Local Hoops: Bnei Hasharon edges Holon in tight match

Meir Tapiro and Cookie Belcher led Bnei Hasharon to its third win in the BSL on Monday night, a 93-90 victory over Hapoel Holon in Ra'anana.

By ALLON SINAI
Bnei Hasharon 224.88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Bnei Hasharon 224.88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Meir Tapiro and Cookie Belcher led Bnei Hasharon to its third win in the BSL on Monday night, a 93-90 victory over Hapoel Holon in Ra'anana. Holon was playing for the first time since its game against Hapoel Jerusalem was abandoned 15 days ago following the fire-cracker explosion at Malha Arena. The club was hit with an eight-match ban on fans at its games, a punishment which begins on Thursday with a home game against Hapoel Afula/Gilboa. Hapoel owner and coach Miki Dorsman, who has gone on holiday, didn't attend the game and assistant coach Ofer Heruti guided the side. Tapiro led the hosts with 25 points and nine rebounds and carried his team in the second half. Cookie Belcher scored 24 points, with Ndudi Ebi adding 21 points and 12 rebounds. Tony Washam led the losers with 23 points, with Avishay Gordon scoring 14. Hasharon got off to the better start, but Gordon's three would give Holon its first lead of the night (13-12). Eric Campbell's basket to end the first period gave Hapoel a five point cushion (24-19) and Moran Rot's basket from beyond the arc with two minutes to go in the second period opened a nine point advantage (40-31). Bnei Hasharon scored seven of the last nine points of the half, with Jason Williams' basket bringing the hosts within a mere four points at the interval (42-38). Bnei Hasharon scored six straight points at the start of the third quarter and Belcher's basket gave the team a 44-42 lead. Ebi's basket to start the fourth quarter gave the hosts their first double digit lead of the game (67-57). Amit Tamir's basket cut Holon's deficit to 73-68, but Tapiro would take control of the game and despite a late scare the hosts would clinch the victory.