DLBL Round 16 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Round 16 most important game was a victory of Hoops over 7th ranked Antranik 97-82 on Wednesday night. Hoops looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Trazarien White (198, college: TCU) who helped to win the game recording 36 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. The other American import center Amari Kelly (206-1999, college: GMU) contributed with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American Christian Brown (198-2000, college: Tennessee St.) replied with 34 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds for Antranik. Hoops maintains fifth position with 10-8 record, which they share with Antonine. Antranik at the other side keeps the seventh place with nine games lost. Hoops will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antranik will play on the road against Antonine (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
DLBL top team - Al Riyadi (18-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Maristes (5-13) in Dik El Mehdi 121-92. Worth to mention a quality performance of American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and Nuni Omot who added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. Al Riyadi's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American forward Darrious Agnew (203-1999, college: Alcorn St., agency: MSG) responded with 26 points and 9 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws). Undefeated Al Riyadi have an impressive 18-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-0 record. Maristes lost ninth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 13 games lost. 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 Antranik.
The game between third ranked Al Markaziyyah (11-7) and 10th ranked NSA (5-12) in Jounieh on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Al Markaziyyah outscored guests from 109-79. The winners were led by Anyeuri Castillo who scored that evening 27 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Even 19 points and 7 rebounds by Petar Rakicevic did not help to save the game for NSA. 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 Markaziyyah have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 11-7 record having seven points less than leader Al Riyadi. Loser NSA dropped to the ninth place with 12 games lost. Al Markaziyyah will meet Maristes (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. NSA will play against Homentmen and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 16 were not that significant. Bottom-ranked Tadamon was beaten by Homentmen on the road 96-82. Bottom-ranked Tadamon lost to Sagesse on its own court 87-99. Antonine unfortunately lost to Hoops in Beirut 80-87.
The most impressive performance of 16th round was 27 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists by Ricky Ledo of Antonine.



Maristes - Al Riyadi 92-121

DLBL top team - Al Riyadi (18-0) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Maristes (5-13) in Dik El Mehdi 121-92. Al Riyadi shot 65.8 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three nailing 14 long-distance shots on high 56.0 percentage. Al Riyadi players were unselfish on offense dishing 40 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Maristes' players. Worth to mention a quality performance of American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and South Sudanese-American Nuni Omot (204-1994, college: Baylor) who added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. Al Riyadi's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American forward Darrious Agnew (203-1999, college: Alcorn St., agency: MSG) responded with 26 points and 9 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) and American-Liberian guard Abdul Bah (186-1999, college: MSUB) scored 24 points and 8 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Al Riyadi have an impressive 18-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-0 record. Maristes lost ninth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 13 games lost. 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 Antranik.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: B.Perrin 23+5reb+8ast, K.Maurice 18+4reb+2ast, G.Hayk 18+4reb+4ast, O.Nuni 17+5reb+9ast, M.Ali 13+2reb+7ast, T.Bilal 12+2reb+2ast
Maristes: D.Agnew 26+9reb+1ast, A.Bah 24+1reb+8ast, M.Moore 18+5reb+1ast, A.Mostapha 11+9reb, S.Gebrael 10+6reb+1ast, N.Edward 2+2reb

Antranik - Hoops 82-97

Round 16 most important game was a victory of Hoops over 7th ranked Antranik 97-82 on Wednesday night. Hoops looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Trazarien White (198, college: TCU) who helped to win the game recording 36 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. The other American import center Amari Kelly (206-1999, college: GMU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American Christian Brown (198-2000, college: Tennessee St.) replied with 34 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds and the former international Gabriel Salibi (203-1997, college: Northeastern St., agency: The Crew A.M.) added 8 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Antranik. Five Hoops and four Antranik players scored in double figures. Hoops maintains fifth position with 10-8 record, which they share with Antonine. Antranik at the other side keeps the seventh place with nine games lost. Hoops will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antranik will play on the road against Antonine (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hoops: W.Trazarien 36+8reb+1ast, K.Amari 18+12reb+8ast, J.Kedrian 13+2reb+6ast, S.Abed 11+2reb+2ast, Y.George 10+2reb+6ast, H.El 3+1ast
Antranik: C.Brown 34+8reb+1ast, M.Majak 15+8reb, A.Sabbagh 11+6reb+4ast, J.Gambrell Jr. 11+2reb+6ast, G.Salibi 8+12reb+5ast, K.Kevork 3

Homentmen - Tadamon 96-82

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Homentmen (10-7) beat bottom-ranked Tadamon (1-16) in Beirut 96-82 on Wednesday. Homentmen forced 20 Tadamon turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The winners were led by American forward Tyler Bey (201-1998, college: Colorado) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 28 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import forward Khalid Thomas (208-1999, college: Portland St.) supported him with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks. Homentmen's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a triple-double of 23 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists by American forward Ty Claude (201-2000, college: UNC) did not help to save the game for Tadamon. Elias Sebaaly added 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Five Homentmen and four Tadamon players scored in double figures. Homentmen moved-up to fourth place. Tadamon lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Homentmen will meet at home Maristes (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. Tadamon will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Homentmen: B.Tyler 28+13reb+2ast, G.Ajemian 15+3reb+5ast, A.Aziz 13+2reb, T.Khalid 13+7reb+7ast, S.Jordan 12+3reb+10ast, I.Ayoubi 8+3reb+3ast
Tadamon: T.Claude 23+13reb+10ast, S.Elias 22+6reb+4ast, A.Alex 18+9reb+4ast, Y.Omar 10+3reb+1ast, J.Nasr 6+3reb+3ast, D.John 3+1reb

Al Markaziyyah - NSA 109-79

The game between third ranked Al Markaziyyah (11-7) and 10th ranked NSA (5-12) in Jounieh on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Al Markaziyyah outscored guests from 109-79. Al Markaziyyah shot 66.7 percent from the field. Al Markaziyyah outrebounded NSA 46-26 including a 43-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Markaziyyah shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 60.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by NSA's players. The winners were led by American-Dominican forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) who scored that evening 27 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) and American swingman Lucas Saleh (201-2000, college: Belm.Abbey) supported him with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Four Al Markaziyyah players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 7 rebounds by Serbian guard Petar Rakicevic (204-1995) did not help to save the game for NSA. American guard Makye Richards (188, college: Xavier, LA) added 15 points for lost side. 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 Markaziyyah have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 11-7 record having seven points less than leader Al Riyadi. Loser NSA dropped to the ninth place with 12 games lost. Al Markaziyyah will meet Maristes (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. NSA will play against Homentmen and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Al Markaziyyah: C.Anyeuri 27+9reb+8ast, L.Saleh 19+10reb, K.El 18+4reb+1ast, M.Donte 11+8reb+9ast, M.Khoury 11+1reb+1ast, A.Nabaa 8+6reb+2ast
NSA: P.Rakicevic 19+7reb, M.Richards 15+1reb+2ast, S.Charbel 7+2ast, K.Mechref 7+1reb+2ast, C.Khalil 6+1reb+1ast, E.Chris 6+1reb

Tadamon - Sagesse 87-99

Very expected game when 12th ranked Tadamon (1-16) lost to second ranked Sagesse (13-3) in Hrajel 87-99 on Saturday. Sagesse made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game, while Tadamon only scored five points from the stripe. Sagesse looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. The winners were led by the former international Gerard Hadidian (203-1995, college: Lake Land) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds and American guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech, agency: The Crew A.M.) supported him with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Even 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists by Alex Alalia (198-2004) did not help to save the game for Tadamon. John Daher added 19 points and 7 assists for lost side. Four Sagesse and five Tadamon players scored in double figures. Sagesse have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-3 record having seven points less than leader Al Riyadi. Tadamon lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: H.Gerard 22+12reb+1ast, H.Walter 21+3reb+6ast, M.Kevin 21+5reb+9ast, B.Paris 17+9reb+8ast, M.Khoueiry 9+4reb+5ast, H.Ali 7+4reb
Tadamon: A.Alex 26+8reb+6ast, D.John 19+4reb+7ast, T.Claude 17+9reb+3ast, Y.Omar 11+9reb+2ast, S.Elias 11+6reb, Z.Elio 3+1reb+3ast

Hoops - Antonine 87-80

There was a small surprise when fifth ranked Hoops (10-8) won against their close opponent Antonine (10-8) in Beirut 87-80 on Saturday. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by forward Trazarien White (198, college: TCU) who scored that evening 29 points and center Amari Kelly (206-1999, college: GMU) supported him with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Hoops players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 27 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists by Ricky Ledo (201-1992, college: Providence) did not help to save the game for Antonine. Power forward Clinton Chapman (208-1989, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) added 26 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Hoops maintains fifth position with 10-8 record, which they share with defeated Antonine. Hoops will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Antonine will play against Antranik (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hoops: W.Trazarien 29+4reb+1ast, A.Omar 18+6reb, J.Kedrian 14+3reb+6ast, K.Amari 12+12reb+5ast, Y.George 10+4ast, H.El 4+2reb
Antonine: R.Ledo 27+11reb+5ast, C.Chapman 26+8reb+2ast, G.Cosey 10+3reb+4ast, A.Assi 6+4reb, E.Chamoun 6+1ast, M.Al-Khoury 3+4reb+1ast