DLBL Round 7 (Regular Season): Maristes hand first loss to Homentmen

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Homentmen (6-1) in Dik El Mehdi on Wednesday night. Visitors were rolled over by sixth ranked Maristes (4-3) 116-89. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Homentmen. They outrebounded Homentmen 53-39 including a 37-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. Maristes looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Homentmen's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Syrian guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) contributed with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) answered with 20 points and 5 assists 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. Maristes moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Antonine. Homentmen at the other side keeps the third position with one game lost. Maristes is looking forward to face league's second-placed Sagesse in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Homentmen will play at home against Al Markaziyyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Beirut. Sixth ranked Antonine (4-3) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 8th ranked Antranik (2-5) 83-82 on Sunday evening. It was a great evening for American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Clinton Chapman helped adding 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side American Jeremiah Gambrell Jr (190-2000, college: Alcorn St., agency: 0z Sports Agency) responded with 28 points, 5 assists and 4 steals (made all of his eight free throws). Antonine have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Maristes. Antranik at the other side dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Antonine will play against league's leader Al Riyadi in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Antranik's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
An interesting game for Al Riyadi (7-0) which hosted in Beirut 4th placed Al Markaziyyah (5-2). Leader Al Riyadi managed to get a 11-point victory 85-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Al Markaziyyah. It was an exceptional evening for Maurice Kemp who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Anyeuri Castillo came up with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists for Al Markaziyyah in the defeat. Undefeated Al Riyadi have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-0 record, which they share with Sagesse. Loser Al Markaziyyah keeps the fourth position with two games lost. Al Riyadi will meet Antonine (#6) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Markaziyyah will play against Homentmen in Beirut and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Winless Tadamon was beaten by Batroun on the road 89-82. Sagesse destroyed NSA on its own court 112-72. Beirut Club unfortunately lost to Hoops in Beirut 86-88.
The most impressive performance of 7th round was 32 points and 9 rebounds by AJ English of Beirut Club.



Maristes - Homentmen 116-89

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Homentmen (6-1) in Dik El Mehdi on Wednesday night. Visitors were rolled over by sixth ranked Maristes (4-3) 116-89. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Homentmen. They outrebounded Homentmen 53-39 including a 37-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. Maristes looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Homentmen's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Syrian guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) contributed with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) answered with 20 points and 5 assists and the other American import forward Khalid Thomas (208-1999, college: Portland St.) added 13 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Homentmen. 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. Maristes moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Antonine. Homentmen at the other side keeps the third position with one game lost. Maristes is looking forward to face league's second-placed Sagesse in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Homentmen will play at home against Al Markaziyyah and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Maristes: S.Henry 30+10reb+5ast, B.Javion 29+10reb+11ast, L.Aleksandar 22+11reb+5ast, S.Jimmy 15+7reb+1ast, M.Abi-Kheres 5+4reb+2ast, G.Samaha 4+4reb
Homentmen: J.Stevens 20+2reb+5ast, A.Ibrahim 16+3reb+1ast, A.Abdel Massih 15+3reb+1ast, K.Thomas 13+7reb+1ast, A.Gabriel 6+4reb+2ast, D.Peter 5+10reb

Al Riyadi - Al Markaziyyah 85-74

An interesting game for Al Riyadi (7-0) which hosted in Beirut 4th placed Al Markaziyyah (5-2). Leader Al Riyadi managed to get a 11-point victory 85-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Al Markaziyyah. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Croatian power forward Ivan Buva (207-1991) accounted for 16 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. American-Dominican forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) came up with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists and American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) added 14 points respectively for Al Markaziyyah in the defeat. Al Riyadi have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-0 record, which they share with Sagesse. Loser Al Markaziyyah keeps the fourth position with two games lost. Al Riyadi will meet Antonine (#6) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Al Markaziyyah will play against Homentmen in Beirut and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: K.Maurice 25+10reb+2ast, B.Ivan 16+6reb+2ast, S.Amir 12+1reb+8ast, B.Perrin 12+5reb+5ast, Z.Karim 9+5reb+5ast, G.Hayk 7+6reb
Al Markaziyyah: A.Castillo 32+10reb+7ast, D.McGill 14+3reb+3ast, K.Wooten Jr. 11+5reb+2ast, E.Khatib Jihad 7+6reb, N.Anthony 5+2reb, S.Lucas 5+3reb+4ast

Antranik - Antonine 82-83

Important game to mention about took place in Beirut. Sixth ranked Antonine (4-3) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 8th ranked Antranik (2-5) 83-82 on Sunday evening. It was a great evening for American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) helped adding 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side American Jeremiah Gambrell Jr (190-2000, college: Alcorn St., agency: 0z Sports Agency) responded with 28 points, 5 assists and 4 steals (made all of his eight free throws) and South Sudanese center Majur Majak (216, college: New Haven) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds. Four Antranik players scored in double figures. Antonine have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Maristes. Antranik at the other side dropped to the seventh position with five games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Antonine will play against league's leader Al Riyadi in Beirut in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Antranik'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:
Antonine: C.Clinton 24+8reb+4ast, L.Ricky 23+8reb+6ast, H.Brian 18+5reb+3ast, A.Mark 7+3reb+2ast, P.Abboud 7+6reb+1ast, M.Miguel 4+4reb+2ast
Antranik: J.Gambrell Jr. 28+1reb+5ast, M.Majak 18+13reb+1ast, A.Sabbagh 16+2reb+3ast, G.Salibi 10+8reb+6ast, E.Little 7+8reb+3ast, G.Rizk 2+1ast

Batroun - Tadamon 89-82

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked Batroun and bottom-ranked Tadamon had identical 0-6 record. This time Batroun used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Hrajel 89-82 on Tuesday night. Batroun dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Tadamon's 30. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for guard Desi Washington (188-1992, college: St.Peter's) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists. Forward Ruot Monyyong (210-1998, college: UALR) accounted for 18 points and 14 rebounds for the winning side. Batroun's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists and Samuel Daniel (203-1996, college: Florida Tech) added 25 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) respectively for Tadamon in the defeat. Five Batroun and four Tadamon players scored in double figures. Newly promoted Batroun maintains eleventh place with 1-6 record. It was Tadamon's seventh loss in a row. They still close the standings with seven games lost. Batroun will meet at home higher ranked NSA (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tadamon will play against Hoops (#9) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Batroun: W.Desi 22+9reb+11ast, F.Anthony 18+7reb+3ast, M.Ruot 18+14reb+2ast, K.Andrew 13+2reb+1ast, K.Kozah 12+3reb, M.Al 5
Tadamon: B.Jenkins 25+4reb+2ast, S.Daniel 25+5reb+1ast, K.Jintcharadze 13+3reb+3ast, S.Elias 12+18reb+5ast, Z.Elio 4+3reb+3ast, J.Nasr 3+2reb+7ast

Sagesse - NSA 112-72

Very expected game when 7th ranked NSA (2-5) was smashed by leader Sagesse (7-0) in Beirut 112-72 on Monday. Sagesse dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to NSA's 42. Sagesse forced 19 NSA turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by NSA's players. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech, agency: The Crew A.M.) who led the winners and scored 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. International power forward Ali Haidar (203-1990, college: Michigan Tech) accounted for 25 points and 6 rebounds (on 12-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Four Sagesse players scored in double figures. Nigerian-American power forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-1995, college: Colorado St., agency: Alti Sport) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 19 rebounds and American guard Makye Richards (188, college: Xavier, LA) added 14 points and 6 assists respectively for NSA in the defeat. 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. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Sagesse. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. NSA lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the seventh place with five games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Sagesse will meet Maristes (#5) in the next round. NSA will play against Batroun and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: M.Kevin 25+5reb+5ast, H.Ali 25+6reb, B.Paris 16+7reb+5ast, K.Jad 10+3reb+6ast, M.Khoueiry 10+3reb+2ast, R.Moussa 8+1ast
NSA: E.Omogbo 19+19reb+2ast, M.Richards 14+3reb+6ast, M.Sarkis 10+1ast, K.Mechref 8, E.Lufile 8+7reb+1ast, K.Joe 8+5reb

Hoops - Beirut Club 88-86

There was a small surprise when tenth ranked Hoops (2-5) edged at home 7th ranked Beirut Club (2-5) 88-86 on Tuesday. Hoops forced 20 Beirut Club turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Trazarien White (198, college: TCU) who led the winners and scored 25 points. Montenegrin Nemanja Milosevic (204-1987, college: WKU, agency: Interperformances) accounted for 10 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Hoops' coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) came up with 32 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) added 17 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists respectively for Beirut Club in the defeat. Hoops moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Beirut Club. Hoops will meet bottom-ranked Tadamon (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Antranik.
Top scorers:
Hoops: W.Trazarien 25+4reb+3ast, J.Kedrian 16+1reb+5ast, M.Nemanja 10+12reb+6ast, A.Omar 8+3reb, H.El 8+5reb+1ast, Y.George 6+4reb+5ast
Beirut Club: A.English 32+9reb+3ast, T.Jackson 22+7reb+1ast, D.Hamilton 17+11reb+13ast, J.Abou Samra 7+2reb, M.Ziadeh 4+4reb+1ast, J.Zaloum 2+3reb+2ast