By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
JP Tokoto and James Young combined for 45 points as Hapoel SP Tel Aviv edged Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, 78-77, Sunday evening.
The former North Carolina standout registered a season-high 24 points to go along with five assists and three rebounds. Young added 21 points. On a reminder, both leading scorers highlighting the fifth win in a row in Israel’s Winner League were NBA draft picks in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Experienced guard J’Covan Brown did not play.
The visitors of the Tel Aviv derby led by Giannis Sfairopoulos dug their way out of a double-digit hole to retake the lead during the fourth quarter. Scottie Wilbekin missing a midrange jumper threw away the last chance to secure the win in the Regular Season Round 15 contest.
Jake Cohen put up a team-high 16 points in the losing effort. Wilbekin got 13 points, Ante Zizic finished with 12 points and John DiBartolomeo had 11 points. Kameron Taylor, Jalen Reynolds, and James Nunnally were out.
Both Tel Aviv clubs now sit at 8-6, tied in fifth place of the domestic league table. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem ranks first carrying a 9-4 record. Hapoel U-NET Holon, Hapoel Nofar Energy Galil Elion, and Bnei Ofek Dist Herzeliya follow tied in second place all with eight wins in 13 games.
Up next for Maccabi Tel Aviv, a couple of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague home games. The Israel powerhouse is scheduled to host Alba Berlin Tuesday and Fenerbahce Beko Thursday.
Sunday results:
Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona – Maccabi Effie Capital Rishon LeZion 68-79
Hapoel SP Tel Aviv – Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 78-77
Photo Credit: Maccabi Tel Aviv BC Twitter