Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most interesting game of round 26 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Fifth ranked Ventspils outleveled visiting LU (3-17) 103-81. Ventspils made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Ishmael El-Amin (189-1998, college: URI) who scored 35 points (!!!) and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Linards Jaunzems (200-1995) chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Ukrainian center Ihor Serheyev (210-2001) produced 10 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ventspils maintains fifth position with 12-5 record. LU lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth place with 17 games lost. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. LU will play on the road against the league’s second-placed Prometey (#2) in Kamianske and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
One of the most interesting games of round 26 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Ninth ranked Liepaja won against visiting BK Ogre (9-8) 75-61. Point guard Emils Krumins (185-2001) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 5 rebounds. Kristaps Kilps contributed with 11 points for the winners. Liepaja’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Lithuanian center Matas Jucikas (205-1994, agency: BIG) replied with 15 points and 7 rebounds for BK Ogre. Liepaja moved-up to eighth place, which they share with defeated BK Ogre. Liepaja will play against higher ranked Tartu (#6) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. BK Ogre will play against the league’s leader Kalev/Cramo and will have a slim chance for a victory.
One of the most interesting games of round 26 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Eighth ranked TalTech won against host Viimsi (5-14) 88-70. Oliver Metsalu scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners. TalTech’s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Artem Kovalov responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. TalTech (10-8) moved-up to seventh place. Viimsi lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. TalTech will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Viimsi will play against VEF Riga (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Rest of the games of round 26 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Rigas Z. crushed Tallinn Kalev in a road game 89-64. Valmiera Glass lost to Estonian defending champion Kalev/Cramo at home 79-86. Keila was destroyed by Ventspils on the opponent’s court 87-116.
The best stats of 26th round was 27 points and 4 assists by Kristen Kasemets of Keila.
Ventspils – LU 103-81
The most interesting game of round 26 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Fifth ranked Ventspils outleveled visiting LU (3-17) 103-81. Ventspils made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Ishmael El-Amin (189-1998, college: URI) who scored 35 points (!!!) and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Linards Jaunzems (200-1995) chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Ukrainian center Ihor Serheyev (210-2001) produced 10 points and 6 rebounds and Latvian Edvards Lucis (185-2000) added 13 points respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ventspils maintains fifth position with 12-5 record. LU lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth place with 17 games lost. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. LU will play on the road against the league’s second-placed Prometey (#2) in Kamianske and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: I.El-Amin 35+3reb+4ast, L.Jaunzems 13+8reb+6ast, D.Francis 11+6reb+6ast, S.Toms 10+2reb, R.Zakis 9+2reb+1ast, A.Ausejs 8+3reb+3ast
LU: E.Lucis 13+1reb+2ast, N.Strautins 12+1ast, S.Ihor 10+6reb+3ast, A.Helmanis 9+5reb, B.Valters 9+3reb+3ast, F.Otto 7+5ast
gschID: 1143534
Liepaja – BK Ogre 75-61
One of the most interesting games of round 26 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Ninth ranked Liepaja won against visiting BK Ogre (9-8) 75-61. Liepaja had a 35-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Point guard Emils Krumins (185-2001) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 5 rebounds. Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) contributed with 11 points for the winners. Liepaja’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Lithuanian center Matas Jucikas (205-1994, agency: BIG) replied with 15 points and 7 rebounds and Latvian Kristaps Dargais (198-1990) added 8 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for BK Ogre. Liepaja moved-up to eighth place, which they share with defeated BK Ogre. Liepaja will play against higher ranked Tartu (#6) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. BK Ogre will play against the league’s leader Kalev/Cramo and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: E.Krumins 20+5reb+2ast, K.Kilps 11+3reb+3ast, K.Miglinieks 10+4reb, K.Dubults 8+8reb+1ast, O.Berzins 6+4reb+3ast, V.Iljins 6+5reb
BK Ogre: M.Jucikas 15+7reb+1ast, G.Kampuss 10+1reb+2ast, K.Apsitis 8+2reb+1ast, K.Mediss 8+3reb+2ast, K.Dargais 8+10reb+3ast, A.Corum 5+7reb+1ast
gschID: 1143535
Tallinn Kalev – Rigas Z. 64-89
There was no surprise when 16th ranked Estonian Tallinn Kalev (2-16) was crushed at home by fourth ranked Latvian Rigas Z. (13-6) 89-64 on Wednesday. Rigas Z. forced 21 Tallinn Kalev turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Davids Viksne (195-2000) scored 23 points to lead the charge for the winners and Zigmars Raimo (202-1997, college: Hawaii) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Four Rigas Z. players scored in double figures. American forward James Moore (202-1997, college: CBC, agency: VM Hoops Agency) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds and Ukrainian power forward Dmytro Tykhonov (207-1992, agency: BIG) scored 9 points and 8 rebounds. Rigas Z. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 13-6 record. Tallinn Kalev lost sixteenth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Rigas Z. will meet at home league’s second-placed Prometey in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Tallinn Kalev will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Rigas Z.: D.Viksne 23+4reb+3ast, I.Osborne 14+1reb+5ast, Z.Raimo 11+9reb+3ast, V.Ricards 11+2reb+1ast, F.Lacis 10+6reb+3ast, U.Pinete 10+2reb+1ast
Tallinn Kalev: B.Raley-Ross 16+1reb, J.Moore 11+11reb+3ast, E.Keedus 11+3reb+3ast, M.Paiste 10+1ast, D.Tykhonov 9+8reb+2ast, E.Schmalz 5+2reb+5ast
gschID: 1143536
Viimsi – TalTech 70-88
One of the most interesting games of round 26 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Eighth ranked TalTech won against host Viimsi (5-14) 88-70. TalTech made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Oliver Metsalu (196-1993) scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and point guard Gregor Ilves (190-1999) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Five TalTech players scored in double figures. TalTech’s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ukrainian power forward Artem Kovalov (208-1997) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks and point guard Oliver Suurorg (195-2000) scored 12 points and 6 rebounds. TalTech (10-8) moved-up to seventh place. Viimsi lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. TalTech will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Viimsi will play against VEF Riga (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
TalTech: O.Metsalu 21+8reb+5ast, G.Ilves 14+5reb+3ast, K.Suurorg 11+4reb+4ast, T.Jurkatamm 11+8reb+3ast, A.Rasmus 11+2reb, V.Kaarel 8+1reb
Viimsi: A.Kovalov 29+10reb+2ast, R.Jorgen 13+3reb+3ast, O.Suurorg 12+6reb+3ast, L.Illia 5+2reb, K.Kokk 4+1reb+1ast, K.Sund 4+4reb+4ast
gschID: 1143537
Valmiera Glass – Kalev/Cramo 79-86
No shocking result in a game when first ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (17-1) defeated on the road 14th ranked Latvian Valmiera Glass (4-14) 86-79 on Friday. Mihkel Kirves (200-1996) scored 28 points and 8 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Martin Dorbek (194-1991) chipped in 13 points and 6 assists during the contest. Four Kalev/Cramo players scored in double figures. Guntis Sipolins (207-1993) responded with 11 points and 9 rebounds and American guard Seneca Knight (198-2000, college: Illinois St.) scored 16 points. Valmiera Glass’ coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Kalev/Cramo have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Defending Estonian champion maintains first position with 17-1 record. Valmiera Glass at the other side keep the fourteenth place with 14 games lost. Kalev/Cramo will meet BK Ogre (#8) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Valmiera Glass will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kalev/Cramo: M.Kirves 28+8reb+2ast, M.Dorbek 13+3reb+6ast, L.Bockler 12+8reb+1ast, R.Nurger 10+5reb+2ast, M.Suarez 7+7reb+3ast, K.Kitsing 5+3reb
Valmiera Glass: S.Knight 16+1reb+3ast, J.Kaufmanis 16+2reb, G.Sipolins 11+9reb+1ast, Z.Harun 10+2reb, E.Elksnis 8+5reb+4ast, M.Zeliznak 8+11reb
gschID: 1143538
Ventspils – Keila 116-87
Very expected game when 11th ranked Estonian Keila (7-12) was rolled over on the road by fifth ranked Latvian Ventspils (12-5) 116-87 on Friday. Ventspils dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Keila‘s 50 and made 25-of-31 free shots (80.6 percent) during the game. Ventspils forced 21 Keila turnovers and outrebounded them 41-20 including a 27-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Ventspils looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Keila‘s players. American guard Ishmael El-Amin (189-1998, college: URI) scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) during the contest. Five Ventspils players scored in double figures. Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) responded with 27 points and 4 assists and Latvian Karlis Zunda (197-1997) scored 13 points. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ventspils maintains fifth position with 12-5 record. Keila at the other side keeps the eleventh place with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: I.El-Amin 23+5reb+4ast, A.Ausejs 20+7reb+5ast, L.Jaunzems 20+3reb+6ast, R.Zakis 12+6reb+3ast, R.Birkans 11+4reb+7ast, D.Francis 10+4reb+5ast
Keila: K.Kristen 27+4reb+4ast, K.Zunda 13+2reb+1ast, A.Myronenko 11+4reb+1ast, K.Saks 9+3reb+1ast, M.Pahv 9+1reb+1ast, C.Sengbusch 6+2ast
gschID: 1143539
