Superleague Round 16 (Regular Season): Al Ahly defeat Zamalek in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eighth-ranked Zamalek (5-6) gave a tough game to third ranked Al Ahly (10-1) in Cairo on Monday. The visitors managed to secure only one-point victory 89-88. However their fans expected much easier game. Al Ahly made 30-of-39 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game, while Zamalek only scored twelve points from the stripe. Strangely Zamalek outrebounded Al Ahly 36-24 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ahly looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by Zamalek helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Ehab Amin (193-1995, college: Oregon) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 7 rebounds and international Amr Alaa Zahran (191-2001) who added 14 points and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international center Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed (198-1996) responded with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Al Ahly have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place. Zamalek at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Gezira and Smouha.
Superleague top team - Al Ittihad Al. (11-0) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat fifteenth ranked Petrojet (1-10) in Cairo 101-88. The winners were led by American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) who scored that evening 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Mohamed Abdelrahman supported him with 31 points. Even 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists by Ayman Chawkat did not help to save the game for Petrojet. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Al Ittihad Al. have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-0 record. Petrojet lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the fourteenth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Sporting and Aviation.
An interesting game took place in Alexandria where higher ranked Heliopolis (8-4) were upset on the court of thirteenth ranked Damanhour (4-8) 63-51 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Heliopolis. Hassan Elkhouga fired 21 points for the winners. Damanhour's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Mahmoud Shershaby produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds for lost side. Damanhour maintains thirteenth position with 4-8 record. Loser Heliopolis keep the fourth place with four games lost.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 16: Al Shams were destroyed by Canal on the opponent's court 70-48. Al Geish managed to outperform Al Zohour in a home game 58-51. Olympic managed to beat Aviation on the road 70-63. Al Gezira crushed Sporting on its own court 90-57. Smouha was beaten by WE Sporting in Cairo 74-66.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 13 points and 5 assists by Abdelrahman Samir of Smouha.



Damanhour - Heliopolis 63-51

An interesting game took place in Alexandria where higher ranked Heliopolis (8-4) were upset on the court of thirteenth ranked Damanhour (4-8) 63-51 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Heliopolis. Damanhour forced 21 Heliopolis turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Damanhour made 8 blocks. Guard Hassan Elkhouga (198-1999) fired 21 points for the winners. Karim Hatem chipped in 8 points and 8 rebounds. Damanhour's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Mahmoud Shershaby produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds and Ayman Rasmy added 11 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Damanhour maintains thirteenth position with 4-8 record. Loser Heliopolis keep the fourth place with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Damanhour: H.Elkhouga 21+4reb+3ast, D.El 12+4reb, K.Hatem 8+8reb+3ast, O.Adel 7+6reb, M.Saeid 6+5reb+3ast, S.Elessawy 5+4reb+8ast
Heliopolis: R.Ayman 11+10reb+2ast, S.Mahmoud 11+15reb+3ast, H.Gasser 10+5reb, M.Mohanad 9+11reb+2ast, H.Abdelrhman 4+2reb+2ast, A.Ayman 2+1reb+1ast

Canal - Al Shams 70-48

Very expected game in Cairo where 12th ranked Al Shams (4-7) were crushed by third ranked Canal (10-2) 70-48 on Sunday. Canal held Al Shams to an opponent 24.3 percent shooting from the field compared to 44.8 percent accuracy of the winners. Canal forced 23 Al Shams turnovers. American guard Madarious Gibbs (185-1993, college: Texas Southern) fired 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals for the winners. Omar Abdelhameed chipped in a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). American guard Jervae Robinson (188-1998, college: WSU, agency: BIG) produced 7 points and 6 rebounds and Adam Tamer added 5 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Canal have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Canal maintains third position with 10-2 record behind leader Al Ittihad Al. Loser Al Shams keep the twelfth place with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Canal: G.Madarious 30+5reb+5ast, O.Abdelhameed 19+11reb+2ast, M.Ezzat 7+3reb+1ast, A.Shaaban 5+3reb+1ast, M.Yeihya 4+3reb+3ast, M.Hany 3+1reb
Al Shams: A.Youssef 8+2reb+3ast, J.Robinson 7+6reb+3ast, E.Mazen 7+3reb+3ast, M.Motaz 6+8reb+1ast, E.Mohamed 5+2reb, A.Seif 5+4reb

Al Geish - Al Zohour 58-51

Very predictable result in Cairo where fourth ranked Al Geish (7-2) defeated 10th ranked Al Zohour (5-7) 58-51 on Sunday. Al Geish forced 20 Al Zohour turnovers. Gamal Ezz fired a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Ashraf Ahmed chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Al Geish's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Yousef Thabet produced 13 points and Mohamed Hegazy added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Al Geish have a solid four-game winning streak. Despite that victory Al Geish went down to fifth position due to points difference. Loser Al Zohour dropped to the eleventh place with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Al Geish: A.Ahmed 14+6reb+3ast, R.Mahmoud 11+5reb+2ast, G.Ezz 10+13reb+1ast, T.Moahmed 6+2reb, S.El 5+3reb+2ast, E.Raafat 4+2reb+2ast
Al Zohour: T.Yousef 13+4reb+3ast, H.Mohamed 12+8reb, M.Mamdouh 9+1reb+1ast, E.Amr 5+4reb+2ast, Q.Assem 4+5reb+1ast, H.Karim 3+2reb+2ast

Aviation - Olympic 63-70

Not a big story in a game in Cairo where 14th ranked Aviation (1-10) was defeated by sixth ranked Olympic (7-5) 70-63 on Sunday. Olympic outrebounded Aviation 42-27 including 28 on the defensive glass. Ahmed Tripis fired 12 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Mohamed Gaber chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds. Yehya Saber produced 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Mohamed Harfoush added 12 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Aviation players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Olympic maintains sixth position with 7-5 record. Aviation lost ninth consecutive game. Aviation at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the fourteenth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Sporting and Petrojet.
Top scorers:
Olympic: Z.Fathy 13+3reb, A.Tripis 12+7reb+2ast, M.Gaber 10+6reb+3ast, O.Abden 7+3reb+2ast, A.Hossam 7+4reb+4ast, M.Essam 6+2reb+3ast
Aviation: M.Mohamed 13+3reb+1ast, S.Yehya 13+7reb+4ast, H.Mohamed 12+5reb, H.Moustafa 10+2reb, O.Amr 6+2reb, S.Youssef 3+1reb

Al Gezira - Sporting 90-57

Everything went according to plan in Cairo where eleventh ranked Al Gezira (5-6) outscored bottom-ranked Sporting (1-10) 90-57 on Monday. Al Gezira had a 34-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. Al Gezira looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) fired 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Abdelfadil Ebrahim chipped in 9 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Ahmed Ibrahim (203, college: Marshalltown) produced 8 points and 11 rebounds and the former international forward Ahmed Rehan (195-2003) added 14 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Gezira moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Zamalek and Smouha. Loser Sporting dropped to the bottom position with ten games lost. They share it with Petrojet and Aviation.
Top scorers:
Al Gezira: T.Cleveland 15+5reb+4ast, A.Samy 12+1reb+3ast, M.Elgohary 11+3reb+1ast, A.Elgindy 10+6reb+1ast, A.Ebrahim 9+12reb, Z.Sakr 9+1reb+3ast
Sporting: R.Ahmed 14+2reb+2ast, I.Ahmed 8+11reb+1ast, A.Mohamed 8+3reb+6ast, M.Ibrahim 7+4reb, A.Hassan 7+3reb+1ast, Y.Mohamed 7+1reb+1ast

Zamalek - Al Ahly C. 88-89

Eighth-ranked Zamalek (5-6) gave a tough game to third ranked Al Ahly (10-1) in Cairo on Monday. The visitors managed to secure only one-point victory 89-88. However their fans expected much easier game. Al Ahly made 30-of-39 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game, while Zamalek only scored twelve points from the stripe. Strangely Zamalek outrebounded Al Ahly 36-24 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Al Ahly looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 28 personal fouls committed by Zamalek helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Ehab Amin (193-1995, college: Oregon) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 7 rebounds and international Amr Alaa Zahran (191-2001) who added 14 points and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international center Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed (198-1996) responded with 22 points and 6 rebounds and the former international guard Adam Moussa (190-2002, college: CBU) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Al Ahly have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion moved-up to second place. Zamalek at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Al Gezira and Smouha.
Top scorers:
Al Ahly C.: E.Amin 23+7reb+2ast, A.Zahran 14+4reb+4ast, A.Gendy 13+1reb+3ast, S.Samir 10+1reb+2ast, I.Zahran 8+1reb, O.Omar 8+4reb
Zamalek: M.Mohamed Ibrahim 22+6reb+1ast, B.Ramadan 15+7reb+5ast, A.Mohab 15+4reb+1ast, A.Moussa 13+3reb+11ast, E.Hazem 7+12reb+2ast, A.Omar 6+1reb

Petrojet - Al Ittihad Al. 88-101

Superleague top team - Al Ittihad Al. (11-0) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat fifteenth ranked Petrojet (1-10) in Cairo 101-88. The winners were led by American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) who scored that evening 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international guard Mohamed Abdelrahman (184-1996) supported him with 31 points. Even 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists by Ayman Chawkat did not help to save the game for Petrojet. American-Palestinian Kyndall Dykes (192-1987, college: New Orleans, agency: Slash Sports) added 19 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Ittihad Al. have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 11-0 record. Petrojet lost fifth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the fourteenth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Sporting and Aviation.
Top scorers:
Al Ittihad Al.: M.Abdelrahman 31+1reb+3ast, J.Pierre 22+9reb+5ast, B.El-Laithi 11+3reb+1ast, M.Anas 11+6reb, G.Elkiki 9+4reb+1ast, Y.Yasser 6+1reb+1ast
Petrojet: C.Ayman 24+6reb+5ast, K.Dykes 19+7reb+3ast, A.Ziad 14+8reb, E.Youssef 12+3reb+4ast, E.Alaa 4+2reb, M.Omar 4+1reb

WE Sporting - Smouha 74-66

Everything could happen in Cairo at the game between two tied teams. Both seventh ranked WE Sporting and 9th ranked Smouha had identical 5-5 record. This time WE Sporting used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Smouha 74-66 on Monday night. Omar Attia (189-1997) fired 9 points and 9 assists for the winners. American point guard Kenny Brown (183, college: Co.Georgia) chipped in 12 points. American point guard Jay Threatt (180-1989, college: Delaware St.) produced 12 points and 6 assists and Abdelrahman Samir added 13 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted WE Sporting maintains seventh position with 6-5 record. Loser Smouha dropped to the eighth place with six games lost. They share the position with Zamalek and Al Gezira.
Top scorers:
WE Sporting: H.Fathy 13+6reb, K.Brown 12+4reb+3ast, A.Waheed 12+4reb, O.Attia 9+3reb+9ast, M.Alzurayqi 7+9reb+1ast, A.Omar 7+5reb+3ast
Smouha: S.Abdelrahman 13+3reb+5ast, J.Threatt 12+4reb+6ast, A.Omar 12+8reb, T.Nour 8+3reb+1ast, K.Ebrahem 5+2reb+2ast, M.Moamen 5+1ast