Maccabi Tel Aviv’s All-Israeli squad downs Hapoel Beer Sheva, Herzliya tops Galil Elyon

Dec 25, 2023 | Holyland Hoops

Maccabi Tel Aviv downed Hapoel Beer Sheva 87-75 to split their two domestic league games with an all Israeli squad as they will now turn their focus onto the Euroleague with five continents clashes coming up in the next couple of weeks. The yellow-and-blue set the tone early with their veteran sabras building up a double digit lead that they were able to keep throughout the 40 minutes to record the victory.

Captain John Dibartolomeo got busy early on for Maccabi Tel Aviv while Tamir Blatt, Roman Sorkin and Rafi Menco all scored to give the yellow-and-blue a 28-14 lead after ten minutes. Youngster Omer Mayer scored going to the hoop and from downtown, Jake Cohen also found points from the inside and outside, Grant Sherfield and Joaquin Szuchman cut the gap for Hapoel Beer Sheva but Oded Katash’s squad stayed in front 47-33 at halftime.

Roman Sorkin – Photo Credit: Basket.co.il


JaKeenan Gant and Sherfield continued to pare down the Maccabi lead throughout the course of the third quarter, Cohen and Dibartolomeo tried to keep the visitors ahead with a comfortable lead but points from Roie Paretzky curt further into the advantage, however, Sorkin and Yaron Goldman ensured that Maccabi would head into the final frame with a 10-point, 66-56 lead. Sherfield and Netta Segal kept trying to close the advantage, Cohen hit free throws galore, Blatt went from long distance, Sorkin and Mayer added points notch the win.

“I have to be happiest about the result,” Maccabi coach Oded Katash said. “We did what we needed to with a very good first half and we were able to split the minutes up well for some of the players. Beer Sheva didn’t hit their shots in this game like Haifa did two days ago, but we really gave the maximum and we came in very focussed to do what we needed to in order to win the game.”

Roman Sorkin – Photo Credit: Basket.co.il


The game MVP Roman Sorkin gave his thoughts on the win, “We did a good job on the boards and on defense holding them to 75 points and that is great to do with a short squad. We came in here after a game two days ago and we were a bit exhausted but now we have Zalgiris on Thursday.”

Sorkin scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Jake Cohen added 15 points and 11 boards while Menco also checked in with a 14 point and 10 rebound double-double in the win. Sherfield and Gant each scored 18 points in the loss.

Tyler Storne – Photo credit: Jacob Zaldin


Bnei Herzliya eased past Hapoel Galil Elyon 80-66 as five players scored in double digits to take the club’s first home win of the season. Dan Shamir’s squad opened up a small first quarter lead and never looked back as his team’s depth was able to be a difference maker against Bark Peleg’s short squad.

Marcus Carr scored 16 points, Adrian Banks added 15 points while Tyler Store in his debut scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the victory. Meron Ruina scored 16 points and collected 14 points while Roi Huber also scored 16 points in the loss.

“All in all we I’m happy that although we haven’t played a lot together, we saw some very good things,” Shamir said. “Our defense, assists and we had five players in double figures means we really played well as a unit. Galil also plays very well together and that caused some issues for us.”

“We didn’t have the strength,” Barak Peleg said. “Herzliya came really prepared and they did what they wanted to do while their depth was very important as well. We are getting better and improving and I am very proud of how we are playing. We have played a lot of games and we are trying to find that extra off of the bench.”

The game MVP Adrian Banks spoke about the win, “Just trying to do a bit of everything with my experience. I don’t just have to do one thing and I get a lot of pleasure to help out where I can. We have been able to get our chemistry together and our confidence in each other. We are expecting guys to make shots now and they started going on.”

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