D1 Round 4: Al Shamal lose to Al Ahli

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Shamal (2-1) in Doha on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by Al Ahli (3-1) 71-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Shamal. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Louis Munks (190-90, college: PVAMU, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Aaron Rountree-III (203-93, college: Iona) who added 15 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Georgian point guard George Tsintsadze (192-86) responded with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Al Ahli keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending champion Al Shamal dropped to the fifth place with one game lost. They share the position with Al Rayyan. Al Ahli is looking forward to face Al Wakrah (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Shamal's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Gharafa.
Important game to mention about took place in Al Khor. Fourth ranked Al Wakrah (3-1) saved a 1-point derby victory on the road edging bottom-ranked Al Khor (0-4) 64-63 on Thursday evening. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by forward Tevin Glass (206-94, college: ETSU) who scored that evening 24 points and 9 rebounds and Julius Coles supported him with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by guard Madarious Gibbs (185-93, college: Texas Southern) did not help to save the game for Al Khor. Al Wakrah keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Khor at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. Al Wakrah will play against Al Ahli (#4) in Doha in the next round. Al Khor will play at home against the league's second-placed Qatar Sports Club (#2) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
A very close game took place in Doha between Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa. Sixth ranked Al Rayyan (2-1) got a very close home victory over bottom-ranked Al Gharafa (0-3). Al Rayyan managed to escape with a 3-point win 80-77 on Tuesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Tony Farmer fired 27 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Aaron Nelson produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) for lost side. Al Rayyan moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Shamal. Loser Al Gharafa still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Al Sadd. Al Rayyan's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Doha Al Sadd.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Doha: Qatar Sports Club (#6) and Al Arabi (#1). Qatar Sports Club (3-1) won against visiting Al Arabi (3-1) 92-86. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It was a very good performance for Kevin Bracy-Davis who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Qatar Sports Club have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Al Arabi. Qatar Sports Club's next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Al Khor (#9) on the road and are hoping to win another game.

Al Ahli - Al Shamal 71-63

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Al Shamal (2-1) in Doha on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by Al Ahli (3-1) 71-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Shamal. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Louis Munks (190-90, college: PVAMU, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Aaron Rountree-III (203-93, college: Iona) who added 15 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Georgian point guard George Tsintsadze (192-86) responded with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Aaron Mitchell (188-89, college: Longwood) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Al Ahli keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending champion Al Shamal dropped to the fifth place with one game lost. They share the position with Al Rayyan. Al Ahli is looking forward to face Al Wakrah (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Shamal's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Gharafa.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: L.Munks 22+7reb+5ast, A.Rountree III 15+12reb+3ast, J.Newberry 13+7reb+2ast, S.Ndoye 9+6reb+1ast, M.Ouiri 6+3reb+5ast, A.Hamza 3+1ast
Al Shamal: G.Tsintsadze 26+6reb+4ast, A.Mitchell 12+10reb+1ast, F.Avdic 8+5reb+1ast, M.Berishvili 8+9reb+2ast, O.Salem 7+6reb, E.Mujkic 2+6reb+1ast

Al Rayyan - Al Gharafa 80-77

A very close game took place in Doha between Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa. Sixth ranked Al Rayyan (2-1) got a very close home victory over bottom-ranked Al Gharafa (0-3). Al Rayyan managed to escape with a 3-point win 80-77 on Tuesday evening. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Forward Tony Farmer (201-94, college: Lee JC) fired 27 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Guard Eric Lockett (196, college: NC State) chipped in 14 points and 7 assists. Lockett is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Al Rayyan players scored in double figures. Forward Aaron Nelson (205-91, college: S.Indiana) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 14 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) and power forward Joshua Caldwell (203-91, college: William Penn) added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (made all of his seven free throws) respectively for lost side. Al Rayyan moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Shamal. Loser Al Gharafa still closes the standings with three games lost. They share the position with Al Sadd. Al Rayyan's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Doha Al Sadd.
Top scorers:
Al Rayyan: T.Farmer 27+9reb+3ast, E.Lockett 14+3reb+7ast, A.Abdelhaleem 13+10reb+1ast, M.Haracic 11+5reb+1ast, M.Abdelaziz ElSayed 10+2reb+4ast, C.Montgomery 5+5reb
Al Gharafa: A.Nelson 23+14reb, J.Caldwell 20+5reb+5ast, A.Saad 18+6reb+4ast, D.Pape 8+9reb+3ast, R.Abdulla 6+2ast, T.Bussey 2+2reb+1ast

Al Khor - Al Wakrah 63-64

Important game to mention about took place in Al Khor. Fourth ranked Al Wakrah (3-1) saved a 1-point derby victory on the road edging bottom-ranked Al Khor (0-4) 64-63 on Thursday evening. Al Wakrah made 19-of-24 charity shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by forward Tevin Glass (206-94, college: ETSU) who scored that evening 24 points and 9 rebounds and Julius Coles (193-89, college: Canisius) supported him with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists by guard Madarious Gibbs (185-93, college: Texas Southern) did not help to save the game for Al Khor. Center Khobi Williamson (201-92, college: Hampden-Sydney) added 12 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Four Al Khor players scored in double figures. Al Wakrah keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Khor at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. Al Wakrah will play against Al Ahli (#4) in Doha in the next round. Al Khor will play at home against the league's second-placed Qatar Sports Club (#2) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Al Wakrah: T.Glass 24+9reb+1ast, J.Coles 20+6reb+5ast, M.Abdul-Aleem 12+2reb+2ast, E.Saeed 5+9reb+2ast, A.Al-Darwish 3+1ast, I.Mohammed 0
Al Khor: M.Gibbs 20+5reb+5ast, M.Lashin 14+4reb, K.Williamson 12+13reb+4ast, A.Bobo Magassa 11+11reb, A.Al-Yousif 4+5reb+3ast, E.Mohammed 2+1reb+3ast

Qatar Club - Al Arabi 92-86

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Doha: Qatar Sports Club (#6) and Al Arabi (#1). Qatar Sports Club (3-1) won against visiting Al Arabi (3-1) 92-86. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Qatar Sports Club made 27-of-31 charity shots (87.1 percent) during the game. Strangely Al Arabi outrebounded Qatar Sports Club 41-29 including a 31-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. 24 personal fouls committed by Al Arabi helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a very good performance for American guard Kevin Bracy-Davis (201-95, college: Davis & Elkins) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his fourteen free throws !!!). The other American import point guard Jonathan Lee (188-90, college: Northeastern) contributed with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Algerian forward Mohamed Harath (198-90) replied with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds and Bosnian-Serbian power forward Miroslav Todic (205-85) added 19 points and 13 rebounds in the effort for Al Arabi. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Qatar Sports Club have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Al Arabi. Qatar Sports Club's next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Al Khor (#9) on the road and are hoping to win another game.
Top scorers:
Qatar Club: K.Bracy-Davis 30+10reb+4ast, J.Lee 22+9reb+7ast, J.Tuoyo 19+3reb+5ast, A.Diop 10+4reb, A.Al-Sahouti 9+1reb+1ast, A.Mahmoud 2+2reb+3ast
Al Arabi: M.Harath 23+13reb+2ast, K.Galloway 19+8reb+4ast, M.Todic 19+13reb+2ast, K.Suliman 16+2reb+7ast, A.Khaled 9+3reb+3ast, C.Casas 0+2reb+2ast



Tags : LOUIS MUNKS, AL AHLI SPORTS CLUB DOHA, QATARI BASKETBALL