LBL Round 17 (Regular Season): Derby game ends with Al Riyadi's defeat of Hoops

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in LBL. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Hoops (#7). Al Riyadi (15-1) crushed visiting Hoops (7-10) by 31 points 103-72. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Hoops' 28. Al Riyadi had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Hoops' players. Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. International guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) contributed with 15 points for the winners. American forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) answered with 36 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds for Hoops. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Riyadi have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 15-1 record. Hoops lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Al Riyadi are looking forward to face bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Hoops will play against Antonine (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game for Al Markaziyyah (6-11) which hosted in Jounieh against 5th ranked Antonine (8-8). Eighth ranked Al Markaziyyah won 73-67. American players dominated the game. Guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!) (was perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line !!!) for the winners and Kenny Wooten Jr chipped in 9 points and 19 rebounds. Forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 21 rebounds and 5 assists. Newly promoted Al Markaziyyah maintains eighth place with 6-11 record, which they share with Maristes and Tadamon. Antonine lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with eight games lost. Al Markaziyyah will play against Maristes (#9) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round. Antonine will play at home against Hoops (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 17: Maristes were beaten by Sagesse on the road 97-89. Tadamon won against Antranik on its own court 88-80. Bottom-ranked NSA was outscored by Mayrouba in a road game 95-70.
The most impressive performance of 17th round was 29 points and 8 rebounds by Jimmy Nakhle of Mayrouba.



Al Markaziyyah - Antonine 73-67

Another exciting game for Al Markaziyyah (6-11) which hosted in Jounieh against 5th ranked Antonine (8-8). Eighth ranked Al Markaziyyah won 73-67. American players dominated the game. Guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 35 points (!!!) (was perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line !!!) for the winners and forward Kenny Wooten Jr (204-1998, college: Oregon) chipped in 9 points and 19 rebounds. Forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 21 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) scored 30 points. Newly promoted Al Markaziyyah maintains eighth place with 6-11 record, which they share with Maristes and Tadamon. Antonine lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with eight games lost. Al Markaziyyah will play against Maristes (#9) in Dik El Mehdi in the next round. Antonine will play at home against Hoops (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Markaziyyah: C.Young 35+3reb, T.Corbett 9+14reb+3ast, K.Wooten Jr. 9+19reb+1ast, A.Nabaa 7+2reb, J.Zaloum 7+2reb+10ast, H.El Helou 4
Antonine: K.Murphy 30+4reb+1ast, M.Watkins 17+21reb+5ast, K.Roach II 11+5reb+3ast, A.Assi 5+1reb+2ast, P.Abboud 2+5reb+4ast, B.Mansour 2

Sagesse - Maristes 97-89

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Sagesse (14-2) beat 10th ranked Maristes (6-11) in Beirut 97-89. Sagesse made 17-of-21 charity shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!) and 10 assists for the winners and the former international forward Gerard Hadidian (201-1995, college: Lake Land) chipped in 19 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). American-Syrian guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn) responded with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists and American Matt Mobley (194-1994, college: St.Bonaventure) scored 26 points. Five Maristes players scored in double figures. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Sagesse. They maintain third place with 14-2 record behind leader Al Riyadi. Maristes at the other side dropped to the eighth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Al Markaziyyah and Tadamon. Sagesse will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Maristes will play at home against Al Markaziyyah (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: Z.Lofton 43+2reb+10ast, G.Hadidian 19+3reb, M.Khoueiry 9+5reb+1ast, C.Lalanne 8+6reb+1ast, J.O'Bryant III 7+7reb, O.Jamaleddine 5+8reb+4ast
Maristes: M.Mobley 26+4reb+1ast, J.Blake 22+7reb+9ast, J.Salem 14+7reb+5ast, K.Ezzeddine 13+8reb+6ast, H.Sims 12+9reb+2ast, M.Sarkis 2+1ast

Tadamon - Antranik 88-80

There was a minor upset when 7th ranked Antranik (8-9) lost to ninth ranked Tadamon (6-11) in Hrajel 80-88. Tadamon made 16-of-20 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. American guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) stepped up and scored 32 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and George Daaboul chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Four Tadamon players scored in double figures. Tadamon's coach Ghassan Sarkis allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) responded with 31 points and 6 rebounds and American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Tadamon. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Maristes and Al Markaziyyah. Antranik lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the sixth position with nine games lost. Tadamon will again play against higher ranked Antranik (#6) in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Antranik will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tadamon: U.McLean 32+7reb+6ast, G.Daaboul 20+7reb+10ast, N.Stover 19+7reb+1ast, R.Hansen 15+16reb+1ast, M.Chouman 2+1ast, A.Ekkewi 0+1reb+1ast
Antranik: T.Criswell 31+6reb, S.Nelson 17+5reb+5ast, A.Kopaly 12+5reb+1ast, R.Moussa 8+5reb+9ast, J.Abou Samra 7+6reb+1ast, L.Bradley 5+4reb

Al Riyadi - Hoops 103-72

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Hoops (#7). Al Riyadi (15-1) crushed visiting Hoops (7-10) by 31 points 103-72. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Hoops' 28. Al Riyadi had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Hoops' players. Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. International guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) contributed with 15 points for the winners. Five Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. American forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) answered with 36 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and Nigerian-American center Abayomi Iyiola (208-1998, college: Kansas St.) added 6 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Hoops. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Riyadi have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 15-1 record. Hoops lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Al Riyadi are looking forward to face bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Hoops will play against Antonine (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: T.Maker 16+6reb+5ast, W.Arakji 15+2reb+3ast, M.Georges-Hunt 14+1reb+2ast, B.Tabbara 10+2reb+2ast, M.Maric 10+7reb+1ast, K.Zeinoun 10+4reb+6ast
Hoops: D.Dixson 36+5reb+2ast, T.Akiki 7+2reb+1ast, A.Iyiola 6+11reb+2ast, A.Sabbagh 6+2ast, R.Akl 5+2reb+3ast, E.Bassil 5+1reb

Mayrouba - NSA 95-70

Rather predictable result when tenth ranked Mayrouba (5-11) rolled over at home bottom-ranked NSA (1-16) 95-70. Mayrouba dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to NSA's 38. They outrebounded NSA 51-31 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Mayrouba players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Jimmy Nakhle stepped up and scored 29 points and 8 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field) for the winners and American forward Tim Dalger (201, college: St.Louis) chipped in 22 points and 12 rebounds. Four Mayrouba players scored in double figures. Mayrouba's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American-Cambodian point guard Darrin Dorsey (188-1987, college: DWU, agency: Bell Basketball) responded with 26 points and 4 assists and American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) scored 9 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists. Despite that victory Mayrouba went down to eleventh position due to points difference. NSA lost their fifth game in a row. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Mayrouba will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. NSA will play at home against the league's leader Al Riyadi (#1) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Mayrouba: J.Nakhle 29+8reb+2ast, T.Dalger 22+12reb+2ast, B.Saba 16+6reb+5ast, K.Thomas 13+9reb+4ast, J.Nelson 4+2reb+8ast, G.Rizk 4+4reb+1ast
NSA: D.Dorsey 26+1reb+4ast, D.Stone 11+10reb+1ast, D.Hamilton 9+13reb+9ast, L.Saleh 9+3reb+1ast, M.Haddad 7+1reb+3ast, G.Tacca 6+1reb