Jenkins, Tapiro clash as Hapoel Jerusalem wins

Hapoel Jerusalem climbed to second place in the table and improved its BSL away record to 5-0.

By ALLON SINAI
Hapoel Jerusalem climbed to second place in the table and improved its BSL away record to 5-0 after a 95-71 win over Bnei Hasharon Tuesday night in Herzliya. Jerusalem led throughout the game and, despite the hosts best efforts, the reds eventually strolled to the win. The game was marred by a confrontation between Hapoel guards Horace Jenkins and Meir Tapiro four and half minutes before the end of the game. Jenkins became frustrated upset with Tapiro after the Israeli decided to take a shot rather than pass the ball. Jenkins immediately ran up to Tapiro and, after an exchange of words, the two almost came to blows with only their team mates keeping them apart. Hapoel coach Erez Edelstein promised to look into the situation. "These are competitive people and things like that happen," Edelstein said after the game. "We will check what happened and we will take care of it." Hapoel was far from its best and, if it wasn't for another fantastic performance by Mario Austin (25 points), the visitors would have had a much trickier job on hand. Bnei Hasharon suffered from the suspension of guard Terrence Rencher whose absence was clearly apparent in the hosts confused offense. The locals at least enjoyed a tremendous performance by Ousmane Cisse. The big man scored 22 points and dominated the boards on both sides of the court grabbing a total of 18 rebounds. The game was close throughout the first half but Jerusalem opened up a lead midway through the third period and continued to dominate to the end. The loss puts Bnei Hasharon tied on points with Ramat Hasharon and Hapoel Tel Aviv, with only Maccabi Givat Shmuel keeping the teams off the foot of the table. Katash resigns from Galil Also on Tuesday, Hapoel Galil Elyon-Golan general manager Oded Katash, announced that he will be leaving the team. "I came to the conclusion that I could not continue with the situation that developed in the Galil," Katash said. "If I can't do a job in the best possible way, I would rather not do it at all." Katash met with team owner Haim Ohayon and told him that he no longer wants to be a general manager. Katash said: "I define myself as a coach and I want to coach. It won't happen this year, but I'm certain it will next season." Both teams found scoring difficult at the start of the game, only shooting a combined 11 points in the first five minutes. Bnei Hasharon took advantage of a confused Jerusalem defense and stayed within touching distance of the reds‚. Cisse took control under the baskets and, as well as scoring 11 points in the first quarter, blocked the Hapoel offense repeatedly. Jerusalem enjoyed a good period by Austin who fought Cisse for supremacy in the paint, scoring eight points in the period and giving Hapoel a 20-16 lead at the end of the quarter. Cisse continued his good play at the start of the second quarter and Bnei Hasharon went into the lead two minutes into the period. The hosts lead didn't last long and eight straight points by guard Matan Naor put the reds‚ in the lead once again. Bnei Hasharon didn't let Jerusalem open up a lead and, thanks to 12 points in the second period by Guy Pnini, the half only ended in a 44-40 Hapoel lead. Jerusalem opened the second half with the concentration it lacked in the first and quickly increased its advantage. A dunk by Austin two and half minutes to the end of the period gave Hapoel a 12 point lead and the quarter ended in with Jerusalem leading 65-55. A tired Bnei Hasharon couldn't muster a fight back and the visitors continued to increase their lead. A basket by Tapiro gave Jerusalem a 23 point lead midway through the forth quarter, a short time before his scuffle with Jenkins. Hapoel maintained its advantage until the end of the game, eventually winning by 24 points. Also on Tuesday, Hapoel Galil Elyon-Golan general manager Oded Katash, announced that he will be leaving the team. "I came to the conclusion that, in the situation that developed in the Galil, I cannot continue," Katash said. "If I can't do a job in the best possible way, I would rather not do it at all." Katash met with team owner Haim Ohayon and told him that he no longer wants to be a general manager. Katash said: "I define myself as a coach and I want to coach. It won't happen this year, but I'm certain it will next season."