LBL Round 22 (Regular Season): Sagesse lose to NSA

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Beirut between third ranked Sagesse (16-3) and twelfth ranked NSA (2-17) on Sunday night. Sagesse was defeated by NSA in a tough game at home 97-106. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Sagesse. NSA made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Swingman Lucas Saleh (201-2000, college: Belm.Abbey) contributed with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) replied with 46 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists for Sagesse. Sagesse's coach Linos Gavriel rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. NSA maintains twelfth position with 2-17 record. Sagesse at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. NSA are looking forward to face higher ranked Al Markaziyyah (#10) in Jounieh in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Sagesse's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
LBL top team - Al Riyadi (18-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed eighth ranked Maristes (7-12) in Beirut 110-68. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Maristes. International guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) scored 20 points and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Karim Zeinoun chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American-Syrian guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn) responded with 12 points and 4 assists. 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 ten-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-1 record. Maristes at the other side keep the eighth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Al Markaziyyah and Hoops. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
The game in Antonine supposed to be also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Homentmen (10-9) played at the court of fifth ranked Antonine (9-10). Antonine smashed Homentmen 107-84 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Homentmen. American players dominated also this game. Kerwin Roach II notched a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) to lead the effort. Even 31 points and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) by Jordan Stevens did not help to save the game for Homentmen. 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 maintains fifth position with 9-10 record. Loser Homentmen keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. Antonine will meet Tadamon (#6) in the next round. Homentmen will play against Maristes and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 22 Al Markaziyyah was beaten by Tadamon on the road 93-86. Homentmen destroyed Hoops on its own court 126-105.
The most impressive performance of 22th round was 21 points and 18 rebounds by Michael Watkins of Antonine.



Tadamon - Al Markaziyyah 93-86

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when tenth ranked Tadamon (8-12) beat 9th ranked Al Markaziyyah (7-12) in Hrajel 93-86 on Saturday. U.S. Virgin Islands forward Romani Hansen (203-1997, college: Albany) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and American guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) supported him with 27 points and 4 assists. Even 32 points and 5 rebounds by American Rion Brown (198-1991, college: Miami, FL) did not help to save the game for Al Markaziyyah. His fellow American import forward Kenny Wooten Jr (204-1998, college: Oregon) added 10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Five Tadamon and four Al Markaziyyah players scored in double figures. Tadamon moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Antranik. Al Markaziyyah at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the eighth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Maristes and Hoops. Tadamon will meet at home higher ranked Antonine (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Al Markaziyyah will play against NSA and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tadamon: U.McLean 27+3reb+4ast, R.Hansen 21+16reb+3ast, N.Stover 14+5reb+3ast, A.Alalia 11, G.Daaboul 11+2reb+7ast, A.Ekkewi 7+3reb
Al Markaziyyah: R.Brown 32+5reb+2ast, C.Young 13+4reb+6ast, E.Ghaleb 13+6reb, K.Wooten Jr. 10+10reb+4ast, A.Nabaa 9+2reb+2ast, E.Saad 4+6reb+1ast

Homentmen - Hoops 126-105

Very expected game when 9th ranked Hoops (7-12) were smashed by fourth ranked Homentmen (10-9) in Beirut 126-105 on Saturday. Homentmen made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American players dominated also this game. Forward Tyler Bey (201-1998, college: Colorado) notched a double-double by scoring 46 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds (on 19-of-25 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) supported him with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists and 6 steals. Four Homentmen players scored in double figures. Even 40 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 assists by forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) did not help to save the game for Hoops. Guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) added 30 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists for lost side. 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. Homentmen maintains fourth position with 10-9 record. Hoops lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Maristes and Al Markaziyyah. Homentmen will meet at home Maristes (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Hoops will play against Mayrouba and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: T.Bey 46+15reb+1ast, J.Stevens 27+7reb+10ast, L.Nolley II 25+6reb+6ast, B.Harfouch 12+3reb+2ast, G.Ajemian 9+4reb+7ast, J.Soufan 3
Hoops: D.Dixson 40+8reb+4ast, A.English 30+8reb+11ast, J.Williams 18+6reb+4ast, A.Sabbagh 8+1reb+2ast, A.Sabbagh 3+1reb, O.Al Jamal 2+7reb

Sagesse - NSA 97-106

The most important game in the last round took place in Beirut between third ranked Sagesse (16-3) and twelfth ranked NSA (2-17) on Sunday night. Sagesse was defeated by NSA in a tough game at home 97-106. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Sagesse. NSA made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Swingman Lucas Saleh (201-2000, college: Belm.Abbey) contributed with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners. Four NSA players scored in double figures. Guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) replied with 46 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 5 assists and power forward Johnny OBryant III (207-1993, college: LSU, agency: Slash Sports) added 14 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Sagesse. Sagesse's coach Linos Gavriel rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. NSA maintains twelfth position with 2-17 record. Sagesse at the other side keeps the third place with three games lost. NSA are looking forward to face higher ranked Al Markaziyyah (#10) in Jounieh in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Sagesse's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
Top scorers:
NSA: D.Hamilton 33+12reb+4ast, L.Saleh 24+11reb+4ast, M.Richards 20+6reb+8ast, K.Smith 18+2reb+3ast, M.Haddad 7+2reb+3ast, G.Tacca 4+5reb
Sagesse: Z.Lofton 46+8reb+5ast, J.O'Bryant III 14+11reb, O.Jamaleddine 13+4reb, E.Rustom 6+5reb+1ast, C.Lalanne 5+5reb, G.Hadidian 4+2reb

Al Riyadi - Maristes 110-68

LBL top team - Al Riyadi (18-1) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed eighth ranked Maristes (7-12) in Beirut 110-68. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Maristes. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Maristes' 40. They outrebounded Maristes 52-18 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Riyadi players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Maristes' players. International guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) scored 20 points and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international guard Karim Zeinoun (188-1999) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American-Syrian guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn) responded with 12 points and 4 assists and American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) scored 13 points. 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. Al Riyadi have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-1 record. Maristes at the other side keep the eighth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Al Markaziyyah and Hoops. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: W.Arakji 20+2reb+6ast, K.Zeinoun 17+5reb+3ast, B.Tabbara 15+4reb, M.Georges-Hunt 15+2reb+1ast, M.Maric 10+13reb+1ast, I.Ahmad 9+8reb+3ast
Maristes: K.Ezzeddine 13+2reb+1ast, H.Sims 13+4reb+1ast, J.Blake 12+3reb+4ast, J.Salem 11+2reb+2ast, R.Zanbaka 7+2reb+1ast, M.Sarkis 5+2reb

Antonine - Homentmen 107-84

The game in Antonine supposed to be also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Homentmen (10-9) played at the court of fifth ranked Antonine (9-10). Antonine smashed Homentmen 107-84 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Homentmen. Antonine looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Homentmen's players. American players dominated also this game. Point guard Kerwin Roach II (192-1996, college: Texas) notched a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) supported him with 21 points and 18 rebounds. Even 31 points and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) by point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) did not help to save the game for Homentmen. Forward Tyler Bey (201-1998, college: Colorado) added 19 points and 13 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who 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 maintains fifth position with 9-10 record. Loser Homentmen keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. Antonine will meet Tadamon (#6) in the next round. Homentmen will play against Maristes and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Antonine: K.Murphy 31+3reb+6ast, K.Roach II 29+10reb+6ast, M.Watkins 21+18reb+1ast, A.Assi 12+1reb+5ast, P.Abboud 5+3reb+4ast, M.Abi-Kheres 5+2reb+1ast
Homentmen: J.Stevens 31+1reb+4ast, T.Bey 19+13reb+2ast, P.Dekermedjian 11+7reb+1ast, L.Nolley II 11+8reb+3ast, B.Harfouch 9+1reb+1ast, G.Chivichyan 2+2reb