The Northerners will continue to the second round after 78:85 in Avishai Gordon's debut on the lines
The Reds are still without a loss in the Balkans
Photography:
Alan Shiver
Hapoel Gilboa / Galil is the second Israeli to reach the second home stage of the Balkan league after 78:85 over Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
The Northern team opened the season excellently - despite some decline in capacity in December - and the change of coaches has not stopped it either, at least not at the current point in time.
In an interview with Israel Today, new coach Avishai Gordon said he does not intend to change too much, and that he wants to use the young and energetic group at his disposal to introduce a team that plays at a high pace, presses defensively and goes out quickly for passing attacks.
As of his first game on the lines, Gordon can be pleased.
From the first moment the Reds attacked the opposing players, completely disrupting their attacking play and punishing every mistake with slight baskets in quick attacks.
Rookie Kerry Blackshir put in another great game with 20 points, assisted by Jahiba Floyd (17) and Yiftach Ziv (11).
On the losing side, the orange team was again not concentrated in most stages of the game and this could also be seen on the lower percentages from the penalty line (37%, almost like the percentages outside the arc that stood at 35.7).
Unlike the game against Hapoel Jerusalem, this time Rishon LeZion's comeback attempts were late and not enough. All of Guy Goodes' players were below their normal level and they will have to improve towards the continuation of the struggles in the league. Isaiah Taylor led with 17 points at a low percentage (3 out of 10 for 2).
In the second stage, Gilboa / Galil will be connected to a house with two Balkan teams, while Hapoel Holon will be placed in the corresponding house with two other rivals from the Balkans.
Each team will play four games away from home and after completing two rounds, the first two places in each house will advance to the Final Four, which is expected to take place in the spring, most likely in Israel.