Steals-leaders prevail as Riddle, Bennett win November MBA honours

Fusion’s Cubic takes Division Two award

Gzira Athleta’s Malik Riddle and Caffe Moak Luxol’s Tayler Bennett won the Malta Basketball Association (MBA) Player of the Month award for the month of November.

The two guards have been influential to the sides they joined last summer in their respective championships and this has been reflected through last month’s voting.

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Riddle led the league in steals with an average of 3.33 per game. The American holds an impressive record on offence throughout November, shooting 68% from two-point range as well as the freethrow line.

The latter statistics have helped an Athleta side that has grown over the start of the new season under new coach Christos Kousidis. The Maroons currently stand in second place in the BOV Men’s Division One league with an even 3-3 record.

The additions of Riddle, Dajuan Moorer, Piotr Stelmach, and Theodoros Chatzimoysis have strengthened the team’s roster after the departure of Nathan Xuereb to Luxol.

Meanwhile, Luxol guard Bennett has had a fantastic month of November to maintain her positive start to her Violets run so far. The John Tabone Shield winner was the only new signing for coach Santino Coppa but has shone so far.

In November, the American guard shot 69% from the charity stripe, 49% from two-point range, and 31% from three.

Bennett also finished the month first in steals with an average of 3.89 steals per game, and third in assists with 4.44 after Depiro’s Sophie Abela and Mikela Riolo of Starlites. Bennett also finished third in rebounds with 11.11 behind teammate Josephine Diaby and Depiro’s Jose Ann Johnson.

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 In the men’s Division Two, Fusion’s Miladin Cubic was a clear leader for the award and took the honour after finishing first in steals with four per game and second in assists with 5.57 after Mosta’s Harry Savaya.

Throughout November, Cubic shot 57% from the freethrow line, 72% from two-point range, and 36% from three.