DLBL Round 8 (Regular Season): Homentmen is upset by Al Markaziyyah

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 Homentmen (6-2) and fourth ranked Al Markaziyyah (6-2) on Saturday night. Homentmen was defeated by Al Markaziyyah in a tough game at home 94-103. Al Markaziyyah made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Markaziyyah made 9 blocks. The best player for the winners was who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. American forward Kenny Wooten Jr (204-1998, college: Oregon) chipped in 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks. American forward Khalid Thomas (208-1999, college: Portland St.) produced a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Al Markaziyyah moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Homentmen. Al Markaziyyah is looking forward to face league's second-placed Sagesse in Beirut in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Homentmen's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.
Undefeated leader Al Riyadi delivered the eighth consecutive victory. This time they beat 6th ranked Antonine (4-4) 108-100. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Antonine. American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 16 rebounds. Perrin Buford contributed with 29 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) replied with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for Antonine. Undefeated Al Riyadi (8-0) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with a perfect record of 8 victories in a row, which they share with Sagesse. Antonine at the other side dropped to the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with Maristes. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Homentmen.
Bottom-ranked Tadamon (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 89-79 loss to ninth ranked Hoops (3-5) in Hrajel on Friday evening. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of Kedrian Johnson who helped to win the game recording 27 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. Samuel Daniel responded with 30 points and 6 steals. Hoops moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Beirut Club. Loser Tadamon still closes the standings with eight games lost. Hoops will meet at home NSA (#11) in the next round. Tadamon will play against Antranik in Beirut and hopes to get finally their first victory.

Rest of the games of round 8 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Antranik was defeated by Beirut Club in a road game 62-53. Maristes lost to undefeated Sagesse at home 87-95. NSA lost to Batroun on the opponent's court 83-90.
The best stats of 8th round was 34 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 12 assists by Desi Washington of Batroun.



Tadamon - Hoops 79-89

Bottom-ranked Tadamon (0-8) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 89-79 loss to ninth ranked Hoops (3-5) in Hrajel on Friday evening. They also forced 21 Tadamon turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of Kedrian Johnson (190-1999, college: WVU) who helped to win the game recording 27 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals and forward Trazarien White (198, college: TCU) who added 26 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Samuel Daniel (203-1996, college: Florida Tech) responded with 30 points and 6 steals and swingman BJ Freeman (198-2002, college: Arizona St.) scored 21 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Hoops moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Beirut Club. Loser Tadamon still closes the standings with eight games lost. Hoops will meet at home NSA (#11) in the next round. Tadamon will play against Antranik in Beirut and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Hoops: J.Kedrian 27+9reb+8ast, W.Trazarien 26+7reb+1ast, Y.George 9+4ast, A.Ekkewi 8+1reb+1ast, M.Nemanja 6+5reb+2ast, S.Abed 5+4reb+2ast
Tadamon: S.Daniel 30+4reb+3ast, B.Freeman 21+7reb+5ast, S.Elias 10+4reb+3ast, Y.Omar 7+2reb, B.Jenkins 4+4reb+5ast, J.Nasr 3+3reb+3ast

Beirut Club - Antranik 62-53

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Beirut Club and 9th ranked Antranik had identical 2-5 record. This time Beirut Club used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Beirut 62-53 on Saturday night. Worth to mention a great performance of American Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists and Alec Zambaka who added 8 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. South Sudanese center Majur Majak (216, college: New Haven) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 20 rebounds and American forward Emmanuel Little (197-1999, college: Nicholls, agency: AltusBasket) scored 9 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Beirut Club (3-5) moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Hoops. Antranik lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with six games lost. They share it with Batroun and NSA. Beirut Club will meet higher ranked Antonine (#6) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Antranik will play against Tadamon and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: H.Daniel 21+15reb+6ast, Z.Joseph 10+1reb+2ast, A.Joseph 9+2reb+4ast, A.Zambaka 8+7reb+2ast, E.AJ 8+5reb+1ast, J.Makhlouf 4+7reb
Antranik: M.Majak 16+20reb+1ast, G.Rizk 11+3reb+3ast, E.Little 9+11reb+5ast, G.Salibi 8+5reb+2ast, A.Sabbagh 4+3reb+1ast, K.Aldo 3+1reb+1ast

Homentmen - Al Markaziyyah 94-103

The most important game in the last round took place in Beirut between third ranked Homentmen (6-2) and fourth ranked Al Markaziyyah (6-2) on Saturday night. Homentmen was defeated by Al Markaziyyah in a tough game at home 94-103. Al Markaziyyah made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Markaziyyah made 9 blocks. The best player for the winners was Jihad El Khatib who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. American forward Kenny Wooten Jr (204-1998, college: Oregon) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks. Five Al Markaziyyah players scored in double figures. American forward Khalid Thomas (208-1999, college: Portland St.) produced a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) added 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for the hosts. Al Markaziyyah moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Homentmen. Al Markaziyyah is looking forward to face league's second-placed Sagesse in Beirut in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Homentmen's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Al Markaziyyah: K.El 24+11reb+1ast, C.Anyeuri 22+5reb+5ast, W.Kenny 18+13reb+4ast, M.Donte 15+6reb+7ast, L.Saleh 14+4reb+3ast, G.Salem 5+2reb+3ast
Homentmen: K.Thomas 33+11reb+4ast, A.Ibrahim 22+3reb+1ast, J.Stevens 20+9reb+6ast, A.Abdel Massih 7+3reb, A.Wiggins 6+12reb+2ast, A.Gabriel 3+2reb+3ast

Maristes - Sagesse 87-95

No shocking result in a game in Dik El Mehdi where top-ranked Sagesse (8-0) defeated 5th ranked Maristes (4-4) 95-87 on Wednesday. Sagesse made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Sagesse had a 35-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech, agency: The Crew A.M.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import power forward Paris Bass (207-1995, college: Detroit) who added 31 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) responded with 27 points and 7 rebounds and the former international guard Jimmy Salem (190-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Maristes players scored in double figures. Sagesse have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Al Riyadi. Loser Maristes keep the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with Antonine. Sagesse will meet Al Markaziyyah (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Maristes will play against Batroun and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: B.Paris 31+5reb+2ast, M.Kevin 27+11reb+5ast, Y.Khayat 16+7reb+2ast, H.Ali 7+6reb+2ast, H.Gerard 6+1reb, H.Walter 6+4reb+9ast
Maristes: H.Sims 27+7reb+2ast, J.Blake 19+4reb+9ast, A.Lazic 19+9reb+4ast, J.Salem 17+12reb+4ast, A.Mahmoud 5+1reb+2ast, M.Rudy 0

Antonine - Al Riyadi 100-108

Undefeated leader Al Riyadi delivered the eighth consecutive victory. This time they beat 6th ranked Antonine (4-4) 108-100. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Antonine. Al Riyadi made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists. American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 16 rebounds. The other American import forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with 29 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) replied with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international swingman Mark Al-Khoury (197-1998) added 32 points in the effort for Antonine. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Riyadi (8-0) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with a perfect record of 8 victories in a row, which they share with Sagesse. Antonine at the other side dropped to the fifth place with four games lost. They share the position with Maristes. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beirut Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: B.Perrin 29+5reb+9ast, K.Maurice 27+16reb+3ast, S.Amir 18+2reb+10ast, G.Hayk 17+4reb+5ast, I.Ahmad 9+7reb+3ast, B.Ivan 8+4reb
Antonine: M.Al-Khoury 32+4reb+1ast, R.Ledo 23+6reb+8ast, C.Chapman 17+5reb+3ast, G.Cosey 13+5reb+8ast, M.Martinez 9+5reb+3ast, A.Patrick 6+6reb+3ast

Batroun - NSA 90-83

There was a minor upset when 9th ranked NSA (2-6) was defeated on the road by eleventh ranked Batroun (2-6) 90-83 on Monday. Batroun dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to NSA's 28. Batroun forced 20 NSA turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Desi Washington (188-1992, college: St.Peter's) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 12 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and Karl Kozah who added 18 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four Batroun players scored in double figures. American guard Makye Richards (188, college: Xavier, LA) responded with 33 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Nigerian-American power forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-1995, college: Colorado St., agency: Alti Sport) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Batroun moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Antranik and NSA. NSA lost sixth consecutive game. Batroun will meet higher ranked Maristes (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. NSA will play against Hoops (#7) in Beirut and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Batroun: W.Desi 34+7reb+12ast, K.Kozah 18+4reb+1ast, F.Anthony 15+4reb+1ast, M.Ruot 12+10reb+1ast, K.Andrew 7+1reb, E.Hanna 2+2reb
NSA: M.Richards 33+5reb+5ast, E.Omogbo 19+12reb+3ast, E.Lufile 11+17reb+3ast, F.Pierre 9+2ast, H.Mike 8+1reb, M.Sarkis 3