Local Hoops: Jerusalem hosts Galil in battle for second

Jerusalem enters the game in fifth place with a 5-2 record, though it has played one fewer game than the teams tied for second.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
hapoel jerusalem 88 (photo credit: )
hapoel jerusalem 88
(photo credit: )
Hapoel Jerusalem returns to the court for the first time since Tuesday's disappointing loss to Lottomatica Roma in the ULEB Cup when it hosts Hapoel Galil Elyon-Golan at Malha in BSL Matchday 10. Jerusalem enters the game in fifth place with a 5-2 record, although it has played one fewer game than the three teams tied for second - Galil, Ironi Nahariya and Maccabi Rishon. A Galil win would keep Jerusalem out of second even when the capital city hoopsters make up their game against Bnei Hasharon later this month. Rishon travels to Nahariya in a crucial meeting between two teams in good form. Nahariya has won its last two including an away victory at Ashkelon last week. Rishon rides a three-game winning-streak after topping Hapoel Tel Aviv last week in overtime. Galil, which over-ran Ramat Hasharon 106-95 last week behind Uche Nsonwu's season-high 25 points and 13 rebounds, has only won once this season on the road. Teenage star Yogev Ohayon will make his first start at Jerusalem. Galil will need him to withstand the pressure and play well to have a chance at the upset. Jerusalem's Erez Edelstein, who coached Galil to the playoff semifinals in 2002, has a healthy roster to choose from for the game. He will have the tricky task of restoring the team's confidence with a comfortable win, but saving energy for this Tuesday's crucial ULEB Cup game against Group D leader Dynamo Moscow. Also Sunday, Ironi Ramat Gan faces Elitzur Ashkelon, while Ramat Hasharon hosts Maccabi Givat Shmuel in a match-up between the teams with the worst teams in the league. Former coach Ronen Ginzburg has returned to Givat Shmuel and will be on the sidelines against Ramat Hasharon. Hapoel Tel Aviv benefits from a bye week. The remaining game on Monday pits Maccabi Tel Aviv against Bnei Hasharon.