JERUSALEM, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Hapoel Holon on Thursday evening won the Israeli Basketball Premier League championship for the second time after a 90-74 home win over Bnei Herzliya in front of 5,500 fans.
Holon, which first won the title back in 2008, won the best-of-three playoff final series 2-0 after taking the first game in Herzliya as well.
Joe Ragland scored a game-high 23 points for Holon while teammates Tyrus McGee added 16 points and Chris Johnson 13 points and 6 rebounds.
Maurice Kemp scored 21 points for Herzliya, while Chinanu Onuaku contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds.
This was only the 13th time in the history of Israeli basketball that Maccabi Tel Aviv did not win the title, after losing to Herzliya in the semifinals. Maccabi has lifted the Israeli title 55 times so far.
However, Maccabi's spot in the Euroleague next season is secured, while Holon will play in the Champions League, the second most important competition in European basketball. ■
