lost. Sagesse will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hoops will play against Liders (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Sagesse delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they crushed 5th ranked Champville (6-7) 93-50 in Dik El Mehdi. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Ali Mezher (182-1994) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 9 assists. Cliff Alexander contributed with 16 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Sagesse's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Ruot Monyyong (210-1998, college: UALR) replied with 11 points and 9 rebounds for Champville. Sagesse have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-1 record. Champville at the other side keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Rest of the games of round 16 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Liders was defeated by Beirut Club in a road game 96-88. Atlas were beaten by NSA at home 77-83. Beirut Club won against Byblos on the opponent's court 97-88. Homentmen unfortunately lost to Liders in a home game 68-76.
The best stats of 16th round was 27 points and 8 rebounds by David Stanley of Liders.

Sagesse - Hoops 80-74

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#1) and Hoops (#6). Sagesse (13-1) won against visiting Hoops (5-8) 80-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Hoops. Sagesse made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) fired a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 20 rebounds for the winners. Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. Sagesse's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Chris Washburn (203-1993, college: TCU) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and power forward Julian Scott (203-1990, college: ASU) added 16 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Sagesse and five Hoops players scored in double figures. Sagesse have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-1 record. Hoops at the other side keep the sixth place with eight games lost. Sagesse will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hoops will play against Liders (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hoops: C.Washburn 20+11reb+4ast, J.Scott 16+10reb+1ast, S.Abed 14, S.Jason 12+2reb, J.Zaloum 10+4reb+7ast, E.Helou Hicham 2+2reb+1ast
Sagesse: C.Alexander 34+20reb+2ast, K.Roach II 16+4reb+5ast, S.El Darwich 11+7reb+5ast, P.Bou Abboud 11+2reb+1ast, A.Mezher 4+3reb+6ast, R.Akl 2+2ast

Beirut Club - Liders 96-88

There was no surprise when 9th ranked Liders (5-9) were defeated on the road by third ranked Beirut Club (12-2) 96-88. Beirut Club players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Kenneth Horton (201-1989, college: CCSU, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 9 rebounds. International guard Omar Jamaleddine (193-2000, college: SLC) contributed with 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Beirut Club's coach Marwan Khalil allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American Alex Peacock (199-1997, college: Texas St.) replied with 21 points and 9 rebounds and his fellow American import guard David Stanley (175, college: Concordia-SP) added 21 points and 7 assists in the effort for Liders. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Beirut Club have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains third position with 12-2 record behind leader Sagesse. Liders lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the seventh place with nine games lost. They share the position with NSA. 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 Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Liders: D.Stanley 21+3reb+7ast, A.Peacock 21+9reb+3ast, K.Christophe 17+5reb+2ast, Y.Ghantous 11+4reb+1ast, D.Nader 8+2reb, J.Makhlouf 8+8reb+2ast
Beirut Club: O.Jamaleddine 22+8reb, K.Horton 21+9reb+2ast, G.Hadidian 18+3reb+2ast, K.Hayes 14+4reb+8ast, M.Haidar 8+2reb+5ast, R.Akl 4+3reb+4ast

Atlas - NSA 77-83

Everything could happen in Zahle at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked NSA and 8th ranked Atlas had identical 4-9 record. But Atlas were not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from 83-77. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Dallas Morgan (185, college: CMU) who helped to win the game recording 22 points. Serbian-Montenegrin forward Milko Bjelica (207-1984, agency: BIG) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Four NSA players scored in double figures. NSA's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard Myles Carter (185-1999, college: Delaware St.) replied with 29 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) and guard George Yves-Daaboul (178-1995) added 22 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals in the effort for Atlas. NSA (5-9) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Liders. Atlas at the other side dropped to the tenth position with ten games lost. NSA will play against Antranik (#9) in Beirut in the next round. Atlas will play on the road against Byblos and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Atlas: M.Carter 29+6reb+3ast, G.Yves-Daaboul 22+8reb+7ast, M.Harrell 15+12reb, F.Georges 4+3reb, F.Pierre 3+1reb, H.Turfe 2+3reb+1ast
NSA: D.Morgan 22+3reb+1ast, M.Bjelica 17+5reb+2ast, K.Jadayel 16+5reb+2ast, O.Kaissy 11+3reb+10ast, S.Georges 8+8reb, B.Bechara 4+2reb

Byblos - Beirut Club 88-97

Very expected game when 12th ranked Byblos (1-13) were defeated at home by third ranked Beirut Club (12-2) 97-88. Beirut Club made 16-of-20 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Beirut Club outrebounded Byblos 55-28 including a 27-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds. American forward Kenneth Horton (201-1989, college: CCSU, agency: Octagon Europe) contributed with 9 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Victor Bermudez (193-1992, college: Texas St., agency: BIG) replied with 22 points and 7 assists and his fellow American import forward Phillip Rankin (203-1995, college: LSUA) added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Byblos. Four Beirut Club and five Byblos players scored in double figures. Beirut Club have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains third position with 12-2 record behind leader Sagesse. Byblos lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 13 games lost. 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 Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Byblos: V.Bermudez 22+4reb+7ast, A.Sleiman Gio 18+2reb+2ast, P.Rankin 15+11reb, I.Haddad 12+6reb+3ast, N.Dimitri 11+1reb+1ast, A.Chidiac 10+1reb+2ast
Beirut Club: M.Haidar 27+10reb+2ast, K.Hayes 20+5reb+3ast, O.Jamaleddine 11+6reb+3ast, E.Rustom 10+5reb+3ast, K.Horton 9+14reb+6ast, S.Alexander 7+7reb+1ast

Champville - Sagesse 50-93

Leader Sagesse delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they crushed 5th ranked Champville (6-7) 93-50 in Dik El Mehdi. Sagesse dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Champville's 32. Sagesse forced 21 Champville turnovers and outrebounded them 45-31 including a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Ali Mezher (182-1994) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 9 assists. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) contributed with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Four Sagesse players scored in double figures. Sagesse's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Ruot Monyyong (210-1998, college: UALR) replied with 11 points and 9 rebounds and Andrew Kopaly (200-2002) added 12 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Champville. Sagesse have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-1 record. Champville at the other side keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Champville: A.Kopaly 12+5reb, R.Monyyong 11+9reb, J.Salem 10+5reb+1ast, M.Lomayo 7, K.Assi 3+4reb+4ast, B.Elie 3+4reb
Sagesse: S.El Darwich 17+6reb+2ast, A.Mezher 17+4reb+9ast, C.Alexander 16+11reb+1ast, K.Roach II 14+6reb+2ast, A.Abdel Massih 10+1reb+1ast, P.Bou Abboud 9+4reb+1ast

Homentmen - Liders 68-76

Rather predictable result in Beirut where ninth ranked Liders (5-9) beat 11th ranked Homentmen (3-10) 76-68. Liders players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Homentmen's players. It was a very good performance for American guard David Stanley (175, college: Concordia-SP) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 8 rebounds. The former international swingman Christophe Khalil (192-1999) contributed with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four Liders players scored in double figures. American Joshua Caldwell (203-1991, college: William Penn, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) replied with 30 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) added 20 points and 4 assists in the effort for Homentmen. Homentmen's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Liders moved-up to seventh place, which they share with NSA. Homentmen lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with ten games lost. Liders will play against higher ranked Hoops (#6) in Beirut in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: J.Caldwell 30+8reb+1ast, J.Jones 20+3reb+4ast, D.Baghdadian 10+10reb, T.Sakr 4+4reb+4ast, A.Tanios 4+4reb+1ast, K.Nayef 0
Liders: D.Stanley 27+8reb+2ast, Y.Ghantous 16+3reb+5ast, K.Christophe 14+8reb+5ast, A.Peacock 11+6reb+4ast, J.Makhlouf 8+7reb+1ast, D.Nader 0



Tags : CLIFF ALEXANDER, SAGESSE - AL HEKMEH BEIRUT, LEBANESE BASKETBALL