Muslim Basketball

This is another group that has a great starting 5. To lead the way are the frontcourt of Zain, Jared and Idris, the trio that made it to the finals this time last year. In the backcourt, there is Sohaib and Sal, which means additional 3 pt shooting and a savvy playmaker. Position for position, it's hard to bet against this team. We also have not seen them altogether for the most part and I think the best is yet to come. Because of their forfeit last week, they will have to face Qalqilya in the first round, which I’m sure they aren’t too happy about, considering their record. Regardless, they will need all hands on deck to begin th

No Zain so can’t fault them too hard in this one.

Yes, I know, they didn’t have Sohaib, but I didn’t have my Fruitty pebbles this morning but you don’t see me complaining. But despite the absence of their star guard, the big guns did show out and played exceptionally. Zain had 18 and 12, Jared with 19 and 14, and Sal added 17 of his own, including 3 from downtown. No reason to panic in Baysan.

Contender!

MVP candidate Jared See was not in attendance, but Baysan got the job done. Sal knocked down 4 3’s. Sohaib scored 10 points and Zain with an overall solid stat line of 9 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Another team that didn’t have the most efficient shooting night, collectively, but certainly clamped down when it mattered. That week 9 matchup is enticing.

To piggyback what is being said on the pod, Jared could sneak up and win MVP. 19 and 17 on 9-11 shooting are numbers we have come to expect from the big. Zain made his return after a one game absence and he balled out, posting 21, 8, 2 and 3. Only flaw in this game was their shooting from deep, but it seemed that everyone had a rough night from the great beyond last night, so we shall let it slide.

No Zain, No Problem. But Welcome back Sal Rahin who did not waste anytime getting reacquainted with the 3-point line, as knocked down 4 of dem thangs. Sohaib led the way with 20 and 10, in addition to Jared chipping in 14 and 13. This team defends, shares the basketball and knocks down shots. With Zain back in the lineup they will be a top 4 team the rest of the season.

Nail bitter, but they went up against arguably the league’s best team. Jared See with a game high 23 points as the Jared and Zain combination is proving to be formidable. Unfortunately, they did not have the 3pt success from week 1, but with Sal’s return nearing closer, this team is only going to get better.

Is Zain back to being the Zain of old? 13 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists would indicate so. Sheikh Idris led Baysan with 18 points, knocking down 6 threes. Jared returned to MB and did so with a double-double. Sohaib also flirted with a triple double!!! They hit 10 threes as a group and did so without Sal…..Yeah, they’ll be fine.

This team looks excellent on paper. Two star big men, shooting in Sal & Idris and a guard in Sohaib who can run the show. If Zain is healthy, this team will skyrocket up the rankings and could be among the league’s very best.