Hapoel Eilat Secures Hard-Fought Victory, Coach Praises Team's Character

Hapoel Eilat achieved their third win of the season, narrowly defeating Hapoel Be'er Sheva/Dimona 88-86 on Monday. This victory ended a two-game losing streak, improved their record to 3-2, and moved them into fourth place in the league standings. Coach Oren Aharoni highlighted the team's strong defensive effort in the final three minutes and praised clutch three-pointers from Abel Cabell and Bryan Cameron, attributing the win to the team's "character." He also noted that a defensive scheme change contributed to the success against a dangerous Be'er Sheva team known for its shooting ability.

Four Eilat players scored in double figures, led by Kendall McCollum with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Tzuf Ben Moshe added 17 points and 5 rebounds, while Jabonte Hawkins contributed 16 points. James Dickey continued his strong performance with 12 points and 7 rebounds. The team was particularly satisfied with their ability to maintain pressure and intensity in the closing moments, demonstrating character to secure a crucial win in a difficult game.

Aharoni acknowledged that the team struggled initially when Be'er Sheva increased their aggressiveness and the referees allowed more physical play. However, he felt the team adjusted well in the fourth quarter, executing effectively on offense and defense. Eilat outrebounded Be'er Sheva 35-26 and recorded 12 steals compared to the opponent's 5. A point of concern for Eilat is their 16 turnovers, which they aim to reduce.

Looking ahead, Aharoni commented on the league's competitiveness, stating that outside of the top three teams, any team can be beaten on a given day. He emphasized the need for the right approach, intensity, and focus for each game. Hapoel Eilat's next game will be an away match against Hapoel Galil Elyon, who currently have an identical record.