Gaza City Edges Akhwan in a Thrilling Sunday Finish

The MBL Division 2 slate this week proved once again that parity defines this league, with four of the six contests decided by five points or fewer. From high-flying individual performances to hard-fought defensive stands, Sunday’s action at Open Gym Premier left no doubt that the standings remain volatile. While teams like Bucket Cartel and Most Hated continue to hold their ground at the top of the table, the middle of the pack tightened up significantly as squads battled to stay relevant in the playoff hunt.

The Games

Gaza City 64, Akhwan 62

In the most tightly contested matchup of the week, Gaza City secured a narrow 2-point victory over Akhwan. Soloman Awad proved to be the difference-maker, dropping 29 points on 9-of-19 shooting while adding four rebounds and two steals. Muneer Saied provided vital support with 13 points, while Mason Jones controlled the paint with eight rebounds. For Akhwan, Aamir Ansari matched Awad’s scoring output with 29 points of his own, and Yasser Harmoush kept the pressure high by hitting 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. Ultimately, Gaza City’s ability to manage the closing minutes allowed them to hold off a late charge and escape with the win.

PTSD 77, My Condolences 55

PTSD flexed their offensive muscles in a commanding 22-point victory over My Condolences. Abrahem Haidar led the charge with an efficient 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting, setting the tone early for the offense. Humza Shariff was a force across the board, narrowly missing a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Jad Shehadeh contributed 14 points and two blocks. Yanal Zakarni led the scoring for My Condolences with 16 points, but his team struggled to find an answer for PTSD’s balanced attack. The win reinforces PTSD's position as a serious contender as they move to 5-2 on the season.

Legal Lions 71, Washed Kings 69

The Legal Lions squeaked past the Washed Kings in a game that was decided by just two points. Jacob Guzman was the engine for the Lions, tallying 23 points, six rebounds, and seven assists to keep the offense moving. Wajeeh Mahmood added a team-high 24 points, helping the Lions survive a legendary individual performance from the opposition. Despite the loss, Aaman Soma was phenomenal for the Washed Kings, recording a massive double-double with 27 points and 18 rebounds on near-perfect 7-of-9 shooting. His efficiency kept the Kings within striking distance until the final buzzer.

Most Hated 74, Poole Party 72

In a high-scoring track meet, Most Hated maintained their winning ways by edging out Poole Party in a 74–72 barnburner. Omar Almoukdad was instrumental in the victory, pouring in 26 points and connecting on 5-of-11 from downtown. Kevin El Basri chipped in 13 points and seven assists, while Arman Nazarzai acted as the primary facilitator, racking up eight assists to fuel the Most Hated attack. Faris Bustami fought hard for Poole Party with 17 points and seven assists, and Ayman Suliman added 21 points in the losing effort. The narrow victory was crucial for Most Hated as they continue to share the top record in the league.

The Last Dance 54, Levant 51

Defensive grit was the theme as The Last Dance grinded out a 3-point victory against Levant. Zaid Dadabhoy paced The Last Dance with 15 points, while Amjad Aryan provided a necessary interior presence by grabbing 11 rebounds. Irfan Anwar was a defensive nuisance, contributing four steals and eight points to keep the momentum on their side. Sigli Amadu put forth a valiant effort for Levant with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double, and Ali Ankir added 12 points and nine boards. Despite Levant’s efforts on the glass, The Last Dance made the critical plays in the closing stages to seal the result.

Bucket Cartel 82, Al Aqsanauts 60

The Bucket Cartel dominated their matchup, cruising to a 22-point victory behind an explosive offensive display. Ayaan Ismail caught fire from deep, draining seven three-pointers on his way to a game-high 26 points. Yasseen Elmeligui commanded the paint, putting up a monster 15-point, 16-rebound double-double while also handing out six assists. Sabri Elfarra led the Al Aqsanauts with 15 points and six assists, and Amer Bishara added 19 points in the defeat. The win keeps the Bucket Cartel locked in a tie for first place with a 6-1 record.

Honors

This week saw several standout individual efforts, but none more impressive than the performance by Aaman Soma, who is our Player of the Week for his massive 27-point, 18-rebound double-double. Yasseen Elmeligui also earned recognition for his dominant 15-point, 16-rebound double-double in the Bucket Cartel’s win, while Ayaan Ismail’s seven-triple shooting clinic highlighted the league's offensive depth. Arman Nazarzai earns a nod for his floor generalship, leading the pack with eight assists.

Looking Ahead

The intensity is set to ramp up next Sunday as the 5-2 PTSD squad faces off against the 6-1 Most Hated team in a matchup that will have significant implications for the top of the Division 2 standings.