Hapoel Galil Elyon Secures Quarterfinal Berth in Toto Cup

Hapoel Galil Elyon defeated Hapoel HaEmek 83-61 on Saturday in Kfar Blum, securing their spot in the Toto Cup quarterfinals. The team, coached by Idan Avshalom, finished atop Group A with the victory. Galil Elyon trailed by as many as 16 points in the second quarter but mounted a significant comeback with a 21-2 run in the third period to take the lead and maintain it through the end of the game. Nate King led the scoring with 18 points, followed by Maurice Kemp with 16. Ariel Sela and Rani Blecher each contributed 8 points. Having finished the group stage undefeated at 2-0, Avshalom's squad will have nearly a week and a half to rest before facing Ironi Ness Ziona on September 28th in a direct match for a semifinal spot.

During a timeout when trailing by 16, Avshalom encouraged his players, stating, "Don't get excited, we'll be down by 16 many times this year and also up by 16. Fight, enjoy, and play." His team responded, executing a remarkable turnaround, aided by strong crowd support. Post-game, Maurice Kemp commented on the team's defensive principles and preparation, praising the coaching staff and expressing pride in leading the young team. He chose Galil Elyon for the challenge and to test his leadership abilities.

Avshalom acknowledged the team's newness and was pleased with their response, noting their ability to come back after not delivering the first blow. He expressed satisfaction with the second half performance but emphasized there is still a long way to go. The coach also revealed that the team is actively seeking a center to strengthen the roster.