Tofas is the new champion of the U-18 Turkish Championship after beating Fenerbahce Ulker in the big final played last week-end in Trabzon (73-70). The team was led by 2.06 forward Samet Geyik ('93), who was selected MVP of the event after averaging 18.0 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals. Against Fenerbahce he had 22 points (2/3 from downtown) and 18 boards. And what about the other awards? His teammate Kenan Sipahi ('95) was selected the best guard, while Kerem Hotic ('93, Fenerbahce) was the best forward and Dogukan Sönmez ('92, Galatasaray) the best pivot (one U-19 player was available on each team). Let's check what happened in the semifinals and final.

 

Semifinals:

 

Pertevniyal 64 Tofas 75: With a great contest of Samet Geyik ('93) Tofas made it to the final. The center scored 23 points (2/5 threes), pulled down 15 rebounds and distributed 3 assists. Youngster Kenan Sipahi ('95) showed his skills again (10pt+7as+4rb) and Pertevniyal (Efes) shocked against this duo. At the losing effort Tayfun Erülkü ('94) ended as the best scorer with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while rising-star Burak Yildizli ('94) added 12 points, 6 boards and 3 steals.

 

Fenerbahce 87 Genç 79: In a two overtimes game Berkay Candan ('93) & Co. qualifyied for the big final, with forward having 23 points, 20 rebounds and 2 blocks. His teammate Kerem Hotic ('93) added 26 with 4/9 from downtown and James Metecan Birsen ('95) 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. At the other side the "show" of Fatih Cantitiz ('92) wasn't enough: 35 points and 1/13 threes.  

 

Final:

 

Tofas 73 Fenerbahce Ulker 70: The MVP Geyik shined once more leading his squad to the title with 22 points (2/3 threes) and 18 boards, while Kenan Sipahi ('95) finished with 15 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds, even 1/7 at three points line. For Fenerbahce the best prospects were again Candan (19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals) and Hotic (18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, even 9 turnovers).

 

Final standings (top-5): 1-Tofas, 2-Fenerbahce Ulker, 3-Pertevniyal, 4-Genç Banvitliler, 5-Nergiz Spor.

 

Stats leaders:

 

-Points: Fatih Cantitiz ('92, Genç) 24.2

-Assists: Ogulcan Sevim ('93, Nergiz) 10.5

-Rebounds: Dogukan Sönmez ('92, Galatasaray) 18.2

-Blocks: Talat Altunbey ('94, Genç) 3.0

 

Photo: www.tbf.org.tr