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Newcomers Homenetmen banking on stubborn defense

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  • Newcomers Homenetmen banking on stubborn defense

    The Daily Star (Lebanon)
    January 31, 2014 Friday

    Newcomers Homenetmen banking on stubborn defense


    Homenetmen are back in the top flight and will be tested from the
    outset with matches against Riyadi at Manara and Champville in Deek
    al-Mahdi when the Lebanese Basketball League kicks off Friday.

    BEIRUT: Homenetmen are back in the top flight and will be tested from
    the outset with matches against Riyadi at Manara and Champville in
    Deek al-Mahdi when the Lebanese Basketball League kicks off Friday.

    In May 2013, there were jubilant scenes in Homenetmen's Mezher Stadium
    in Antelias, as the team's promotion to the top flight was finally
    realized after a decadelong absence.

    Much has been made of the fact that businessman and former player Guy
    Manoukian will invest significantly in order to build a competitive
    team. But Manoukian, who is also a famous musician, has already
    orchestrated several signings for nominal fees. The team's budget is
    believed to be around $500,000, and yet their roster looks able to
    match some of the heavyweight teams.

    Homenetmen has also shrewdly appointed veteran coach Nenad Kerdzic,
    who formerly managed Sagesse club. The Serbian is without a doubt a
    successful tactician, and his role will be to relay his experience to
    the players, with many of them making their first appearance in the
    premier league.

    After missing out on Mouttahed's highly rated Bassel Bawji in the
    offseason, the Armenian side added veteran Lebanese-American center
    Joe Vogel, who despite being 40 years old, remains a quality player on
    the court. They also signed newcomer Hayk Gyokchyan, who spent four
    years in the American collegiate system, and is now looking to take
    his skills to the next level.

    Gyokchyan is lethal from the 3-point arc and will definitely bring a
    repertoire of skills to the table. The other players who have joined
    Homenetmen are mostly youngsters, such as Sevag Ketenjian and Marc
    Korjian. Prolific scorer Rudy Farraj, as well as young point guard
    Ralf Akl and Joe Ghattas remain from last season's roster. They will
    also be relying on foreigner combo guard Justin Gray and power forward
    center Terrence Leather.

    WHAT TO EXPECTHomenetmen are one of several teams in the top flight
    who have built a competitive squad but a good start is imperative for
    the newly promoted side. Although they will face a tough opening task
    against Riyadi, two consecutive games against Champville and Bejjeh
    offer a chance to collect points and pick up their momentum for the
    rest of the campaign.

    Even though it's always difficult to predict how a freshly advanced
    side will perform at an elite level, the Armenian squad showed
    potential in the offseason through their organized offense and
    stubborn defense, and Manoukian has made it clear that their target is
    a top eight finish.

    STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSESHomenetmen's defense is the reason they are
    the dark horses of the season. Having Kerdzic at the helm confirmed
    they will be playing a defense-oriented game. Homenetmen's players are
    mostly tenacious youngsters who are ready to run and fight for every
    ball and use the full court to pressure opponents.

    As good as Homenetmen's defense may be, their offense could struggle
    at times during the season, especially since some players haven't
    featured in the top flight for a few seasons while the others are
    completely new to the league.

    It will be up to Gray to consistently deliver on the offensive side
    along with Gyokchyan and Vogel, as the three players exhibit the key
    strength of being able to shoot impressively from distance.

    Gray will also be tasked with creating space for his teammates, and
    not just carrying the scoring burden on his own shoulders. Throwing
    the ball down to Leather in the post will open up lanes for the rest
    of the team when opponents double-team Gray. It also frees up the
    shooters on the outside for open shots.

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