There were just 6 rounds played in Regular Season of Nike SBL and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Inter Bratislava (5-2) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by Handlova (5-1) 64-61. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Handlova had a 23-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) who led his team to a victory with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Montenegrin Petar Dragovic (-2000) contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American center Bryant Thomas (203-1999, college: C-N) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks for Inter Bratislava. Handlova keeps a position of league leader. Inter Bratislava at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. Handlova are looking forward to face Spisski Rytieri (#3) in Nova Ves in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Inter Bratislava will play on the road against Iskra Svit and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Nova Ves. Fourth ranked Spisski Rytieri (4-1) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Levice (2-2) 87-85 on Saturday evening. American Dylan Frye (187-1997, college: BGSU, agency: VM Hoops Agency) scored 19 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Dibaji Walker chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Ty Nichols (190-1996, college: Keene St., agency: Diamond Sports) with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Spisski Rytieri moved-up to third place. Defending champion Levice keeps the seventh position with two games lost. Spisski Rytieri will play against league’s leader Handlova on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Levice will play against Nitra (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Nike SBL top team – Inter Bratislava (5-2) had no problems winning another game on Wednesday. This time they beat tenth ranked Nitra (0-7) 91-75. RJ Gunn notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 15 points and 4 assists by Nigel Scantlebury did not help to save the game for Nitra. Nitra’s coach Lubomir Urban rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Despite that victory Inter Bratislava went down to second position due to points difference. Loser Nitra still closes the standings with seven games lost. Inter Bratislava will meet Iskra Svit (#8) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Nitra will play against Levice and hopes to get finally their first victory.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 6: Lucenec was smashed by Prievidza on the road 95-72. Blue Wings destroyed Iskra Svit on its own court 92-67. Winless Nitra was outscored by Komarno in a road game 91-67.
Prievidza – Lucenec 95-72
No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Prievidza (3-1) crushed at home 9th ranked Lucenec (1-4) 95-72 on Saturday. Prievidza looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Lucenec‘s players. American players dominated the game. Guard Daishon Smith (185-1995, college: ULM) notched 12 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and forward Hunter Dean (208-2001, college: LSU) supported him with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Five Prievidza players scored in double figures. Prievidza’s coach Sasa Jankovic felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 24 points and 7 rebounds by point guard Mason Harrell (175-1999, college: Texas St.) did not help to save the game for Lucenec. Forward Alfred Hollins (198-1999, college: UTEP) added 19 points and 7 rebounds. Prievidza have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Loser Lucenec keeps the ninth position with four games lost. Prievidza will meet Komarno (#6) on the road in the next round. Lucenec will play against Blue Wings and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Lucenec: M.Harrell 24+7reb+1ast, A.Hollins 19+7reb+2ast, J.Johnson 12+11reb, K.Brown 8+4reb+3ast, M.Vranovic 6+1reb+2ast, M.Skuben 3+2reb+1ast
Prievidza: R.Raitanen 14+5reb, K.Jordan 14+5reb+3ast, H.Dean 13+8reb+2ast, D.Smith 12+8reb+7ast, P.Lukac 11+1reb+4ast, D.Krestinin 11+5reb+2ast
gschID: 1188813
Inter Bratislava – Handlova 61-64
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Inter Bratislava (5-2) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by Handlova (5-1) 64-61. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Handlova had a 23-11 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) who led his team to a victory with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Montenegrin Petar Dragovic (-2000) contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Smith is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American center Bryant Thomas (203-1999, college: C-N) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks and his fellow American import swingman RJ Gunn (201-1999, college: Duquesne, agency: Players Group) added 15 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Inter Bratislava. Handlova keeps a position of league leader. Inter Bratislava at the other side dropped to the second place with two games lost. Handlova are looking forward to face Spisski Rytieri (#3) in Nova Ves in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Inter Bratislava will play on the road against Iskra Svit and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Inter Bratislava: I.Cousins 15+4reb+2ast, R.Gunn 15+8reb+1ast, B.Thomas 12+14reb+1ast, D.Caruthers 9+4reb+6ast, S.Volarik 4+3reb+1ast, J.McCall 4+3reb+1ast
Handlova: D.Knezevic 13+2reb+5ast, P.Dragovic 13+7reb+3ast, T.Smith 13+8reb+3ast, J.Petras 8+12reb, M.Gutalj 8+8reb+1ast, J.Lastic 6+6reb
gschID: 1188814
Blue Wings – Iskra Svit 92-67
Everything could happen in Nitra at the game between two tied teams. Both seventh ranked Blue Wings and 8th ranked Iskra Svit had identical 2-3 record. This time Blue Wings used a home court advantage and smashed the opponent from Svit 92-67 on Saturday night. Blue Wings dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Iskra Svit‘s 22. Blue Wings forced 22 Iskra Svit turnovers. American guard Keyshaun Langley (185, college: UNCG, agency: Players Group) notched 20 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and the other American import point guard Kevin Johnson (183-1999, college: UIC) supported him with 18 points. Even 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international guard Robert Rozanek (191-1996) did not help to save the game for Iskra Svit. American swingman Owen McGlashan (201-2000, college: SHSU) added 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who 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. Blue Wings (3-3) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Komarno. Iskra Svit lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with four games lost. Blue Wings will meet Lucenec (#9) on the road in the next round. Iskra Svit will play against the league’s second-placed Inter Bratislava and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Iskra Svit: R.Rozanek 21+6reb+4ast, O.McGlashan 14+5reb+1ast, T.Wilcox 10+7reb, A.Shittu 10+1reb+2ast, S.Swalve 8+3reb+2ast, D.Harabin 2+2reb
Blue Wings: K.Langley 20+1reb+5ast, K.Johnson 18+3reb+2ast, O.Belikov 14+5reb+1ast, L.Gergely 10+5reb, R.Holt 7+1reb+4ast, M.Fusek 6+6reb+5ast
gschID: 1188815
Spisski Rytieri – Levice 87-85
Important game to mention about took place in Nova Ves. Fourth ranked Spisski Rytieri (4-1) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Levice (2-2) 87-85 on Saturday evening. Spisski Rytieri made 19-of-22 charity shots (86.4 percent) during the game. American Dylan Frye (187-1997, college: BGSU, agency: VM Hoops Agency) scored 19 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import Dibaji Walker (206-1999, college: App State) chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Ty Nichols (190-1996, college: Keene St., agency: Diamond Sports) with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international center Boris Bojanovsky (217-1993, college: FSU) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Four Spisski Rytieri and five Levice players scored in double figures. Spisski Rytieri moved-up to third place. Defending champion Levice keeps the seventh position with two games lost. Spisski Rytieri will play against league’s leader Handlova on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Levice will play against Nitra (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Levice: T.Nichols 21+9reb+8ast, D.Abraham 17+1reb+4ast, B.Bojanovsky 15+11reb+2ast, A.Kivimaki 12+5reb+2ast, P.Pazicky 12+4reb+1ast, N.Sikiras 5+5reb+1ast
Spisski Rytieri: D.Frye 19+6reb+3ast, J.Palenik 16+5reb+2ast, D.Walker 15+9reb+2ast, D.Cohill 15+3reb+5ast, N.Hawkins 11+3reb, I.Gromovs 9+12reb+1ast
gschID: 1188816
Komarno – Nitra 91-67
Rather predictable result when seventh ranked Komarno (3-3) rolled over at home bottom-ranked Nitra (0-7) 91-67 on Saturday. Komarno dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Nitra‘s 32. They outrebounded Nitra 52-27 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. American forward Sekou Sylla (195-2000, college: Towson) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points and 20 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import guard Brandon Rush (190, college: YSU) supported him with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Even 22 points and 6 assists by American point guard Nigel Scantlebury (183, college: CCSU) did not help to save the game for Nitra. The former international forward Jozef Vojtek (204-1985) added 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Komarno have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Blue Wings. Loser Nitra still closes the standings with seven games lost. Komarno will meet at home higher ranked Prievidza (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Nitra will play against Levice (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Nitra: N.Scantlebury 22+4reb+6ast, L.Urban 20+2reb, J.Vojtek 15+10reb+2ast, L.Foltin 4+1reb+3ast, B.Okpoh 4+5reb, M.Lesch 2
Komarno: B.Rush 32+9reb, S.Sylla 24+20reb+3ast, A.Harried 17+5reb+2ast, S.Horvath 5+1reb, P.Henry 5+3reb, M.Koller 4+2reb+5ast
gschID: 1188817
Nitra – Inter Bratislava 75-91
Nike SBL top team – Inter Bratislava (5-2) had no problems winning another game on Wednesday. This time they beat tenth ranked Nitra (0-7) 91-75. American swingman RJ Gunn (201-1999, college: Duquesne, agency: Players Group) notched a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import guard Dontay Caruthers (185-1995, college: Buffalo) supported him with 12 points and 10 assists. Five Inter Bratislava players scored in double figures. Even 15 points and 4 assists by American point guard Nigel Scantlebury (183, college: CCSU) did not help to save the game for Nitra. Swingman Jakub Kobulnicky (194-1999) added 9 points and 5 rebounds. Nitra’s coach Lubomir Urban rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Despite that victory Inter Bratislava went down to second position due to points difference. Loser Nitra still closes the standings with seven games lost. Inter Bratislava will meet Iskra Svit (#8) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Nitra will play against Levice and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Nitra: N.Scantlebury 15+4reb+4ast, M.Foltin 10+2reb, L.Urban 9+2reb+1ast, J.Kobulnicky 9+5reb+1ast, M.Lesch 8+2reb, J.Vojtek 6+3reb+1ast
Inter Bratislava: R.Gunn 27+10reb+2ast, B.Thomas 12+4reb, D.Caruthers 12+3reb+10ast, I.Cousins 12+4reb+5ast, S.Volarik 11+1reb+1ast, M.Szabo 10+4reb
gschID: 1216140
