LBL Round 10 (Regular Season): Beirut Club keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Beirut Club as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Beirut Club defeated their biggest opponent Al Riyadi on the road 92-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Beirut Club made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. Beirut Club outrebounded Al Riyadi 35-23 including 24 on the defensive glass. The former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Cameroonian forward Kenneth Kadji (211-1988, college: Miami, FL) chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American swingman George King (198-1994, college: Colorado, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 32 points. Undefeated Beirut Club (9-0) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Defending champion Al Riyadi still keeps top place with one game lost. Al Riyadi will play next round against strong Sagesse trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut - Sagesse. Beirut Club will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Al Markaziyyah in Jounieh.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#2) and Homentmen (#7). Homentmen was smashed at home by 27 points 69-96 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. International guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) notched 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Ismail Ahmad supported him with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Even a double-double of 14 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists by American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) did not help to save the game 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. Defending champion (10-1) keeps a position of league leader. Homentmen at the other side dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Sagesse.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#3) and Sagesse (#3). Sagesse was defeated at home 84-93 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Mohamad Haidar fired 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Zach Lofton produced 51 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds (made all of his fourteen free throws !!!) for lost side. Sagesse's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Undefeated Beirut Club (9-0) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Loser Sagesse keeps the third position with two games lost. Beirut Club will meet at home Al Markaziyyah (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 10: winless NSA lost to Hoops on the opponent's court 77-86. Mayrouba unfortunately lost to Antonine in a home game 98-107. Al Markaziyyah recorded a loss to Antranik on the road 71-78. Tadamon defeated Maristes on its own court 98-94.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists by Unique McLean of Tadamon.



Al Riyadi - Beirut Club 86-92

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Beirut Club as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Beirut Club defeated their biggest opponent Al Riyadi on the road 92-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Riyadi. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Beirut Club made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. Beirut Club outrebounded Al Riyadi 35-23 including 24 on the defensive glass. The former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Cameroonian forward Kenneth Kadji (211-1988, college: Miami, FL) chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American swingman George King (198-1994, college: Colorado, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 32 points and Ismail Ahmad scored 10 points and 8 rebounds. Five Beirut Club and four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Beirut Club (9-0) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Defending champion Al Riyadi still keeps top place with one game lost. Al Riyadi will play next round against strong Sagesse trying to get back on the winning streak. It will be a derby game for which supporters look forward to, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut - Sagesse. Beirut Club will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Al Markaziyyah in Jounieh.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: R.Ledo 18+4reb+4ast, M.Haidar 17+11reb+4ast, Q.Miller-Scott 14+2reb+1ast, K.Kadji 14+12reb, A.Mezher 13+2ast, S.El Darwich 11+5reb+9ast
Al Riyadi: G.King 32+3reb+3ast, H.Gyokchyan 13+3reb+1ast, W.Arakji 12+2reb+5ast, I.Ahmad 10+8reb+3ast, I.Diop 7+4reb+1ast, A.Saoud 7+2reb+9ast

Homentmen - Al Riyadi 69-96

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#2) and Homentmen (#7). Homentmen was smashed at home by 27 points 69-96 and even the fact of playing on their own court did not help. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Homentmen's 40. They outrebounded Homentmen 51-28 including a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Riyadi players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. International guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) notched 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Ismail Ahmad supported him with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Even a double-double of 14 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists by American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) did not help to save the game for Homentmen. New Zealand-Kenyan center Yuat Alok (211-1997, college: NM State) added 14 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending champion (10-1) keeps a position of league leader. Homentmen at the other side dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Sagesse.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: W.Arakji 21+7reb+6ast, I.Ahmad 19+8reb+2ast, H.Gyokchyan 16+5reb+3ast, I.Diop 11+14reb+2ast, K.Zeinoun 9+2reb+4ast, A.Mansour 8+5reb+4ast
Homentmen: G.Chivichyan 18, J.Stevens 14+5reb+11ast, Y.Alok 14+10reb+1ast, G.Ajemian 11+4reb, B.Harfouch 3+2reb+1ast, D.Kennedy 3+3reb+2ast

Hoops - NSA 86-77

Rather expected game in Beirut where bottom-ranked NSA (0-10) was defeated by tenth ranked Hoops (4-6) 86-77 on Tuesday. Hoops made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Hoops outrebounded NSA 49-30 including 21 on the offensive glass. American guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) fired 28 points and 8 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Rayquan Brown (198, college: MVSU) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. American-Haitian guard Derric Jean (188-1997, college: La Tech, agency: BIG) produced 22 points (made all of his seven free throws) and American-Cambodian point guard Darrin Dorsey (188-1987, college: DWU, agency: Diamond Sports) added 15 points and 7 assists respectively for lost side. Four NSA players scored in double figures. Hoops have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place. Loser NSA still closes the standings with ten games lost. Hoops' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
Top scorers:
Hoops: A.English 28+4reb+8ast, R.Brown 18+8reb, O.Al Jamal 12+12reb, J.Jarrouge 9+3reb, A.Iyiola 8+14reb+1ast, R.Akl 7+6reb+9ast
NSA: D.Jean 22+4reb+2ast, D.Dorsey 15+2reb+7ast, G.Tacca 14+7reb+1ast, T.Baxter Jr. 12+6reb+2ast, K.Mechref 7+3reb+1ast, L.Saleh 5+5reb+2ast

Mayrouba - Antonine 98-107

Rather predictable result when fifth ranked Antonine (6-5) defeated on the road 8th ranked Mayrouba (4-7) 107-98 on Wednesday. Antonine shot 60.3 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) fired a double-double by scoring 30 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks for the winners. The other American import guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech, agency: The Crew A.M.) chipped in 36 points (!!!) and 7 assists. American point guard Roddy Peters (193-1995, college: Nicholls) produced 31 points and 9 assists and Dominican-American forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) added 20 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals respectively for lost side. Five Mayrouba players scored in double figures. Antonine have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 6-5 record. Mayrouba lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Maristes and Al Markaziyyah. Antonine will meet at home bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mayrouba will play against Maristes (#9) in Dik El Mehdi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Antonine: K.Murphy 36+3reb+7ast, M.Watkins 30+16reb+5ast, K.Roach II 25+2reb+5ast, M.Abi-Kheres 5+3reb+2ast, I.Haddad 4+2reb+2ast, A.Assi 3+1ast
Mayrouba: R.Peters 31+2reb+9ast, A.Castillo 20+11reb+9ast, J.Padgett 19+13reb+1ast, G.Rizk 11+4reb+3ast, J.Nakhle 10+3reb, B.Saba 5+1reb+3ast

Sagesse - Beirut Club 84-93

Another interesting game was again a derby between two local teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#3) and Sagesse (#3). Sagesse was defeated at home 84-93 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Beirut Club dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Sagesse's 26. The former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) fired 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) chipped in 26 points and 6 rebounds. Four Beirut Club players scored in double figures. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) produced 51 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds (made all of his fourteen free throws !!!) and the former international center Ater Majok (210-1987, college: UConn) added 7 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Sagesse's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Beirut Club (9-0) have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Loser Sagesse keeps the third position with two games lost. Beirut Club will meet at home Al Markaziyyah (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: R.Ledo 26+6reb+1ast, M.Haidar 22+6reb+5ast, S.El Darwich 15+11reb+6ast, A.Mezher 14+4reb+2ast, A.Mahmoud 5+3reb+2ast, Q.Miller-Scott 5+9reb+1ast
Sagesse: Z.Lofton 51+5reb+1ast, M.Khoueiry 8, A.Majok 7+6reb+1ast, G.Hadidian 5+2reb, O.Jamaleddine 5+6reb+3ast, S.Muhammad 4+6reb

Antranik - Al Markaziyyah 78-71

Not a big story in a game in Beirut where 8th ranked Al Markaziyyah (4-7) was defeated by fourth ranked Antranik (6-3) 78-71 on Thursday. Antranik looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) fired 21 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 25 points and 5 rebounds. Criswell is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Slash Sports) produced 23 points and 5 assists and forward Tyree Corbett (201-2000, college: Denver) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Al Markaziyyah players scored in double figures. Antranik maintains fourth position with 6-3 record. Newly promoted Al Markaziyyah keeps the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Maristes and Mayrouba. Antranik's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Hoops.
Top scorers:
Antranik: T.Criswell 25+5reb+2ast, S.Nelson 21+5reb+8ast, R.Moussa 12+10reb+6ast, N.Elmore 7+7reb, J.Abou Samra 5+5reb+3ast, K.Aoun 4+2reb+2ast
Al Markaziyyah: C.Young 23+4reb+5ast, T.Corbett 18+7reb+1ast, K.Wooten Jr. 13+9reb+1ast, A.Nabaa 10+2reb+1ast, J.Zaloum 7+4reb+3ast, W.Sawan 0

Tadamon - Maristes 98-94

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Hrajel where eleventh ranked Tadamon (2-9) beat 10th ranked Maristes (4-7) 98-94 on Thursday. Tadamon looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) fired 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American-Palestinian Kyndall Dykes (192-1987, college: New Orleans, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Dykes is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The former international guard Jimmy Salem (190-1995) produced 26 points and 9 rebounds and American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) added 22 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Newly promoted Tadamon maintains eleventh position with 2-9 record. Maristes lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Al Markaziyyah and Mayrouba. Tadamon will meet higher ranked Homentmen (#6) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Maristes will play against Mayrouba and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tadamon: U.McLean 30+7reb+5ast, K.Dykes 28+9reb+4ast, J.Mikulic 18+4reb+1ast, G.Daaboul 12+10reb+8ast, B.Boustany 6+3reb+2ast, M.Ziadeh 2+2reb
Maristes: J.Salem 26+9reb+3ast, H.Sims 22+8reb+7ast, J.Gray 15+4reb+8ast, M.Sarkis 15+3reb+1ast, K.Ezzeddine 8+6reb+4ast, R.Zanbaka 6+5reb+2ast