Hapoel Tel Aviv drops Wolves, moves to 11-2 while clinching postseason spot

By Joshua Halickman

Jan 3, 2024 | Holyland Hoops

Hapoel Tel Aviv downed Wolves 89-80 as Kyle Alexander starred for the Reds to help them clinch a place in the post season for the second straight year. Danny Franco’s squad got off to a good start thanks to the return of Israeli veteran forward Tomer Ginat while Alexander showed his dominance inside along with strong play from John Holland and Bar Timor to move Hapoel to 11-2 on the season.

Alexander led the way with 22 points while Ginat and Holland each scored 17 points in the win. Rasheed Sulaimon scored 20 points and Christian Mekowulu added 16 points in the loss.

“We are a good team that is playing together,” Danny Franco said. “But we have to keep our focus and know where we are heading. I have to take my hat off to Tomer Ginat after being out for some time with an injury, but we were able to take the rebounds and win the game.”

The bench boss also spoke about Kyle Alexander and what he brings to the table, “Kyle is continuing to improve and he is continuing to learn as he hasn’t been playing in Europe for a long time. The team has been doing well with him and vice versa as he is a coach’s player and he enjoys to listen. When we needed step up in the second half he was there along with the entire team.”

Kyle Alexander – Photo credit: EuroCup

The game MVP Kyle Alexander said following the game, “This has been an up and down season and it has not been easy for anybody but we are persevering as we continue on.”

Xavier Munford, Kyle Alexander and Bar Timor all got busy for Hapoel Tel Aviv to start off the first quarter while Rasheed Sulaimon found points for Wolves as the Reds grabbed an early 26-18 lead after ten minutes of play. Christian Mekowulu started to find the basket as did Jeffrey Taylor and Sulaimon cut into the lead as Alexander along with Tomer Ginat and John Holland scored for Danny Franco’s squad to keep them in front 47-44 at halftime.

Alexander, Timor and Ginat scored to lead off the third quarter as Wolves tried to keep it close but Hapoel’s lead great to 70-60 after thirty minutes of action. Sulaimon and Tre’Shawn Thurman tried to keep the game close, but Alexander again playing above the rim was unstoppable as the Reds took the 89-80 win.