Hapoel lost to Herzliya
Hapoel made a remarkable comeback from a 21-point deficit with an amazing third quarter, but it wasn't enough, and in the end, the reds succumbed 83-79 to the team from the Sharon
22/09/2024
| 23:00
| Post-Game
Hapoel and Herzliya provided an enjoyable and thrilling basketball match tonight (Sunday), ending with a score of 79-83 in favor of the team from the Sharon region. Orlando's squad showcased impressive defense in the first half, helping them build a 21-point lead in the second quarter. The red team fought back with great moments towards the end of the third quarter and outstanding defense from Or Cornelius, but Chris Silva sealed the victory with two baskets and a foul in the closing minutes.
The red team from the capital won't defend their title from last season and finishes the tournament with areas for improvement and reflection. Their strong defensive performance in the third quarter allowed them to come back and even take the lead. The State Cup holders will now focus on preparations for the European season in the EuroCup, starting with a "home" game in Bulgaria against Valencia this Wednesday.
Everywhere. The red crowd
The chef and fan fan Asaf Granit also came to support.
Game Highlights:
Hapoel "Bank Yahav" Jerusalem lineup: Speedy Smith, Jeremy Morgan, Yovel Zoosman, Justin Smith, Gabi Chachashvili.
Bnei Herzliya lineup: Jimmy Clark, Itai Borg, Shalev Lugasi, John Mix, Chris Silva.
Lugasi scored the first points of the game from beyond the arc, and Justin Smith answered with the red team's first field goal, which was their only one for more than four minutes. Silva got on the board with five consecutive points, and Borg added a three-pointer while Hapoel struggled to hit their shots. Chris Johnson came off the bench to break the drought with an offensive rebound basket, but Lugasi and Mix hit from deep, and even a timeout from Jonathan Alon couldn’t wake his players up. Chachashvili scored under the basket and assisted Johnson for a basket-and-foul that brought Hapoel closer, 10-21. A dunk by Josh Hawley energized Herzliya’s bench, but a three-pointer by Harper—Hapoel's first after ten attempts—calmed the opposing bench. Alon Michali capped off the quarter with points from the free-throw line, ending it at 14-25 for Herzliya.
Speedy. Strarting get in
Herzliya continued their hot shooting from beyond the arc, this time from Mix and Borg, with the Israeli player adding an impressive crossover for two more. Justin Smith kept the red team within a reasonable distance with a block under the basket and four points in the paint. Borg received two quick technical fouls and was ejected. Nevertheless, the momentum didn’t shift: Borg hit another acrobatic shot, and a layup from Clark pushed Herzliya to a stunning 21-41 lead. Hapoel managed a rare three from Zoosman, but in the following minutes stayed in the game largely thanks to Harper, who repeatedly reached the free-throw line. Lugasi’s strong first half continued with a layup on a fast break, but Justin Smith remained Hapoel's steady performer until halftime, when Herzliya led 35-47.
In the third quarter, Borg was the first to score, and Mix added two of his own, but these were the red team's minutes—as they applied tight defense, leading to a remarkable 2:15 run that closed the gap to just one point. The red blitz continued with a steal and points from Harper on the fast break, giving Hapoel their first lead of the game. An unsportsmanlike foul from Clark on Zoosman followed. Justin Smith maintained control in the paint, and alongside Johnson, he pushed Hapoel to a 52-59 lead. Three-pointers from Borg and Mix got Orlando's team out of their slump, but Speedy Smith returned the favor with one of his own, keeping the red advantage. Harper continued to get to the free-throw line, ending the quarter with a score of 61-66 for Hapoel.
Both teams tightened their defenses at the start of the fourth quarter, making scoring difficult. Herzliya closed the gap to one with baskets from Clark and Mix, but Speedy Smith provided a little breathing room for the Jerusalem team. Clark demonstrated he was the main man for Herzliya in the closing minutes, once again narrowing it to one point, but Justin Smith remained aggressive with points in the paint. A basket-and-foul by Mix brought Herzliya within reach, but Harper took responsibility, pushing the score to 70-73. Clark hit two free throws, and this time Orlando's team seized the opportunity—Clark added another drive to restore his team’s lead. Silva tripled Herzliya's advantage, but Harper scored four in a row to flip the lead back and give Hapoel a one-point advantage. Silva aggressively drove to the basket and again finished with a basket-and-foul. Harper turned the ball over and missed on the next possession—meanwhile, Lugasi handled the pressure at the line, putting Herzliya up 77-81 with less than half a minute left. Zoosman scored quickly, but Silva answered with free throws, and Herzliya advanced to the semifinals with a solid 79-83 victory.
Hapoel Scorers:
Harper 23 (14-16 from the line), Justin Smith 16, Zoosman 14, Speedy Smith 8, Johnson 7, Chachashvili 5, Cornelius 4, Morgan 2.
Herzliya Scorers:
Mix 20 (seven rebounds), Borg 17, Lugasi (6/6 from the line) and Silva 14 each, Clark 10, Michali and Hawley 3 each, Ben David 2.
The red team from the capital won't defend their title from last season and finishes the tournament with areas for improvement and reflection. Their strong defensive performance in the third quarter allowed them to come back and even take the lead. The State Cup holders will now focus on preparations for the European season in the EuroCup, starting with a "home" game in Bulgaria against Valencia this Wednesday.
Everywhere. The red crowd
The chef and fan fan Asaf Granit also came to support.
Game Highlights:
Hapoel "Bank Yahav" Jerusalem lineup: Speedy Smith, Jeremy Morgan, Yovel Zoosman, Justin Smith, Gabi Chachashvili.
Bnei Herzliya lineup: Jimmy Clark, Itai Borg, Shalev Lugasi, John Mix, Chris Silva.
Lugasi scored the first points of the game from beyond the arc, and Justin Smith answered with the red team's first field goal, which was their only one for more than four minutes. Silva got on the board with five consecutive points, and Borg added a three-pointer while Hapoel struggled to hit their shots. Chris Johnson came off the bench to break the drought with an offensive rebound basket, but Lugasi and Mix hit from deep, and even a timeout from Jonathan Alon couldn’t wake his players up. Chachashvili scored under the basket and assisted Johnson for a basket-and-foul that brought Hapoel closer, 10-21. A dunk by Josh Hawley energized Herzliya’s bench, but a three-pointer by Harper—Hapoel's first after ten attempts—calmed the opposing bench. Alon Michali capped off the quarter with points from the free-throw line, ending it at 14-25 for Herzliya.
Speedy. Strarting get in
Herzliya continued their hot shooting from beyond the arc, this time from Mix and Borg, with the Israeli player adding an impressive crossover for two more. Justin Smith kept the red team within a reasonable distance with a block under the basket and four points in the paint. Borg received two quick technical fouls and was ejected. Nevertheless, the momentum didn’t shift: Borg hit another acrobatic shot, and a layup from Clark pushed Herzliya to a stunning 21-41 lead. Hapoel managed a rare three from Zoosman, but in the following minutes stayed in the game largely thanks to Harper, who repeatedly reached the free-throw line. Lugasi’s strong first half continued with a layup on a fast break, but Justin Smith remained Hapoel's steady performer until halftime, when Herzliya led 35-47.
In the third quarter, Borg was the first to score, and Mix added two of his own, but these were the red team's minutes—as they applied tight defense, leading to a remarkable 2:15 run that closed the gap to just one point. The red blitz continued with a steal and points from Harper on the fast break, giving Hapoel their first lead of the game. An unsportsmanlike foul from Clark on Zoosman followed. Justin Smith maintained control in the paint, and alongside Johnson, he pushed Hapoel to a 52-59 lead. Three-pointers from Borg and Mix got Orlando's team out of their slump, but Speedy Smith returned the favor with one of his own, keeping the red advantage. Harper continued to get to the free-throw line, ending the quarter with a score of 61-66 for Hapoel.
Both teams tightened their defenses at the start of the fourth quarter, making scoring difficult. Herzliya closed the gap to one with baskets from Clark and Mix, but Speedy Smith provided a little breathing room for the Jerusalem team. Clark demonstrated he was the main man for Herzliya in the closing minutes, once again narrowing it to one point, but Justin Smith remained aggressive with points in the paint. A basket-and-foul by Mix brought Herzliya within reach, but Harper took responsibility, pushing the score to 70-73. Clark hit two free throws, and this time Orlando's team seized the opportunity—Clark added another drive to restore his team’s lead. Silva tripled Herzliya's advantage, but Harper scored four in a row to flip the lead back and give Hapoel a one-point advantage. Silva aggressively drove to the basket and again finished with a basket-and-foul. Harper turned the ball over and missed on the next possession—meanwhile, Lugasi handled the pressure at the line, putting Herzliya up 77-81 with less than half a minute left. Zoosman scored quickly, but Silva answered with free throws, and Herzliya advanced to the semifinals with a solid 79-83 victory.
Hapoel Scorers:
Harper 23 (14-16 from the line), Justin Smith 16, Zoosman 14, Speedy Smith 8, Johnson 7, Chachashvili 5, Cornelius 4, Morgan 2.
Herzliya Scorers:
Mix 20 (seven rebounds), Borg 17, Lugasi (6/6 from the line) and Silva 14 each, Clark 10, Michali and Hawley 3 each, Ben David 2.
.png)
