DLBL Round 18 (Regular Season): Derby game ends with Beirut Club's defeat of Hoops

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#8) and Hoops (#5). Beirut Club (9-8) won against visiting Hoops (11-8) 81-70. Beirut Club made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Hoops helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. It was a good game for Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) contributed with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Kedrian Johnson (190-1999, college: WVU) replied with 25 points and 6 assists for Hoops. Hoops' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Beirut Club moved-up to seventh place. Hoops at the other side dropped to the fourth position with eight games lost. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#8) and Homentmen (#4). Beirut Club (9-8) smashed visiting Homentmen (10-8) by 19 points 107-88. American players dominated also this game. Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) had a triple-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the charge for the winners and AJ English chipped in 35 points (!!!) and 6 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) during the contest. The best for the losing side was forward Tyler Bey (201-1998, college: Colorado) with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field). Beirut Club moved-up to seventh place. Homentmen at the other side dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Antonine. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
An interesting game for Al Riyadi (18-0) which played road game in Jounieh against 3rd ranked Al Markaziyyah (11-7). Top-ranked Al Riyadi managed to get a 6-point victory 96-90. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Markaziyyah. Perrin Buford notched a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort. Even 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by Anyeuri Castillo did not help to save the game for Al Markaziyyah. Undefeated Al Riyadi have an impressive 18-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-0 record. Loser Al Markaziyyah keeps the third place with seven games lost. Al Riyadi will meet at home Antonine (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Al Markaziyyah will play against Homentmen and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Sagesse beat NSA on the road 114-106. Bottom-ranked Tadamon was destroyed by Batroun on its own court 66-103. Bottom-ranked Tadamon was outscored by Hoops in Beirut 89-57.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 27 points and 4 assists by Trazarien White of Hoops.



Beirut Club - Hoops 81-70

The most interesting game was a derby match between two local teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#8) and Hoops (#5). Beirut Club (9-8) won against visiting Hoops (11-8) 81-70. Beirut Club made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Hoops helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. It was a good game for Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) contributed with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Four Beirut Club players scored in double figures. Kedrian Johnson (190-1999, college: WVU) replied with 25 points and 6 assists and forward Trazarien White (198, college: TCU) added 17 points in the effort for Hoops. Hoops' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Beirut Club moved-up to seventh place. Hoops at the other side dropped to the fourth position with eight games lost. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: H.Daniel 26+14reb+7ast, E.AJ 18+7reb+7ast, J.Tray 15+7reb, A.Joseph 11+6reb, J.Makhlouf 6+6reb, Z.Joseph 3+1ast
Hoops: K.Johnson 25+4reb+6ast, T.White 17+3reb+2ast, A.Kelly 12+6reb+2ast, O.Al Jamal 7+8reb, S.Johnny 3+1reb, G.Yves-Daaboul 2+3reb+3ast

Al Markaziyyah - Al Riyadi 90-96

An interesting game for Al Riyadi (18-0) which played road game in Jounieh against 3rd ranked Al Markaziyyah (11-7). Top-ranked Al Riyadi managed to get a 6-point victory 96-90. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Markaziyyah. Al Riyadi made 27-of-31 free shots (87.1 percent) during the game, while Al Markaziyyah only scored eleven points from the stripe. Al Riyadi looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and the former international guard Amir Saoud (187-1991) supported him with 28 points and 4 assists. Four Al Riyadi players scored in double figures. Even 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by American-Dominican forward Anyeuri Castillo (201-1997, college: USC Aiken) did not help to save the game for Al Markaziyyah. British center Kavell Bigby-Williams (211-1995, college: LSU) added 23 points and 13 rebounds. Al Riyadi have an impressive 18-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 18-0 record. Loser Al Markaziyyah keeps the third place with seven games lost. Al Riyadi will meet at home Antonine (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Al Markaziyyah will play against Homentmen and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Riyadi: S.Amir 28+2reb+4ast, B.Perrin 21+10reb+5ast, O.Nuni 14+6reb+1ast, M.Ali 13+7reb+5ast, K.Maurice 10+5reb+1ast, G.Hayk 8+6reb+4ast
Al Markaziyyah: A.Castillo 27+8reb+4ast, K.Bigby-Williams 23+13reb+1ast, E.Khatib Jihad 21+2reb+3ast, D.McGill 8+4reb+9ast, S.Lucas 6+3reb+3ast, N.Anthony 5+2reb

NSA - Sagesse 106-114

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Sagesse (14-3) beat on the road 9th ranked NSA (5-13) 114-106 on Sunday. Sagesse made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American power forward Paris Bass (207-1995, college: Detroit) notched a double-double by scoring 32 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and U.S. Virgin Islands-Puerto Rican guard Walter Hodge (183-1986, college: Florida) supported him with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 31 points and 5 assists by Serbian guard Petar Rakicevic (204-1995) did not help to save the game for NSA. Serbian-Canadian center Stefan Jankovic (211-1993, college: Hawaii, agency: BIG) added 25 points and 12 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sagesse have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 14-3 record having five points less than leader Al Riyadi. Loser NSA keeps the ninth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Maristes and Batroun. Sagesse will meet at home Maristes (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. NSA will play against Batroun and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sagesse: B.Paris 32+13reb+3ast, H.Walter 24+5reb+6ast, M.Khoueiry 19+4reb+2ast, Y.Khayat 11+5reb+2ast, H.Gerard 10+3reb+1ast, M.Kevin 9+4reb+6ast
NSA: P.Rakicevic 31+4reb+5ast, S.Jankovic 25+12reb+3ast, C.Khalil 18+15reb+5ast, M.Richards 14+3reb+9ast, S.Jason 9+1reb+1ast, H.Mike 9+4reb+2ast

Tadamon - Batroun 66-103

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 12th ranked Tadamon's (1-18) home loss to eleventh ranked Batroun (5-13) in Hrajel 66-103 on Sunday. Batroun outrebounded Tadamon 45-34 including 38 on the defensive glass. Batroun shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Tadamon's players. American guard Desi Washington (188-1992, college: St.Peter's) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points, 7 rebounds and 14 assists to lead the effort and the other American import swingman Darious Hall (200-1997, college: Cent Arkansas) supported him with 29 points and 7 rebounds. Four Batroun players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds by American forward Ty Claude (201-2000, college: UNC) did not help to save the game for Tadamon. Alex Alalia (198-2004) added 11 points and 6 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. Batroun moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Maristes and NSA. Tadamon lost fifth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Batroun will meet NSA (#10) in the next round. Tadamon will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Batroun: H.Darious 29+7reb+3ast, W.Desi 18+7reb+14ast, N.Joshua 17+12reb+3ast, K.Kozah 15+6reb+3ast, M.Al 8+1ast, S.William 7+4reb+1ast
Tadamon: T.Claude 25+10reb+1ast, E.Campbell III 12+3reb+1ast, A.Alex 11+6reb+3ast, Y.Omar 9+5reb+3ast, D.John 3+1reb+1ast, J.Nasr 2+2reb+6ast

Beirut Club - Homentmen 107-88

Another interesting game was again a derby between two teams from Beirut: Beirut Club (#8) and Homentmen (#4). Beirut Club (9-8) smashed visiting Homentmen (10-8) by 19 points 107-88. Beirut Club shot the lights out from three nailing 18 long-distance shots on high 51.4 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. American players dominated also this game. Daniel Hamilton (201-1995, college: UConn) had a triple-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the charge for the winners and guard AJ English (192-1992, college: Iona) chipped in 35 points (!!!) and 6 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) during the contest. Four Beirut Club players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Tyler Bey (201-1998, college: Colorado) with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 15 rebounds (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field) and point guard Jordan Stevens (182-1994, college: Midwestern St.) scored 20 points and 4 assists. Beirut Club moved-up to seventh place. Homentmen at the other side dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Antonine. Beirut Club's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beirut to the arena Antranik.
Top scorers:
Beirut Club: H.Daniel 35+15reb+11ast, E.AJ 35+1reb+6ast, A.Joseph 18+2reb+1ast, Z.Joseph 11+3reb+4ast, J.Makhlouf 7+1reb, Z.Marwan 1+5reb+2ast
Homentmen: T.Bey 30+15reb+2ast, J.Stevens 20+3reb+4ast, Z.Lofton 15+4reb+6ast, D.Peter 8+6reb, A.Isaac 6+5reb+5ast, A.Tanios 6+3reb+1ast

Hoops - Tadamon 89-57

Very predictable result when fifth ranked Hoops (11-8) rolled over bottom-ranked Tadamon (1-18) in Beirut 89-57 on Thursday. Hoops looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American forward Trazarien White (198, college: TCU) notched 27 points and 4 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and the other American import center Amari Kelly (206-1999, college: GMU) supported him with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Four Hoops players scored in double figures. Hoops' coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds by American forward Ty Claude (201-2000, college: UNC) did not help to save the game for Tadamon. John Daher added 13 points. Hoops moved-up to fourth place. Tadamon lost fifth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Hoops: W.Trazarien 27+4reb+4ast, K.Amari 16+8reb+2ast, S.Abed 15+6reb+2ast, K.Ouwedet 11+4reb+5ast, J.Kedrian 8+6ast, A.Omar 4+8reb+1ast
Tadamon: T.Claude 18+11reb, D.John 13+2reb+3ast, S.Elias 7+5reb+2ast, A.Alex 6+6reb+2ast, E.Campbell III 5+4reb+3ast, T.Fady 5+2reb