Hapoel Holon managed to forget, even slightly, the painful relegation from the State Cup semifinals when they won tonight (Saturday) in Gan Ner, in a game that opened the 18th round of the Winner Basket League, 74:81 over Gilboa / Galil, which recorded a league loss of 11 this season and remained Deep at the bottom.
The game opens quite fairly. Chris Johnson (24 points, eight rebounds and six steals) scored his first six points, but the locals looked better thanks to Sasha Kylia Jones (11 points and 10 rebounds) en route to a 17:20 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was very rhythmic and close. Tyros Maggie (16 points) got into things with long-range shots, Or Cornelius (14 points) returned the exact same coin, and Johnson scored a number of consecutive points on the verge of relegation and set a 41:44 purple.
The third quarter was already better for Holon. Rafi Manko (16 points) scored four threes, and Michael Kaiser (15 points and nine rebounds) was sharp on every offensive rebound and led his team to a record lead in the game, 55:65 with the end of the third quarter. During the last quarter, the visitors made sure to keep the difference, but a minute and a half to go, the Northerners woke up. Seven straight points that included two threes by Cornelius and Tios Battle (12 points) and a dunk by Kylia Jones were not enough, and in the end 74:81 in favor of Guy Goodes’ team.
Following the victory, Holonia raised its balance to nine league victories compared to six losses, just like that of Maccabi Tel Aviv, and the two close are in places 4-3. Guy Goodes’ team hopes to produce a positive continuum in the next round when it hosts Hapoel Haifa. Guy Kaplan’s team, on the other hand, recorded a seventh loss in its last nine games and dropped to a balance of 11 losses and only six wins. The last place is getting closer.
First quarter: 17:20 to Gilboa / Galil
Gilboa / Galil Quintet: London Frantes, Sasha Kylia Jones, Benny Srur, Tios Battle and Ronny Harrell.
Hapoel Holon quintet: Joe Ragland, Adam Smith, Chris Johnson, Rafi Manco and Michael Kaiser.
Michael Kaiser scored the first points of the game. Chris Johnson continued with two of his own, her sons Srur responded from the back in a burst. Rafi Manko scored a three from the corner. Roni Harl scored a three for Gilboa. A number of ball losses by the locals led Johnson to four easy points. Sasha Kylia Jones squeezed an offense and a basket but missed the free throw. Or Cornelius gave his side the lead after scoring a hat-trick. Tyros Maggie returned with a three of his own. Tios Battle scored from half distance, Guy Goodes responded with a timeout. Maggie snatched on defense and ran to the breakaway who ended up scoring two easy. The first quarter ended with a 17:20 advantage for the locals.
Second quarter: 41:44 to Hapoel Holon
Johnson with a shot under the basket opened the second quarter. London Frantes returned with a three. Johnson scored two more after a fine drill. Joe Regenald scored an important three. Kylia Jones with a basket and an offense, also scored the free throw. Kaiser squeezed an offense after a nice assist from Maggie, after which he scored his two shots from the penalty line. Frantes gave a nice assist to Kylia Jones who scored. Rafi Manko scored his second three-pointer. Frantes scored an important three that returned the advantage to his team. Johnson returned with a basket and an offense from the other side. Manco added two more on the other side. Johnson scored two free throws and set up the result of the first half – 41:44 to Holon.
Third quarter: 55:65 to Hapoel Holon
Two minutes from the start of the quarter, Johnson scored the first two points. Kaiser continued with a dunk after a good offensive rebound. Cornelius responded with a three on the other side. Tios Battle scored two, Maggie and Manco increased the lead to ten points. Cornelius’ four straight points shrank back the result. Maggie scored from half distance. Manco continued with his fourth three-pointer. Michael Brisker squeezed an offense with a three-point shot and scored two of the three shots. Johnson on the other hand squeezed a foul in the paint, and scored both of his shots. At the end of the quarter: 55:65 to Holon.
Fourth quarter: 74:81 to Hapoel Holon
Frantes scored two after an impressive move. Kylia Jones with a big block on defense. Frantes squeezed an offense from the three-point line, after which he scored three straight and shrank to five points. Johnson calmed down with a three from the corner. Reganald continued with two easy ones. Kaiser with two easy points under the basket. Battle returned with two of his own. Kaiser scored his third dunk. Adam Smith scored his first three-pointer. Sasha Kylia Jones drowned and narrowed the result to 11 points. Cornelius with an important three reduced to eight points. Battle continued the run with another three. Kaiser scored for the fourth time in the game, half a minute to go. Battle ended up erupting with a free dunk, but the game ended 74:81 in favor of the visitors.
