Hapoel Holon enjoyed a crazy atmosphere, led all the way through Game 2 and sealed their second Winner League title ever with a 2-0 sweep over Bnei Herzliya.
The hosts prevailed by 90-74 (28-22, 21-20, 21-15, 20-17), celebrating their first Israeli league trophy in 14 years.
In front of a crowd of 5,600, Joe Ragland made sure to keep everyone on their toes with a wonderful performance and 23 points that sealed his personal, as well as his team’s historic playoff run.
Guy Goodes joined the team when Holon were on the verge of elimination from the Champions League, took them to the Final Four and tonight celebrated his first championship as head coach, after winning seven as a player and five as an assistant coach.
Aside from Ragland, the champs also got a big game from Chris Johnson, who repeatedly took care of business, in addition to putting up 13 points. Hayden Dalton was the X-Factor off the bench with 11 points, while Tyrus McGee offered 16.
Herzliya had very much hoped to celebrate a historic double, but closed the best season in club's history with an Israeli Cup title and a first appearance in the final.
Oren Aharoni's team again found themselves chasing from the first moment and unlike the previous game, did not know how to generate significant momentum that would give them the advantage.
Winner League MVP Chinanu Onuaku was held down to 12 points and 11 rebounds, but still racked up another double-double. Maurice Kemp dropped 21 points an a perfect 11/11 from the charity stripe, at a time when sharpshooter Chris Babb was left in single-digits (9).
Hapoel Holon: Joe Ragland 23 (9/20 FG, 3/3 FT, 3 REB, 7 AST), Tyrus McGee 16 (3/11 FG, 8/10 FT, 5 REB), Chris Johnson 13 (6/11 FG, 6 REB, 2 ST), Rafi Menco 11 (4/6 FG, 5 REB), Hayden Dalton 11 (5 REB).
Bnei Herzliya: Maurice Kemp 21 (5/9 FG, 11/11 FT, 5 REB), Chinanu Onuaku 12 (5/9 FG, 2/4 FT, 11 REB, 4 TO), Chris Babb 9, Andy Van Vliet 9.
Full game highlights:
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