Local Hoops: Hasharon goes up 1-0 in women's league finals

Ramat Hasharon claimed a convincing 82-65 victory over Elitzur Ramle on Tuesday night.

By ALLON SINAI
basketball 88 (photo credit: )
basketball 88
(photo credit: )
Ramat Hasharon claimed a convincing 82-65 victory over Elitzur Ramle on Tuesday night to open a 1-0 lead in the women's basketball playoff finals. The hosts led throughout Tuesday's game against the two-time defending champion and will be looking to take a crucial 2-0 advantage in game 2 of the best-of-five series, which will be played at Ramle on Monday. "This was a very difficult game against a very proud and determined team," said Ramat Hasharon coach Orna Ostfeld, who is hoping to guide her team to first championships since 2003. "Our depth made the difference. We played well but this is just the first game, we need to win two more." Jia Perkins led Ramat Hasharon with 25 points, hitting 12 of 16 from the field. Tatyana Troina and Laine Selwyn added 13 and 12 points respectively. Katie Levitsky and Olena Ogorodnikova each scored 15 points for Ramle. A 9-0 run to end the first quarter gave Ramat Hasharon a 20-15 lead after 10 minutes, and the hosts led 35-30 at the interval. Ramat Hasharon extended its margin to 12 (61-49) with 10 minutes to play and, although Ramle managed to close within four points in the fourth quarter, the hosts held on for the win to edge slightly closer to claiming the league title.