D1 Round 16 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Fourth defeat of league's leader Al Shamal (12-4) against fifth ranked Al Rayyan (9-6) 97-61 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Al Shamal. Al Rayyan dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Al Shamal's 32. They outrebounded Al Shamal 44-33 including 34 on the defensive glass. Al Rayyan looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Tony Farmer (201-94, college: Lee JC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points and 15 rebounds. The other American import guard Eric Lockett (196, college: NC State) contributed with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Aaron Mitchell (188-89, college: Longwood) replied with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for Al Shamal. Al Rayyan maintains fifth position with 9-6 record. Defending champion Al Shamal dropped to the second place with four games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Al Arabi. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Important game to mention about took place in Doha. Second ranked Al Arabi (12-2) saved a 1-point derby victory on the road edging 4th ranked Al Gharafa (9-5) 86-85 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Gharafa. Worth to mention a great performance of Algerian forward Mohamed Harath (198-90) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and Miroslav Todic who added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Sammy Monroe (198-85, college: Newberry) responded with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Al Arabi have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Al Gharafa at the other side keeps the fourth place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Al Sadd managed to get a second victory, breaking the two-game losing streak on Saturday night. This time they won against eighth-ranked Al Khor in Doha 78-72. The winners were led by Justin Baker who had that evening a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds. Even a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds by Khobi Williamson did not help to save the game for Al Khor. Al Sadd (2-13) moved-up to eighth place. Al Khor lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 14 games lost. Al Sadd will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al Khor will play against Qatar Sports Club (#7) in Doha and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Doha was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Al Wakrah (11-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Al Ahli (6-8). Al Wakrah managed to secure a 4-point victory 81-77. Musa Abdul-Aleem fired 30 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. Al Wakrah maintains third position with 11-4 record behind leader Al Arabi. Al Ahli lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Al Sadd - Al Khor 78-72

Bottom-ranked Al Sadd managed to get a second victory, breaking the two-game losing streak on Saturday night. This time they won against eighth-ranked Al Khor in Doha 78-72. The winners were led by American power forward Justin Baker (203-89, college: Utah Valley) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import guard JuanYa Green (188-92, college: Hofstra, agency: 3Eye) supported him with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Baker is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Even a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds by American center Khobi Williamson (201-92, college: Hampden-Sydney) did not help to save the game for Al Khor. Aladji-Bobo Magassa added 19 points and 16 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Sadd (2-13) moved-up to eighth place. Al Khor lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 14 games lost. Al Sadd will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Al Khor will play against Qatar Sports Club (#7) in Doha and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Khor: K.Williamson 22+13reb, A.Bobo Magassa 19+16reb, M.Gibbs 12+7reb+5ast, M.Bernard 11+5reb+4ast, M.Lashin 5+1reb+4ast, E.Mohammed 3+1reb+1ast
Al Sadd: J.Baker 23+12reb+2ast, M.Souleye 19+10reb, J.Green 15+10reb+7ast, B.Dieng 12+9reb+4ast, O.Saad 6, A.Al-Muftah 3+5reb+3ast

Al Ahli - Al Wakrah 77-81

The game in Doha was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Al Wakrah (11-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Al Ahli (6-8). Al Wakrah managed to secure a 4-point victory 81-77. American Musa Abdul-Aleem (196-88, college: Troy) fired 30 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. Senegalese center Oumar Seck (208-88) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks. American forward Aaron Rountree-III (203-93, college: Iona) produced a double-double by scoring 30 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals (made all of his seven free throws) and Mohammed Ouiri added 23 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Al Wakrah maintains third position with 11-4 record behind leader Al Arabi. Al Ahli lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Ahli: A.Rountree III 30+12reb+7ast, M.Ouiri 23+9reb+3ast, J.Newberry 11+5reb+6ast, L.Munks 7+4reb+5ast, O.Ahmad 4+2reb+1ast, H.Kurtovic 2+5reb
Al Wakrah: M.Abdul-Aleem 30+7reb+4ast, O.Seck 20+15reb+2ast, J.Coles 13+6reb+4ast, E.Saeed 7+1reb, A.Al-Darwish 6+6reb+6ast, A.Matalkeh 5+2reb+1ast

Al Rayyan - Al Shamal 97-61

Fourth defeat of league's leader Al Shamal (12-4) against fifth ranked Al Rayyan (9-6) 97-61 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Al Shamal. Al Rayyan dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Al Shamal's 32. They outrebounded Al Shamal 44-33 including 34 on the defensive glass. Al Rayyan looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Tony Farmer (201-94, college: Lee JC) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points and 15 rebounds. The other American import guard Eric Lockett (196, college: NC State) contributed with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Lockett is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American guard Aaron Mitchell (188-89, college: Longwood) replied with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Georgian Mikhail Berishvili (204-87) added 14 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Al Shamal. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Rayyan maintains fifth position with 9-6 record. Defending champion Al Shamal dropped to the second place with four games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Al Arabi. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Shamal: A.Mitchell 17+8reb+4ast, M.Berishvili 14+7reb+3ast, G.Tsintsadze 13+4reb+3ast, F.Avdic 10+3reb+1ast, O.Salem 5+10reb, I.Hamed Moutasim 2+1reb
Al Rayyan: T.Farmer 29+15reb+3ast, E.Lockett 23+10reb+6ast, T.Ngombo 20+8reb+3ast, M.Hasan-Mohamed 11+7reb+5ast, M.Abdelaziz ElSayed 9+1reb+2ast, M.Haracic 5+2reb+2ast

Al Gharafa - Al Arabi 85-86

Important game to mention about took place in Doha. Second ranked Al Arabi (12-2) saved a 1-point derby victory on the road edging 4th ranked Al Gharafa (9-5) 86-85 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Al Gharafa. Al Arabi made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Algerian forward Mohamed Harath (198-90) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 30 points and 12 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and Bosnian-Serbian power forward Miroslav Todic (205-85) who added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Sammy Monroe (198-85, college: Newberry) responded with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals and the former international swingman Abdulrahman Saad (185-96) scored 27 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Arabi have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Al Gharafa at the other side keeps the fourth place with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Al Gharafa: A.Saad 27+4reb, S.Monroe 20+8reb+7ast, T.Bussey 15+6reb+5ast, A.Nelson 15+5reb+2ast, M.Yousuf Mohmmed 8+5reb+3ast, M.K 0
Al Arabi: M.Harath 30+12reb+2ast, K.Suliman 15+2reb+6ast, M.Todic 15+8reb+4ast, K.Galloway 12+9reb+5ast, M.Gueye 9+1ast, A.Khaled 5



Tags : TONY FARMER, AL RAYYAN DOHA, QATARI BASKETBALL