POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Eduards Avotins
After 5 rounds played we can already see who rules in the RNBL and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of VeA (4-1) in Ventspils on Friday night. Hosts were edged by Kekava (5-2) 87-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of VeA. It was a key game for the top position in the league as both teams had the same 4-2 record before this meeting. Eduards Avotins (198-2001) stepped up and scored 26 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and forward Marts Ozolinkevics (188-1996) chipped in 14 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Roberts Prusis (195-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Kekava have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. VeA at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with Kandava and Saldus. Kekava are looking forward to face Tukums (#10) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. VeA will play against Grobina (#9) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Second ranked Jelgava (3-1) crushed at home 6th ranked Bauska (3-3) by 16 points 82-66, which is the biggest margin this round. Guard Uldis Feldmanis (198-1996) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and Kristaps Plavnieks accounted for 14 points and 5 assists. Forward Ivars Zemitis (195-1990) came up with 25 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for Bauska in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jelgava have a solid series of three victories in a row. Despite that victory Jelgava went down to fifth position due to points difference. Bauska at the other side keeps the sixth place with three games lost. They share the position with Liepaja/LSSS. Jelgava will play against Liepaja/LSSS (#7) on the road in the next round. Bauska will have a break next round.
In the last two games of round 5 Turiba lost to Kandava on the opponent’s court 78-93. Tukums unfortunately lost to Liepaja/LSSS in a home game 57-71.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 18 points and 9 rebounds by Frederiks Meinarts of Liepaja/LSSS.
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Jelgava – Bauska 82-66
Second ranked Jelgava (3-1) crushed at home 6th ranked Bauska (3-3) by 16 points 82-66, which is the biggest margin this round. Jelgava players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Guard Uldis Feldmanis (198-1996) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and point guard Kristaps Plavnieks (183-1995) accounted for 14 points and 5 assists. Forward Ivars Zemitis (195-1990) came up with 25 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and guard Kristaps Steinbergs (185-1989) added 6 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Bauska in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jelgava have a solid series of three victories in a row. Despite that victory Jelgava went down to fifth position due to points difference. Bauska at the other side keeps the sixth place with three games lost. They share the position with Liepaja/LSSS. Jelgava will play against Liepaja/LSSS (#7) on the road in the next round. Bauska will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bauska: I.Zemitis 25+9reb+2ast, V.Martins 9+2reb, J.Eiduks 8+6reb+1ast, K.Steinbergs 6+5reb+4ast, M.Berzins 5+3reb+3ast, T.Vilks 4+2reb+4ast
Jelgava: U.Feldmanis 20+11reb+2ast, K.Plavnieks 14+3reb+5ast, A.Senkans 12+4reb+2ast, J.Berzins 7+3reb+2ast, M.Steinbergs 6+4reb+2ast, R.Mednis 5+9reb+4ast
gschID: 1048584
Kandava – Turiba 93-78
Very expected game when 8th ranked Turiba (3-4) was defeated on the road by second ranked Kandava (4-1) 93-78. Kandava players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Guard Arturs Grinbergs (190-1996) nailed 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and center Marcis Saulitis (209-1997) accounted for 15 points and 12 rebounds. Power forward Rihards Berzins (210-1997) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and guard Gints Zomerfelds (189-2000) added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Turiba in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kandava have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 4-1 record having just three point less than leader Kekava, which they share with VeA and Saldus. Turiba lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with four games lost. Kandava will play against Talsi (#11) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Turiba will play against Saldus and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Turiba: R.Berzins 20+14reb+2ast, G.Zomerfelds 16+7reb+3ast, R.Stasans 15+1reb+2ast, N.Zotovs 12+4reb+6ast, E.Rimants 6+1reb+1ast, G.Aleksis 5+4reb
Kandava: G.Strakis 19+2reb+3ast, A.Grinbergs 16+7reb+7ast, M.Saulitis 15+12reb+2ast, A.Savcenko 11+15reb+2ast, K.Gotfrids 9+5reb+2ast, A.Strakis 9+2reb+3ast
gschID: 1048587
VeA – Kekava 84-87
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of VeA (4-1) in Ventspils on Friday night. Hosts were edged by Kekava (5-2) 87-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of VeA. It was a key game for the top position in the league as both teams had the same 4-2 record before this meeting. Eduards Avotins (198-2001) stepped up and scored 26 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and forward Marts Ozolinkevics (188-1996) chipped in 14 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Roberts Prusis (195-1998) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Agris Stankevics (195-2000) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 15 rebounds. Four Kekava and five VeA players scored in double figures. Kekava have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader. VeA at the other side dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with Kandava and Saldus. Kekava are looking forward to face Tukums (#10) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. VeA will play against Grobina (#9) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
VeA: R.Prusis 25+14reb+6ast, S.Toms 15+6reb+1ast, A.Stankevics 14+15reb+3ast, C.Janis 13+2reb+3ast, J.Zemels 11+6reb+2ast, R.Lacis 4+5reb+4ast
Kekava: E.Avotins 26+8reb+3ast, M.Ozolinkevics 14+9reb+2ast, E.Stelmahers 12+4reb+3ast, E.Miculis 11+11reb+2ast, E.Jasuks 8+4reb, V.Martins 7+1reb
gschID: 1048589
Tukums – Liepaja/LSSS 57-71
Rather predictable result when sixth ranked Liepaja/LSSS (3-3) defeated on the road 10th ranked Tukums (1-6) 71-57. Liepaja/LSSS dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Tukums’ 26. Liepaja/LSSS forced 23 Tukums turnovers. Frederiks Meinarts (213-2004) nailed 18 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and point guard Arturs Vucins (180-2004) accounted for 7 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Forward Martins Vinauds (195-1991) came up with 28 points and 7 rebounds and forward Kristaps Horeliks (188-1990) added 9 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Tukums in the defeat. Tukums’ coach Martins Tiss rotated eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. Liepaja/LSSS maintains sixth place with 3-3 record, which they share with Bauska. Tukums at the other side keep the tenth position with six games lost. Liepaja/LSSS will play against higher ranked Jelgava (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tukums will play against the league’s leader Kekava (#1) to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Tukums: M.Vinauds 28+7reb+2ast, H.Kristaps 9+8reb+1ast, F.Andris 7+6reb+1ast, Z.Rainers 5+1reb, Z.Rihards 3+2reb, U.Kinkeris 2+3reb+3ast
Liepaja/LSSS: M.Frederiks 18+9reb+1ast, S.Kristaps 16+3reb+2ast, C.Raivo 11+6reb+1ast, N.Francois 7+2reb, V.Arturs 7+5reb+10ast, V.Juris 6+6reb+4ast
gschID: 1048596
Tags : EDUARDS AVOTINS, BK KEKAVA, LATVIAN BASKETBALL
