Sinai Says: The best of the best

With the soccer and basketball seasons now officially over, it is time to select the standout players of the season.

By ALLON SINAI
allon sinai Olympics 88 (photo credit: )
allon sinai Olympics 88
(photo credit: )
With the soccer and basketball seasons now officially over, it is time to select the standout players of the season. BASKETBALL Point Guard: Doron Perkins - Maccabi Haifa (15.8 ppg, 5.6 apg, 5.3 rpg) - Haifa may have twice come up short in claiming a title this season, but it still had a very impressive campaign in which Perkins played a key role. Haifa wouldn't have reached the State Cup final and the BSL title game without its 26-year-old playmaker, who was dominant on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Shooting Guard: Luis Flores - Hapoel Holon (19.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.9 apg) - Holon's guard led the league in scoring and failed to reach double-figures only twice in 22 regular season games. Most experts expected Holon to struggle this season and the 27-year-old was one of the main reasons the team surprised everyone, reaching the playoffs and winning the State Cup. Small Forward: Omri Casspi - Maccabi Tel Aviv (12.6 ppg, 4.4 rgp) - The 20-year-old has improved with every season and this year played a crucial role in bringing the league title back to the Nokia Arena. Casspi scored double-figures in each of Maccabi's playoff and Final Four games and was on court for all but four minutes in the league semifinal and final combined. Power Forward: Davon Jefferson - Maccabi Haifa (16.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) - The 22-year-old's talent was never under any doubt, but few expected him to do so well in his first season away from the US. Jefferson improved as the season progressed and was practically unstoppable in the playoffs and Final Four, averaging 18.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Center: Rashon Turner - Ironi Ashkelon (15.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg) - Ashkelon's big man may not be a typical center, but he played in that position for large parts of the season and more than held his own against taller and heavier opponents. Turner was injured at the start of the campaign, but recorded a double-double in 13 of the final 15 games of the regular season, helping Ashkelon avoid relegation and sneak into the playoffs. SOCCER Goalkeeper: Vincent Enyeama - Hapoel Tel Aviv - There is no way in the world Hapoel would have finished the season in second position had it not been for the 26-year-old Nigerian goalkeeper, who will be playing in Europe next season and will be remembered as one of the best 'keepers to ever play in Israel. Right back: Ali Ottman - Bnei Sakhnin - It's only a matter of time until the 21-year-old makes his Israel debut after playing impressively on both ends for the field for Sakhnin this season. Left back: Dedi Ben-Dayan - Maccabi Netanya - The 30-year-old cemented his place as Israel's best left-back after another outstanding season for Netanya. Central Defender: Dekel Keinan - Maccabi Haifa - The rock of the Haifa defense, Keinan was the main reason the champions conceded the least amount of goals in the league this season. Central Defender: Arik Benado - Betar Jerusalem - Even at 35, Benado is one of the best defenders in Israel and is surely one the most decorated, winning seven championships and two State Cups in his last nine seasons at Haifa and Bater. Right Midfielder: David Revivo - Ashdod SC - The 31-year-old played in all 33 of his team's league matches, scoring 10 goals and passing 13 assists, the most in the league. Central Midfielder: Biram Kiyal - Maccabi Haifa - The 21-year-old had some ups and downs this season, but was still Haifa's most consistent midfielder and also became a regular starter for the national team. Central Midfielder: Bibres Natcho - Hapoel Tel Aviv - The ever-dependable 21-year-old overcame personal tragedy to become Hapoel's leader in the center of the field. Left Midfielder: Aviram Bruchian - Betar Jerusalem - Probably the most talented Israeli still playing in the country, the 23-year-old should ply his trade in Europe next season. Striker: Yaniv Katan - Maccabi Haifa - Katan's six goals and 10 assists scarcely describe his tremendous contribution to Haifa's sixth championship in nine seasons. Striker: Barak Itzhaki - Betar Jerusalem - The joint top-scorer in the league with 14 goals, the 24-year-old also passed seven assists and was a nightmare for opposing defenders.