There’s no stopping Hapoel Jerusalem in the BSL

On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv goes to Hapoel Gilboa/Galil, Hapoel Holon welcomes Maccabi Haifa.

By ALLON SINAI
Hapoel TA coach Oded Katash (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Hapoel TA coach Oded Katash
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
Hapoel Jerusalem extended its perfect start to the BSL season to a club record 7-0 on Sunday night, cruising to a 93-71 win over Maccabi Ashdod.
While Jerusalem has struggled in the Eurocup so far, dropping to a 1-4 record last week, it has dominated its local opponents, winning its seven games to date by an average 22.3 points per contest.
Hapoel seized control with an 18-2 run (29-17) at the end of the first quarter and start of the second and never lost the lead. Ashdod trailed by just six points (43-37) at the break, but a 10-2 surge to begin the second half ensured the hosts remained in front until the final buzzer.
Derwin Kitchen led five Hapoel players in double figures with 16 points, with Bracey Wright scoring 14 points for the reds, who hosts Banvit Bandirma in a crucial Eurocup game on Wednesday.
Ivan Aska had 20 points for Ashdod.
Maccabi Rishon Lezion took sole possession of second place in the standings on Sunday, improving to 6-1 with a 76-65 win at Ironi Nahariya (1-6).
Jerry Smith had 17 points for Rishon, which led from start to finish.
Eyal Shulman led Nahariya with 21 points.
A week after stunning Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv (3-4) was brought back down to earth on Sunday, losing 92-77 at home to Bnei Herzliya (3-4).
Josh Selby finish ed with 23 points for Herzliya, which outscored Hapoel 29-16 in the first quarter and never looked back.
Yancy Gates had 21 points for Herzliya.
Also Sunday, Hapoel Eilat (2-5) snapped a five-game losing streak by beating Ironi Ness Ziona (5-2) 92-79.
Brian Asbury had 22 points and nine rebounds for Eilat, which took a 51-30 gap into the break.
Ness Ziona saw its five-game winning streak come to an end despite Craig Smith’s 35 points.
On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-2) goes to Hapoel Gilboa/Galil (2-4) while Hapoel Holon (3-3) welcomes Maccabi Haifa (3-3).