Superleague Round 17 (Regular Season): Al Ittihad Al. edge WE Sporting by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Seventh-ranked WE Sporting (6-6) made lots of trouble for leader Al Ittihad Al. (12-0) in Alexandria on Friday. Al Ittihad Al. managed to secure only two-point victory 108-106. However their fans expected much easier game. Al Ittihad Al. looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Ittihad Al. made 9 blocks. The best player for the winners was American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists. The former international center Anas Mahmoud (214-1995, college: Louisville) chipped in 17 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. Ali Omar produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Undefeated Al Ittihad Al. have an impressive series of twelve victories in a row. They maintain first place with 12-0 record. Newly promoted WE Sporting keeps the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Al Gezira.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Cairo: Al Geish (#4) and Canal (#3). Canal was defeated at home 62-71 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Canal. Ashraf Ahmed orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. Dawood Ramadan contributed with 9 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American guard Madarious Gibbs (185-1993, college: Texas Southern) answered with 23 points and 5 assists for Canal. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Al Geish. Despite that victory Al Geish went down to fifth position due to points difference. Newly promoted Canal keeps the third place with three games lost.
Fifteenth-ranked Aviation (1-12) made lots of trouble for thirteenth ranked Damanhour (5-9) in Alexandria on Sunday. Damanhour managed to secure only two-point victory 84-82. However their fans expected easier game. Omar Talaat stepped up and scored 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Damanhour's coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Yehya Saber responded with 25 points and 9 assists. Damanhour maintains thirteenth place with 5-9 record. Aviation lost their eleventh game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the bottom position with 12 games lost.

Other games of round 17 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Smouha was defeated by Al Ahly in Cairo 64-54. Sporting beat Zamalek at home 83-75. Al Gezira won against Petrojet on the opponent's court 80-75. Al Shams managed to outperform Heliopolis in a home game 73-55. Al Zohour managed to beat Olympic on the road 69-58.
The best stats of 17th round was 13 points and 4 assists by Abdelrahman Youssef of Olympic.



Al Ahly C. - Smouha 64-54

There was no surprise in Cairo where 10th ranked Smouha (5-7) was defeated by third ranked Al Ahly (11-1) 64-54 on Friday. The former international guard Ehab Amin (193-1995, college: Oregon) stepped up and scored 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and the former international guard Amr Gendy (193-1991) chipped in 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Moaz Mohamed (196-2000, college: Cloud County) responded with 17 points and American point guard Jay Threatt (180-1989, college: Delaware St.) scored 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Al Ahly. Defending champion moved-up to second place. Smouha at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Zamalek.
Top scorers:
Smouha: M.Moaz 17+2reb+2ast, S.Abdelrahman 12+5reb+1ast, K.Ahmed 8+8reb+1ast, J.Threatt 8+6reb+4ast, A.Youssef 4+4reb+1ast, Z.Fahmy 4+2reb
Al Ahly C.: E.Amin 18+7reb+1ast, A.Gendy 14+5reb+4ast, K.Ahmed 12+7reb+1ast, O.Omar 8+5reb+1ast, I.Zahran 5+3reb+1ast, A.Moheb 5+2ast

Sporting - Zamalek 83-75

There was a surprise result in Alexandria where fourteenth ranked Sporting (3-10) defeated higher ranked Zamalek (5-7) 83-75 on Friday. Sporting forced 22 Zamalek turnovers. Mohamed Abdellatif stepped up and scored 17 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the winners and forward Ahmed Ibrahim (203, college: Marshalltown) chipped in 13 points and 7 rebounds. Sporting's coach Ahmed Marei used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The former international guard Adam Moussa (190-2002, college: CBU) responded with 22 points and American-Spanish forward Ismael Massoud (206-2000, college: Georgetown) scored 18 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Sporting. They maintain fourteenth place with 3-10 record. Zamalek at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with Smouha.
Top scorers:
Zamalek: A.Moussa 22+3reb+3ast, I.Massoud 18+8reb+2ast, A.Khaled 12+2reb, A.Mohab 11+5reb+1ast, Y.Ahmed 4+5reb+2ast, A.Omar 3+2reb+4ast
Sporting: M.Abdellatif 17+9reb+3ast, A.Ibrahim 13+7reb+2ast, I.Mohamed 13+1reb+3ast, S.El 11+5reb+3ast, A.Mohamed 7+4reb+1ast, A.Rehan 7+5reb+2ast

Al Ittihad Al. - WE Sporting 108-106

Seventh-ranked WE Sporting (6-6) made lots of trouble for leader Al Ittihad Al. (12-0) in Alexandria on Friday. Al Ittihad Al. managed to secure only two-point victory 108-106. However their fans expected much easier game. Al Ittihad Al. looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Ittihad Al. made 9 blocks. The best player for the winners was American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists. The former international center Anas Mahmoud (214-1995, college: Louisville) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. Ali Omar produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and American point guard Kenny Brown (183, college: Co.Georgia) added 27 points and 10 assists respectively for the guests. Five Al Ittihad Al. and four WE Sporting players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Al Ittihad Al. have an impressive series of twelve victories in a row. They maintain first place with 12-0 record. Newly promoted WE Sporting keeps the seventh position with six games lost. They share it with Al Gezira.
Top scorers:
WE Sporting: B.Kenny 27+3reb+10ast, O.Ali 25+10reb+6ast, F.Hamad 16+13reb+1ast, A.Omar 12+9reb+4ast, A.Mahdi Waleed 10+2reb, A.Mohamed 6+2reb+1ast
Al Ittihad Al.: J.Pierre 29+6reb+11ast, M.Anas 17+13reb+7ast, Y.Aboushousha 15+5reb, M.Abdelrahman 15+2reb+4ast, H.Khalifa 15+9reb+4ast, Y.Yasser 12+8reb+3ast

Petrojet - Al Gezira 75-80

Very expected game in Cairo where 15th ranked Petrojet (1-11) was defeated by ninth ranked Al Gezira (6-6) 80-75 on Friday. Al Gezira outrebounded Petrojet 45-29 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Ahmed Samy stepped up with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners and Abdelfadil Ebrahim chipped in 13 points and 15 rebounds. American-Palestinian Kyndall Dykes (192-1987, college: New Orleans, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds and Ayman Chawkat scored 16 points and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Al Gezira. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with WE Sporting. Petrojet lost their sixth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the fifteenth position with 11 games lost.
Top scorers:
Petrojet: K.Dykes 33+8reb+3ast, C.Ayman 16+4reb+5ast, E.Youssef 12+5reb+1ast, S.Seif 7+3reb, E.Alaa 2+1ast, A.Ziad 2+2reb
Al Gezira: A.Samy 27+10reb+1ast, A.Ebrahim 13+15reb, T.Cleveland 13+5reb+3ast, W.Aly 8+1reb+4ast, A.Elgindy 8+8reb+1ast, A.Khairy 4+4ast

Damanhour - Aviation 84-82

Fifteenth-ranked Aviation (1-12) made lots of trouble for thirteenth ranked Damanhour (5-9) in Alexandria on Sunday. Damanhour managed to secure only two-point victory 84-82. However their fans expected easier game. Damanhour dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Aviation's 22. Damanhour looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Omar Talaat stepped up and scored 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and guard Hassan Elkhouga (198-1999) chipped in 11 points and 12 rebounds. Damanhour's coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Yehya Saber responded with 25 points and 9 assists and Ehab Omar produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Damanhour maintains thirteenth place with 5-9 record. Aviation lost their eleventh game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the bottom position with 12 games lost.
Top scorers:
Aviation: S.Yehya 25+4reb+9ast, O.Ehab 19+11reb+6ast, M.Mohamed 13+6reb+4ast, H.Moustafa 10+14reb+1ast, W.Youssef 8+4reb, H.Mohamed 7+2reb
Damanhour: O.Talaat 26+5reb+4ast, M.Nassib 13+2reb+2ast, D.Hossam 12+3reb+2ast, H.Elkhouga 11+12reb+1ast, G.El 7+2reb+2ast, O.Karkoura 6+3reb+4ast

Al Shams - Heliopolis 73-55

There was a surprise result in Cairo where tenth ranked Al Shams (6-7) beat 4th placed Heliopolis (9-5) 73-55 on Sunday. Al Shams dominated down low during the game scoring 42 of its points in the paint compared to Heliopolis' 18. American guard Jervae Robinson (188-1998, college: WSU, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 11 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and Atef Abdelaziz chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds. Four Al Shams players scored in double figures. Al Shams' coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Mahmoud Shershaby responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and Mohanad Metwally scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Al Shams moved-up to ninth place. Heliopolis at the other side keep the fourth position with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Heliopolis: S.Mahmoud 15+12reb+4ast, M.Mohanad 11+5reb+3ast, R.Ayman 8+2reb, M.Tayiam 8+3reb, H.Abdelrhman 4+2reb+3ast, D.Sherif 4+7reb+1ast
Al Shams: A.Abdelaziz 16+6reb, O.Ghareeb 13+6reb+2ast, R.Jervae 11+8reb+8ast, M.Mashaal 10+6reb+2ast, M.Meshaal 8+4reb, A.Khaled 7+3reb

Canal - Al Geish 62-71

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Cairo: Al Geish (#4) and Canal (#3). Canal was defeated at home 62-71 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Canal. Ashraf Ahmed orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. Dawood Ramadan contributed with 9 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American guard Madarious Gibbs (185-1993, college: Texas Southern) answered with 23 points and 5 assists and Omar Abdelhameed added 17 points in the effort for Canal. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Al Geish. Despite that victory Al Geish went down to fifth position due to points difference. Newly promoted Canal keeps the third place with three games lost.
Top scorers:
Canal: M.Gibbs 23+4reb+5ast, A.Omar 17+3reb+2ast, A.Islam 11+6reb, S.Ahmed 3+6reb+1ast, Y.Mohamed 3+2reb+1ast, H.Mohamed 3+2reb
Al Geish: A.Ahmed 20+10reb+3ast, E.Raafat 10+3reb+1ast, D.Ramadan 9+6reb+2ast, G.Ezz 8+5reb, S.El 7+3reb+1ast, R.Mahmoud 5+6reb+3ast

Olympic - Al Zohour 58-69

There was an upset in Alexandria where higher ranked Olympic (7-7) was defeated by twelfth ranked Al Zohour (6-8) 69-58 on Sunday. Mamdouh Mohamed stepped up and scored 12 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and Amr Emad chipped in 9 points and 9 rebounds. Abdelrahman Youssef responded with 13 points and 4 assists and Ahmed Hossam scored 6 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Olympic's coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Al Zohour moved-up to tenth place. Newly promoted Olympic keeps the sixth position with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Olympic: Y.Abdelrahman 13+4reb+4ast, B.Hatem 10+1reb+3ast, H.Ahmed 6+9reb+5ast, A.Omar 6+1reb+2ast, F.Zaki 6+4reb+1ast, T.Ahmed 5+2reb+2ast
Al Zohour: K.Hassan 13+2reb+2ast, M.Mohamed 12+6reb, S.Mounir 10+2reb+2ast, A.Emad 9+9reb, A.Sami 7+1reb+5ast, A.Qassem 6+9reb+2ast