Game 3 of the 1st semi-final Alcatel vs Arab Potash:

Arab Potash came out strong as they were determined to win the third and decisive game to reach the finals and they were able to take the first quarter 16-9. In the second quarter, Arab Potash continued their strong play and went into halftime leading 44-22.

In the third quarter, Alcatel tried to fight back and they were able to cut the lead down to 14 before Arab Potash made another run to get the lead back up to 22 (57-35). The fourth and final quarter didn't bring anything new as the result of the game was already determined as Arab Potash advanced to the finals and will wait to see who they will play as they await the winner between Zain & Bank Audi.

Scorers:
Arab Potash:
Fadi Yaghmour 23 pts
Ihab Imseeh 14 pts
Tamer Nino 10 pts
Luay Dajani 10 pts
Mohd Razem 5 pts
Raed Ghosheh 4 pts
Mohd Maswadeh 3 pts
Abdallah Qtaishat 2 pts
Mamdouh Younis 2 pts

Alcatel

Keon Norris 13 pts

Fadi Saqqa 11 pts

Ramar Clash 8 pts

Saliba Amash 7 pts

Ben Reece 3 pts

Brett Weer 2 pts

Moutaz Husseini 1 pt

Written by Faisal Nsour
on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Game 2 of the first semi-final: Alcatel vs Arab Potash

It was do or die for Alcatel as a loss meant they would go to play for third place while Arab Potash would go undefeated to play in the final, that's why Alcatel came out very focused and used nice ball movement and good shooting to take a 19-17 lead after one. In the second quarter, both teams stepped up their defense and baskets were hard to get by and even though Arab Potash tried to cut into Alcatel's lead but they couldn't do that as a three at the end of the quarter allowed Alcatel to go into the break leading 34-28.

In the third quarter, Arab Potash came out determined to show their level of play that allowed them to go undefeated in the league so far, and they were able to cut the lead down to only 3 at the end of the quarter (43-46). But in the fourth and final quarter, Alcatel just wanted the win more as they were able to take the quarter 23-16 and win the game 69-59

Scorers:
Arab Potash
Luay Dajani 14 pts
Ihab Imseeh 14 pts
Fadi Yaghmour 12 pts
Mohd Maswadeh 8 pts
Raed Ghosheh 7 pts
Mamdouh Younis 4 pts

Alcatel
Ramar Clash 25 pts
Fadi Saqqa 15 pts
Samer Qardan 10 pts
Saliba Amash 8 pts
Keon Norris 6 pts
Moutaz Husseini 5 pts

Written by Faisal Nsour

on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Game One of the 1st Semi-final: Alcatel vs Arab Potash

First semi-final game saw the number one seed Arab Potash take on the fourth seed Alcatel. The start of the game was very slow as both teams struggled to score and the first three minutes were scoreless. The first quarter was a low scoring one as Arab Potash scored 14 points compared to only 11 by Alcatel. The second quarter was a better scoring quarter but neither team was able to create a big lead as teams traded baskets equally to go into halftime with Arab Potash leading 34-31.

In the third quarter, Arab Potash got a big lead early in the quarter only to see Alcatel fight back and cut the lead back down to three points (48-45). In the fourth and final quarter, Alcatel were able to not just tie the score, but also to take the lead a few minutes into the quarter then there were 7 lead changes in the quarter before untimely free throw misses by Alcatel cost them game one of the semi-finals with Arab Potash winning 68-66.

Scorers:

Arab Potash
Fadi Yaghmour 26 pts
Ihab Imseeh 18 pts
Mamdouh Younis 9 pts
Luay Dajani 9 pts
Raed Ghosheh 3 pts
Abdallah Qtaishat 2 pts
Mohd Maswadeh 1 pt

Alcatel
Ramar Clash 17 pts
Keon Norris 12 pts
Fadi Saqqa 11 pts
Saliba Amash 10 pts
Ben Reece 7 pts
Moutaz Husseini 5 pts
Brett Weer 4 pts

Written by Faisal Nsour

on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Alcatel vs Arab Potash

Another amazing game in the Old Timers League, a game that witnessed big runs, hot shooting and a tip on a missed free throw to win the game!!!

In the first quarter, Alcatel came out hot as they were hitting from all angles to take a 25-17 lead at the end of one. In the second quarter, Arab Potash used a couple of mini runs to cut into Alcatel's lead and go into halftime trailing 38-45.

In the third quarter, Alcatel's hot shooting (4 threes in the quarter and 11 threes for the game) was met by Arab Potash's effective transition game as both teams scored at will to go into the fourth and final quarter with Alcatel leading 64-60. Alcatel maintained their lead throughout the fourth quarter and they had a three point lead (75-72) with less than two minutes to go and then after a turnover, Arab Potash were able to cut it down to 75-74 with less than a minute to go. On the next possession, Alcatel turned the ball over, then fouled with 7 seconds to go. Arab Potash made the first free throw to tie the game at 75 each, then missed the second free throw but an unlikely tip was the winner for Arab Potash who came away with a come from behind win 77-75.

Scorers:

Arab Potash
Ihab Imseeh 26 pts
Fadi Yaghmour 20 pts
Tamer Nino 13 pts
Luay Dajani 9 pts
Mamdouh Younis 4 pts
Raed Ghosheh 3 pts
Mohd Maswadeh 2 pts

Alcatel

Fadi Saqqa 26 pts

Keon Norris 20 pts

Saliba Amash 13 pts

Ramar Clash 6 pts

Moutaz Husseini 3 pts

Ben Reece 3 pts

Issa Marto 2 pts

Brett Weer 2 pts

Written by Faisal Nsour
on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Alcatel vs Zain

On cold wet night, thye had a hot competitive game inside as Zain and Alcatel battled it out. The first quarter was a relatively high scoring quarter as Zain jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first minutes but then Alcatel started making some shots and they were back in the game as they were able to cut the lead down to only 4 points at the end of the quarter (23-19). In the second quarter, Zain upgraded their defensive pressure and held Alcatel to only 11 second quarter points while scoring 20 points to go into the halftime leading 43-30.

In the third quarter, both teams traded baskets as neither was able to go on a run with Zain winning the quarter by 1 point thus increasing their lead to 14 points (62-48). In the fourth and final quarter, Alcatel started their comeback as they upped their defensive efforts and increased their offensive transition and they were able to cut the lead into single digits but Zain made a couple of timely baskets to maintain their lead and get away with the W (76-69).

Scorers:

Alcatel:
Saliba Amash 19 pts
Ramar Clash 16 pts
Keon Norris 16 pts
Fadi Saqqa 13 pts
Moutaz Husseini 3 pts
Issa Marto 2 pts

Zain:
Nihad Madi 29 pts
Faisal Nsour 16 pts
Sultan Abu Mariam 11 pts
Kevin Thomas 8 pts
Sohaib Tawil 6 pts
Bassam Qamhieh 6 pts

Written by Faisal Nsour

on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Alcatel vs Bank Audi

A nice competitive high scoring game saw Bank Audi jump out to a 23-18 first quarter lead. Alcatel made some adjustments in the 2nd quarter and were able to slow down Bank Audi and cut the lead to 38-35 going into halftime.

In the third quarter, Bank Audi went back to their up tempo game but Alcatel were able to keep up with them point to point as the quarter ended with Bank Audi leading 60-56. The fourth quarter was a joy to watch as both teams left it all on the floor. Bank Audi hit first as they were able to increase the lead to 7 but then Alcatel quickly cut the lead back 4 and the whole quarter was an amazing see-saw battle with both teams trading beautiful baskets. With less than 2 minutes to go, Bank Audi were able to come up with a key offensive rebound that was converted into 2 points that increased the lead back to 5 and Alcatel just couldn't complete their great comeback as Bank Audi won 82-76

Scorers:
Bank Audi
Ghazi Naber 32 pts
Khaled Quran 13 pts
Raed Owais 13 pts
Ali Farouki 8 pts
Hani Thalji 7 pts
Samer Issa 5 pts
Fawaz Al Shaikh 4 pts

Alcatel:
Keon Norris 26 pts
Ramar Clash 16 pts
Fadi Saqqa 15 pts
Moutaz Husseini 10 pts
Samer Qardan 5 pts
Brett Weer 2 pts
Ben Reece 2 pts

Written by Faisal Nsour

on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Jordan Hospital vs Alcatel

One of the better games in the league so far, both teams put on an offensive show as we had the highest scoring game this year. The first quarter was even as both teams scored at will and Alcatel had a slight advantage finishing the quarter leading 23-20. In the second quarter, Jordan Hospital struggled a little bit offensively as they scored only 17 points while allowing Alcatel to score 30 points which meant Alcatel went into halftime leading by 16 points (53-37).

In the third quarter, Jordan Hospital despite playing short handed gave an impressive effort and got back into the game by scoring 24 points while holding Alcatel to only 15 points which meant we were going to the fourth and final quarter with Alcatel leading by only 7 points (68-61). The lead grew to double digits and reached 15 points with less than 5 minutes to go when Jordan Hospital mounted another comeback to cut the lead to 4 with less than 2 minutes to go before some timely baskets from Alcatel put them game away as Alcatel won 89-81.

Scorers:

Jordan Hospital:
Hussam Lutfi 37 pts
Osama Hamarneh 14 pts
Tareq Abdallat 10 pts
Alexy Gourgourinins 9 pts
Ameer Khatib 6 pts
Saif Halaseh 3 pts
Bassam Al-Shami 2 pts

Alcatel:
Ramar Clash 33 pts
Fadi Saqqa 21 pts
Saliba Amash 16 pts
Keon Norris 11 pts
Issa Marto 7 pts
Moutaz Husseini 1 pt

Written by Faisal Nsour

on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Alcatel vs Arab Potash Co

As their previous games, Arab Potash started hot and quick and finished the first quarter leading 23-10. The lead ballooned to 20 points before Alcatel started their comeback and were able to cut the lead by half to go into the half time break trailing 32-42.

In the third quarter, Arab Potash again started to increase the lead but Alcatel just wouldn't go away as they had another late run in the quarter to go to the break down only 8 (49-57). The fourth quarter which is the highest scoring quarter so far in the league (56 points scored combined) was a scoring festival as both teams scored at will but the lead never went below 7 points as Arab Potash went on to win 86-76. One point worth mentioning is that between the two teams there were 19 three pointers scored!!!

Alcatel 76-86 Arab Potash Co.

Scorers
Alcatel:
Fadi Saqqa 23 pts
Ramar Clash 22 pts
Saliba Amash 14 pts
Samer Qardan 10 pts
Moutaz Husseini 7 pts

Arab Potash Co:
Ihab Imseeh 20 pts
Luay Dajani 19 pts
Raed Ghoseh 16 pts
Tamer Nino 10 pts
Fadi Yaghmour 10 pts
Mamdouh Younis 4 pts
Mohd Razem 3 pts
Mohd Maswadeh 3 pts
Abdullah Qtaishat 1 pt

Written by Faisal Nsour

on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Alcatel Vs. Bank Audi

Second game of the season is in the books as Bank Audi and Alcatel (Moseco group) entertained us with an exciting game. Alcatel started strong and were able to finish the first quarter leading 21-8.

Bank Audi started playing better in the 2nd quarter and they were able to go basket to basket with Alcatel but that wasn't enough as they went into the halftime break trailing 24 to 38.

In the 3rd quarter, the excitement kept rising as Bank Audi were digging themselves out of their hole while Alcatel tried to keep a double digit difference. In the fourth quarter, the difference was cut down to 4 points but then Alcatel responded by scoring 6 consecutive points and Bank Audi seemed to run out of gas which Alcatel used to finish the game winning by 13 points

Final score: Bank Audi 55 - 69 Alcatel (Moseco group)

Scorers:

Bank Audi:
Ghazi Naber 33 pts
Ziad Khair 7 pts
Ali Farouki 4 pts
Samer Issa 4 pts
Hani Thalji 3 pts
Michel Kakish 2 pts
Raed Owais 2 pts

Alcatel:
Ramar Clash 18 pts
Saliba Amash 16 pts
Fadi Saqqa 13 pts
Mutaz Husseini 8 pts
Brett Weer 7 pts
Samer Qardan 7 pts


Old Timers Basketball League Facebook Page

Written by Faisal Nsour
on Old Timers Basketball League official Page

Old Timers Basketball League

Old Timers Basketball League is back on October 13, 2014

Captain Fadi Saqqa Talking About National Team

Old Timers Basketball League: Arab Potash Wins the Title..

CEC (Sajdi & Partners) 102-64 Jordan Hospital 

It was apparent that both teams were disappointed not to be playing in the championship game as both teams deserved to, so the game started off slow as neither team was able to score 20 points in the first quarter which ended with CEC leading 17-14. Both teams stayed close until the last 4 minutes of the second quarter when CEC used a 13-0 run to take a 46-31 lead into halftime. 

In the 3rd quarter, Jordan Hospital managed to score only 10 points compared to 27 points by CEC. Things remained the same in the fourth quarter as CEC scored 29 compared to 23 by Jordan Hospital giving CEC the third place and the highest scoring game of the league with 102 points.

Top Scorers:

CEC: Nihad Madi 27, Fawaz Shaikh 22, Fadi Saqqa 19
Jordan Hospital: Eyad Mohammad 21, Ahmad Bashir 14, Pat McCurry 13

Arab Potash 84-70 Gulf Oil

Gulf Oil came in as the favorites, having the best offense in the league and winning all 10 games they played so far, while Arab Potash were the underdogs as they barely advanced to the finals and having a record of 6 wins and 5 losses. But Arab Potash did have the best defense in the league, so it looks like it is true "offense wins games but defense wins championships".

The first quarter was even as both teams exchanged baskets till the last 2 minutes when Arab Potash used a 10-0 run to end the quarter leading 21-14. Gulf Oil started the second quarter in a good way, as they were able to tie the game 31-31 midway through the period but Arab Potash went on a run to regain the 7 points lead and go into halftime leading 44-37.

In the 3rd period, Gulf Oil were able to cut into the lead and even take a 5 point lead for themselves (59-54) but like the previous 2 quarters, Arab Potash were able to finish the period strong and go to the 4th and final period leading 60-59. In the final period, Arab Potash didn't wait till the end of the quarter to finish strong, they opened up a double digit lead early and then were able to use the clock wisely and withheld any attempt from Gulf Oil to finally win the game with a final score of 84-70

Top Scorers:
Gulf Oil: Ghazi Naber 37, Ziad Nabulsi 12, Luay Dajani 8
Arab Potash: Ramar Clash 25, Samer Qardan 24, Mustafa Ghool 20

Old Timers Basketball League: Second Semi Final Games

Arab Potash 79-70 CEC (Sajdi & Partners)

Wow, one of the best games of the second season, both teams came with their eyes on advancing to the championship game. That probably is why we had a low scoring 1st quarter. And even though Potash had an early lead 11-7 but CEC were able to finish the period up 14-13. In the second period, Arab Potash had their highest scoring period of the whole league with 28 points while CEC scored 22 points to go into halftime with Potash leading 41-36.

In the 3rd period, Arab Potash were able to increase their lead to 66-51 using their speed and quickness. The fourth quarter was the most exciting as CEC were able to hold Arab Potash scoreless for the first 5 minutes while scoring 11 points themselves to cut the lead down to 4 (66-62), but Arab Potash did not panic and they were able to outscore CEC 13-8 in the last five minutes of the game to win 79-70. Hats off for both teams for a wonderful semi-final.

Top scorers:
CEC: Fadi Saqqa 24, Sultan Abu Mariam 15, Nihad Madi 13
Arab Potash: Ramar Clash 27, Douglas Dye 18, Samer Qardan 17

Old Timers Basketball League: CEC Vs. Arab Potash

A nice competitive game! That was game one of the second semi-final. First quarter was pretty even as CEC managed to finish the period on top 16-14. In the second quarter, Arab Potash scored only 12 points compared to 20 for CEC to go into halftime with a score of 36-26. In the 3rd period, the lead ballooned to 15 midway through the quarter before Arab Potash cut it back down to 10 at the end of the quarter 54-44. 

The final period was the most exciting of the game, as Arab Potash pushed to cut the lead down but CEC countered the Potash run by hitting 3 threes in the period, still Arab Potash were within 5 points with a minute and a half to go but managed to score only 2 points the rest of the way compared to 6 points by CEC to give us a final score of 76-67 for CEC.

Top scorers:

Arab Potash: Ramar Clash 25, Saliba Amash 17, Samer Qardan 11
CEC (Sajdi & partners): Nihad Madi 28, Fadi Saqqa 14, Fawaz Shaikh 12

Old Timers Basketball League: CEC Vs. Aramex

Last game of the regular season was the most beautiful game so far. With rankings already known, and the match-up for next week's semi-finals set, both teams put on a nice show for all of us to enjoy. During halftime, we had a wonderful kids game where parents enjoyed watching their kids play a mini game.

Aramex started off hot and were able to lead all of the first half. In the 3rd quarter the lead was up to 24 points, then CEC started a huge comeback to cut it down to 10 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The comeback continued at the start of the 4th quarter, as CEC cut the deficit down to 4 before Aramex pushed the lead back up to 10 (67-57) with little over 3 minutes to go. Then CEC mounted another run to cut the deficit down to 4 (69-65) with a minute and a half to go.

CEC then hit a three to cut the deficit down to 1 (69-68) and were able to get a stop on the defensive end then Aramex fouled to send CEC to the line with a chance to take the lead, but CEC scored only one free throw to tie the score 69-69 with 25 seconds to go. Aramex played their last attack perfectly as they let the clock wind down all the way to 2.2 seconds before scoring on a jump shot to take a 71-69 lead. CEC had to chance to win the game but could not get a shot off to give Aramex the win 71-69

Next week's schedule will be as follows:

Sunday Dec 8th: 1st Semi-Final at 7 pm Gulf Oil Middle East vs Jordan Hospital
Tuesday Dec 10th: 2nd Semi-Final at 7 pm Arab Potash vs CEC (Sajdi & Partners)

Friday Dec 13th: 2 games at 4 & 6 pm
1st Semi Final: Gulf Oil Middle East vs Jordan Hospital at 4 pm
2nd Semi Final: Arab Potash vs CEC (Sajdi & partners) at 6 pm

Old Timers Basketball League: CEC Vs. Jordan Hospital

Jordan Hospital 59-69 CEC (Sajdi & partners)

CEC never trailed in tonight's game as they led from wire to wire. They jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter after hitting 4 threes in the quarter to lead 22-9. The second quarter was much closer as Jordan Hospital scored 17 points to CEC's 19 which resulted in a 41-26 half time score. Third quarter was similar to the second as CEC outscored Jordan Hospital by 2 points (14-12) to enter the fourth period leading 55-38.

In the final period, Jordan Hospital finally showed their true colors as they outscored CEC 19-12 but that wasn't enough to close the big gap as the final score was 69-59 in favor of CEC.

Top scorers:

CEC (Sajdi & partners): Fadi Saqqa 16, Nihad Madi 16, Fadi Imseeh 14

Jordan Hospital: Ahmad Bashir 20, Fadi Yaghmour 19, Pat McCurry 8

Great Players in Old Timer Basketball League.. Fadi Saqqa: A Reason To Make You Love Basketball

"The Guardian Angel" .. "The Angel Playmaker" are some of the many nicknames any person can call one of the best playmakers whom Jordanian Basketball has witnessed through the years.

He started playing in 1990 at the age of 14 in Orthodoxi Club's youth team. After proving what a young great player he was he started playing in the first team.

Spending 15 years with Orthodoxi club , it was time to move on and face new challenges and opportunities, so he moved on to other teams during the last eight years such as Zain, ASU and Riyadi Teams.

And now Basketball Fans get to enjoy his remarkable play once again in the Old Timers Basketball League as CEC Team's playmaker, a playmaker who simply make you love Basketball.

Old Timers Basketball League: CEC Vs. Gulf Oil

Tonight's game was a physical tough interesting game, Gulf Oil jumped out to an early big lead 22-11 over CEC (Sajdi & partners) behind hot shooting and quick offensive transition and they were able to finish the 1st quarter up 24-14. In the 2nd period, CEC were able to cut the deficit by half as they hit 4 threes in the period to go into half time down 36-41.

The 3rd quarter was the most even of the game as Gulf Oil scored 19 to CEC's 18 points which meant the lead was 6 points for Gulf Oil going into the fourth and final period. In the last period, CEC (Sajdi and partners) just ran out of gas in the final minutes as Gulf Oil continued to remain the only unbeaten team so far in the league with a 75-66 win.

Top Scorers:
CEC (Sajdi & partners): Fadi Saqqa 21, Nihad Madi 12, Sultan Abu Mariam 12
Gulf Oil Middle East: Ghazi Naber 34, Loay Dajani 11, Zaid Khair 9

Basketball Court

I enter this huge court where the cold stings your hands in winter and the nice breeze refresh you in summer, but unfortunately it was empty.

Seeing it empty made me go back in time, go back with my sweet memories when I used to walk into that enormous room and couldn't find a place to sit. I started to remember the kids' playing and shouting; those little children with their innocent smiles waiting for that great game to start. I began to recall those proud parents and families counting the minutes even the seconds to see their boys writing history and achieving what has been achieved. All those sweet memories and all those cheerful moments were of a great and beautiful game called "basketball" played in this outstanding court.

This basketball court filled our life with challenges, action, joy and excitement. Generations after generations have grown up going to this same court cheering for their favorite teams and their great players; I know I did.. But sadly, no such days exist anymore. An empty court and tepid feelings are all we get now.

I might just be a fan of this great game but I'm a hurting fan who wishes those days come back once again, wishes this court beat with life again, and wishes for new generations that love the game the way we used to.. Hope one day things will work out for a better future, better games and better days where once again Jordanian Basketball will have its prints on the game and will regain its fame.

Fadi Saqqa... The Guardian Angel

Information:
D.O.B: September 1, 1977
Height: 180
Weight: 75
Team: ASU
Position: Point Guard
Jersey Number: 6

History:
32-years-old Fadi Saqqa was one of Fastlink Club's dynamic players, acting as the team's playmaker and one of its most accomplished athletes. He has an impressive portfolio of over 180 regional and international matches. On the local level, he chooses to consider the World Basketball Cup as his best participation. He holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and enjoys a spree of different sports. He started playing basketball in 1990 at the age of 14 and Al Orthodoxi was his first club. And now he starts playing in ASU team as a great play maker as we always knew him.

Questions:
I asked Fadi some questions and he kindly answered them

Question: What are your hobbies?
Fadi: Sports in all kinds,watching movies

Question: who is your favorite team/ player(locally and international)?
Fadi: Since i play with asu it should be my favorite team,zaid abbas as a player,,internationally l.a.lakers, kobe bryant

Question: what do u think the future of Jordan basketball will be?
Fadi: Frankly according to the level of young players in jordan now i dont see much of improvement,unless giving nationality to a number of players which i think is wrong.

Question: what was the best game u ever played so far and why?
Fadi: Best game for me was 1995 jordan against phillipenes asian cup in phillipenes we won by 1 point at the last second and qualified to quarter final, at the end we ranked 3rd and qualified to the world cup for junior men under 18

Question: what is the message that you like to send to your fans?
Fadi: I would like to thank each and everyone and tell u all that ur love what kept me going

Pictures:

Wanna see more pictures for Fadi?

Check Fadi Saqqa Photo Album on

http://community.webshots.com/album/569658580oveDRe