Superleague Round 18 (Regular Season): Smouha hands first loss to Al Ittihad Al.

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was the first loss of Al Ittihad Al. (12-1) on the court of twelfth ranked Smouha on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Smouha 91-86. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Al Ittihad Al.. Smouha dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ittihad Al.'s 24 and made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. Smouha forced 19 Al Ittihad Al. turnovers and outrebounded them 48-28 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Smouha looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a good game for Ahmed Khanka who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds. The former international swingman Ebrahem Khaled (191-1989) contributed with 18 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) replied with 26 points and 7 assists for Al Ittihad Al.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Smouha (6-7) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Ittihad Al. at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with Al Ahly. Smouha is looking forward to face Al Gezira (#10) in Cairo in the next round. Al Ittihad Al. will play at home against the league's second-placed Al Ahly (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Another interesting game for WE Sporting (7-6) which played in Cairo against 7th ranked Al Gezira (6-7). Eighth ranked WE Sporting had an easy win 72-59. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Gezira. American point guard Kenny Brown (183, college: Co.Georgia) scored 21 points to lead the charge for the winners and Ali Omar chipped in 12 points and 7 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) with 25 points. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. WE Sporting moved-up to sixth place. Al Gezira at the other side dropped to the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. WE Sporting's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Cairo Zamalek.
The game between eleventh ranked Zamalek (6-7) and 15th ranked Petrojet (1-12) in Cairo on Monday ended with biggest points difference. Zamalek outscored guests from Cairo 92-70. Omar Azeb notched 16 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds by Alaa Essam did not help to save the game for Petrojet. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Zamalek moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Petrojet lost seventh consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the bottom position with 12 games lost. They share it with Aviation. Zamalek's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Cairo to the arena WE Sporting.

In the last game of round 18 Sporting was beaten by Al Ahly on the road 79-65.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 29 points and 8 rebounds by Omar Oraby of Al Ahly C..



Smouha - Al Ittihad Al. 91-86

The most surprising game was the first loss of Al Ittihad Al. (12-1) on the court of twelfth ranked Smouha on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Smouha 91-86. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Al Ittihad Al.. Smouha dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Al Ittihad Al.'s 24 and made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. Smouha forced 19 Al Ittihad Al. turnovers and outrebounded them 48-28 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Smouha looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a good game for Ahmed Khanka who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds. The former international swingman Ebrahem Khaled (191-1989) contributed with 18 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. American guard Pierre Jackson (180-1991, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) replied with 26 points and 7 assists and the former international forward Aly Ahmed (206-1992, college: CSUB) added 18 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Al Ittihad Al.Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Smouha (6-7) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Al Ittihad Al. at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with Al Ahly. Smouha is looking forward to face Al Gezira (#10) in Cairo in the next round. Al Ittihad Al. will play at home against the league's second-placed Al Ahly (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Smouha: M.Mohamed 21+2reb+2ast, E.Khaled 18+9reb+1ast, A.Khanka 17+16reb, A.Samir 11+1reb+3ast, A.Hamdy 8+5reb+1ast, F.Zidan 6+6reb+1ast
Al Ittihad Al.: P.Jackson 26+3reb+7ast, A.Ahmed 18+5reb+1ast, A.Adel 14+3reb+6ast, E.Bassem 13+3reb+1ast, A.Youssef 5+2reb+1ast, K.Abdelrahman 4+4reb+2ast

Zamalek - Petrojet 92-70

The game between eleventh ranked Zamalek (6-7) and 15th ranked Petrojet (1-12) in Cairo on Monday ended with biggest points difference. Zamalek outscored guests from Cairo 92-70. Zamalek outrebounded Petrojet 49-36 including 17 on the offensive glass. Zamalek looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Omar Azeb notched 16 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists to lead the effort and forward Ahmed Yasser (201-2001) supported him with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Five Zamalek players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds by Alaa Essam did not help to save the game for Petrojet. Ayman Chawkat added 14 points and 7 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Zamalek moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Petrojet lost seventh consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the bottom position with 12 games lost. They share it with Aviation. Zamalek's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Cairo to the arena WE Sporting.
Top scorers:
Zamalek: M.Abdalatif 20, O.Azeb 16+8reb+8ast, A.Yasser 12+8reb+1ast, R.Bahaa 11+1reb+1ast, M.Mohamed 10+4reb+5ast, K.Abdelgawad 10+7reb+3ast
Petrojet: E.Alaa 17+11reb+2ast, B.Mohamed 15+6reb+2ast, C.Ayman 14+4reb+7ast, E.Youssef 7+1reb+2ast, M.Omar 6+6reb+2ast, D.Marwan 5+3reb+2ast

Al Gezira - WE Sporting 59-72

Another interesting game for WE Sporting (7-6) which played in Cairo against 7th ranked Al Gezira (6-7). Eighth ranked WE Sporting had an easy win 72-59. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Al Gezira. American point guard Kenny Brown (183, college: Co.Georgia) scored 21 points to lead the charge for the winners and Ali Omar chipped in 12 points and 7 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Cleveland Thomas (192-1993, college: WKU, agency: Slash Sports) with 25 points and Ahmed Samy produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. WE Sporting moved-up to sixth place. Al Gezira at the other side dropped to the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. WE Sporting's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Cairo Zamalek.
Top scorers:
WE Sporting: K.Brown 21+2reb+2ast, H.Fathy 13+10reb, A.Omar 12+4reb+7ast, M.Alzurayqi 6+3reb+1ast, M.Atef 6+1reb, O.Attia 6+6reb+1ast
Al Gezira: C.Thomas 25+2reb+1ast, S.Ahmed 12+10reb+3ast, E.Abdelfadil 5+12reb+1ast, K.Aly 4+2ast, E.Omar 4+1reb+1ast, R.Ali 4+3reb

Al Ahly C. - Sporting 79-65

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Al Ahly (12-1) beat 14th ranked Sporting (2-11) in Cairo 79-65 on Monday. Al Ahly outrebounded Sporting 43-31 including a 34-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Al Ahly looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international center Omar Oraby (218-1991, college: USC) notched 29 points and 8 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and the former international guard Ehab Amin (193-1995, college: Oregon) supported him with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 25 points and 4 assists by the former international forward Ahmed Rehan (195-2003) did not help to save the game for Sporting. Mohamed Abdellatif added 7 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Al Ahly have an impressive six-game winning streak. Defending champion used an opportunity after Al Ittihad Al. lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Loser Sporting keeps the fourteenth place with 11 games lost. Al Ahly will meet league's leader Al Ittihad Al. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sporting will play against Petrojet (#16) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Al Ahly C.: O.Omar 29+8reb, E.Amin 13+7reb+4ast, A.Gendy 8+5reb+3ast, A.Zahran 7+7reb+1ast, I.Zahran 5+2reb+5ast, A.Moheb 4+1reb
Sporting: R.Ahmed 25+2reb+4ast, M.Ibrahim 12+1reb+1ast, A.Mohamed 7+7reb+4ast, A.Hassan 6+1reb+1ast, F.Hossam 3+1reb, I.Ahmed 3+5reb+1ast