LBL Round 1 (Second Stage): Hoops lose to Sagesse

Cliff Alexander

Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Hoops in Beirut on Thursday night. Visitors were rolled over by Sagesse 103-78. Sagesse looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American power forward Cliff Alexander (203-1995, college: Kansas, agency: MSG) fired a double-double by scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. His fellow American import Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) chipped in 18 points. U.S. Virgin Islands forward Romani Hansen (203-1997, college: Albany) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals for lost side. Hoops' coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Sagesse's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Dynamo and Homentmen. Dynamo crushed visiting Homentmen by 29 points 107-78. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international swingman Ahmad Ibrahim (198-1992, college: Rice) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Jad Khalil contributed with 15 points and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Mark Lyons (185-1989, college: Arizona) answered with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for Homentmen. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Dynamo's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
An exciting game was played in Beirut. Beirut Club faced Champville. Host Beirut Club smashed guests from Dik El Mehdi 101-71. Mohamad Haidar stepped up and scored 30 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. At the losing side Jimmy Salem responded with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Sagesse.