Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv tonight won its 45th Premier League Championship with a 3-0 sweep over Hapoel Ariel Tel Aviv in the playoff finals.
Thw 112-75 win was Maccabi's ninth this season over their city rivals who led 25-16 towards the end of the first quarter. Maccabi closed the margin to 28-26 and in the second period ran 37-13. At the end of the third the score read 88-56.
Maccabi had an an excellent shooting night: 70% for 2pts, 44% for three, 67% in FG & 87% in FT. The Yellows pulled down 42 rebounds (to 29) and dished out 23 assists (to 9).Six Maccabi players ended in double figures.
Another fine game for Gur Shelef with 18 pts in 67% FG, 6 rbds & 2 assists.
Top scorers for Hapoel: Shashoua 19, Gilbert 12 pts.
In a moving closing ceremony, the three children of the late DSr Tedy Finkelstein, joined captain Gur Shelef in lifting the League Plate.
At half time the League & the Basketball Federation presented the awards for the outstanding players of the 2004/05 season. Saras was elected MVP & together with Antony Parker, Corry Carr (Ashkelon), Calvin Gibbs (Hapoel TA) & Lior Eliyahu (Galil Elyon), form the All League Team.