Week 1 Recap: Ansari Drops 27, Gaza City Loses a Double-Double Duel
Twelve teams, six games, and one night at Open Gym Premier to set the tone for the season. Week 1 gave us a four-point thriller, a 21-point statement, and one of the stranger losses you'll see all year.
The Games
Bucket Cartel 64, Legal Lions 50
Bucket Cartel put four players in double figures and shot the lights out doing it. Yasseen Elmeligui led the way with 18 points and 9 rebounds on 7-of-12, while Raaidh Afaz buried five threes for 19. The most efficient night of the entire week belonged to Adil Ismail, who was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field — all three from deep — on his way to 13 points and 3 steals. Jacob Guzman kept the Lions afloat with 19 on 7-of-8 shooting, but he didn't get enough help.
Poole Party 63, My Condolences 42
The biggest margin of the week. Ayman Suliman was the best player on the floor with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting and 6-of-7 from the line, and Faris Bustami added 11 on 5-of-6. My Condolences got 16 from Ennes Kahf, including four threes, but couldn't string together enough stops.
Akhwan 73, Al Aqsanauts 68
The best game of the night. Aamir Ansari was the story: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a spotless 8-for-8 from the free throw line — the top individual performance of Week 1. Adam Torki backed him with 20 and 6. Al Aqsanauts had every chance, getting 21 and 9 from Sabri Elfarra, 20 from Waleed Khaliq on a blistering 6-of-9 from three, and a well-rounded 17-8-3-2 from Yousif Zanana. Akhwan just made the last few plays.
The Last Dance 57, Gaza City 48
Gaza City got a double-double from both of its best players and still lost. Alexis Moore went for 23 and 11, Alex Carmon added 18 and 10 with 3 steals, and the rest of the roster combined for 7 points. The Last Dance won it with balance instead: Zaid Dadabhoy scored 21 with three triples and 8-of-11 at the stripe, Juhaim Ali chipped in 16 on 6-of-9, and Ahmed Chawla and Irfan Anwar grabbed 15 boards between them.
Most Hated 54, Levant 50
The closest game of the week. Omar Almoukdad's 16 points and perfect 6-for-6 from the line kept Most Hated ahead, but the difference was Musab Elashegh, who ripped down a league-high 15 rebounds to go with 8 points. Ali Ankir did everything he could for Levant with 13 points, 4 threes, and 3 blocks.
Washed Kings 43, PTSD 33
The grinder of the night — neither team cracked 45. Arsal Bokhari dominated the interior with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks on 7-of-9 shooting, and no one else on the floor reached 12. PTSD shot themselves out of it, getting 11 from Ravi Sharma and 10 from Poyesh Rahmani with almost nothing else.
Week 1 Leaders
| Category | Leader |
|---|---|
| Points | Aamir Ansari (Akhwan) — 27 |
| Rebounds | Musab Elashegh (Most Hated) — 15 |
| Assists | Ayaan Ismail (Bucket Cartel) — 4 |
| Steals | Six players tied — 3 |
| Blocks | Ali Ankir (Levant), Arsal Bokhari (Washed Kings) — 3 |
| Threes | Waleed Khaliq (Al Aqsanauts) — 6 |
Player of the Week: Aamir Ansari (Akhwan) — 27 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 8-for-8 from the line in a five-point win. Nobody else touched his game score of 24.2.
Double-doubles: Alexis Moore (23/11), Alex Carmon (18/10), Arsal Bokhari (16/10).
What We Learned
Bucket Cartel and Poole Party looked like the most complete teams, both winning by double digits behind genuine scoring balance. Gaza City has two legitimate stars and needs a third scorer to show up. And if Akhwan gets that version of Ansari every week, they're going to be a problem.
Week 2 tips off next Sunday. Poole Party draws Legal Lions, Bucket Cartel meets Gaza City, and Washed Kings get Akhwan in the nightcap.