Happel Holon just slipped by Hapoel Gilboa Galil 84-82 in a back and forth contest that was decided on Chris Johnson’s three clutch free throws with just 6 seconds left in the game to take the victory. Visiting Gilboa who were playing with just 3 foreigners got off to a solid start as Ronnie Harrell filled the bucket early and often for Guy Kaplan’s team but Johnson along with Guy Pnini and Michale Kyser kept Maurizio Buscaglia’s team close. With Gilboa up 82-81, Johnson was fouled beyond the arc by Or Cornelius setting up three shots from the charity stripe that the former NBA swingman drained to snatch the 2-point win.
Johnson scored 21 points, Pnini added 14 points and Kyser checked in with a 12 point and 11 rebound double-double. Harrell led the way for Gilboa with 29 points, Sacha Killeya-Jones scored 16 points and London Perrantes chipped in with 13 points in the loss.

Guy Pnini – Photo Credit: Basket.co.il
“Gilboa is a good team as they have been for a number of seasons,” Holon veteran forward Guy Pnini said. “They made big shots but in the second half we played well defensively holding them to 32 points which is what we want to do and not give up over 50 like we did in the first half. I am happy that we won the game but we have plenty to work on.”
Hapoel Beer Sheva outlasted Hapoel Eilat 99-93 in overtime as Rami Hadar’s team notched the road win at the Red Sea city. Cody Demps and Bryon Allen went head to head throughout the game for the two squads as the latter helped send the contest into the extra session for Ariel Beit Halachmi’s Eilat with free throws as time wound down. However, inspired play by Derek Pardon and Junior Etou was all Beer Sheva needed to pull away to notch the hard earned win.
Demps scored 26 points, Pardon added 20 points and 14 rebounds while Junior Etou scored 19 points in the win. Allen led the way for Eilat with 27 points and Romello White scored 21 points in the defeat.

Hapoel Beer Sheva – Photo Credit: Basket.co.il
“We had an opportunity to close the game in regulation time, but unfortunately we turned over,” Junior Etou explained. “ Heading into overtime coach Hadar told us to just keep doing what we were doing in the 4th quarter and that’s what we did. We did a great great job as a team knocking down open shots and our main goal was to get stops defensively, which we did.”
The MVP Cody Demps also reflected on the victory, “It was a great win. Anytime we can come together and get a win on the road is huge. We’re looking to enjoy this win tonight and continue to build.”
Hapoel Galil Elyon downed slumping Nes Ziona 85-79 at Kfar Blum to move their early season record to 2-1 after chalking up their first home league victory of the season. Barak Peleg’s squad held slight advantages at the half and at the end of the third quarter as Ike Iroegbu and Nimrod Levi created enough of a gap over the final frame to take the win.
Iroegbu led the way with 16 points while Levi and Kyle Gibson each scored 13 points as Gabi Chachashvili checked in with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Frank Bartley scored 20 points, Marin Maric added 18 points and Diante Garrett scored 17 points in the loss.
0 Comments