Local hoops: Slaughter to debut for Hapoel J'lem

Bnei Hasharon hosts reds in the BSL in a repeat of last year's State Cup final.

slaughter 88 (photo credit: )
slaughter 88
(photo credit: )
Bnei Hasharon hosts Hapoel Jerusalem in the BSL on Sunday night in a repeat of last year's State Cup final. The Sharon club, which was trounced by Jerusalem in the cup final, will be looking to rebound from its shock defeat to Ironi Ramat Gan in its first game of the season last week. The team lost 90-81 to the relegation favorite and showed nothing of its huge potential. Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Afula/Gilboa 92-84 thanks to a late run in its season-opener, but just like Bnei Hasharon failed to translate its superior squad into a convincing performance. Hapoel coach Dan Shamir will have new forward Marcus Slaughter in his roster for the first time on Sunday after the 22-year-old signed for the club and arrived in Israel on Friday afternoon. "I'm very happy that after a long wait we succeeded in bringing Slaughter to the club," Shamir said. "It will take him time to adapt to his new surroundings, but I hope he will settle in quickly and help us attain success." Slaughter, who played his collegiate basketball at San Diego State, spent last season in Turkey playing for Karsiyaka, averaging 13.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Maccabi Tel Aviv hosts Hapoel Galil Elyon on Sunday, three days after suffering a humbling 92-74 defeat to Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius in Lithuania. Maccabi edged Ironi Nahariya 90-87 in its first BSL game of the season and should have no trouble notching up a second straight league win against a struggling Galil. Hapoel was thrashed 111-89 at home by Hapoel Holon last week and looked helpless throughout the encounter. Also on Sunday, Ironi Ashkelon, which defeated Maccabi Rishon Lezion 100-91 last week, hosts Afula/Gilboa and Nahariya will look to claim its first win of the season when it visits Rishon. On Monday, Holon hosts Ramat Gan, which added Jerome Beasley, Miami Heat's 33rd draft selection in the 2003 draft, to its roster last Tuesday.