Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Top ranked VKM (16-3) recorded its third loss in Kaunas on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Tornado KM (12-5) 82-65. The hosts trailed by 1 point at the halftime before their 40-22 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. 26 personal fouls committed by VKM helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was point guard Azuolas Hopenas (179-2007) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Arminas Vilkas (200-2007) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was guard Kornelijus Snitka (188-2008) who recorded 28 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tornado KM have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place. VKM at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Tornado KM’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kaunas Zalgiris II.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Klaipeda. First ranked VKM faced 3rd placed KKM I. Guests from Vilniaus (16-3) smashed host KKM I (12-6) 122-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of KKM I. It was a good game for point guard Jonas Skramtai (192-2007) who led his team to a victory with 26 points and 6 assists. Simonas Jankauskas contributed with 12 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Matas Gratkauskas (197-2007) answered with 17 points for KKM I. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. VKM maintains first place with 16-3 record. KKM I at the other side dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. VKM will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. KKM I will play on the road against Marijampoles (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Leader VKM delivered the sixteenth victory on Thursday night. This time they crushed 6th ranked Zalgiris II (10-9) 95-65 in Vilniaus. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. Gabrielius Kerys stepped up and scored 21 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The best for the losing side was Pijus Simasius with 12 points and 8 rebounds. 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. VKM maintains first place with 16-3 record. Loser Zalgiris II keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. They share it with Zalgiris. VKM will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Zalgiris II’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kaunas to the arena Tornado KM.
Other games of round 21 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
SKM II was defeated by Zalgiris II in Kaunas 74-56. Zalgiris smashed Marijampoles at home 95-73. VKKM won against Saule on the opponent’s court 88-75.
KKM I – VKM 86-122
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Klaipeda. First ranked VKM faced 3rd placed KKM I. Guests from Vilniaus (16-3) smashed host KKM I (12-6) 122-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of KKM I. The game without a history. VKM led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to KKM I‘s 42. They outrebounded KKM I 37-24 including a 28-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. VKM players were unselfish on offense dishing 30 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by KKM I‘s players. It was a good game for point guard Jonas Skramtai (192-2007) who led his team to a victory with 26 points and 6 assists. Simonas Jankauskas contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Matas Gratkauskas (197-2007) answered with 17 points and Justas Kazlauskas (-2007) added 11 points in the effort for KKM I. Five VKM and four KKM I 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. VKM maintains first place with 16-3 record. KKM I at the other side dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. VKM will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. KKM I will play on the road against Marijampoles (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
VKM: J.Skramtai 26+6ast, G.Kerys 17+2reb+3ast, K.Snitka 15+4reb+3ast, G.Anskinas 12+6reb+1ast, S.Jankauskas 12+12reb+3ast, M.Liutkevicius 9+1reb+6ast
KKM I: M.Gratkauskas 17+4reb+2ast, T.Augustauskas 12+3reb+1ast, N.Vitkauskas 11+2reb+4ast, J.Kazlauskas 11+3reb+3ast, J.Sadauskas 9+2reb, M.Liotisas 9+2reb
gschID: 1256602
Zalgiris II – SKM II 74-56
There was no surprise in Kaunas where 11th ranked SKM II (3-16) was defeated by sixth ranked Zalgiris II (10-9) 74-56 on Saturday. The game was mostly controlled by Zalgiris II. SKM II managed to win third quarter 20-15. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Zalgiris II held SKM II to an opponent 20.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 41.7 percent accuracy of the winners. They outrebounded SKM II 55-41 including a 44-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Forward Jokubas Sablinskas (204-2008) stepped up and scored 9 points and 18 rebounds for the winners and guard Deimantas Jonikas (184-2007) chipped in 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was guard Matas Kucinskas (180-2007) with 12 points and 8 rebounds and Rapolas Naujokas (-2007) scored 6 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Zalgiris II maintains sixth place with 10-9 record, which they share with Zalgiris. Loser SKM II keeps the eleventh position with 16 games lost. Zalgiris II’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kaunas to the arena Tornado KM.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris II: T.Grazys 17+2reb, D.Jonikas 16+6reb+6ast, J.Sinkevicius 12+13reb+2ast, J.Sablinskas 9+18reb+1ast, D.Kriaunaitis 6+3reb, J.Saudargas 5+3reb+1ast
SKM II: M.Kucinskas 12+8reb+1ast, M.Srebalius 11+1reb+2ast, A.Marcinkus 8+8reb+1ast, N.Paulauskas 8+4reb+4ast, R.Naujokas 6+10reb+4ast, J.Vizgirda 6+2reb
gschID: 1213161
Zalgiris – Marijampoles 95-73
No shocking result in a game in Kaunas where seventh ranked Zalgiris (10-9) smashed 9th ranked Marijampoles (8-12) 95-73 on Monday. The hosts trailed by 4 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 19-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 95-73. Zalgiris dominated on the defensive end, holding Marijampoles to just 6 points in second quarter. They also forced 19 Marijampoles turnovers. Guard Dominykas Urbonavicius (188-2007) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and guard Nedas Orlickas (180-2007) chipped in 17 points and 4 assists. Five Zalgiris players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was power forward Gabrielius Bubnys (199-2007) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Augustas Juozaitis (190-2007) scored 7 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Marijampoles’ coach Kestutis Juozaitis gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Zalgiris moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Zalgiris II. Loser Marijampoles keeps the ninth position with 12 games lost. Zalgiris will meet bottom-ranked Panevezio (#12) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Marijampoles will play against KKM I and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zalgiris: D.Urbonavicius 23+13reb+4ast, N.Orlickas 17+4reb+4ast, K.Mikalauskas 13+5reb+5ast, M.Pazera 12+4reb+2ast, M.Siaulaitis 10+5reb+2ast, U.Jakubauskas 9+1reb+1ast
Marijampoles: G.Bubnys 28+10reb+6ast, M.Dumcius 12+7reb, A.Juozaitis 7+7reb+5ast, J.Grigas 7+7reb+3ast, H.Rudzevicius 7+1reb+1ast, P.Rutkauskas 6+1reb+3ast
gschID: 1213157
Tornado KM – VKM 82-65
Top ranked VKM (16-3) recorded its third loss in Kaunas on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Tornado KM (12-5) 82-65. The hosts trailed by 1 point at the halftime before their 40-22 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. 26 personal fouls committed by VKM helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was point guard Azuolas Hopenas (179-2007) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Arminas Vilkas (200-2007) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Tornado KM players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Kornelijus Snitka (188-2008) who recorded 28 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Armandas Bukelskis (195-2008) added 15 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tornado KM have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending champion moved-up to fourth place. VKM at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Tornado KM’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Kaunas Zalgiris II.
Top scorers:
Tornado KM: A.Hopenas 27+10reb+4ast, A.Vilkas 16+9reb+3ast, D.Jasiukaitis 14+2reb+1ast, N.Linartas 13+5reb+1ast, M.Mazeika 5+4reb, A.Malek 3+6reb
VKM: K.Snitka 28+7reb+6ast, A.Bukelskis 15+12reb+2ast, G.Kerys 12+4reb+2ast, V.Meskela 6+3reb, J.Okunevicius 2+1reb, M.Daunys 2+6reb+3ast
gschID: 1213158
Saule – VKKM 75-88
Very expected game in Siauliai where 8th ranked Saule (8-9) was defeated by fourth ranked VKKM (13-6) 88-75 on Wednesday. Point guard Arnas Vaistaras (197-2007) stepped up and scored 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds for the winners and guard Simas Sarakauskas (185-2007) chipped in 25 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was Erik Novikov (-2007) with 18 points and 8 rebounds and guard Salvijus Lauzadis (187-2007) scored 19 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. VKKM moved-up to third place. Loser Saule keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. VKKM will meet at home Perkunas (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Saule will play against SKM II in Vilniaus and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
VKKM: A.Vaistaras 33+7reb+2ast, S.Sarakauskas 25+10reb+7ast, N.Vitosis 17+5reb, N.Cikunov 8+9reb, T.Rinkevicius 3+3reb+5ast, T.Kesminas 2+1reb
Saule: S.Lauzadis 19+4reb, E.Novikov 18+8reb+2ast, J.Soblinskas 9+1reb+1ast, D.Masiulis 8+7reb+1ast, A.Trofimov 8+6reb, K.Podvisockas 6+3reb
gschID: 1213160
VKM – Zalgiris II 95-65
Leader VKM delivered the sixteenth victory on Thursday night. This time they crushed 6th ranked Zalgiris II (10-9) 95-65 in Vilniaus. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zalgiris II. The game was mostly controlled by VKM. Zalgiris II managed to win fourth quarter 29-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Zalgiris II 52-33 including 20 on the offensive glass. Guard Gabrielius Kerys (190-2008) stepped up and scored 21 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and center Vytautas Meskela (199-2007) chipped in 9 points and 11 rebounds. The best for the losing side was guard Pijus Simasius (190-2007) with 12 points and 8 rebounds and Klaidas Siriunaitis (-2007) scored 11 points and 6 rebounds. Four Zalgiris II players scored in double figures. 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. VKM maintains first place with 16-3 record. Loser Zalgiris II keeps the sixth position with nine games lost. They share it with Zalgiris. VKM will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Zalgiris II’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Kaunas to the arena Tornado KM.
Top scorers:
VKM: G.Kerys 21+5reb+1ast, A.Bukelskis 11+5reb+2ast, J.Skramtai 11+3reb+4ast, K.Snitka 10+2reb+1ast, G.Mazeikis 9+1reb, S.Jankauskas 9+7reb+2ast
Zalgiris II: D.Jonikas 13+3reb+1ast, J.Sinkevicius 12+4reb+1ast, P.Simasius 12+8reb+1ast, K.Siriunaitis 11+6reb+1ast, J.Saudargas 5+2reb+4ast, V.Sidauga 4+1reb
gschID: 1213159
