LBL Round 20 (Regular Season): Antranik is defeated by Beirut Club in a derby game

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#1) and Antranik (#6). Beirut Club (17-2) won against visiting Antranik (8-11) 76-68. Beirut Club looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of South Sudanese-Australian forward Angok Deng (203-1992, college: Baylor) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 9 rebounds and the former international guard Sergio El Darwich (194-1996, college: Maine) who added 18 points and 5 assists during the contest. Beirut Club's coach Jad El Hajj used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) responded with 31 points and 9 rebounds. Beirut Club have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-2 record. Antranik at the other side keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. Beirut Club will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antranik's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
LBL top team - Beirut Club (17-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed twelfth ranked NSA (1-17) 90-70. The winners were led by the former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) who scored that evening 21 points and 9 rebounds and Angok Deng supported him with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Even 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) did not help to save the game for NSA. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Beirut Club have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-2 record. NSA lost sixth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 17 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An interesting game took place in Dik El Mehdi where higher ranked Antonine (8-9) was upset on the court of eleventh ranked Maristes (7-11) 98-88 on Friday. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was Henry Sims who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Kevin Murphy produced 34 points (!!!) and 6 assists for the guests. Antonine's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Maristes moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Hoops and Tadamon. Loser Antonine keeps the fifth position with nine games lost. Maristes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antonine will play against the league's second-placed Al Riyadi (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.

In the last game of round 20 Tadamon won against Hoops on the opponent's court 78-65.



Beirut Club - NSA 90-70

LBL top team - Beirut Club (17-2) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed twelfth ranked NSA (1-17) 90-70. Beirut Club players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. The winners were led by the former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) who scored that evening 21 points and 9 rebounds and South Sudanese-Australian forward Angok Deng (203-1992, college: Baylor) supported him with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Even 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) did not help to save the game for NSA. Bahamas forward Kentwan Smith (203-1991, college: Stetson) added 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the guests. Five Beirut Club and four NSA players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Beirut Club have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-2 record. NSA lost sixth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 17 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
NSA: D.Hamilton 15+5reb+6ast, K.Smith 15+7reb+4ast, G.Tacca 14+8reb, L.Saleh 11+3reb+4ast, D.Stone 6+4reb, E.Ghosn 4+2reb+4ast
Beirut Club: M.Haidar 21+9reb+2ast, A.Deng 20+8reb, M.Frazier II 15+6reb+2ast, K.Kadji 10+1reb+2ast, A.Mezher 10+4reb+10ast, M.Al-Khoury 4+4reb

Maristes - Antonine 98-88

An interesting game took place in Dik El Mehdi where higher ranked Antonine (8-9) was upset on the court of eleventh ranked Maristes (7-11) 98-88 on Friday. Maristes looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Matt Mobley (194-1994, college: St.Bonaventure) chipped in 26 points and 4 assists. Four Maristes players scored in double figures. Guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech) produced 34 points (!!!) and 6 assists and point guard Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) added 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the guests. Antonine's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Maristes moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Hoops and Tadamon. Loser Antonine keeps the fifth position with nine games lost. Maristes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antonine will play against the league's second-placed Al Riyadi (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Antonine: K.Murphy 34+3reb+6ast, K.Roach II 19+5reb+5ast, P.Abboud 11+4reb+2ast, M.Watkins 9+6reb+2ast, B.Mansour 5+3reb+1ast, J.Makhlouf 5+4reb
Maristes: M.Mobley 26+3reb+4ast, H.Sims 24+13reb+2ast, J.Blake 20+5reb+6ast, K.Ezzeddine 13+9reb+4ast, M.Sarkis 8+3reb, J.Salem 7+2reb+4ast

Hoops - Tadamon 65-78

There was a minor upset in Beirut where 7th ranked Hoops (7-11) were defeated by ninth ranked Tadamon (7-11) 78-65 on Saturday. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The best player for the winners was forward Nick Stover (198-1993, college: USA) who scored 18 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) chipped in 23 points and 5 rebounds. Stover is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Power forward Jarvis Williams (203-1993, college: Murray St.) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds and forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) added 21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals respectively for the hosts. Hoops' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Tadamon moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Maristes and Hoops. Hoops lost fourth consecutive game. Tadamon will meet at home higher ranked Sagesse (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Hoops will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hoops: J.Williams 27+13reb+3ast, D.Dixson 21+7reb+5ast, T.Akiki 4+1reb+1ast, J.Jarrouge 4+1reb+2ast, A.Sabbagh 3+3reb+2ast, O.Al Jamal 2+3reb
Tadamon: U.McLean 23+5reb+1ast, N.Stover 18+9reb+6ast, G.Daaboul 13+7reb+8ast, R.Hansen 9+8reb+1ast, M.Chouman 6, M.Ziadeh 5+6reb

Beirut Club - Antranik 76-68

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#1) and Antranik (#6). Beirut Club (17-2) won against visiting Antranik (8-11) 76-68. Beirut Club looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of South Sudanese-Australian forward Angok Deng (203-1992, college: Baylor) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 9 rebounds and the former international guard Sergio El Darwich (194-1996, college: Maine) who added 18 points and 5 assists during the contest. Beirut Club's coach Jad El Hajj used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) responded with 31 points and 9 rebounds and American point guard Saeed Nelson (188-1998, college: American) scored 11 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Beirut Club have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-2 record. Antranik at the other side keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. Beirut Club will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antranik's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Antranik: T.Criswell 31+9reb+1ast, D.Clark 11+5reb+4ast, S.Nelson 11+8reb+7ast, J.Abou Samra 8+4reb+2ast, R.Moussa 7+5reb+5ast, A.Kopaly 0+1reb
Beirut Club: M.Frazier II 19+4reb, S.El Darwich 18+3reb+5ast, A.Deng 18+9reb+1ast, M.Haidar 7+4reb+2ast, C.Khalil 6+8reb+1ast, A.Mezher 4+2reb+9ast