Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Sixth defeat of league’s leader Kauhajoki (25-6) against third ranked Vilpas (16-15) 93-77 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Kauhajoki. The game without a history. Vilpas led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They shot 60.3 percent from the field. Vilpas looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American players dominated the game. It was a good game for guard Remy Abell (193-1992, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory with 19 points. Guard Quentin Goodin (193-1997, college: Xavier, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 14 points and 6 assists for the winners. Forward Jeffrey Crockett (201-1991, college: Texas Tech) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds for Kauhajoki. Vilpas maintains third place with 16-15 record having nine points less than leader Nokia. Defending champion Kauhajoki still keeps top position with six games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Nokia who have the same record. Kauhajoki will play next round against league’s leader Seagulls trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Vilpas will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Kataja in Joensuu.
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Seagulls as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader’s (Kauhajoki) loss. Seagulls defeated 4th placed Kotka in Helsinki 92-80. American players dominated also this game. Swingman Rene Rougeau (198-1986, college: UNLV, agency: Blacktop Management) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks for the winners and Jeffrey Carroll chipped in 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Seagulls’ coach Jussi Laakso allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was guard Brandon Tabb (193-1995, college: BCU) with 22 points. Seagulls (25-6) have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Kauhajoki. Kotka at the other side dropped to the fifth place with 17 games lost. They share the position with Kouvot and Pyrinto. Kotka will play next round against Kouvot trying to get back on the winning streak. Seagulls will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Kauhajoki on the road.
An interesting game was also a 24-point tough home defeat of 6th ranked Kouvot in a game in Kouvola versus Kataja (#5) 102-78. Tuomas Hirvonen nailed 31 points and 6 assists for the winning side. Kataja’s coach Petri Virtanen felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. John Meeks came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for Kouvot in the defeat. Kataja (15-16) moved-up to fourth place. Kouvot lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Kotka and Pyrinto. Kataja will meet at home higher ranked Vilpas (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kouvot will play against Kotka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 9: Kobrat was beaten by Honka on the road 79-78. Nokia won against Lahti on its own court 103-95. Pyrinto unfortunately lost to Korihait in Uusikaupunki 86-91.
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Seagulls – Kotka 92-80
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Seagulls as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader’s (Kauhajoki) loss. Seagulls defeated 4th placed Kotka in Helsinki 92-80. The game was mostly controlled by Seagulls. Kotka was better in third quarter 23-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Seagulls brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Kotka was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. American players dominated also this game. Swingman Rene Rougeau (198-1986, college: UNLV, agency: Blacktop Management) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks for the winners and swingman Jeffrey Carroll (198-1994, college: OK State) chipped in 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Seagulls players scored in double figures. Seagulls’ coach Jussi Laakso allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was guard Brandon Tabb (193-1995, college: BCU) with 22 points and point guard Brandon Sly (180-1996, college: ASU) scored 9 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Seagulls (25-6) have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Kauhajoki. Kotka at the other side dropped to the fifth place with 17 games lost. They share the position with Kouvot and Pyrinto. Kotka will play next round against Kouvot trying to get back on the winning streak. Seagulls will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Kauhajoki on the road.
Top scorers:
Seagulls: R.Rougeau 22+10reb+7ast, J.Carroll 14+5reb+4ast, T.Heinonen 12+4reb+1ast, O.Jarvi 11+5reb+3ast, L.Nikkarinen 10+5reb+1ast, R.Hall III 7+3reb+3ast
Kotka: B.Tabb 22+2reb+1ast, J.Giles 11+4reb+1ast, R.Brown 10+6reb+3ast, J.Henttonen 9+9reb, B.Sly 9+5reb+6ast, T.Kuukkanen 9+4reb
gschID: 1058705
Kouvot – Kataja 78-102
An interesting game was also a 24-point tough home defeat of 6th ranked Kouvot in a game in Kouvola versus Kataja (#5) 102-78. The game was mostly controlled by Kataja. Kouvot managed to win third quarter 21-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Kouvot’s players. The former international point guard Tuomas Hirvonen (181-1996) nailed 31 points and 6 assists for the winning side and American forward Galin Smith (206-1998, college: Maryland) accounted for 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Kataja’s coach Petri Virtanen felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward John Meeks (198-1999, college: Charleston) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import guard Austin Butler (196, college: Charlotte) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Kouvot in the defeat. Four Kouvot players scored in double figures. Kataja (15-16) moved-up to fourth place. Kouvot lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Kotka and Pyrinto. Kataja will meet at home higher ranked Vilpas (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kouvot will play against Kotka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kataja: T.Hirvonen 31+2reb+6ast, G.Smith 23+12reb+2ast, T.Lommi 12+2reb+1ast, R.Hollis-Jefferson 9+8reb+8ast, A.Egekeze 8+5reb+1ast, L.Sebastian 7+3ast
Kouvot: J.Meeks 20+10reb+2ast, A.Butler 19+5reb+3ast, D.Taylor 17+1reb, Q.Jackson 11+5reb+1ast, M.Joel 7+5reb+2ast, J.Airenne 2+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1058706
Honka – Kobrat 79-78
There was a small surprise when twelfth ranked Honka (8-23) edged 10th ranked Kobrat (13-18) in Espoo 79-78 on Friday. The hosts trailed by 3 points after three quarters before their 21-17 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Honka outrebounded Kobrat 43-29 including a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American forward Jahlil Tripp (196-1997, college: Pacific, agency: Green Sports Management) nailed 16 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists for the winning side and Canadian forward Emanual Shepherd (203-1995, college: Southern) accounted for 19 points and 10 rebounds. American point guard David Nichols (183-1996, college: FSU) came up with 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists and the former international point guard Antto Nikkarinen (185-1991, agency: Blacktop Management) added 5 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Kobrat in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Honka maintains twelfth place with 8-23 record. Kobrat lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the ninth position with 18 games lost. They share it with Lahti. Honka will meet higher ranked Pyrinto (#8) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kobrat will play against Nokia and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Honka: E.Shepherd 19+10reb+1ast, J.Tripp 16+6reb+9ast, T.Kotti 11+8reb+2ast, M.Valtteri 8+4reb+3ast, C.Lindbom 7+4reb+1ast, K.Riku 6+2ast
Kobrat: D.Nichols 33+1reb+4ast, C.Chukwuma 9+3reb+1ast, J.Ogunyemi 8+5reb, J.Lehtoranta 7+4reb+1ast, A.Nikkarinen 5+5reb+6ast, J.Kilpinen 4+4reb
gschID: 1058707
Nokia – Lahti 103-95
Rather expected game when 9th ranked Lahti (13-18) lost on the road to seventh ranked Nokia (18-13) 103-95 on Friday. Lahti trailed by 12 points after 3 quarters before a 27-23 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 95-103 at the end of the game. American point guard Perrion Callandret (188-1995, college: Idaho) nailed 27 points for the winning side and the former international point guard Antero Lehto (185-1984) accounted for 21 points and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). American forward Chris Clarke (196-1996, college: Texas Tech) came up with a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists and the other American import forward Karl Gamble (206-1996, college: MTSU, agency: Players Group) added 18 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Lahti in the defeat. Five Nokia and four Lahti players scored in double figures. Lahti’s coach Tom Cooman rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Nokia. They maintain seventh place with 18-13 record. Loser Lahti keeps the ninth position with 18 games lost. They share it with Kobrat. Nokia will meet Kobrat (#10) in the next round. Lahti will play against Korihait and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nokia: P.Callandret 27+4reb+2ast, J.Stove 21+5reb+2ast, A.Lehto 21+2reb+5ast, A.Herndon 13+12reb+2ast, M.Benlevi 10+7reb+4ast, B.Hugo 7+3reb+1ast
Lahti: M.Ertel II 21+5reb+2ast, S.Haney 20+2reb+2ast, C.Clarke 20+11reb+12ast, K.Gamble 18+14reb, L.Eemi 5+2reb+1ast, E.Sajantila 4+1reb+2ast
gschID: 1058708
Korihait – Pyrinto 91-86
There was a small surprise when eleventh ranked Korihait (11-20) won against 8th ranked Pyrinto (14-17) in Uusikaupunki 91-86 on Friday. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Pyrinto won third quarter 26-19. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Korihait looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Bosnian point guard Bojan Sarcevic (190-1988) nailed 12 points and 9 assists for the winning side and American swingman Quin Cooper (197-1991, college: CRC, agency: One Motive Sports) accounted for 18 points. American forward Tylan Birts (197-1996, college: Barry) came up with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Tomas Pihlajamaki (194-2000) added 26 points respectively for Pyrinto in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Korihait maintains eleventh place with 11-20 record. Loser Pyrinto dropped to the fifth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Kotka and Kouvot. Korihait will meet higher ranked Lahti (#9) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Pyrinto will play against Honka (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Korihait: Q.Cooper 18+2reb, N.Stampley 14+6reb, B.Sarcevic 12+4reb+9ast, P.Oduro 12+7reb+1ast, M.Aalto 9+5reb+1ast, M.Barnes 8+1reb+4ast
Pyrinto: T.Pihlajamaki 26+4reb+2ast, T.Birts 22+8reb+4ast, I.Smith 19+5reb+6ast, J.Lawrence 10+1reb, V.Leppanen 3+2reb+4ast, O.Heinonen 3+1reb
gschID: 1058709
Vilpas – Kauhajoki 93-77
Sixth defeat of league’s leader Kauhajoki (25-6) against third ranked Vilpas (16-15) 93-77 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Kauhajoki. The game without a history. Vilpas led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They shot 60.3 percent from the field. Vilpas looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American players dominated the game. It was a good game for guard Remy Abell (193-1992, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory with 19 points. Guard Quentin Goodin (193-1997, college: Xavier, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 14 points and 6 assists for the winners. Four Vilpas players scored in double figures. Forward Jeffrey Crockett (201-1991, college: Texas Tech) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds and guard Cameron Jones (193-1989, college: NAU, agency: BIG) added 17 points in the effort for Kauhajoki. Vilpas maintains third place with 16-15 record having nine points less than leader Nokia. Defending champion Kauhajoki still keeps top position with six games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Nokia who have the same record. Kauhajoki will play next round against league’s leader Seagulls trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Vilpas will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Kataja in Joensuu.
Top scorers:
Vilpas: R.Abell 19+4reb+2ast, I.Lee 17+4reb+1ast, Q.Goodin 14+4reb+6ast, K.Feazell 13+4reb, R.Ahonen 9+3reb+5ast, R.Laine 7+1reb+1ast
Kauhajoki: C.Jones 17+3reb+3ast, J.Crockett 15+11reb+1ast, S.Kaukiainen 13+4ast, D.Dixson 9+4reb+2ast, M.Patterson 6+2reb, T.Suokas 5+2ast
gschID: 1058710
