Ketch and his team defeated Poe Ortz 76:98 and secured their place in the final 16 He signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv

• Jacob Brown celebrates, tonight at the Arena

  Photo:

  Danny Maron

• Jerusalem fans protest against Amara Stodmaier, tonight at Arena

  Photo:

  Danny Maron

• Shelvin Mack, tonight at Arena

  Photo:

  Danny Maron

Hapoel Jerusalem does not have a lot of training because of its gaming load, so the best way for it to integrate players is to play games. Shalvin Mack, who landed in Israel just last week, made his debut on Sunday against Maccabi Ashdod and tonight (Wednesday) he already finished fifth and scored 22 points in 76: 98 over Poe Ortz.

Stoodmeyer's burnt shirt, tonight at Arena // Photo: Danny Maron

The new player adds a lot of balance to the Jerusalem back line and significantly improves the Guard's defense. He is smart, experienced and flowing with the fluency of the game. Another player who seems to have been here for a long time and actually hasn't completed a month since landing in Israel is John Holland who added 18 points and a lot of intensity and aggressiveness on both sides of the field.

Brimu Floating, Tonight in Arena // Photo: Danny Maron

The game, of course, was in the shadow of the announcement received this morning about the signing of the ex (and the owner?) Amara Stodmaier in the ranks of the big rival, Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Red fans cursed the player who until a few months ago loved and considered a type of sergeant and also waved signs "Amara sold Jerusalem". You can only describe what will happen when Maccabi Tel Aviv and Stodmeyer arrive at the Arena in early March.

And back in the game, thanks to the win, Oded Ketch's team retained first place in the second and if they failed to record in the remaining two cycles, they would gain home advantage in the eighth and quarterfinals. On a clear day, it is already possible to start fantasizing about the Final Four Arena in May.