|
|
*** MOROCCAN MEN BASKETBALL MAIN PAGE ***
 | Final Results | |
|
| |  | Final Results
Despite IRTs management complains, the Moroccan Federation choose Tetouan for hosting the 2008 final. Only 2000 IRTs fans watched the game while 5000 stayed outside the small gymnasium. Never the less, Tangiers crowd has helped and supported his team whenever she needed.
The final was intense and somewhat disappointing concerning the level of play. ASS struggled against IRT 2-3 zone defense, and IRT stars players lacked to shine mainly because of the good ASS men to men defense. Lot of turnovers and a very low shooting range from both teams, explains the low score at the end of regulation time: 52-52. The extratime saw a beautiful duel between Zakaria Mesbahi (ASS) and Tunisian Marouane Kechrid (IRT). Both of them took the responsibility of the game and showed all their talents during the last minutes of the game. Marouane Kechrid was better this time, scoring 15 points in the last 5 minutes of the game. Final score: 71- 68. IRT won his second League Championship.
Finals MVP: Marouane Kechrid (IRT)
Best coach of the year (elected by the Moroccan Basketball Coaches Associaton (AMEB): Nizar Mesbahi (IRT) |
|
|
| Semi Finals | |
|
| | | Play-off Semi finals Results:
The 2008 Semi-finals were intense and somehow surprising.
IRT won the first game at home versus MAS and create the surprise with another win at Fs. IRT players simply played their best game of the season when no one was expecting it (Khalfi scoring 9 out of 10 three points shot, kajaj and Papis ending the game with a triple double). IRT got qualified to the 2008 Final with 2-0, sending MAS for an early summer break.
The second semi final saw ASS winning WAC in a 2-1 score games. ASS had the advantage to play the 3rd game at home and coach Driss Houari did not miss the chance to take his team to his career 14th final game. |
|
|
| Ronny Turiaf stopped by Boston Celtics | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Jun 18, 2008 | | | Boston Celtics were too strong Ronny Turiaf's (208-C/F-83, college: Gonzaga) Lakers beating them in the game number six 131-92. It means that Celtics captured the 17th NBA title finishing final series against Lakers 4-2. It also means that Ronny Turiaf will have to wait for another chance to get NBA ring.
The finals series started badly for Lakers as they lost first two games. From the beginning of the final they couldn't find a solution to stop Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Lakers finally grabbed victory in third game 87-81. Turiaf's team had a nice chance to do the same and to tie the score in the finals after fourth game as they had great 24 points lead but Celtics didn't give up. They made fantastic turn celebrating in this game 97-91. In seemed that it was a crucial game in this NBA final. Lakers took the next one coming closer once again on 2-3 but last night they suffered serious defeat. Once again Garnett, Pierce and Allen were unstoppable. Celtics smashed Lakers winning 131-92. Kobe Bryant had terrible shooting night having only 7 of 22 from the field. It for sure wasn't performance which Lakers' fans expected from their superstar.
At his third season with Lakers Ronny Turiaf was close to win the NBA ring. He played 78 games for Lakers in regular season averaging 6.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.4 bpg. He had much lower digits in the play-off where he for 19 games averaged 2 ppg and 1.4 rpg. Turiaf joined Lakers in 2005 after he graduated at Gonzaga University. |
|
|
|
| Mohamed Hachad close to French Pro B final | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Jun 5, 2008 | | | Guard Mohamed Hachad (194-G-83, college: Northwestern) and his St-Etienne succeeded to beat Besancon 90-82 on the road tying the score in the semifinals of French Pro B on 1-1.
St-Etienne suffered defeat at the first game at their home court. Besancon registered an easy win beating them 92-76. Despite this inconvenient defeat Mohamed Hachad and his teammates did not give up. At the second game, which was played at Besancon yesterday, they showed totally different face. Their willingness to reach the final was obvious. St-Etienne finished first quarter with plus 4 while 10 minutes later its lead became bigger, 34-41. Later, at the third stanza visitors couldn't make any bigger advantage as the host always was enough close to threat. Terrance Johnosn of Besancon was unstoppable and he was one of the main reasons why St-Etienne had to give its 100% until the end. With lot of efforts at the defensive end St-Etienne succeeded to enter into the last quarter with plus 9. During the last ten minutes visitors totally controlled rhythm of the game keeping advantage until the very end.
Mohamed Hachad was in a starting five of his team spending 33 minutes on court. He scored 19 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. At the same time he had a solid shot percentage: 1/2 FT, 3/4 FG2, 4/7 3-pts.
St-Etienne will have a chance on Saturday at their home court to reach the final of Pro B. |
|
|
|
| Play-off Quarter Finals Results | |
|
| | | In group 1, despite winning ASS with 13 points and IRT with 10 points at home, FUS could not qualified to the next round. With 25 points difference home win over FUS, ASS insured its qualification to the semi-finals.
The season has ended for FUS, while IRT and ASS are still in the road of the 2008 championship.
In group 2, after winning their game, WAC already earned her semi-final ticket. Things are not easier for RCA and MAS who will have to play this weekend for the next round qualification. |
|
|
| News from Morocco | |
|
| | | Excellent season so far for MAS! With the Kings Cup Trophy in their hand, and their good tournament in the 21st Arab Clubs Championship (being the first Moroccan teams ever qualified to the second round), MAS players and coach are pretty confident for the play-off.
MAS' coach has been approached from the Federation for coaching the men national team. Coach Ait Ouali decided to concentrate with his team for the moment and will take his decision at the end of the season.
Play-off time in Morocco Division 1! 6 teams will compete in two different groups for the semi-finals spots.
Group 1: RCA, MAS, WAC
Group 2: IRT, FUS, ASS
Coach Khalil Rouas has been appointed National Tecnical Director of the Moroccan Federation FRMBB. |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
