Before the game in Nahariya, there were many worried people in the Maccabi camp. The defeat in Madrid and the absence of the injured Will Solomon & suspended Maceo Baston, put Pini Gershon’s team with their back to the wall. Usually in these situations Maccabi players are at their fighting best. And that’s what happened to night – a lot of determination & dedication in defense and a lot of fine offensive basketball. And the man who led the team was no other than veteran Derrick Sharp, who proved once again why he was chosen to captain the team. Maccabi started slowly but at the end of the first quarter haa a 10-15 lead. In the second period Maccabi’s lead was opened to 12 pts and at half time 45-36. Ironi Iscar Nahariya were the dominant team in the third period and evened the score at 59-59. A three pointer by Kirk Penney sent the teams to the two minutes break with Maccabi leading 64-59. Maccabi had their best spell at the start of the final period and made the score 79-63 at an end of a 20-4 run. Sharp fouled out and Nahariya ran 9-0. Parker put Maccabi 84-74 up but a series of turnovers enabled the home team to come back to 84-80. In the last two minutes Maccabi assured their 90-83 win with a series of free throws. Maccabi made 45% of their three pointers (10-22), but had too many turnovers (15) and too little assists (13). MVP for the night was Sharp with 27 pts in 69% FG and 100% FT as well as 4 steals. Parker scored 17 pts, pulled down 6 rbds & dished out 4 assists. Other Maccabi scorers: Vujcic 13, Burstein 11, Green 10, Penney 5, Arnold 4, Shason 3 pts. Top scorers for Nahariya: Wells 22 pts & 11 rbds, Hill 18, Carr & Young 13 pts each. .