Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most interesting game of round 9 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. First ranked VEF Riga won against visiting Liepaja (3-6) 74-58. VEF Riga dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Liepaja‘s 22. They outrebounded Liepaja 41-26 including 30 on the defensive glass. It was a good game for Ukrainian forward Vyacheslav Bobrov (203-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with 9 points and 14 rebounds. American point guard Harrison Cleary (185-1997, college: UMC) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) answered with 16 points for Liepaja. Liepaja’s coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. VEF Riga (9-1) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Defending Latvian champion maintains first place. Liepaja at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with six games lost. VEF Riga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Liepaja will play at home against Keila KK (#14) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
One of the most interesting games of round 9 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where ninth ranked Tartu won against host TalTech (5-4) 84-67. Guard Martin Paasoja (191-1993, agency: Helping Ballers) stepped up and scored 12 points and 6 assists for the winners and Rain Veideman chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. The best for the losing side was point guard Siim-Markus Post (184-1997) with 13 points and 7 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Tartu. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Rapla and Keila C. TalTech at the other side keeps the fifth position with four games lost. Tartu will play against Rapla (#7) at home in the next round. TalTech will have a break next round.
One of the most interesting games of round 9 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. The game took place in Riga where twelfth ranked Liepaja won against host LU (0-8) 78-71. Kristaps Kilps nailed 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side. Rihards Aleksandrovs came up with 17 points and 9 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) for LU in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Liepaja (3-6) moved-up to eleventh place. LU lost their eighth game in a row. They still close the standings with eight games lost. Liepaja will meet at home Keila KK (#14) in the next round. LU will play against Ventspils and hopes to get finally their first victory.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 9: Ventspils were beaten by Rapla on the road 110-104. Viimsi lost to Ventspils on its own court 89-94. Keila C. unfortunately lost to Valmiera Glass in a road game 89-93. Winless Keila KK lost to Latvian defending champion VEF Riga at home 78-90. Parnu was defeated by Rigas Z. on the opponent’s court 76-89.
The most impressive performance of 9th round was 27 points by Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson of Parnu.
Rapla – Ventspils 110-104
No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Estonian Rapla (4-3) beat at home 11th ranked Latvian Ventspils (3-5) 110-104 on Tuesday. Rapla forced 28 Ventspils turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward Jalyn McCreary (203-2000, college: Mercer) nailed a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and Latvian point guard Emils Krumins (185-2001) accounted for 21 points and 6 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Rapla’s coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) came up with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Ventspils in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Rapla moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Tartu and Keila C. Ventspils lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the tenth position with five games lost. Rapla will meet higher ranked Kalev/Cramo (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ventspils will play against LU (#15) in Riga and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rapla: B.McKissic 26+1reb, E.Krumins 21+3reb+6ast, J.McCreary 17+11reb+5ast, M.Ruubel 13+2reb+3ast, T.Niits 11+7reb+4ast, I.Kajupank 9+5reb
Ventspils: A.Ausejs 24+6reb+7ast, R.Zakis 17+3reb+4ast, J.Censonis 16+3reb, E.Hazners 14+2reb+1ast, M.Randolph 13+7reb+4ast, E.Mezulis 6+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1211145
VEF Riga – Liepaja 74-58
The most interesting game of round 9 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. First ranked VEF Riga won against visiting Liepaja (3-6) 74-58. VEF Riga dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Liepaja‘s 22. They outrebounded Liepaja 41-26 including 30 on the defensive glass. It was a good game for Ukrainian forward Vyacheslav Bobrov (203-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with 9 points and 14 rebounds. American point guard Harrison Cleary (185-1997, college: UMC) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Four VEF Riga players scored in double figures. Forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) answered with 16 points and forward Rinalds Malmanis (206-1996) added 8 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Liepaja. Liepaja’s coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. VEF Riga (9-1) have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Defending Latvian champion maintains first place. Liepaja at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with six games lost. VEF Riga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Liepaja will play at home against Keila KK (#14) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: H.Cleary 17+3reb+2ast, P.Pinnis 13+7reb, I.Sanon 12+1reb+4ast, R.Andronikashvili 10+5reb+3ast, V.Bobrov 9+14reb+1ast, R.Bumeisters 7+5reb+2ast
Liepaja: R.Macoha 16+4reb+1ast, E.Lasenbergs 11+2reb+2ast, R.Malmanis 8+7reb+1ast, M.Kilups 6+1reb+1ast, K.Dubults 6+5reb, K.Kilps 5+1reb+2ast
gschID: 1211146
Viimsi – Ventspils 89-94
Rather expected game when 13th ranked Estonian Viimsi (1-6) lost at home to eleventh ranked Latvian Ventspils (3-5) 94-89 on Wednesday. Ventspils made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) nailed 21 points and 4 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) accounted for 20 points and 4 assists. Randolph is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Ventspils players scored in double figures. Bosnian center Omar Pajic (205-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) came up with 26 points and 6 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and Jorgen Rikberg (185-2002) added 24 points respectively for Viimsi in the defeat. Ventspils moved-up to tenth place. Viimsi lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the thirteenth position with six games lost. Ventspils will meet bottom-ranked LU (#15) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Viimsi will play against BK Ogre and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: M.Randolph 21+3reb+4ast, A.Ausejs 20+3reb+4ast, Z.Watson 13+10reb+4ast, R.Berze 11+3reb+1ast, R.Zakis 9+4reb+1ast, E.Mezulis 7+2ast
Viimsi: O.Pajic 26+6reb+1ast, J.Rikberg 24+2reb+3ast, K.Kuusmaa 8+4ast, R.Laanemaa 7+3ast, K.Kokk 7+4reb, A.Hint 5+4reb+2ast
gschID: 1211147
TalTech – Tartu 67-84
One of the most interesting games of round 9 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where ninth ranked Tartu won against host TalTech (5-4) 84-67. Tartu had a 32-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Tartu especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.9 percentage. Guard Martin Paasoja (191-1993, agency: Helping Ballers) stepped up and scored 12 points and 6 assists for the winners and Rain Veideman (192-1991) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. The best for the losing side was point guard Siim-Markus Post (184-1997) with 13 points and 7 assists and Oliver Metsalu (196-1993) scored 13 points and 6 rebounds. Five TalTech players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Tartu. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Rapla and Keila C. TalTech at the other side keeps the fifth position with four games lost. Tartu will play against Rapla (#7) at home in the next round. TalTech will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tartu: R.Veideman 14+5reb+3ast, M.Paasoja 12+4reb+6ast, K.Lips 11+5reb+1ast, O.El-Sheikh 9+7reb, J.Henry 9+2reb+2ast, M.Bourcier 9+1reb+3ast
TalTech: O.Metsalu 13+6reb+1ast, S.Post 13+4reb+7ast, A.Tassa 12+1reb, P.Saal 10+6reb+2ast, R.Andre 10+4reb, I.Sunelik 4+1reb
gschID: 1211148
Valmiera Glass – Keila C. 93-89
Rather predictable result when second ranked Latvian Valmiera Glass (8-2) won against at home 6th ranked Estonian Keila C. (4-3) 93-89 on Friday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Valmiera Glass made 8 blocks. American point guard Jordan Watson (188-1995, college: West Liberty) nailed 26 points and 6 assists for the winning side and Verners Kohs (203-1997) accounted for 23 points and 5 rebounds. Watson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Valmiera Glass players scored in double figures. Ukrainian power forward Artem Kovalov (208-1997) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds and Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) added 21 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for Keila C. in the defeat. Keila C.’s coach tested ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. The victory was the third consecutive win for Valmiera Glass. They maintain second place with 8-2 record behind leader VEF Riga. Loser Keila C. keeps the sixth position with three games lost. They share it with Tartu and Rapla. Valmiera Glass will meet at home BK Ogre (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Keila C. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Valmiera Glass: J.Watson 26+2reb+6ast, V.Kohs 23+5reb+3ast, K.Spear 17+12reb, D.Smith 10+1reb+4ast, R.Novitskyi 6+6reb, D.Ozers 6+4reb
Keila C.: A.Kovalov 24+13reb+3ast, K.Kasemets 21+7reb+7ast, I.Serheyev 15+10reb+1ast, M.Pahv 9+1reb+3ast, A.Myronenko 9+1reb, K.Saks 7+2reb
gschID: 1211149
Keila KK – VEF Riga 78-90
Not a big story in a game when bottom-ranked Estonian Keila KK (0-7) lost at home to first ranked Latvian VEF Riga (9-1) 90-78 on Saturday. VEF Riga outrebounded Keila KK 51-27 including a 37-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. American point guard Harrison Cleary (185-1997, college: UMC) nailed 20 points for the winning side and Georgian guard Rati Andronikashvili (194-2001, college: Creighton) accounted for 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Worth to mention Andronikashvili played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. Five VEF Riga players scored in double figures. Egert Haller (193-1995) came up with 25 points and Ukrainian Vitalii Shymanskyi (205-2003) added 22 points respectively for Keila KK in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for VEF Riga. Defending Latvian champion maintains first place with 9-1 record. Loser Keila KK still closes the standings with seven games lost. VEF Riga will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Keila KK will play against Liepaja (#11) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: H.Cleary 20+3reb+2ast, J.Lawrence 15+7reb+2ast, R.Andronikashvili 13+8reb+4ast, G.Davis-McMurrin 13+9reb+1ast, V.Bobrov 12+9reb+4ast, R.Berkolds 10+4reb
Keila KK: E.Haller 25+2reb+1ast, V.Shymanskyi 22+4reb+1ast, R.Timma 14+4reb+3ast, R.Sats 7+4ast, P.Peemot 5+5reb+6ast, S.Kaldre 3+5reb+2ast
gschID: 1211150
LU – Liepaja 71-78
One of the most interesting games of round 9 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. The game took place in Riga where twelfth ranked Liepaja won against host LU (0-8) 78-71. Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) nailed 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for the winning side and forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) accounted for 15 points and 7 rebounds. Rihards Aleksandrovs (201-2002) came up with 17 points and 9 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and Edvards Egle (190-2005) added 19 points respectively for LU in the defeat. Four LU players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Liepaja (3-6) moved-up to eleventh place. LU lost their eighth game in a row. They still close the standings with eight games lost. Liepaja will meet at home Keila KK (#14) in the next round. LU will play against Ventspils and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: K.Kilps 19+7reb+8ast, R.Macoha 15+7reb, R.Vitolskis 10+1reb+1ast, E.Lasenbergs 10+2ast, R.Freimanis 7+5reb+1ast, K.Dubults 6+6reb+2ast
LU: E.Egle 19+2reb+3ast, R.Aleksandrovs 17+9reb+2ast, E.Fridenbergs 12+4reb, A.Helmanis 11+11reb, D.Skreivers 8+1reb+1ast, R.Svitins 2+2reb
gschID: 1211151
Rigas Z. – Parnu 89-76
Everything went according to plan when third ranked Latvian Rigas Z. (7-3) defeated at home 12th ranked Estonian Parnu (2-3) 89-76 on Saturday. Rigas Z. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Point guard Toms Skuja (189-2002) nailed 19 points and 7 assists for the winning side and Kriss Helmanis (209-2002) accounted for 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Rigas Z. players scored in double figures. Rigas Z.’s coach used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. Nigerian forward Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson (203-1999, college: Rider) came up with 27 points and Robert Valge (192-1997) added 18 points and 7 assists respectively for Parnu in the defeat. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Rigas Z.. They maintain third place with 7-3 record having just two points less than leader VEF Riga. Loser Parnu keeps the twelfth position with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Rigas Z.: T.Skuja 19+4reb+7ast, D.Viksne 15+5reb+1ast, J.McKoy 15+3reb, K.Helmanis 12+7reb+4ast, R.Berzins 11+4reb+5ast, U.Pinete 6+2reb+1ast
Parnu: A.Ogemuno-Johnson 27+4reb+3ast, R.Valge 18+2reb+7ast, C.Bradford 13+3reb+3ast, I.Chumakov 8+5reb+1ast, I.Tamm 6+3reb, O.Jarvi 2+3reb+4ast
gschID: 1211152
