Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

POSTED BY: Eurobasket News

Karolis Guscikas

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it’s still very beginning of the Second Stage in NKL. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Kaunas between Zalgiris II and Mazeikiai on Saturday night. Zalgiris II was defeated by Mazeikiai at home 88-71. Mazeikiai dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Zalgiris II’s 30. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was Karolis Guscikas (206-1992, agency: BIG) who scored 28 points and 8 rebounds. The former international Simas Jasaitis (201-1982) chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds. Mazeikiai’s coach Osvaldas Kurauskas used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gytis Nemeiksa (201-2001) produced 21 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Mazeikiai is looking forward to face Telsiai at home in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Zalgiris II will play against Silute and is hoping to win this game.
An exciting game was played in Sakiai. Telsiai faced Vytis. Guests from Telsiai defeated host Vytis 86-77. Laurynas Kaveckis (190-1990) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points. Ernestas Bruzas contributed with 19 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from downtown making all five shots) for the winners. Telsiai’s coach Rytis Vaisvila allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Augustinas Mikstas (203-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 24 points and 7 rebounds for Vytis. Telsiai will play against Mazeikiai on the road in the next round. Vytis will play against Suduva-Mantinga and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Kaunas was also quite interesting. Silute played at the court of Atletas. Atletas managed to secure a 9-point victory 82-73 on Saturday. Karolis Babkauskas scored 14 points to lead the charge for the winners. Atletas’ coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Edgaras Preibys responded with 16 points. Atletas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Silute will play against Zalgiris II in Kaunas and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 2 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Stekas defeated Palanga in Vilnius 81-64. Vilkaviskis was beaten by Delikatesas at home 90-91. Kretinga was destroyed by Rytas 2 on the opponent’s court 94-74.

Palanga – Stekas 64-81

There was no surprise when Palanga was defeated at home by Stekas 81-64 on Saturday. Stekas outrebounded Palanga 39-24 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 54.5 percentage. Stekas looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Mantas Serksnas (200-1996, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 22 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and swingman Tadas Rinkunas (195-1991) chipped in 18 points and 5 assists during the contest. Four Stekas players scored in double figures. American power forward Justin Young (202-1998, college: CPP) responded with 12 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Ernestas Jaskus (195-2000) scored 11 points and 4 assists. Stekas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Palanga will play against Delikatesas in Joniskis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Stekas: M.Serksnas 22+7reb+2ast, T.Rinkunas 18+2reb+5ast, K.Brusokas 13+11reb, J.Sinica 10+2reb+4ast, P.Semaska 7+5reb+6ast, J.Sukelis 4+4reb+2ast
Palanga: J.Young 12+8reb+1ast, J.Ernestas 11+1reb+4ast, T.Kararinas 10+1reb, Z.Owens 9+2reb+1ast, D.Sokolenko 7+2reb, M.Pocevicius 6+2reb+4ast

gschID: 1057633

Vilkaviskis – Delikatesas 90-91

There was a small surprise when Delikatesas edged on the road Vilkaviskis 91-90 on Saturday. It was a great shooting night for Delikatesas especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.9 percentage. American Darion Rackley (187-1992, college: JSU) scored 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals to lead the charge for the winners and Sarunas Kulevicius (193-1989) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) during the contest. Rokas Stankevicius (202-1995, agency: BIG) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds and Modestas Zaunieriunas (189-1994) scored 13 points and 5 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Vilkaviskis’ coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Delikatesas will meet at home Palanga in the next round. Vilkaviskis will play against Rytas 2 and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Delikatesas: D.Rackley 20+6reb+4ast, S.Kulevicius 18+5reb+3ast, B.Corey 14+4reb+2ast, F.Salsamendi 14+2reb+2ast, P.Gaidys 12+7reb, V.Vilius 8+3reb+1ast
Vilkaviskis: R.Stankevicius 17+10reb+3ast, M.Zaunieriunas 13+1reb+5ast, A.Urkis 13+3reb+1ast, K.Metrikis 11+4reb+1ast, M.Zukauskas 10+2reb+4ast, A.Ene 10+4reb+2ast

gschID: 1057634

Vytis – Telsiai 77-86

An exciting game was played in Sakiai. Telsiai faced Vytis. Guests from Telsiai defeated host Vytis 86-77. Laurynas Kaveckis (190-1990) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points. Ernestas Bruzas (182-1996) contributed with 19 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from downtown making all five shots) for the winners. Telsiai’s coach Rytis Vaisvila allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Augustinas Mikstas (203-2001, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 24 points and 7 rebounds and Karolis Kokoska (196-1992) added 9 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Vytis. Telsiai will play against Mazeikiai on the road in the next round. Vytis will play against Suduva-Mantinga and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Telsiai: L.Kaveckis 20+4reb+2ast, E.Bruzas 19+5reb+1ast, I.Razutis 15+3reb+6ast, R.Jakstas 8+6reb+4ast, M.Norkus 6+3reb+1ast, V.Pocius 6+3reb
Vytis: M.Augustinas 24+7reb+2ast, C.Gabrielius 11+2reb+4ast, K.Kokoska 9+7reb+2ast, E.Jermolajevas 8+3reb+1ast, J.Titas 7+1reb+2ast, R.Maciulis 6+1reb

gschID: 1057635

Atletas – Silute 82-73

The game in Kaunas was also quite interesting. Silute played at the court of Atletas. Atletas managed to secure a 9-point victory 82-73 on Saturday. Atletas outrebounded Silute 35-22 including 24 on the defensive glass. Point guard Karolis Babkauskas (185-1991, agency: BIG) scored 14 points to lead the charge for the winners and point guard Deividas Sabeckis (192-1991) chipped in 9 points and 6 assists during the contest. Atletas’ coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Edgaras Preibys (203-2002) responded with 16 points and Karolis Sapiega (199-1999) scored 15 points and 4 steals. Four Silute players scored in double figures. Atletas will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Silute will play against Zalgiris II in Kaunas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Atletas: B.Tautvydas 15+2reb, K.Babkauskas 14+3reb+2ast, G.Sirutavicius 12+4reb, T.Balciunas 11+1reb+1ast, D.Sabeckis 9+2reb+6ast, M.Kuprijanovas 6+3reb+2ast
Silute: E.Preibys 16+4reb+1ast, S.Karolis 15+4reb, J.Alexander 11+5reb, L.Lekavicius 10+3reb+4ast, D.Anuzis 8+1reb+2ast, J.Liesis 5+3ast

gschID: 1057636

Rytas 2 – Kretinga 94-74

There was a minor upset in Vilnius where Kretinga was rolled over by Rytas 2 94-74 on Saturday. Rytas 2 dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Kretinga’s 34 and made 20-of-20 free shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. They outrebounded Kretinga 46-21 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Forward Augustinas Kiudulas (203-2003) scored 22 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Modestas Babraitis (193-2004) chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Five Rytas 2 players scored in double figures. Guard Martynas Mazeika (193-1985, agency: Interperformances) responded with 18 points and guard Arnas Pilipavicius (189-2004) scored 12 points. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Rytas 2 will meet Vilkaviskis on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kretinga will play against Neptunas-Akv. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rytas 2: K.Augustinas 22+6reb+2ast, B.Modestas 12+6reb+2ast, K.Laurynas 12+1reb+4ast, V.Lukas 12+5reb, A.Adomavicius 11+4reb+4ast, K.Andreas 11+6reb+2ast
Kretinga: M.Mazeika 18+1reb+2ast, P.Arnas 12+2reb+2ast, M.Lutsenko 10+2reb+3ast, M.Jurkaitis 9+3reb+3ast, V.Anisimov 7+2reb+3ast, R.Nacius 6+2reb+2ast