FIBA Champions League 20-21
Asi Maman
Willie Workman and Maxim de Zhao arrest Samih Arden (Radad Jabara)
Hapoel Holon is currently continuing its impressive European journey when it hosts Turkish Karsiyaka for the third game of the top 16 of the FIBA Champions League at the Toto Hall in the city. For the first time in more than a year, 500 Holon fans were allowed to enter the hall and support their team.
The team of Stefanos Dadas, who won the first two games at this stage the other two teams at home – Topash Bursa and Brindisi, is trying to close the first round with a perfect balance, which will bring it very close to securing promotion to the quarterfinals from one of the first two places at home.
But the rival does not plan to make life easy. Karsiyaka is in second place in the Turkish league, after Andulo Zero but ahead of the strong Fenerbahce and is recording an excellent season in which it is aiming high in the European arena as well.
First quarter: 8:16 to Hapoel Holon
Hapoel Holon quintet: C.J. Harris, Isaiah Miles, Willie Workman, Chris Johnson and Maxim de Zhao.
Karsiyaka Quintet: Sack Henry, Tony Taylor, Matkan Byrnes, Amath Ambia and Samih Arden.
Holonia started frantically on both sides of the floor, when in attack C.J. Harris sniped two threes and set up a quick 0: 6, and in defense Dadas’ players showed aggression and prevented the Turks from producing points. The yellow momentum continued and Maxim de Zhao sniped a three-pointer, added another dunk and raised the host to 0:12, forcing the Turkish coach to lower his trainees to a timeout, after 4:30 minutes in a one-sided stand. The visitors scored their first points just after 6:30 minutes of basketball when Tony Taylor scored a three and shrank to 12: 3. By the end of the opening 10 minutes the Turks managed to minimize some damage, but Holon still kept them on a single digit with 8:16.
Second quarter
Frederic Bourdieu returned Holon to a double-digit lead with a three from the corner that raised to 10:21, while on the other side Dadas’ tough defense continued to produce stops.
