Season Opener: Big Win Against Anibal
Friday 11 Dec, 2009
The much anticipated season, with a new looking team is finally underway. After a nice show with laser lights, fireworks, and Riyadi school players taking center stage displaying some ball handling tricks, the season was finally starting. The title defense was on the way. The first test: Anibal Zahle
Riyadi had a very impressive starting 5 take court as Ali Mahmoud, Jean Abdel-Nour, Nate Johnson, Joe Vogel, and CJ Giles started for Coach Fouad Abu Chakra. The game kicked off with 3 treys from Jean Abdel-Nour to set the tone with a 9-2 lead and the defending Lebanese Champions never looked back! Ali Mahmoud and Joe Vogel hit threes then Jean hit another, the whole first quarter was filled with run and gun offense and some great stingy defense. On his first touch from a Ali Mahmoud pass, CJ Giles went straight up with the ball and dunked as if the crowd of defenders around him where kids! The ball swished the net and the crowd gave him a standing ovation and a nod of agreement to the new Riyadi foreigner. After that Nate had a great facial block on a dunk attempt for Anibal. The first quarter ended 33-16 for the champs and the lead would not go down again! Jean set the tone with 14 first quarter point on route to a game high 21 points.
The second quarter with Ali Fakhredine, Omar Turk and Rodrique Akl on the floor featured more of the same beating, along with some spectacular blocked shots from CJ who showed that his amazing hops and accurate timing would be very well needed this season, he finished with 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. The quarter ended 54-35 and Anibal looked as if they had given up on it all.
During the second half, Ali Mahmoud took control, and Nate hit his regular pull up jumpers, along with CJ getting more touches to finish with 13 points on the night. The third quarter ended 85-51.
The fourth was just a time passing quarter and with 5 minutes to go Coach Fouad had no starter on the court with the lead up to 37 points. Riyadi where looking like a team with great chemistry and some amazing explosiveness that had been missed in the last couple of seasons. The game ended with a huge Riyadi win and a great point to all opponents that the yellow giant is still the best team out there!
The final score was 105-75. Riyadi had a balanced attack with 6 players scoring in double figures.
Jean led scorers with 21 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists
Nate had 20 in limited time playing, 2 rebounds and 2 assists as well
CJ Giles had a very impressive debut with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots
Ali Mahmoud had 11 points 6 rebounds and 6 assists
Joe Vogel and Ali Fakhredine each contributed with 10 points and finally Omar had 6 points on 2 threes.
by Jad Halabi |
