Yuval Sznaiderman keeps taking the next step in his young career as his performance in Hapoel Gilboa Galil’s 93-80 win over Hapoel Beer Sheva was stellar once again. The Israeli guard who went to the national Religious Himmelfarb High School (where all my 3 boys have gone) came up through the Hapoel Jerusalem ranks but was loaned out to Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion last season and now finds himself under the tutelage of Rami Hadar who seems to have him right under his wing. With 9 points and 6 assists in 25 minutes, Sznaiderman is earning his keep with the bench boss and most importantly his trust.

If you have at yet read about Noam Dovrat and the point guard or shooting guard conundrum that Hapoel Jerusalem is in check it out RIGHT HERE. Dovrat is ticketed to having a bright future but he’s got a ways to go the question is will it be as the 1 or the 2?

On the topic of point guard, Hapoel Tel Aviv is certainly happy to have theirs back in one J’Covan Brown. After missing out on last week’s Winner Cup Final Derby and then playing subpar at Turk Telekom, it looks like Brown is back and better than ever in the Reds 96-84 win over Kiryat Ata. He looked so good to the tune of 23 points, 5/7 from 3 and 9 assists in 32 minutes, it looks like Brown has put Trento on notice ahead of their EuroCup clash on Wednesday. One of Brown’s real assets is how he knows how to work with the other players on his team explained big man Chris Horton who was on the receiving end of a number of his assists, “J’Covan and I have a great connection and that is only getting better each game. He talks a lot to me and gives me advice. We both have a goal which is to do our best so that the team can win.”

Hapoel Haifa needed overtime to down Bnei Herzliya 87-85 on the road and it was Anthony Hickey who rose to the occasion to win the game twice. Well, not really twice as his last second shot at the end of regulation time was just milliseconds too late but don’t worry he made up for it with a terrific layup winner. Hickey has been superb this season averaging 17 points, 8 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2 steals a game as he has risen to the top of the Israeli league chart. “Hickey almost recorded a triple-double,” Coach Sharon Drucker said. “When he makes a mistake I’m very upset at him but he’s a real man. He took that last ball and scored. We deserved to win.” After a Europe Cup clash at Gaziantep, the Carmel Reds will face Hapoel Jerusalem Sunday at home in a classic Israeli league matchup which will be a test for Drucker as his team continues to climb the standings.

“What a great game and a great team effort we had to pull off the victory,” Hickey told The Sports Rabbi. “I’m blessed to have a group of guys and coaches who believe in each other. This game was won as a team effort with so many big plays being made down the stretch. I’m thankful that my teammates and coaching staff believed in me enough to take the last shot to try and help us win the game…and lucky for me the shot went in. I’m just truly blessed to be a part of this team, a part of this culture and a part of this great city!”

Maccabi Tel Aviv big man Jake Cohen will be raising money for Movember which brings awareness to men’s health issues. Make sure you make a donation and find out more HERE.

Tyler Bey was on fire as the Nes Ziona swingman scored an incredible 17 points in the first quarter of an 82-79 win at Hapoel Galil Elyon. The Colorado product scored early and often in his first season abroad after a number of years in the NBA and the G-League. Bey ended the game with 29 points and 11 rebounds as the Las Vegas, Nevada native raised his season average to a league leading 24.3 points and 7.7 rebounds and an efficiency rating of 30 which also is first in the league this season. Elad Hasin has got to be a happy camper knowing that Philadelphia 76ers 2020 second round draft pick is on his team this season.