Local Hoops: Berkowitz back at helm for Mac Rishon Lezion

Berkowitz's first game in charge will be in Ra'anana against Bnei Hasharon on January 11.

By ALLON SINAI
berk 88 (photo credit: )
berk 88
(photo credit: )
Ofer Berkowitz was named as Maccabi Rishon Lezion's third coach of the season on Wednesday. After failing to succeed with both Ziv Erez and Miki Dorsman, who combined for a 1-7 record in the BSL, Rishon decided to call back Berkowitz, who saved the club from relegation last season. Despite seeing Berkowitz guide the team to safety with an impressive winning streak late last season, Rishon decided not to extend his contract, a move the club's management surely regrets now. Berkowitz's first game in charge will be in Ra'anana against Bnei Hasharon on January 11. Also Wednesday, Israel B got the Haarlem basketball tournament in Amsterdam off to a winning start. The team, which is made up mostly of youngsters and is guided by national team coach Tzvika Sherf, thrashed Francis Marion University 104-72, behind 18 points from Anton Shoutvin. Israel B plays its next game on Friday against MyGuide Amsterdam, which is guided by Israeli Arik Shivek and plays in Hapoel Jerusalem's EuroChallenge group. The side's final group game will be against Astana Tigers of Kazakhstan on Saturday.