Hapoel Advances to the Winner Cup Semifinals

Three days after winning the Super Cup, Hapoel took another step toward adding the Winner Cup to its trophy cabinet, advancing to the semifinals with a 105-98 victory over Bnei Herzliya. The two teams met at the exact same stage last year, and Yonatan Alon's team got its revenge for last season's defeat. Now, another Clasico against Maccabi Tel Aviv awaits - this time with a place in the Winner Cup Final on the line.

Hapoel scorers: Jared Harper 24, Khadeen Carrington and Justin Smith 15 each, Anthony Lamb and Nimrod Levi 14 each, Roi Huber 7, Yovel Zoosman 6, Dmytro Skapintsev 4, Roi Pritzky and Josiah-Jordan James 3 each.

Bnei Herzliya scorers: Elijah Stewart 25, Shalev Lugashi 20, Chinanu Onuaku 14, Noah Carter 12, Jordon Varnado 11, Max Heidegger 9, Muriel Lotati 5, Deshon Francis 2.

The 2025/26 season is, of course, still in its early stages. The league has yet to begin and the European campaign hasn't started either, but the Reds from the capital already look ready - or, at the very least, focused and determined.

After winning the Super Cup, Yonatan Alon said, "We have unfinished business from last season" - and that's exactly how his team looks on the court.

Hapoel may have surrendered a double-digit lead early in the second quarter and found itself trailing by seven at the start of the fourth, but the Reds stepped up when it mattered most, winning the final quarter 34-20 and refusing to let another opportunity to compete for a trophy slip through their fingers.

Along the way, Hapoel also maintained its perfect record to start the season, with five wins from five official games.

"Every game, I get excited all over again" (Photo: Alan Shiber)

Harper was included in Hapoel's squad but, in a rare occurrence, was not part of Yonatan Alon's starting five. Huber, Carrington, Zoosman, Lamb and Smith got the start instead. On the other side, Yehu Orland opened with Lotati, Lugashi, Stewart, Carter and Onuaku.

The first half in Hadera will mainly be remembered for an impressive 21-5 run by Bnei Herzliya, which turned the game around after Hapoel had taken a 36-23 lead three minutes into the second quarter. Onuaku had 14 points and 7 rebounds by halftime, while Stewart added 11 to help Herzliya head into the locker room with a 46-45 lead. Nimrod Levi led Hapoel with 10 points in the first half.

Stewart and Herzliya remained hot after the break. The American scorer scored 10 points in the third quarter, including a three-pointer at the buzzer, to give the Blues a 78-71 lead heading into the final ten minutes.

Then Hapoel woke up.

After allowing 63 points across the second and third quarters, the Reds' defense came back to life and held Herzliya to 20 points in the fourth. At the other end, it was Harper - who else? - leading the comeback.

105-98 to Hapoel at the final buzzer, as the Reds booked their place in the Winner Cup semifinals.

And then came Harper (Photo: Alan Shiber)

Smith and Lamb. Also stood out for the winners (Photo: Alan Shiber)

Lamb and Carrington help Harper up after he lifted Hapoel as a whole (Photo: Alan Shiber)

Alon. Hapoel isn't giving up on any trophy (Photo: Alan Shiber)

Josiah-Jordan James knows who to thank at the final buzzer (Photo: Alan Shiber)