Simms puts on show for Elitzur Ramla – Israel Sports
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Elitzur Neve David Ramla downed Hapoel Lev Jerusalem 85-65 earlier this week as Jennie Simms – freshly returned from the United States – showed absolutely no signs of rust by scoring 27 points and grabbing 14 rebounds to help the visitors notch the win.
Right before tipoff, a special ceremony took place for the family of Ofir Engel, who is being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas, as members of both teams and executives shared a few moments with the relatives as Yoav, Ofir’s father, spoke to the fans.
In addition to the Engel family, over 100 people who had been evacuated from their communities in the Gaza periphery and by the northern border cheered to their heart’s delight while enjoying an entertaining contest at Jerusalem’s Malha Arena.
Game, set, match
Simms may have just stepped off the airplane at Ben-Gurion, but if she had jet lag it certainly didn’t show as she ripped off 11 first-quarter points to help give Elitzur Ramla a 21-17 lead after 10 minutes. Eden Rotberg started to score as well to begin the second quarter but an active Noor Kayuf and Alex Cohen pulled Hapoel Lev Jerusalem even at 36-36 by halftime.
Ramla came out flying in the second half, with Tzalil Vaturi doing all kinds of damage along with Rotberg, as Neta Mishaar and Hodaya Kabeda tried to keep the hosts close.
However, once Daniel Raber started to score in bundles and Simms found her second wind it was game, set, match as Ramla cruised to the win.
“First off our heads aren’t so much into basketball as our thoughts are with the IDF soldiers and hostages who are in Gaza,” Ramla coach Danny Gutt began following the game. “We are trying to get back to normal by playing basketball so we can make the fans happy. I’m content that we played a good second half defensively and with intelligent offense. Jennie Simms just joined on Wednesday so our offensive flow was a bit discombobulated but I’m happy that the team fought hard and batted to pick up the win.”
Simms is the star of stars in the Israeli league right now that features no imports. The Maryland native played in the WNBA the past summer with both the Phoenix Mercury and the Washington Mystics and is arguably head and shoulders above every other player in the league. She’ll be able to take this team on her back should they hit a rough patch.
“Jennie knows how to score,” Gutt said. “ She is the best Israeli player in the league, without a doubt. But Lev Jerusalem is a good team that caused us a lot of issues for a bunch of teams so I was concerned about this game especially since it was at their arena. They play freely and have a lot of individual talent from their guards, as well as having an experienced Cohen. But we are a good team that will battle for the top spot in the standings.”
Jerusalem bench boss Limor Peleg went on about what she saw from Simms being back on the court.
“She’s an American…
Read More: Simms puts on show for Elitzur Ramla – Israel Sports 2023-11-29 06:13:00