Herzliya drops Holon in seesaw battle

Jan 20, 2024 | Holyland Hoops

Bnei Herzliya downed Hapoel Holon 92-87 in a back-and-forth game that saw veteran Adrian Banks and newcomer Ethan Burg lead the visitors to the tough victory. The purples came out strong with tremendous play from Justin Smith, but Dan Shamir’s squad shot 11/15 from beyond the arc in the first half to take a 53-48 lead at halftime. Amit Sherf’s team used a terrific 3rd quarter to retake the lead and hold Herzliya to just 9 points, however, Burg turned up the offense in the final frame and together with critical baskets by Reggie Lynch raced off to a 10-0 run to turn the tables and take the hard earned victory.

Adrian Banks – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


Banks led the way with 20 points, Burg added 17 points while Lynch scored 14 points in the win. Smith scored 28 points, Netanel Artzi chipped in with 16 points and Shawn Dawson scored 11 points in the loss.

Dan Shamir – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


“After any win it’s fun but honestly it was great coming back here,” Dan Shamir explained as he made his first return to the Toto Arena since he coached the club. “When we go back to places that were part of our lives it’s special and Holon is a place that can get into your entire being. I was here for many years, and it was just great. For our team this was an important win. We made a lot of changes to our roster and we needed to adapt yet again. We played a high level team in Holon and they came into with positive vibes so it’s a nice step for us that we won.”

Amit Sherf – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


“The first half we did not defend whatsoever and we lost because of that half,” Amit Sherf said. “We had the momentum going into the fourth quarter after playing well in the third quarter but couldn’t keep it up. We will need to defend better going forward.”

Reggie Lynch – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


Reggie Lynch spoke about the victory as well, “We have had to deal with a lot so far this season as has every team in this league but we probably had a lot more roster changes than other team. But this week we played together and began to jell so the game came naturally to us here in Holon. They are a tough team as they play in an international tournament but we know to raise ourselves to the level.”

The Brodutch Family – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


Prior to the game a number of special ceremonies took place including one for the Brodutch family who were honored after mother Hagar and children Ofri, Yuval and Oriya were released from captivity in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Dan Shamir was also recognized as he returned to his former stomping ground who Fred Bourdillon was also feted by the crowd as the sharp shooter was also honored.

Netanel Arzti – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


Justin Smith and Netanel Artzi got busy for Hapoel Holon while Adonis Thomas and Tyler Stone countered for Bnei Herzliya as the score was knotted up at 14-14 midway through the first quarter. Yotam Hanochi dropped points from the outside and inside, Marcus Carr drained a pair of buckets while Ethan Burg went from downtown but a Hans Vanwijn triple gave the hosts a 29-27 lead after ten minutes of action.

Justin Smith – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


Frederic Bourdillon and Adrian Banks went from downtown, Smith scored a quartet of buckets inside, Banks nailed a corner 3-ball while points from Vanwijn kept Amit Sherf’s team ahead 42-41 with five minutes left in the second quarter. Banks kept scoring, Bourdillon went from the outside and inside, Smith put down an alley-oop and a dunk but a Thomas 3-pointer gave Dan Shamir’s team a 53-48 lead at halftime.

Ethan Burg – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


Burg went from the outside and inside to get the third quarter underway, Artzi nailed a corner triple, Deondre Burns scored as Shawn Dawson started scoring at will from all over the court as Holon grabbed a 65-62 lead after thirty minutes of action.

Reggie Lynch – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman


Reggie Lynch began scoring in the paint while Burg added points, Smith responded and Artzi went from deep to give Holon a 73-71 lead with 5:30 remaining in regulation time. Banks and Lynch scored as Stone drilled home a 3-pointer and Burg added a layup for a 10-0 run, Niv Misgav dialled up long distance, Smith put down a pair of dunks and Artzi went from downtown but free throws by Banks and Burg sealed the deal as Herzliya took the win.

Adrian Banks – Photo credit: Yehuda Halickman

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