There were only 2 rounds played so far and it’s still very beginning of the Regular Season in Lat-Est BL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Valmiera Glass at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by VEF Riga 68-61. VEF Riga dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Valmiera Glass‘ 24. VEF Riga forced 21 Valmiera Glass turnovers. The best player for the winners was Ukrainian forward Vyacheslav Bobrov (203-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. American power forward Jaquan Lawrence (206-1999, college: LeMoyne-Owen) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Ojars Berzins (191-2001) produced 11 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Valmiera Glass’ coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. VEF Riga are looking forward to face Tartu at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Valmiera Glass will play against Rapla and are hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
One of the most interesting games of round 2 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Rigas Z. won against host Liepaja 82-78. American forward Justin McKoy (203-2001, college: Hawaii) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Kriss Helmanis contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) replied with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds for Liepaja. Rigas Z. will play against Keila at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Liepaja will play against TalTech in Tallinn and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
One of the most interesting games of round 2 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. BK Ogre outleveled visiting Ventspils 95-75. Kristaps Dargais had a double-double by scoring 10 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners. Valters Veveris responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. BK Ogre will meet Keila on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ventspils will have a break next round.
Rest of the games of round 2 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
LU was defeated by Kalev/Cramo in Tallinn 81-76. Ventspils smashed Keila at home 116-78. Keila lost to TalTech on the opponent’s court 82-86. VEF Riga outscored Viimsi in a home game 89-52.
The best stats of 2nd round was 18 points and 11 rebounds by Peteris Pinnis of VEF Riga.
Valmiera Glass – VEF Riga 61-68
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Valmiera Glass at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by VEF Riga 68-61. VEF Riga dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Valmiera Glass‘ 24. VEF Riga forced 21 Valmiera Glass turnovers. The best player for the winners was Ukrainian forward Vyacheslav Bobrov (203-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. American power forward Jaquan Lawrence (206-1999, college: LeMoyne-Owen) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Lawrence is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Ojars Berzins (191-2001) produced 11 points and 5 rebounds and American Jordan Watson (188-1995, college: West Liberty) added 12 points respectively for the hosts. Valmiera Glass’ coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. VEF Riga are looking forward to face Tartu at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Valmiera Glass will play against Rapla and are hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: J.Lawrence 14+8reb, V.Bobrov 13+9reb+7ast, P.Pinnis 10+3reb, I.Sanon 10+2reb+2ast, D.Bertans 9+3reb+2ast, H.Cleary 6+2reb+6ast
Valmiera Glass: J.Watson 12+1reb+2ast, O.Berzins 11+5reb+1ast, K.Spear 8+1reb, D.Smith 8+2reb+2ast, A.Ate 7+4reb+1ast, V.Kohs 6+7reb+1ast
gschID: 1211101
Kalev/Cramo – LU 81-76
Kalev/Cramo used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Riga 81-76 on Sunday night. Kalev/Cramo looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Kregor Hermet (205-1997) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Latvian Anrijs Miska (208-2000) chipped in 12 points and 5 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. Five Kalev/Cramo players scored in double figures. Arnolds Helmanis (200-1992) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds and Rihards Aleksandrovs (201-2002) scored 15 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kalev/Cramo will meet at home Liepaja in the next round. LU will play against Parnu and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Kalev/Cramo: K.Hermet 16+5reb+3ast, H.Toom 14+2reb+1ast, A.Miska 12+5reb+3ast, K.Suurorg 11+1reb+4ast, S.Kaukiainen 11+1reb+5ast, L.Bockler 6+4reb+2ast
LU: E.Egle 16+2reb+3ast, A.Helmanis 15+9reb+1ast, R.Aleksandrovs 15+9reb, R.Svitins 8+2reb+1ast, D.Smirnovs 7+5reb+1ast, V.Briedis 6+1reb+3ast
gschID: 1211102
Liepaja – Rigas Z. 78-82
One of the most interesting games of round 2 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Rigas Z. won against host Liepaja 82-78. American forward Justin McKoy (203-2001, college: Hawaii) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Kriss Helmanis (209-2002) contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Five Rigas Z. players scored in double figures. Forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) replied with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds and Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) added 15 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Liepaja. Rigas Z. will play against Keila at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Liepaja will play against TalTech in Tallinn and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rigas Z.: J.McKoy 18+10reb+1ast, R.Berzins 16+3reb+4ast, K.Helmanis 15+8reb+1ast, D.Viksne 11+4reb+2ast, J.Vitols 10+2reb+7ast, A.Kot 10+1reb
Liepaja: R.Macoha 26+12reb+1ast, K.Kilps 15+7reb+3ast, R.Freimanis 9+4reb+3ast, K.Dubults 9+4reb+1ast, R.Vitolskis 7+1reb+2ast, R.Malmanis 6+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1211103
BK Ogre – Ventspils 95-75
One of the most interesting games of round 2 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. BK Ogre outleveled visiting Ventspils 95-75. BK Ogre dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Ventspils‘ 34. BK Ogre looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Latvian Kristaps Dargais (198-1990) had a double-double by scoring 10 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Guntis Sipolins (207-1993) chipped in 11 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Valters Veveris (193-2000) responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds and Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) scored 16 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. BK Ogre will meet Keila on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Ventspils will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
BK Ogre: K.Apsitis 15+5reb, M.Rasnick 12+3reb+4ast, R.Avotins 12+1reb, G.Sipolins 11+10reb+5ast, K.Dargais 10+13reb+6ast, K.Zunda 10+1reb
Ventspils: A.Ausejs 16+4reb+3ast, V.Veveris 16+5reb+3ast, Z.Watson 13+7reb+1ast, R.Berze 11+5reb+1ast, R.Zakis 8+4reb+2ast, E.Mezulis 4+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1211104
Ventspils – Keila 116-78
No shocking result in a game when Latvian Ventspils smashed at home Estonian Keila 116-78 on Tuesday. Ventspils outrebounded Keila 46-28 including a 33-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Ventspils looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Keila‘s players. Forward Roberts Berze (198-2001, college: McNeese St.) scored 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Zac Watson (201, college: Longwood) chipped in 19 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Ventspils’ coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Patrik Peemot (189-2001) responded with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Kaspar Lootus (200-2001) scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Keila will play against Rigas Z. and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: R.Berze 23+7reb+4ast, A.Ausejs 20+3reb+4ast, Z.Watson 19+8reb+2ast, V.Veveris 14+3reb+3ast, R.Donis 11+6reb+2ast, M.Miseailo 8+3reb+2ast
Keila: P.Peemot 20+5reb+4ast, K.Lootus 17+5reb+1ast, E.Haller 12+2reb, A.Butler 12+6reb+1ast, R.Sats 11+1reb+4ast, J.Heinla 6+6reb
gschID: 1211105
TalTech – Keila 86-82
Rather expected game in Tallinn where Keila was defeated by TalTech 86-82 on Wednesday. Point guard Siim-Markus Post (184-1997) had a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Oliver Metsalu (196-1993) chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Ukrainian power forward Artem Kovalov (208-1997) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds and Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) scored 14 points and 7 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. TalTech will meet at home Liepaja in the next round. Keila will play against Rigas Z. and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
TalTech: S.Post 25+10reb+7ast, O.Metsalu 18+11reb+3ast, R.Andre Pehka 13+4reb+3ast, T.Jurkatamm 11+5reb, R.Andre 9+3reb+1ast, K.Kitsing 5+6reb
Keila: A.Kovalov 24+15reb+3ast, K.Kasemets 14+4reb+7ast, T.Kupstas 13+3reb+2ast, R.Kuttis 12+4reb, K.Saks 8+3reb+1ast, S.Sutt 6+5reb+2ast
gschID: 1211106
VEF Riga – Viimsi 89-52
Very predictable result when Latvian VEF Riga outscored at home Estonian Viimsi 89-52 on Wednesday. VEF Riga dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Viimsi‘s 26. They outrebounded Viimsi 36-19 including a 26-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Center Peteris Pinnis (214-2004) had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Gage Davis-McMurrin (195-1995, college: St.Cloud St.) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four VEF Riga players scored in double figures. VEF Riga’s coach felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Guard Hans Normak (185-2006) responded with 9 points and 5 rebounds and Bosnian center Omar Pajic (205-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) scored 11 points. VEF Riga will meet at home Tartu in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Viimsi will play against Rapla and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: P.Pinnis 18+11reb, G.Davis-McMurrin 14+6reb+2ast, V.Bobrov 14+3reb+2ast, H.Cleary 10+1reb+3ast, M.Gulbis 9+2reb+1ast, O.Farenhorsts 8+2reb+3ast
Viimsi: O.Pajic 11+2reb+2ast, H.Normak 9+5reb+3ast, H.Shvydchenko 8+1reb, M.Jaakson 7+1reb+1ast, K.Kokk 4+2reb+1ast, K.Kuusmaa 4+3reb+2ast
gschID: 1211107
