The Elitzur Netanya basketball team first entered into the Premier League in 1985. During their first year playing division I basketball, the team advanced to the final playoffs against Maccabi Tel Aviv. With the help of players like Willie Simms, Carl Neverson, Terry Fair, Danny Bracha, and Jimmy Hall, Elitzur Netanya made a strong first impression on Israeli division I basketball.
During Elitzur Netanya?s second season the team was successful in making it to Israel?s cup final, but lost to Hapoel Galil-Elyon 77-79. In the 1988-89 season Elitzur Netanya struggled not to lose their place in the Premier League. They finished in 10th place, just high enough to not fall to division II. However, the next year the team could not begin their new season because of financial struggles. This situation ultimately pushed the team further down into the lower leagues of Israeli basketball.
At the end of the 1988-89 season the team joined forces with Maccabi Netanya and changed the team?s name from Elitzur to ?Elitzur Maccabi ?Barak? Netanya.? Throughout the years Barak Netanya had struggled to climb the ladder to the Premier League again.
In the 2007-08 season Barak Netanya had the closest chance yet to advance to division I, but lost to Elitzur Kiryat Ata at the playoffs. For the first time in a while, Barak Netanya had finished in third place of the division II Israeli basketball league. This victory meant that Barak Netanya was one step closer to reclaiming their spot in division I basketball.
During the 2008-09 season Barak Netanya was the number one team in division II with only one loss throughout their regular season. That season Netanya won the quarter playoffs against Hapoel Tivon 2-0. Later they advanced to the semi-finals against Hod-Hasharon, where they won 3-0 in the series to advance to the finals.
In the finals Barak Netanya beat Hapoel Afula with the help of coach Erik Alfasi and assistant coach Shai Segalovich to once again play in the Premier League. Barak Netanya ended the 2008-09 season with 33 wins and one loss, a result that no other team has ever achieved in Israeli basketball.
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