LBL Round 9 (Regular Season): Derby game ends with Sagesse's defeat of Antranik

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#2) and Antranik (#4). Antranik was defeated at home 87-92 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Sagesse shot 24 for 34 from the free-throw line, while Antranik only scored six points from the stripe. It was a good game for American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State) who led his team to a victory with 31 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import Shabazz Muhammad (198-1992, college: UCLA) contributed with 28 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) answered with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Antranik. Undefeated Sagesse (9-0) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Antranik at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.
Bottom-ranked NSA is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their eighth consecutive match to ninth ranked Al Markaziyyah (4-5) 81-73. American guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac) stepped up and scored 30 points and 4 assists for the winners and Tyree Corbett chipped in 17 points and 17 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American-Haitian guard Derric Jean (188-1997, college: La Tech, agency: BIG) with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Al Markaziyyah moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. NSA lost their eighth game in a row. They still close the standings with eight games lost. Al Markaziyyah will play against higher ranked Antranik (#4) in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. NSA will play on the road against Hoops (#10) in Beirut and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Mayrouba (4-5) and Hoops (3-6), which took place in Beirut. Higher ranked Mayrouba was outleveled in a road game by tenth ranked Hoops 99-51 on Thursday. Dikembe Dixson nailed 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. James Padgett came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds for Mayrouba in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Hoops. They moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Maristes. Loser Mayrouba keeps the fifth position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Hoops will meet at home bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round. Mayrouba will play against Antonine (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 9 Homentmen beat Maristes on the road 100-86. Antonine destroyed Tadamon on its own court 102-81.
The most impressive performance of 9th round was 34 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 5 assists by Kevin Murphy of Antonine.



Antranik - Sagesse 87-92

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#2) and Antranik (#4). Antranik was defeated at home 87-92 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Sagesse shot 24 for 34 from the free-throw line, while Antranik only scored six points from the stripe. It was a good game for American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State) who led his team to a victory with 31 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import Shabazz Muhammad (198-1992, college: UCLA) contributed with 28 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) answered with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Rudy Moussa added 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Antranik. Sagesse (9-0) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. Antranik at the other side keeps the fourth place with three games lost. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: Z.Lofton 31+3reb+5ast, S.Muhammad 28+9reb+1ast, G.Hadidian 9+4reb+2ast, N.Rabay 8+2reb+1ast, M.Khoueiry 8+5reb+1ast, A.Majok 5+5reb
Antranik: T.Criswell 23+7reb+1ast, S.Nelson 23+7reb+6ast, R.Moussa 22+6reb+6ast, A.Fairley 6+6reb+2ast, J.Abou Samra 6+3reb, K.Aoun 5

NSA - Al Markaziyyah 73-81

Bottom-ranked NSA is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their eighth consecutive match to ninth ranked Al Markaziyyah (4-5) 81-73. Al Markaziyyah outrebounded NSA 56-37 including a 21-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac) stepped up and scored 30 points and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import forward Tyree Corbett (201-2000, college: Denver) chipped in 17 points and 17 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American-Haitian guard Derric Jean (188-1997, college: La Tech, agency: BIG) with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and American Troy Baxter Jr (206-1996, college: Morgan St.) scored 18 points. Al Markaziyyah moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. NSA lost their eighth game in a row. They still close the standings with eight games lost. Al Markaziyyah will play against higher ranked Antranik (#4) in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. NSA will play on the road against Hoops (#10) in Beirut and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Markaziyyah: C.Young 30+4reb+4ast, T.Corbett 17+17reb+2ast, J.Zaloum 11+5reb+6ast, E.Ghaleb 9+8reb, K.Wooten Jr. 6+14reb+1ast, H.El Helou 6+4reb
NSA: D.Jean 28+6reb+6ast, T.Baxter Jr. 18+4reb+3ast, M.Haddad 9+2reb+4ast, L.Saleh 9+9reb+4ast, V.Bacovic 5+5reb, K.Mechref 4+9reb+2ast

Hoops - Mayrouba 99-51

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between Mayrouba (4-5) and Hoops (3-6), which took place in Beirut. Higher ranked Mayrouba was outleveled in a road game by tenth ranked Hoops 99-51 on Thursday. Hoops dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Mayrouba's 28. Hoops forced 24 Mayrouba turnovers and had a 35-24 advantage in offensive rebounds. Hoops looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) nailed 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and Nigerian-American center Abayomi Iyiola (208-1998, college: Kansas St.) accounted for 14 points and 12 rebounds. Four Hoops players scored in double figures. American power forward James Padgett (203-1991, college: Maryland) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds and Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) added 9 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Mayrouba in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Hoops. They moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Maristes. Loser Mayrouba keeps the fifth position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Hoops will meet at home bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round. Mayrouba will play against Antonine (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hoops: D.Dixson 29+6reb+2ast, A.Iyiola 14+12reb+1ast, A.Sabbagh 11+7reb+1ast, O.Al Jamal 10+5reb, A.Sabbagh 9+1reb+1ast, J.Jarrouge 8+4reb
Mayrouba: J.Padgett 16+8reb+1ast, R.Peters 15+5ast, A.Castillo 9+12reb+2ast, J.Nakhle 5+4reb, G.Rizk 4+1reb, A.Koubba 2+5reb+1ast

Maristes - Homentmen 86-100

Everything could happen in Dik El Mehdi at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Homentmen and 7th ranked Maristes had identical 3-5 record. But Maristes were not able to use a home court advantage and were defeated by the opponent from Beirut 100-86 on Friday night. Strangely Maristes outrebounded Homentmen 52-31 including a 20-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Homentmen looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) nailed a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 15 assists for the winning side and New Zealand-Kenyan center Yuat Alok (211-1997, college: NM State) accounted for 24 points and 5 rebounds. American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) came up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 21 rebounds and the other American import forward AJ John (202-1996, college: UC Davis, agency: MSG) added 23 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Maristes in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Homentmen (4-5) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Maristes dropped to the ninth position with six games lost. They share it with Hoops. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: J.Stevens 34+6reb+15ast, Y.Alok 24+5reb+1ast, G.Ajemian 13+3reb+2ast, B.Harfouch 12+7reb+3ast, D.Kennedy 9+9reb+3ast, G.Chivichyan 8
Maristes: H.Sims 26+21reb+3ast, A.John 23+9reb+1ast, J.Gray 16+2reb+5ast, J.Salem 11+8reb+7ast, K.Ezzeddine 7+7reb+1ast, R.Zanbaka 3+3reb+3ast

Antonine - Tadamon 102-81

Rather expected game when 11th ranked Tadamon (1-8) was smashed on the road by eighth ranked Antonine (4-5) 102-81 on Friday. Antonine looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Tadamon's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Antonine made 7 blocks. American guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) nailed 34 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 13-of-15 shooting from the field) for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) accounted for 18 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks. American-Palestinian Kyndall Dykes (192-1987, college: New Orleans, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) added 17 points respectively for Tadamon in the defeat. Five Antonine and four Tadamon players scored in double figures. 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. Antonine moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Tadamon lost their sixth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh position with eight games lost. Antonine will meet Mayrouba (#6) on the road in the next round. Tadamon will play against Maristes (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Antonine: K.Murphy 34+5reb+5ast, M.Watkins 18+15reb+4ast, K.Roach II 15+5reb+13ast, I.Haddad 13+6reb, M.Abi-Kheres 10+4reb+2ast, A.Assi 7+2reb+3ast
Tadamon: K.Dykes 25+5reb+4ast, U.McLean 17+4reb+1ast, G.Daaboul 12+3reb+3ast, M.Ziadeh 12+1reb+1ast, J.Mikulic 8+8reb+2ast, B.Boustany 5+2reb