Kiryat Ata Completes Dramatic Comeback to Reach Winner Cup Quarterfinals

Ironi Kiryat Ata has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Winner Cup basketball tournament after a thrilling 98-99 overtime victory against Hapoel HaEmek in the second play-in game. The team, coached by Eldad Benteov, staged a remarkable comeback after trailing by 30 points in the first quarter. They will now face reigning champions Maccabi Tel Aviv in the next round.

Key players for Kiryat Ata included Daniel Sharon, who scored 22 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, Holland Woods with 21 points, and Tomer Assaig with 20 points. Coach Benteov praised his team's resilience, stating, "We can come back from any deficit. That's the mentality. With the pace we play, anything is possible."

Benteov also highlighted the performance of Daniel Sharon, calling him "amazing" and noting his strong character and minimal errors. He also mentioned the promising debut of Tzur Troskin, who transitioned from the youth league to the senior team, proving he belongs at the top level.

Regarding new additions, Benteov expressed optimism about Tyris Radford, who is expected to bring speed, creativity, shooting, and offensive firepower to the team. Additionally, Jordan Cohen has returned to full practice after an injury and is anticipated to play in the upcoming game, marking his first appearance since his injury.