LBL Round 23 (Regular Season): Beirut Club is defeated by Al Riyadi in a derby game

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 Beirut Club (#2). Beirut Club was crushed at home by 38 points 72-110 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Beirut Club. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Beirut Club's 32. They outrebounded Beirut Club 40-19 including a 29-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Al Riyadi especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). International guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) helped adding 20 points and 5 assists. American guard Joseph Young (188-1992, college: Oregon, agency: The Crew A.M.) responded with 15 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 (19-1) have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place. Beirut Club at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with Sagesse. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Homentmen.
Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#3) and Antranik (#7). Sagesse (17-3) crushed visiting Antranik (8-13) by 19 points 97-78. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Jad Khalil (186-1996) who led the winners and scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Cady Lalanne accounted for 18 points. American forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) for Antranik in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sagesse moved-up to second place, which they share with Beirut Club. Antranik lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Tadamon. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
The game in Hrajel was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Antonine (10-10) played at the court of 6th ranked Tadamon (8-13). Antonine defeated Tadamon 88-76 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Michael Watkins who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 18 rebounds. Unique McLean produced 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Antonine moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Homentmen. Newly promoted Tadamon dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Antranik. Antonine will meet at home Mayrouba (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tadamon will play against Maristes in Dik El Mehdi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 23: Maristes won against Homentmen on the opponent's court 112-96. Mayrouba was outscored by Hoops in a home game 74-96. Bottom-ranked NSA recorded a loss to Al Markaziyyah on the road 97-93.



Beirut Club - Al Riyadi 72-110

The most exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Beirut Club (#2). Beirut Club was crushed at home by 38 points 72-110 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Beirut Club. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Beirut Club's 32. They outrebounded Beirut Club 40-19 including a 29-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Al Riyadi especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for Australian-South Sudanese center Thon Maker (216-1997) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). International guard Wael Arakji (193-1994) helped adding 20 points and 5 assists. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. American guard Joseph Young (188-1992, college: Oregon, agency: The Crew A.M.) responded with 15 points and 4 assists and the former international power forward Mohamad Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds. 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 (19-1) have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place. Beirut Club at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with Sagesse. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: M.Haidar 15+5reb, J.Young 15+1reb+4ast, T.Wimbush 10+2reb+2ast, K.Kadji 9+1reb, A.Mezher 9+2reb+7ast, S.El Darwich 8+5reb+1ast
Al Riyadi: T.Maker 25+13reb+1ast, W.Arakji 20+2reb+5ast, H.Gyokchyan 16+5reb, M.Georges-Hunt 15+3reb+3ast, A.Saoud 13+2reb+2ast, I.Ahmad 8+6reb+4ast

Homentmen - Maristes 96-112

There was an upset in Beirut where 4th placed Homentmen (10-10) was defeated by tenth ranked Maristes (8-12) 112-96 on Saturday. Maristes outrebounded Homentmen 54-32 including a 35-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Maristes looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points, 29 rebounds and 4 assists. American-Syrian guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn) chipped in 25 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points, 11 assists and 4 steals and Armenian guard Gabriel Ajemian (193-1998, college: Compton) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Five Maristes and four Homentmen players scored in double figures. Maristes moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Al Markaziyyah and Hoops. Loser Homentmen keeps the fourth position with ten games lost. They share it with Antonine. Maristes will meet at home Tadamon (#9) in the next round. Homentmen's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: J.Stevens 27+3reb+11ast, G.Ajemian 17+3reb+4ast, L.Nolley II 12+4reb+2ast, B.Harfouch 12+4reb, P.Dekermedjian 10+7reb+5ast, T.Bey 9+11reb+2ast
Maristes: M.Mobley 25+5reb+4ast, J.Blake 25+5reb+8ast, H.Sims 23+29reb+4ast, K.Ezzeddine 18+6reb+2ast, R.Zanbaka 15+5reb+1ast, J.Salem 4+2reb+4ast

Mayrouba - Hoops 74-96

Rather predictable result when eighth ranked Hoops (8-12) smashed on the road 11th ranked Mayrouba (6-14) 96-74 on Thursday. Hoops outrebounded Mayrouba 48-32 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Hoops looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Dikembe Dixson (201-1996, college: UIC) who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 20 rebounds. Power forward Jarvis Williams (203-1993, college: Murray St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Tim Dalger (201, college: St.Louis) produced 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and guard JaCor Nelson (195-1999, college: Central Mo.) added 17 points respectively for the hosts. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Hoops moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Maristes and Al Markaziyyah. Mayrouba lost their third game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with 14 games lost. Hoops will meet bottom-ranked NSA (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Mayrouba will play against Antonine and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mayrouba: T.Dalger 22+8reb+6ast, J.Nelson 17+2reb+3ast, B.Saba 9+3reb+3ast, A.Koubba 9+5reb+2ast, J.Nakhle 7+7reb+1ast, K.Thomas 6+7reb+1ast
Hoops: D.Dixson 34+20reb+2ast, J.Williams 21+10reb+2ast, J.Jarrouge 14+3reb+5ast, O.Al Jamal 9+2reb, A.English 8+4reb+7ast, T.Akiki 5+5reb+1ast

Al Markaziyyah - NSA 97-93

Not a big story in a game in Jounieh where 12th ranked NSA (2-18) was defeated by ninth ranked Al Markaziyyah (8-12) 97-93 on Friday. Al Markaziyyah made 25-of-28 free shots (89.3 percent) during the game. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Cameron Young (195-1996, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 32 points and 4 assists. Forward Kenny Wooten Jr (204-1998, college: Oregon) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) produced a triple-double by scoring 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and guard Makye Richards (188, college: Xavier, LA) added 22 points and 5 assists respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Markaziyyah moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Maristes and Hoops. Loser NSA stay dead last with 18 lost games. Al Markaziyyah will meet at home Antranik (#10) in the next round. NSA will play against Hoops and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
NSA: D.Hamilton 31+10reb+10ast, M.Richards 22+4reb+5ast, E.Montgomery 15+2reb+1ast, L.Saleh 12+8reb+2ast, G.Tacca 9+6reb+1ast, M.Haddad 2+3reb+3ast
Al Markaziyyah: C.Young 32+3reb+4ast, E.Ghaleb 20+6reb+3ast, K.Wooten Jr. 17+17reb+2ast, R.Brown 10+9reb+2ast, J.Zaloum 8+1reb+4ast, M.Hijazi 6+2reb+2ast

Tadamon - Antonine 76-88

The game in Hrajel was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Antonine (10-10) played at the court of 6th ranked Tadamon (8-13). Antonine defeated Tadamon 88-76 on Friday. Antonine looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Michael Watkins (206-1995, college: Penn State) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 18 rebounds. American-Central African guard Isaiah Washington (185-1998, college: LBSU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 assists. American guard Unique McLean (188-1997, college: SFC, agency: Blacktop Management) produced 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import power forward Quatarrius Wilson (203-1996, college: SEMO, agency: One Motive Sports) added 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Antonine moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Homentmen. Newly promoted Tadamon dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Antranik. Antonine will meet at home Mayrouba (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tadamon will play against Maristes in Dik El Mehdi and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tadamon: Q.Wilson 18+8reb+5ast, U.McLean 17+9reb+5ast, A.Alalia 14+2reb+2ast, N.Stover 11+7reb+1ast, G.Daaboul 7+2reb+5ast, J.Nemer 6+1reb+1ast
Antonine: M.Watkins 22+18reb+2ast, K.Roach II 21+3reb+2ast, I.Washington 17+4reb+13ast, B.Mansour 12+1reb, A.Assi 7+1reb+1ast, P.Abboud 6+3ast

Sagesse - Antranik 97-78

Another exciting game was again a derby between two teams from Beirut: Sagesse (#3) and Antranik (#7). Sagesse (17-3) crushed visiting Antranik (8-13) by 19 points 97-78. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Jad Khalil (186-1996) who led the winners and scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Haitian center Cady Lalanne (208-1992, college: UMass) accounted for 18 points for the winning side. American forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Interperformances) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and Rudy Moussa added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Antranik in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sagesse moved-up to second place, which they share with Beirut Club. Antranik lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Tadamon. Sagesse's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
Top scorers:
Antranik: T.Criswell 21+10reb+2ast, R.Moussa 16+7reb+6ast, A.Fairley 16+6reb+1ast, S.Nelson 13+8reb+2ast, E.Sebaaly 6+4reb, J.Abou Samra 4+2reb+5ast
Sagesse: C.Lalanne 18+4reb, J.Khalil 16+5reb+5ast, J.O'Bryant III 15+2reb+3ast, G.Hadidian 10+8reb+1ast, Z.Lofton 9+3reb+5ast, A.Abdel Massih 8+1reb+1ast