After a thriller: a win for Avrahami and his players

Hapoel "Gilat Telecom" HaEmek, who last season reached the Winner Cup semi-finals, have opened the 2026 pre-season tournament on the right foot as well. Sharon Avrahami's side beat Maccabi "Kna'an Group" Ramat Gan 77-75 in a home game held at Remez Hall in Kiryat Ata, and moved to 1-0 in Group A. The Gan Ner outfit can secure their place in the quarter-finals in their next game on 19 September, when they travel to Hapoel Galil Elyon.

Scorers for Hapoel HaEmek: Malik Hall 19, Cameron Henry 17, Karl Guzman 13, Gil Nuyovich 11, Christian McCullough 7, Lucas Goldenberg 6, Roi Netzia and C.J. Elleby 2 apiece.

Scorers for Maccabi Ramat Gan: Justin Lewis 20 (11 rebounds), Ahmad Caver 16, Bryce Washington 13, L.J. Figueroa 12, Lior Karara 6, Justin Allen 5, Gil Beni 3.

Hapoel HaEmek were one of the most impressive sides in the league in the first half of last season, largely thanks to excellent defensive play. Judging by their first official game of the 2026/27 campaign, it appears defence will remain their strong point. The hosts held their opponents to just 12 points in the final quarter, and thanks to that managed to wipe out a ten-point deficit at the start of it on the way to victory at the end of a thriller. Malik Hall, who knows the hall well from his time at Kiryat Ata last season, led the scorers with 19 points. Another new import at HaEmek, Christian McCullough, finished with only seven points – but five of them came in money time and helped Avrahami come out on top.

The HaEmek outfit opened their campaign on the right foot (photo: Maor Elkaslasi)

Hall. Led the scorers with 19 points (photo: Maor Elkaslasi)

Ramat Gan, who lost both of their games in the group stage of the competition last season, came very close to ending the drought and opening the campaign with an away win that would have brought them nearer to the quarter-finals, but as noted they let a double-digit lead slip. Gil Beni came close to sending the game to overtime on the buzzer, but his lay-up slipped out – and the visitors fell to 0-1. Justin Lewis, one of the new imports in the squad, was the standout bright spot with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Elad Hasin's side will look to bounce back next Wednesday, when they are due to host Hapoel Galil Elyon at Zisman Hall.

Lewis. Stood out for Ramat Gan with 20 points and 11 rebounds (photo: Maor Elkaslasi)

Beni. Came close to sending the game to overtime (photo: Maor Elkaslasi)

How the game went

The hosts in white started with Nuyovich, Henry, Elleby, Netzia and Hall, while the visitors in blue went with Beni, Caver, Lewis, Figueroa and Washington. Ramat Gan started the contest slightly better and went 16-11 ahead, with 11 of their first points coming from Lewis. HaEmek responded with an 11-4 run led by Guzman, and completed the turnaround on the way to a 22-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Avrahami's side continued to lead for most of the second quarter, mainly thanks to a good showing from Hall, who reached 14 points by the break. That said, at no stage did their lead stretch beyond five points, while Caver and Figueroa kept the visitors close. 43-42 to Hapoel HaEmek at half-time.

The lead changed hands five times at the start of the third quarter, but towards the end of it Lewis stepped up once again – and set Ramat Gan up with a 63-58 lead heading into the final ten minutes at Remez Hall. The visitors' lead grew into double digits at the start of the decisive quarter (68-58) after a three from Allen and two more from Washington. The hosts refused to throw in the towel, and with 1:15 left a three-point play from McCullough made it 73-73. About half a minute later Henry completed the turnaround, but on the next possession Figueroa made it 75-75. McCullough drew a foul on the following possession and converted both free throws, and Beni's attempt to send the game to overtime failed. 77-75 at the final buzzer to Hapoel HaEmek.

Guzman. Scored 13 points for the winners (photo: Maor Elkaslasi)

Henry. 17 points for the import who stayed for a second season at Hapoel HaEmek (photo: Maor Elkaslasi)

The Gan Ner outfit came back from a double-digit deficit and moved to 1-0 in Group A (photo: Maor Elkaslasi)