Local Hoops: Maccabi TA rolls over Galil Elyon

Maccabi faces Hapoel Jerusalem next week, but Pini Gershon focuses on big Euroleague game in Barcelona.

By ALLON SINAI
maccabi tel aviv yaniv green 248 88 ap (photo credit: )
maccabi tel aviv yaniv green 248 88 ap
(photo credit: )
Maccabi Tel Aviv continued to dominate its BSL opponents on Sunday, thrashing Hapoel Galil Elyon/Gilboa 87-64 in Gan Ner. Maccabi has won its four league games since the winter break by an average margin of 25 points and the team should be well rested for Thursday's crucial Euroleague encounter at Barcelona after cruising throughout Sunday's game against Galil. Tel Aviv opened a comfortable margin right at the start, leading 27-8 at the end of the first quarter after hitting on 12 of 16 shots from the field in the frame. Maccabi faces Hapoel Jerusalem in the BSL next week, but coach Pini Gershon said that the only thing on his mind is the big Euroleague game in Barcelona. "The Jerusalem game seems very far away at the moment as I'm thinking of Barcelona," said Gershon, who handed new signing Charles Gaines his debut on Sunday. Carlos Arroyo scored 19 points for Maccabi, with Marcus Brown adding 14 points and D'or Fischer contributing 16 points, seven rebounds and six blocks. "We came out and executed well and got a good win," said Fischer, whose team will face a far tougher foe in Spain on Thursday. Brian Roberts scored 21 points for Galil in a losing cause. "This is the second straight week we have started a game poorly and you can't afford to that against Maccabi," Galil coach Oded Katash said. Also Sunday, Ironi Nahariya recorded its third straight BSL victory, defeating Maccabi Givat Shmuel 89-80 at Ein Sara. Aaron McGhee led the hosts with 16 points and 12 rebounds, with Raviv Limonad and Philip Ricci adding 15 points each. Steffon Bradford scored 20 points for Givat Shmuel, which has lost its last two league games. Maccabi Rishon Lezion claimed its third victory in four games on Sunday, thrashing the sorry Ironi Kiryat Ata 108-86. Demarco Johnson scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Rishon, which also got 28 points and nine rebounds from Robert Conley. Aaron Nixon scored 28 points for Kiryat Ata, which has now lost 11 straight games. Maccabi Haifa returned to winning ways after two straight losses, beating Ironi Ramat Gan 94-74 on Sunday. Devon Jefferson (19 points and 10 rebounds), Doron Perkins (19 points) and Brooks Sales (17 points and 10 rebounds) starred for the winners, with Anthony Myles scoring 20 points for Ramat Gan. On Monday, Hapoel Holon hosts Bnei Hasharon.