State Cup Hoops: Eight BSL teams cruise into final 16

Ironi Nahariya will face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the third round; Bnei Hasharon next plays Ironi Ramat Gan.

By ALLON SINAI
Bnei Hasharon 224.88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Bnei Hasharon 224.88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
All eight of the BSL teams in action in the second round of the State Cup on Wednesday progressed safely to the last 16 of the competition. Ironi Nahariya will face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the third round after thrashing Elitzur Kochav Ya'ir 82-63 behind Ron Lewis's 19 points, with Raviv Limonad and Yogev Ohayon adding 14 and 13 points, respectively. There will be at least three more all-BSL encounters in the round of 16, which will be played on December 21. Bnei Hasharon, which beat Hapoel Upper Nazareth 95-50, next plays Ironi Ramat Gan, which defeated Elitzur Netanya 92-77. Maccabi Rishon Lezion cruised to a 109-89 victory over Maccabi Ashdod on Wednesday and will be confident of progressing to the quarterfinals when it faces Maccabi Givat Shmuel, an 86-62 winner over Hapoel Kiryat Tivon. Maccabi Haifa crushed Hapoel Be'eri 97-51 and next faces Hapoel Galil/Gilboa, which defeated Betar Binyamina 107-76. Also in the third round, Elitzur Kiryat Ata comes up against the winner of next weeks second round game between Ironi Ashkelon and Hapoel Nes Tziona. At least one National League team will make it to the quarterfinals, with Maccabi Hod Hasharon to face Hapoel Afula, which advanced automatically to the last 16 with Maccabi Tel Aviv for reaching the semifinals of the State Cup last season. Cup holder Hapoel Jerusalem and BSL champion Hapoel Holon will only join the competition at the quarterfinal stage. Last year in the State Cup, an extraordinary fourth quarter by Hapoel gave the it a stunning 93-89 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in a thrilling final at the Nokia Arena. Jerusalem trailed by as many as 22 points in the third quarter, but outscored Maccabi 38-16 in the final period to claim the cup for a second straight season.