DLBL Round 9 (Regular Season): Al Markaziyyah hands first loss to Sagesse

Coincidentally all hosts won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Sagesse (8-1) in Jounieh on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Al Markaziyyah (7-2) 100-95. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Sagesse. Al Markaziyyah made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 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 8 blocks. It was a good game for American-Dominican forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) contributed with 28 points and 8 assists for the winners. American power forward Paris Bass (207-1995, college: Detroit) answered with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists for Sagesse. Al Markaziyyah maintains third place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Al Riyadi. Sagesse at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Al Markaziyyah are looking forward to face Batroun (#10) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another 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 Homentmen.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Homentmen (#4). Al Riyadi (9-0) crushed visiting Homentmen (6-3) by 21 points 118-97. American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) stepped up and scored 28 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Ivan Buva chipped in 26 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was the former international swingman Ahmad Ibrahim (198-1992, college: Rice) with 27 points, 6 rebounds 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. Undefeated Al Riyadi have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 9-0 record. Homentmen lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with three games lost. Al Riyadi's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Beirut Club.
Bottom-ranked Tadamon is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their ninth consecutive match to ninth ranked Antranik (3-6) 92-79 on Sunday evening. Jeremiah Gambrell Jr nailed 25 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winning side. Antranik's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Samuel Daniel came up with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for Tadamon in the defeat. Antranik moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Beirut Club. Tadamon lost their ninth game in a row. They still close the standings with nine games lost. Antranik will meet NSA (#11) in the next round. Tadamon will play against Antonine and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 9: Batroun was smashed by Maristes on the road 106-84. Antonine won against Beirut Club on its own court 80-74. NSA unfortunately lost to Hoops in Beirut 80-91.



Al Markaziyyah - Sagesse 100-95

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Sagesse (8-1) in Jounieh on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Al Markaziyyah (7-2) 100-95. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Sagesse. Al Markaziyyah made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 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 8 blocks. It was a good game for American-Dominican forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) contributed with 28 points and 8 assists for the winners. McGill is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American power forward Paris Bass (207-1995, college: Detroit) answered with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists and added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Sagesse. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Markaziyyah maintains third place with 7-2 record having just two points less than leader Al Riyadi. Sagesse at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Al Markaziyyah are looking forward to face Batroun (#10) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another 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 Homentmen.
Top scorers:
Al Markaziyyah: M.Donte 28+3reb+8ast, C.Anyeuri 21+10reb+9ast, K.El 18+5reb+1ast, W.Kenny 17+14reb+4ast, G.Salem 6+1reb+2ast, L.Saleh 4+2reb
Sagesse: P.Bass 32+13reb+6ast, G.Hadidian 16+9reb, K.Youssef 15+5reb+5ast, W.Hodge 13+2reb+6ast, K.Marc 9+1reb, M.Rudy 6+5reb+1ast

Antranik - Tadamon 92-79

Bottom-ranked Tadamon is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their ninth consecutive match to ninth ranked Antranik (3-6) 92-79 on Sunday evening. Antranik looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Jeremiah Gambrell Jr (190-2000, college: Alcorn St., agency: 0z Sports Agency) nailed 25 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for the winning side and South Sudanese center Majur Majak (216, college: New Haven) accounted for 17 points and 17 rebounds. Antranik's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American Samuel Daniel (203-1996, college: Florida Tech) came up with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import swingman BJ Freeman (198-2002, college: Arizona St.) added 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Tadamon in the defeat. Antranik moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Beirut Club. Tadamon lost their ninth game in a row. They still close the standings with nine games lost. Antranik will meet NSA (#11) in the next round. Tadamon will play against Antonine and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Antranik: B.Christian 29+1reb, G.Jeremiah 25+5reb+9ast, M.Majur 17+17reb, S.Gabriel 8+7reb+7ast, S.Alaa 6+7reb+3ast, K.Kevork 3+1reb+2ast
Tadamon: S.Daniel 30+11reb+4ast, A.Alex 22+1reb+1ast, B.Freeman 17+10reb+4ast, B.Jenkins 5+8reb+2ast, J.Nasr 5+3reb+1ast, T.Fady 0

Maristes - Batroun 106-84

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Maristes (5-4) crushed 10th ranked Batroun (2-7) in Dik El Mehdi 106-84 on Sunday. Maristes made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Maristes outrebounded Batroun 37-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. Maristes looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Batroun's players. American center Henry Sims (208-1990, college: Georgetown) nailed 31 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and American-Syrian guard Javion Blake (191-1997, college: Washburn) accounted for 21 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. American guard Desi Washington (188-1992, college: St.Peter's) came up with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 12 assists and the other American import forward Anthony Fairley (205-1999, college: Miles, agency: BIG) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Batroun in the defeat. Five Maristes and four Batroun players scored in double figures. 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. Maristes maintains fifth place with 5-4 record, which they share with Antonine. Newly promoted Batroun keeps the tenth position with seven games lost. They share it with NSA. Maristes will meet Hoops (#7) in the next round. Batroun will play against Al Markaziyyah in Jounieh and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Maristes: S.Henry 31+6reb+3ast, B.Javion 21+5reb+9ast, S.Jimmy 16+6reb+4ast, L.Aleksandar 15+7reb+4ast, K.El 12+3reb+3ast, M.Ali 3+2reb+4ast
Batroun: D.Washington 34+8reb+12ast, A.Fairley 12+7reb, M.Hijazi 12, R.Monyyong 12+6reb, K.Karl 5+2reb+1ast, A.Malla Mohamad 5

Antonine - Beirut Club 80-74

Rather expected game when 8th ranked Beirut Club (3-6) lost on the road to sixth ranked Antonine (5-4) 80-74 on Monday. The former international swingman Mark Al-Khoury (197-1998) nailed 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and American Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) accounted for 21 points and 9 rebounds. Four Antonine players scored in double figures. American forward Tray Jackson (208-2000, college: Michigan) came up with 30 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) added 14 points and 6 assists respectively for Beirut Club in the defeat. Antonine moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Maristes. Loser Beirut Club keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Antranik. Antonine will meet bottom-ranked Tadamon (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another 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 Al Riyadi.
Top scorers:
Antonine: A.Mark 26+8reb+5ast, L.Ricky 21+9reb+2ast, C.Glenn 13+3reb+3ast, C.Clinton 11+8reb+2ast, A.Anthony 4+1reb, M.Miguel 3+5reb+5ast
Beirut Club: T.Jackson 30+5reb+2ast, A.English 14+3reb+6ast, M.Ziadeh 10+3reb+2ast, J.Zaloum 9+2reb+2ast, M.Jean 6+4reb+1ast, J.Abou Samra 4+8reb+2ast

Hoops - NSA 91-80

Rather predictable result when seventh ranked Hoops (4-5) won against 10th ranked NSA (2-7) in Beirut 91-80 on Monday. Hoops made 30-of-35 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. They also forced 22 NSA turnovers. American forward Trazarien White (198, college: TCU) nailed 27 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import Kedrian Johnson (190-1999, college: WVU) accounted for 20 points and 4 assists. American guard Makye Richards (188, college: Xavier, LA) came up with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Nigerian-American power forward Emmanuel Omogbo (203-1995, college: Colorado St., agency: Alti Sport) added 12 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for NSA in the defeat. Five Hoops and four NSA players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Hoops. They maintain seventh place with 4-5 record. NSA lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the tenth position with seven games lost. They share it with Batroun. Hoops will meet at home higher ranked Maristes (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. NSA will play against Antranik (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hoops: W.Trazarien 27+8reb+1ast, J.Kedrian 20+4ast, Y.George 12+4reb+5ast, K.Amari 12+5reb+1ast, A.Ekkewi 10+6reb+1ast, A.Omar 5+5reb+3ast
NSA: M.Richards 21+6reb+4ast, E.Lufile 17+7reb+3ast, E.Omogbo 12+10reb+6ast, H.Mike 10+4reb+2ast, F.Pierre 9, C.Khalil 7+8reb

Al Riyadi - Homentmen 118-97

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Beirut: Al Riyadi (#1) and Homentmen (#4). Al Riyadi (9-0) crushed visiting Homentmen (6-3) by 21 points 118-97. Al Riyadi dominated down low during the game scoring 80 of its points in the paint compared to Homentmen's 50. Al Riyadi forced 19 Homentmen turnovers and outrebounded them 43-29 including 29 on the defensive glass. Al Riyadi players were unselfish on offense dishing 29 assists. American Maurice Kemp (203-1991, college: ECU) stepped up and scored 28 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Croatian power forward Ivan Buva (207-1991) chipped in 26 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was the former international swingman Ahmad Ibrahim (198-1992, college: Rice) with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Donte McGill (190-1995, college: FIU) scored 19 points and 5 assists. Five Al Riyadi and four Homentmen players 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 series of nine victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 9-0 record. Homentmen lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with three games lost. Al Riyadi'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:
Al Riyadi: K.Maurice 28+7reb+2ast, B.Ivan 26+8reb+1ast, B.Perrin 16+5reb+5ast, M.Ali 16+4reb+9ast, G.Hayk 11+6reb+7ast, Z.Karim 11+4reb+1ast
Homentmen: A.Ibrahim 27+6reb+4ast, A.Gabriel 19+3reb+5ast, T.Bey 17+7reb+2ast, K.Thomas 14+4reb+1ast, A.Tanios 9+4reb, J.Stevens 7+2reb+8ast