By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Roman Sorkin was the go-to player for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and paved the way for the key win, 89-82, over Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv in Menora Mivtachim Arena Sunday.
The 26-year-old big, a former Oregon player through his NCAA career, fell narrowly short of a new season-high ending up with 22 points in the Round 24 contest that wrapped up the regular-season schedule of Israel’s top-tier division. The dominating display extended from 10/12 shots to ten rebounds and a game-high PIR of 32.
Limited to 6/15 field goals, Wade Baldwin IV followed with 16 points to his name. Bonzie Colson chipped in 15 points and Lorenzo Brown posted a 12-point, 10-assist double-double for the team coached by Oded Kattash. Darrun Hilliard, Suleiman Braimoh, and Alex Poythress sat out along with injured teammates Jalen Adams (shoulder) and Austin Hollins (knee).
Six players scoring in double-digits was not enough for the visiting side. Top performers ranged from Bar Timor packing 17 points and Jordan McRae recording 16 points to J’Covan Brown registering a 13-point, 10-assist double-double.
Winning the Tel Aviv derby, Maccabi improved to 22-5 and ranked first overall at the conclusion of the Winner League Regular Season. The losing side settled in the third seed with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem finishing second. Switching to the Playoffs, the Quarterfinals are set to start next week.
Winner League Playoffs (Quarterfinals)
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv (1) – Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva/Dimona (8)
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem (2) – Bnei Ofek Dist Herzeliya (7)
Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv (3) – Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona (6)
Hapoel Atsmon Holon (4) – Hapoel Nofar Galil Elion (5)
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net