Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Luka Bogavac

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Slovenian Helios Suns (11-1) recorded its first loss on the court of fifth ranked Montenegrin Podgorica on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Podgorica 79-70. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Helios Suns. The best player for the winners was guard Luka Bogavac (195-2003, agency: BeoBasket) who scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Danilo Brnovic (200-2000) chipped in 9 points and 7 rebounds. Podgorica’s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Blaz Mahkovic (201-1990, agency: Interperformances) who recorded 16 points and 4 assists. Podgorica (8-4) have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Borac BL and Siroki. Helios Suns at the other side still keep top position with one game lost. Podgorica is looking forward to face Pelister (#7) in Bitola in the next round. Helios Suns will play at home against TFT (#11) and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Kranj. Tenth ranked Slovenian Sencur Gor. (4-8) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 12th ranked Croatian Gorica (2-10) 74-72 on Wednesday evening. It was a good game for forward Gaber Ozegovic (197-1998, college: CS Fullerton) who led his team to a victory with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Dino Muric contributed with 10 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Sencur Gor.’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Dino Cinac (201-1988) replied with 19 points and 6 rebounds for Gorica. Sencur Gor. maintains tenth position with 4-8 record. Gorica at the other side keeps the twelfth place with ten games lost. Sencur Gor. will play against higher ranked Borac BL (#5) in Banja Luka in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Gorica will play at home against Siroki (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Kraljevo between North Macedonian Pelister and Serbian Sloga KR. Eighth ranked Pelister (7-5) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Sloga KR (6-6). Pelister managed to escape with a 3-point win 96-93 on Thursday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Kenny Carpenter who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was Djordje Simeunovic with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Sloga KR’s coach tried various players’ combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn’t help. Pelister moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Sutjeska. Loser Sloga KR keeps the ninth position with six games lost. Pelister will meet at home higher ranked Podgorica (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Sloga KR will play against Sutjeska (#8) in Niksic and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 12 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Zlatibor crushed Spars in Cajetina 96-72. Krka smashed Sutjeska at home 88-63. Borac BL won against TFT on the opponent’s court 91-75. Siroki outscored Osijek in a home game 83-55.
The best stats of 12th round was 14 points and 18 rebounds by Emmanuel Little of Siroki.

Spars – Zlatibor 72-96

There was no surprise in Sarajevo where 13th ranked Bosnian Spars (1-11) were crushed by third ranked Serbian Zlatibor (9-3) 96-72 on Friday. Zlatibor shot 63.2 percent from the field. Zlatibor outrebounded Spars 42-23 including a 36-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jordan Watson (188-1995, college: West Liberty) who helped to win the game recording 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and Brano Djukanovic (196-1995) who added 17 points and 7 assists during the contest. Watson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was Serbian swingman Milos Vranes (201-1995, college: SEMO) with 13 points and 5 rebounds and guard Anes Podojak (191-2000) scored 15 points. Five Zlatibor and four Spars players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Zlatibor have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Krka. Spars lost tenth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 11 games lost. They share it with Osijek. Zlatibor will meet at home league’s second-placed Krka in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Spars will play against Osijek (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Zlatibor: B.Djukanovic 17+2reb+7ast, J.Watson 14+9reb+6ast, M.Starovlah 14+2ast, A.Ponjavic 12+8reb+3ast, S.Grubelic 11+4reb+1ast, A.Cabrilo 7+5reb+1ast
Spars: P.Anes 15+4reb+1ast, R.Howard 13, M.Vranes 13+5reb+3ast, L.Majstorovic 12+6reb, P.Omar 8+5reb, H.Curevac 2+1reb+1ast

gschID: 1051111

Krka – Sutjeska 88-63

No shocking result in a game in Novo Mesto where second ranked Slovenian Krka (9-3) smashed 7th ranked Montenegrin Sutjeska (7-5) 88-63 on Friday. They outrebounded Sutjeska 39-28 including a 32-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Krka shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 55.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Croatian-Slovenian point guard Rok Stipcevic (186-1986, agency: PEPI SPORT) who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 8 assists and Leon Stergar (193-2000) who added 12 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Five Krka players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Michael Weathers (190-1997, college: SMU) with 19 points and 7 rebounds and guard Masan Vrbica (187-1994, agency: BeoBasket) scored 17 points and 5 assists. Sutjeska’s coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Krka maintains second position with 9-3 record having just two points less than leader Helios Suns, which they share with Zlatibor. Loser Sutjeska keeps the seventh place with five games lost. They share the position with Pelister. Krka will meet Zlatibor (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sutjeska will play against Sloga KR (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Krka: J.Span 17+1reb+3ast, R.Stipcevic 15+2reb+8ast, J.Robert 13+5reb+2ast, L.Stergar 12+8reb+2ast, M.Skedelj 11+5reb+1ast, C.Miha 6+4reb+1ast
Sutjeska: M.Weathers 19+7reb+2ast, M.Vrbica 17+2reb+5ast, M.Popovic 14+5reb+1ast, M.Calic 3+1reb, J.Ross 3+2reb+4ast, B.Bojic 2+1reb

gschID: 1051112

Sloga KR – Pelister 93-96

A very close game took place in Kraljevo between North Macedonian Pelister and Serbian Sloga KR. Eighth ranked Pelister (7-5) got a very close victory on the road over 9th ranked Sloga KR (6-6). Pelister managed to escape with a 3-point win 96-93 on Thursday evening. Pelister looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Kenny Carpenter (196-1996, college: CSU) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import guard Dontay Caruthers (185-1995, college: Buffalo, agency: GoEmpire Group) who added 23 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals during the contest. The best for the losing side was swingman Djordje Simeunovic (201-1996) with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and American swingman Dimitrius Underwood (193-1998, college: Charleston) scored 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Pelister and five Sloga KR players scored in double figures. Sloga KR’s coach tried various players’ combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn’t help. Pelister moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Sutjeska. Loser Sloga KR keeps the ninth position with six games lost. Pelister will meet at home higher ranked Podgorica (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Sloga KR will play against Sutjeska (#8) in Niksic and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Pelister: K.Carpenter 26+7reb+5ast, D.Caruthers 23+5reb+9ast, A.Maslinko 19+4reb+2ast, S.Hadzifejzovic 13+4reb+2ast, D.Karadzovski 8+1reb+5ast, B.Stajic 5+2reb+4ast
Sloga KR: D.Simeunovic 23+8reb+5ast, D.Underwood 19+9reb+6ast, J.Stamenic 13+1ast, Z.Paunovic 11+4reb+3ast, E.Cekic 10+4reb, R.Dunn 8+2reb+3ast

gschID: 1051113

Podgorica – Helios Suns 79-70

gschID: 1051114

TFT – Borac BL 75-91

Very expected game in Skopje where 11th ranked North Macedonian TFT (3-9) was defeated by fifth ranked Bosnian Borac BL (8-4) 91-75 on Wednesday. Borac BL made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game, while TFT only scored two points from the stripe. They outrebounded TFT 39-21 including a 27-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Borac BL looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian forward Aleksandar Langovic (205-2001, agency: BeoBasket) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian center Dusan Tanaskovic (208-2001, agency: BeoBasket) who added 17 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Five Borac BL players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was point guard Viktor Tashovski (182-2001) with 20 points and 6 assists and point guard Aleksandar Kostoski (186-1988, agency: BIG) scored 12 points. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Borac BL moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Siroki and Podgorica. Loser TFT keeps the eleventh position with nine games lost. Borac BL will meet at home Sencur Gor. (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. TFT will play against the league’s leader Helios Suns in Domzale and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Borac BL: A.Langovic 20+12reb+4ast, D.Tanaskovic 17+8reb+2ast, D.Amsal 13+4reb+4ast, J.Martin 13+6reb+5ast, J.Rebec 12+2reb+5ast, B.Vuk 7+3reb
TFT: T.Viktor 20+6ast, G.Zafirov 12+5reb+1ast, A.Kostoski 12+4reb+3ast, E.Nuri 9+4reb+1ast, T.Buttrick 8+3reb+1ast, D.Krstevski 8+5reb+4ast

gschID: 1051115

Sencur Gor. – Gorica 74-72

Important game to mention about took place in Kranj. Tenth ranked Slovenian Sencur Gor. (4-8) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 12th ranked Croatian Gorica (2-10) 74-72 on Wednesday evening. It was a good game for forward Gaber Ozegovic (197-1998, college: CS Fullerton) who led his team to a victory with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Power forward Dino Muric (201-1990) contributed with 10 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Sencur Gor.’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Dino Cinac (201-1988) replied with 19 points and 6 rebounds and forward Ivan Batur (202-1991, agency: AltusBasket) added 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Gorica. Sencur Gor. maintains tenth position with 4-8 record. Gorica at the other side keeps the twelfth place with ten games lost. Sencur Gor. will play against higher ranked Borac BL (#5) in Banja Luka in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Gorica will play at home against Siroki (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Sencur Gor.: A.Hrstic 12+2reb+1ast, L.Walford 10+5reb+1ast, G.Ozegovic 10+8reb+4ast, D.Muric 10+7reb+2ast, T.Srdjan 9+2reb, E.Ahmedovic 9+6reb+2ast
Gorica: D.Cinac 19+6reb+1ast, K.Uljarevic 14+3reb+2ast, I.Batur 11+7reb+5ast, I.Majic 8+2reb+1ast, A.Masic 8+2reb+3ast, J.Gunjina 6+4reb+3ast

gschID: 1051116

Siroki – Osijek 83-55

Very predictable result in Siroki Brijeg where sixth ranked Bosnian Siroki (8-4) outscored 13th ranked Croatian Osijek (1-11) 83-55 on Thursday. Siroki dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Osijek’s 26. They outrebounded Osijek 38-19 including a 13-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Emmanuel Little (197-1999, college: Nicholls St., agency: AltusBasket) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points and 18 rebounds and the other American import point guard Daishon Knight (185-1991, college: Illinois St., agency: BIG) who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Five Siroki players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Veljko Budimir (201-1985) with 16 points and 6 rebounds and American point guard Christian Bradford (185-1995, college: Radford) scored 17 points. Osijek’s coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Siroki have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Borac BL and Podgorica. Osijek lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Spars. Siroki will meet Gorica (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Osijek will play against Spars and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Siroki: D.Knight 15+5reb+3ast, D.Brala 14+4reb+1ast, E.Little 14+18reb+2ast, F.Kraljevic 12+2reb+3ast, V.Dominik 11+1reb+2ast, M.Covic 7+3reb+1ast
Osijek: C.Bradford 17+1reb+1ast, V.Budimir 16+6reb+1ast, S.Fabian 11+4reb+2ast, F.Krajina 4+4reb, B.Marko 3+1reb, K.Vladovic 2+1reb