D1 Round 8: Al Shamal keeps a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Al Shamal as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Shamal defeated 6th ranked Qatar Sports Club in Doha 92-84. Al Shamal looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Georgian Mikhail Berishvili (204-87) who scored 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. American guard Aaron Mitchell (188-89, college: Longwood) chipped in 20 points and 12 assists. American point guard Jonathan Lee (188-90, college: Northeastern) produced a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 10 assists for the guests. Al Shamal have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 3 other teams. Qatar Sports Club lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with four games lost. Qatar Sports Club will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Al Shamal will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Al Arabi. It will be extra interesting game as Al Arabi is their local rival from Doha.
Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Doha: Al Rayyan (#4) and Al Ahli (#5). Al Rayyan (5-2) won against visiting Al Ahli (4-3) 88-75. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American forward Tony Farmer (201-94, college: Lee JC) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds. Tanguy Ngombo contributed with 20 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. American guard Louis Munks (190-90, college: PVAMU, agency: Interperformances) replied with 30 points and 6 rebounds for Al Ahli. Al Rayyan keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Ahli at the other side keeps the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Gharafa. Al Rayyan will play against Al Wakrah (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Doha Al Gharafa.
Bottom-ranked Al Khor (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 96-73 loss to seventh ranked Al Gharafa (4-3) in Doha on Tuesday evening. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of Aaron Nelson who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds. Madarious Gibbs responded with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Al Gharafa have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Ahli. Loser Al Khor still closes the standings with seven games lost. They share the position with Al Sadd. Al Gharafa's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Ahli.
Bottom-ranked Al Sadd (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-77 loss to second ranked Al Arabi (5-2) in Doha. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. The winners were led by Miroslav Todic who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists. Al Arabi's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Arabi keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Sadd at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Al Arabi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Doha Al Shamal.

Al Gharafa - Al Khor 96-73

Bottom-ranked Al Khor (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 96-73 loss to seventh ranked Al Gharafa (4-3) in Doha on Tuesday evening. Al Gharafa outrebounded Al Khor 57-32 including a 41-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Gharafa made 8 blocks. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Aaron Nelson (205-91, college: S.Indiana) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds and power forward Joshua Caldwell (203-91, college: William Penn) who added 20 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists and 4 blocks during the contest. Caldwell is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Al Gharafa players scored in double figures. Guard Madarious Gibbs (185-93, college: Texas Southern) responded with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and center Khobi Williamson (201-92, college: Hampden-Sydney) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists. Al Gharafa have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Al Ahli. Loser Al Khor still closes the standings with seven games lost. They share the position with Al Sadd. Al Gharafa's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Doha to the arena Al Ahli.
Top scorers:
Al Khor: M.Gibbs 30+7reb+5ast, M.Lashin 16+3reb+2ast, K.Williamson 10+17reb+5ast, A.Al-Yousif 8+2reb+6ast, M.Ahmed 5+2reb, N.Saud 2
Al Gharafa: A.Nelson 40+17reb+1ast, J.Caldwell 20+11reb+12ast, A.Saad 19+6reb+4ast, R.Abdulla 12+4reb+7ast, M.Yousuf Mohmmed 4+14reb+4ast, A.Shalfawi 1+5reb+2ast

Al Rayyan - Al Ahli 88-75

Another interesting game was a derby match between two teams from Doha: Al Rayyan (#4) and Al Ahli (#5). Al Rayyan (5-2) won against visiting Al Ahli (4-3) 88-75. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American forward Tony Farmer (201-94, college: Lee JC) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds. The former international forward Tanguy Ngombo (197-84) contributed with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Four Al Rayyan players scored in double figures. American guard Louis Munks (190-90, college: PVAMU, agency: Interperformances) replied with 30 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Jeff Newberry (188-92, college: Oklahoma St.) added 21 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists in the effort for Al Ahli. Al Rayyan keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Ahli at the other side keeps the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Al Gharafa. Al Rayyan will play against Al Wakrah (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Al Ahli's supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Doha Al Gharafa.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: L.Munks 30+6reb+1ast, J.Newberry 21+6reb+8ast, A.Rountree III 12+13reb+5ast, M.Ouiri 6+5reb+1ast, H.Kurtovic 6+3reb+1ast, A.Hamza 0+1reb
Al Rayyan: T.Farmer 22+11reb+3ast, T.Ngombo 20+12reb+1ast, A.Mohamad 14+2reb+1ast, M.Abdelaziz ElSayed 11+2reb+4ast, E.Lockett 10+8reb+4ast, A.Abdelhaleem 7+8reb+2ast

Al Sadd - Al Arabi 77-94

Bottom-ranked Al Sadd (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-77 loss to second ranked Al Arabi (5-2) in Doha. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. They dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Al Sadd's 42. Al Arabi players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. The winners were led by Bosnian-Serbian power forward Miroslav Todic (205-85) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and Algerian forward Mohamed Harath (198-90) supported him with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Five Al Arabi players scored in double figures. Al Arabi's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 22 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists by American power forward Justin Baker (203-89, college: Utah Valley) did not help to save the game for Al Sadd. Forward Babacar Dieng (198-97) added 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Al Arabi keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Sadd at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Al Arabi's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Doha Al Shamal.
Top scorers:
Al Sadd: B.Dieng 24+8reb+4ast, J.Baker 22+19reb+4ast, A.Faisal 10+5reb+2ast, T.Winn 6+6reb+2ast, Y.Taha 6+3reb+1ast, O.Saad 4+2reb+4ast
Al Arabi: M.Harath 21+8reb+3ast, M.Todic 19+16reb+5ast, K.Suliman 17+4reb+5ast, K.Galloway 16+6reb+9ast, A.Khaled 14+1reb+1ast, C.Casas 7+3reb+2ast

Al Shamal - Qatar Club 92-84

The game had a very big importance for third-ranked Al Shamal as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Al Shamal defeated 6th ranked Qatar Sports Club in Doha 92-84. Al Shamal looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Georgian Mikhail Berishvili (204-87) who scored 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. American guard Aaron Mitchell (188-89, college: Longwood) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 assists. American point guard Jonathan Lee (188-90, college: Northeastern) produced a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 10 assists and the former international swingman Ousseynou NDiaye (196-85) added 15 points and 14 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Shamal have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 3 other teams. Qatar Sports Club lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh place with four games lost. Qatar Sports Club will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Al Shamal will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Al Arabi. It will be extra interesting game as Al Arabi is their local rival from Doha.
Top scorers:
Qatar Club: J.Lee 33+7reb+10ast, K.Bracy-Davis 18+6reb+2ast, O.N'Diaye 15+14reb+1ast, A.Mahmoud 12+4reb+1ast, A.Al-Sahouti 6+4reb+1ast, J.Abdalrahman 0
Al Shamal: M.Berishvili 28+5reb+5ast, A.Mitchell 20+4reb+12ast, L.Daniel 20+7reb+2ast, F.Avdic 13+8reb+4ast, A.Kosar 9+3reb+1ast, E.Mujkic 2+4reb+2ast



Tags : MIKHAIL BERISHVILI, AL SHAMAL DOHA, QATARI BASKETBALL