Basketball / Mac. T.A. in tatters after 4th loss in row
By Arie Livnat
Maccabi Tel Aviv yesterday were in shambles yesterday after losing their fourth league game in a row - breaking the club's previous record set in 1964 for most consecutive league games lost.
Ironi Ashkelon outplayed the Tel Aviv team, which only last week reached the Euroleague finals, and went on to win 100-91. Led by big man Nikola Vujcic, it seemed like Maccabi were on their way to win in the first two quarters.
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At the start of the second half the score was 51-40 for Maccabi, but then Ashkelon's Chris Massie and Steve Burtt came to life.
The two guards were unstoppable and were largely responsible for their team's 24 points scored in the third quarter in comparison to only 9 by Maccabi. Omri Casspi and Derrick Sharp tried to bring Maccabi back in the game, but Ashkelon held on to win the game.
Following the game, Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Zvika Sherf said he had no intention of tendering his resignation, media reported.
Jon Voight at J'lem
Meanwhile, U.S. actor Jon Voight was in the stands to watch Hapoel Jerusalem bounce back with a 96-84 victory over Ironi Ramat Gan. Sharon Shason of Hapoel Jerusalem was on fire, nailing 5 out of 6 shots from three point range and raking in 17 points for the night.
Big man Erez Markovich received a standing ovation from the Hapoel Jerusalem fans in the stands for scoring 19 points.
In Nahariya, the local team trounced league leader Hapoel Holon 99-78. Nahariya's John Gilchrist had a phenomenal night with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Elton Brown mitigated the damage for Hapoel Holon checking in with 27 points and 5 rebounds.
In last night's last league encounter, Ironi Rishon Letzion scraped by Afula/Gilboa, 79-75. Galil Elyon will face Bnei Hasharon tonight in the round's last game.
Once we were heroes
Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball veterans showed the current team how it's done when they beat their Real Madrid counterparts 126-121 yesterday in an exhibition match in Toledo, Spain.
Maccabi legend Doron Jamchi proved he had not lost his touch, raking in 29 points while Moti Daniel, famous for his contribution off the bench, scored 27 points.
Other former Maccabi stars in Toledo included Moti Aroesti and Aulcie Perry, but perhaps Maccabi's biggest star, Miki Berkovich, was absent.
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