J’lem demolished by Gilboa/Galil; Habika’a beats Holon

Hapoel Jerusalem’s frailties were embarrassingly exposed as it dropped to an 89-68 BSL defeat at Hapoel Gilboa/Galil.

By ALLON SINAI
Hapoel Jerusalem coach Oded Katash 311 (photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Hapoel Jerusalem coach Oded Katash 311
(photo credit: Asaf Kliger)
Hapoel Jerusalem’s frailties were embarrassingly exposed on Sunday night as it dropped to an 89-68 BSL defeat at Hapoel Gilboa/Galil.
Most worrying for Jerusalem coach Oded Katash will be his team’s defense, which allowed Gilboa’s players to do as they pleased in Gan Ner.
Unlike last week’s overtime win over Bnei Hasharon, Jerusalem’s offensive play couldn’t compensate for its suspect defense and Katash has already got plenty to ponder with the season only two weeks old.
Dagan Yavzuri scored 17 points for Gilboa, which recovered from its 35-point thrashing at the hands of Maccabi Tel Aviv last week.
D.J. Strawberry had 16 points for Jerusalem, which got just seven points and zero assists in 25 minutes from Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley.
Also Sunday, newly-promoted BC Habika’a held on for its second straight win, beating Hapoel Holon 68-66.
A Moran Rot basket in the final minute completed a Holon comeback (66-64), only for Gur Porat to hit a three-pointer at the other end with 40 seconds to play.
Rashaun Freeman had 15 points and 14 rebounds, with Paul Delaney also scoring 15 points for the gutsy Habika’a Tasmin Mitchell scored 19 points for Holon, with Moran Rot adding 17 and Ron Lewis contributing 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Maccabi Ashdod claimed its first win of the season at Barak Netanya on Sunday, winning 90-86.
After three tight quarters, Ashdod took control with a 10- 0 run midway through the fourth period and held on for the victory.
Ramel Bradley and Craig Brackins each scored 24 points for Ashdod, with Adrian Banks netting 24 for Netanya.
Maccabi Haifa lost a doubledigit lead for a second straight week on Sunday, losing 84-82 to Bnei Hasharon in Herzliya.
Tweety Carter led the hosts with 22 points, with LaceDarius Dunn and Delroy James scoring 21 points each. Tyler Wilkerson had 19 points for Haifa.
Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Ironi Ashkelon on Monday.