Homenetmen Beirut B.C.
| Homenetmen Beirut BC | |
|---|---|
 | |
| League | Lebanese Basketball League |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Arena | Tenjoukian Stadium, Mzher |
| Location | Mzher, Lebanon |
| Team colors | Orange, Black |
| President | Guy Manoukian |
| Head coach | Joe Moujaess |
| Team captain | Sevag Ketendjian |
Homenetmen Beirut Basketball Club (Arabic: نادي الهومنتمن Armenian: Հայ Մարմնակրթական Ընդհանուր Միութիւն (ՀՄԸՄ) standing for "Armenian General Union of Body Culture") is the basketball department of Homenetmen, a Lebanese-Armenian multi-sports club based in Beirut. The club was established in 1924 and is part of the worldwide pan-Armenian Homenetmen association. Also known simply as Homenetmen, Homenetmen Beirut Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the major Beirut based multi-sport club Homenetmen.
The basketball team was founded in 1924 and is one of the oldest in the country. Homenetmen Beirut has a long-running program for basketball in the Lebanese Basketball League for both men and women and has been one of the pioneers of the sports from the day of its foundation in Lebanon.
Men's Basketball Program
Having played for a long time in the first division of Lebanese Basketball League and winning the Lebanese Basketball Championship several times, the club presently plays in the first division.
History
2003-2013 Second Division Years
In 2003, Homenetmen was relegated from the Lebanese basketball first division. The club played for the first time in history in the Lebanese basketball second division. After playing for 2 seasons in the second division the club qualified back to the first division in 2005 but was unable to play due to financial reasons. For years, the club fought for a place in the play-offs of the second division but ended getting knocked out. In 2012, Homenetmen reached the semi-finals of the playoffs but lost the series. In 2013, Homenetmen became the champions of the second division and got qualified to the Lebanese Basketball first division.
2013-Present Back to First Division
Homenetmen ended a 10-year wait for top-flight promotion to Lebanese basketball’s first division as they claimed the final series comfortably 3-0 after a 58-51 victory over Tadamon Zouk. The Armenian side will play in the first division for the first time since the 2004-05 season. Homenetmen had already, in their squad, several players accustomed to the top division. One of these players is Ghatas, who played for Sagesse for eight years, as well as Champville. With the start of the 2013-2014 season, Homenetmen signed Terrence Leather, Justin Gray, Hayg Gyokchyan, and even the veteran Joe Vogel. Homenetmenagan and fan favorite youngster Sevag Ketendjian was named captain of the team. The season started poorly with just 2 wins out of 6. Homenetmen fired their Serbian coach Nenad Krzic, released Justin Gray from the team and signed the American high-flier Dion Dixon and Bosnian coach Alan Abaz who guided the team to the first division the previous year. Under Abaz, the team found its winning form with a winning record of 8-1 without losing a single game at home, defeating reigning champions Riyadi 70-63 at home and beating Sagesse 68-63 away. The club finished the regular season 6th and would face Amchit in the playoffs. The series ended 3-0 for Amchit.
Before the start of the 2014-2015 season, the team signed Mike Fraiser, Jimmy Salem, Mattiew Dib and the ex-NBA player Rashad McCants under the guidance of coach Joe Moujaes, with Sevag Ketendjian still captain of the team. Homenetmen finished the regular season 7th and faced Sagesse in the playoffs. During the playoffs, Homenetmen would re-sign Dion Dixon and release Rashad McCants. Sagesse won the series 3-1 with a narrow one-point win in the last match.
Before the start of the 2015-2016 season, Homenetmen signed Bilal Tabbara, Nadim Souaid, Badih Souaid, Dewayne Jackson, Justin Tubbs, Norvel Pelle, and even adding the Lebanese superstar Ahmad Ibrahim. Sevag Ketendjian remained captain of the team for the third year in a row. The team was knocked out of the Lebanese Basketball Cup after losing in the semi-finals against Tadamon Zouk. Homenetmen started the league with a 3-0 winning streak defeating Champville, Byblos and Louaize but lost to Riyadi. Homenetmen then won over Mouttahed and Sagesse.
Homenetmen sit now first on top of the table with 5 wins and 1 defeat. Riyadi is second with a game in hand and 5 wins out of 5.
Arena
Homenetmen's long-time home court is the Tenjoukian Stadium, which is one of the smallest indoor venue in Lebanon. It is located in Mzher, Antelias. The construction of the venue was completed in 2000. The stadium, nicknamed Orange Hell, is considered to be one of the toughest grounds in the league due to Homenetmens supporters. The seating capacity is 1000, however the arena can hold up to a capacity of more than 1500-2000 when standing.
Supporters
The team has one of the biggest fanbases in Lebanon and has supporters worldwide. The fans are known for being respectful compared to other fans in the country and they always fill the stadium hours before the team's games.
2014 Squad
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Depth Chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Norvel Pelle | Rabih Iskandar | |
| PF | Dewayne Jackson | Badih Souaid | |
| SF | Ahmad Ibrahim | Bilal Tabbara | Hayg Khatcherian |
| SG | Nadim Souaid | Aram Aprahamian | Jean Jacques Hagopian |
| PG | Justin Tubbs | Sevag Ketenjian | Raffi Khaloyan |
Achievements
- League Positions: 98-8,99-7, 00-8, 01-10(A), 02-2(D1), 04-1(D1), 05-7(Div.A), 06-11(Div.1), 08-(Div.1), 09-(Div.A)
2005 - was relegated from Div. A to Div.1 due to financial problems
- League achievements: Lebanese Division 1 Champion -04
Women's Basketball Program
The Homenetmen Beirut's women's basketball program competes in first division league. Homenetmen Beirut's very successful Women's Basketball program is flourishing with top positions in Division 1 for Women as well as in the Arabic Basketball Championships for Women.
The roster of the 2009-2010 season was as follows:
- Aya Chiri
- Donna Nassif
- Nathaline Chilinguirian
- Tsoghik Mekerdichian
- Sola Abramian
- Diala El Bach
- Carole Kamel
- May Oeidate
- Lara Ammar
- Samira Azar
- Farah Rayya
- Elsy Souaidy
- Nada Arbaji
- Suzy Redention
See also
External links
- Official site (Armenian)
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