Maccabi Hod HaSharon
Professional basketball club in Israel's National League.
Maccabi Hod HaSharon (Hebrew: מכבי הוד השרון) is a professional basketball club from Hod HaSharon, located in the Sharon region of Israel’s Central District. The team competes in the Israeli National League.
The club entered the National League for the 2005/2006 season, finishing in 9th place in its first year. In 2006/07, the professional director Israel Heart, who had coached several Premier League teams, built the squad. Ami Nawi served as head coach in his first season. The team was considered one of the league’s surprises, finishing 6th out of 14 and reaching the playoffs.
The following season, 2007/2008, the roster was built by Heart and Nawi. Only three players remained from the previous season: Eyal Engel, Daniel Gur Arie, and another. Veteran Guy Kantor joined, and young players were brought in with the goal of staying in the league. Stacey Moragne returned mid-season, along with Pepi Turgeman and fan Hirsch, and the team finished in mid-table.
For the 2008/2009 season, the club changed its approach. The professional manager and coach did not return. Instead, young coach Nati Cohen, who had success as a youth director and coach in Upper Galilee, was appointed, with former club player Encourage Wolfson as assistant. They built a nearly new team, keeping only Eyal Engel and Moti Moskowitz. New players included Elena Sharon, Lisfitz, Nir Golan, Shay Nahum, and Kahane. Talented point guard Oded Brandwein signed from Ramla, Yevgeny Liotrin came from Binyamina, Pine Manski arrived as a new immigrant from the U.S., and Blake Hamilton joined after seasons across Europe. This became the club’s peak season, finishing in the National League playoff semi-finals after competing against Barak Netanya, which had been in the Premier League.
In 2009/2010, the budget was cut by about 40%. The team, coached by me Barkan, a club product, started well but slipped toward the bottom of the league by the end of the first round. In March, the club made its first-ever coaching change, letting Barkan go. Hai David, who had coached the boys’ youth team, took over to keep the team in the league. A series of convincing wins allowed the team to finish above the relegation line.
The following season, David remained as head coach, with Uri Hiitin as assistant. The club surprised by signing veteran Israeli Gary Gendel, who had won the National League championship the previous s
- League
- Israeli National League
- Location
- Hod HaSharon, Sharon region, Central District, Israel
- Peak Season
- 2008/2009 – semi-final of National League playoffs
- Notable Coach
- Rami Hadar (signed for 2011/2012 season)
- Youth Department Size
- 17 teams, ~270 players
Lore & Background
Maccabi Hod HaSharon first took the National League for the 2005/2006 season, finishing 9th. In 2006/07, under professional director Israel Heart and head coach Ami Nawi, the team finished 6th and reached the playoffs, being named one of the most surprising teams. The following season, the club retained three players and added Guy Kantor, Stacey Moragne, Pepi Turgeman, and fan Hirsch, finishing mid-table.
Reader's Guide
The 2008/2009 season marked a conceptual change: a new coach, Nati Cohen, and assistant Encourage Wolfson built a nearly entirely new team. Only Eyal Engel and Moti Moskowitz remained. Additions included Oded Brandwein, Yevgeny Liotrin, Pine Manski, and Blake Hamilton. That season became the club's peak, finishing in the semi-final of the National League playoffs after competing against Barak Netanya. The following season, a 40% budget cut led to coaching changes; Hai Davidi took over and kept the team from relegation. In 2010/2011, the team again changed coaches mid-season and secured survival with a dramatic 76:74 victory over Hapoel Beeri in front of 550 spectators. In summer 2011, the club signed a cooperation agreement with Maccabi Haifa and hired respected coach Rami Hadar, aiming for a top playoff spot, which they achieved, reaching the finals series against Ness Ziona.
Did You Know?
- The club's peak season was 2008/2009, when it reached the semi-final of the National League playoffs.
- In March of the 2009/2010 season, the team made its first-ever mid-season coaching change, replacing me Barkan with Hai Davidi.
- The 2010/2011 season ended with a 76:74 victory over Hapoel Beeri, but the team was relegated regardless at the end of the season.
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