MADINAH, 14 November 2006 — Sunday the leading teams faced each other in the Saudi Basketball Federation Al Jawal Basketball Championship at the Prince Mohammed ibn Abdul Aziz Sports City Stadium here.
Al-Ittihad-Ohud, Al-Ahli and Al-Ansar provided the entertainment in Games 2 and 3.
In Game 1 Al-Hilal defeated Al-Masirah 86-57. Al-Masirah is one of the new teams in the league that will be good when they get some experience. Their high scorer was Nadel Al-Mowaled with 18 points. Mohammed Uthman led Hilal with 18 points.
Ittihad and Ohud played next. The game started with double-teaming and swarming defense from both sides. The first period ended in favor of Ittihad 19-14. Ohud were still without their guard Abdul Mohsen, and found it hard to get on track. Ohud was down by 10 at halftime 36-26. Ittihad were up by 22 at the end of the third period 55 -33. Ohud stayed in the game and only lost by 11 points. Final score: Ittihad 71 Ohud 60. Adel Mowalad was high man for Ittihad with 15, Jaber Al-Zahrani hit three three pointers. Mohammed Musa had 20 for Ohud.
The game of the night was Ansar-Ahli. Ansar started fast, and led 21-15 at the end of the first quarter. In the second Ansar only scored 8 points and Ahli 10 points. There was tight defense and many turnovers. Ansar were up by one point after three quarters 45-44. Cheered on by the hometown fans, Ansar won by 54 -53. Mustafa Howsawi had 15 for Ansar and Yassar Mutar had 13 for Ahli.
In Saturday’s action, Al-Wehda played Al-Nasr in the first game.
Wehda are always a favorite because they play hard and don’t give up.
They are a very young team with out any big men in the center. Saleh Takrouni plays center defending against players 4 and 5 inches taller every game. He was the high scorer with 21 points. Wehda playing without point guard Uthman Brnawi did the best they could. At the end of the first quarter Nasr led by two points 19-17. At the halftime break Nasr led by one point 27-26. The defense was intense both ways forcing many turnovers. Nasr being a larger team wore Wehda down and pulled out the win, 58-50. Musa Sharheili was high man for Nasr. Game 2 was no contest. Ahli easily beat Masirah 78-42. First quarter action was tight with Masirah jumping out and taking the lead. Ahli settled down, played defense, and led by 13 at the half, 42-29. With a 24-point lead ending the third quarter Ahli coasted to the win using the bench players. Yassar Mutar had 17 points for Ahli and Mobruk Al-Harbi 21 for Masirah.
Game 3 pitting Ansar against Al-Nahdah was the battle of the night. Ansar’s young players led at the end of the first period 19-16. With good swarming defense, they ended the half up 41-27. The third period ended with Nahdah leading by four points. There were many turnovers, lead changes, and fouls, with Ansar holding on to the lead to win by four 69-65. Iman Balad scored 19 for Ansar and Fazi Hajji had 21 points for Nahdah.
