Kartal Özmizrak ('95) has been the big name of the U-16 Turkish Final Round quarterfinals -held in Kastamonu- after leading Besiktas to semifinals behind a huge triple-double (11 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists), beating Tofas Bursa (80-44), a team that is playing without Kenan Sipahi ('95). The rising star has been competing in the senior and the U-18 squads all the year. The semifinals match-ups are Fenerbahce Ulker - Efes Pilsen and Besiktas - Galatasaray. Let's check what happened in the four battles.
Besiktas 80 Tofas 44: Easy win with many prospects shining at the winner's side, but overall the triple-double of Özmizrak. At half time the difference was already 27 points, with Besiktas showing his law inside the paint. Beside the guard also shined Dogukan Sanli ('95) with 20 points and 7 rebounds. For Tofas their key duo struggled. Adnan Mustafa ('95) scored 11 points (but 4/17 FG) and Mert Cevik ('96) 9 (3/11 FG).
Fenerbahce Ulker 80 Karsiyaka 50: Pinar fought till the half time (32-35), but the power of its opponent broke the balance. With six players scoring in double-digits Fenerbahce made it to semifinals. James Metecan Birsen ('95) -#1 Eurohopes 1995- flirted with the triple double (10 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists), but missed many shots (4/12). Power-forward Mehmet Sanli ('95), the other with double-double: 10 points and 11 boards.
Maliye Milli 70 Galatasaray 74: Has been the tiest game of quarterfinals, with Galatasaray winning after an overtime. Deniz Kruszynski ('95) didn't rest to lead his team to the victory with 18 points, 10 assists and 3 steals, while Göktürk Gökalp Ural ('95) added 13 points, 10 boards and 6 assists, even 1/13 from downtown. At the losing effort Ahmet Beraat Aksan ('95) tallied 17 points and pulled down 16 boards, while Necdet Gürkan ('95) had 18pt+12rb.
Efes Pilsen 79 Bornova 59: With a good job of talented Cedi Osman ('95) -17 points, 6 rebounds and 3/5 from 3 points line- Efes showed why is one of the tournament favorites, even they lost the rebound battle (42 to 47). Beside him Hakan Uykan ('95) added 16 points (7/13 FG) with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while Berk Demir ('95) collected a double-double (10pt+14rb). And for Bornova? Abdurrahman Aksu ('95) scored 16 with 2/5 from downtown.
