| 1. ExSAL | 8-1 |
| 2. UTEC | 4-3 |
| 3. Denver | 3-4 |
| 4. San Marcos | 3-5 |
| 5. Cosmos | 1-6 |
| 6. Nacionales | 0-0 |
EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 4/22/2008
Copyright 1997-2007 EurobasketMen News
*****************************************************- Venue: Prince Hamza Hall - Amman, Jordan
- Start Time: Wednesday April 23, 2008 at 6:00pm *
- End Time: Monday, May 5, 2008 at 10:00 pm *
* Jordan Time
# Groups:
- Group A: Zain (JOR), Qatar Club (QAT), An Nasr (UAE), Al Tilal Aden (YEM)
- Group B: Al Ittihad Jeddah (KSA), Maghreb de Fes (MOR), Al Nasr (LBA), De La Salle Al Quds Jerusalem (PAL)
- Group C: Orthodox (JOR), Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB), Al Kahraba Electricity (IRQ), Al Manama (BHR)
- Group D: Al Kuwait SC (KUW), Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut (LEB), As Seeb (OMA)
# 1st round games schedule (Jordan Time, +3 GMT):
- Wednesday 23rd of April:
16:00 Qatar - An Nasr (UAE)
18:00 Fes - An Nasr (LIB)
20:15 Zain - Al Tilal
- Thursday 24th of April:
16:00 Kuwait - As Seeb
18:00 Orthodox - Al Kahraba
20:00 Al Riyadi - Al Manama
- Friday 25th of April:
14:00 Al Tilal - Qatar
16:00 De La Salle - Fes
18:00 An Nasr (LIB) - Al Ittihad
20:00 Zain - An Nasr (UAE)
- Saturday 26th of April:
16:00 Al Kahraba - Al Riyadi
18:00 Orthodox - Al Manama
20:00 As Seeb - Sagesse
- Sunday 27th of April:
14:00 An Nasr (LIB) - De La Salle
16:00 Al Ittihad - Fes
18:00 Zain - Qatar
20:00 An Nasr (UAE) - Al Tilal
- Monday 28th of April:
16:00 Al Kahraba - Al Manama
18:00 Kuwait - Sagesse
20:00 Orthodox - Al Riyadi
* All the games will be broadcasted on Arab Radio & Television (ART) on Sport 5
While Oberwart and Furstenfeld wait for their semi-finals opponents, another four teams are struggling in the quarterfinals.
Volksbank Arena Gmunden grabbed a 2-0 lead after the second game over Kraftwerk Wels, earning a 76-71 victory on Saturday. Gmunden dominated the court for the majority of time, but let the visitors stay close at the end. Wels produced a 9-1 run to cut the deficit to 72-69 late, but no closer would they come. Deteri Mayes (189-G-74, agency: Court Side, college: Murray St.) led the winners with 18 points. Ian Boylan (198-G/F-83, college: Cal.St. Northridge) nailed 17 while Peter Hutter (196-F/G-80, agency: Interperformances) had 11. Elijah Palmer (201-F-81, agency: Court Side, college: Duquesne) scored 19 points for Wels.
The Kapfenberg Bulls tied their series with Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions at 1-1, thanks to the 97-90 road win in game 2 and are now back on track with home-court advantage. Kevin Nelson paced the Bulls with 27 points. Ramiz Suljanovic (206-F/C-79, agency: R.H.Consultancy) netted 21, while Shawn Ray (193-F-80, agency: Heinrich Sports, college: N.C.Central) posted 19 for the winners. Davor Lamesic (205-F-83, agency: Interperformances) was the game's top scorer with 29 points for the Lions.
The third games in the quarterfinal series are scheduled for tomorrow night (April 22). (Edited by Os Davis)
OZZA beat Monsk 2006, 95-89, to take the semifinal series three games to one. OZZA now awaits the winner of the Vitalyur and Grodno series. Another two games in Grodno were split, the series is knotted at 2-2 with the decisive game scheduled for April 26.
With the NCAA tournament finishing in late March, warranted now is mention of another player abroad: Nikita Meshcharakou (202-F-88). Meshcharakou received an honorable mention All-Met selection as a senior in 2006-07. That year, he averaged 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.0 blocks per game for the Vikings. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Skippy Thompson Tournament, averaging 17 points per game.
Uladzimir Veremeyenka (208-F-84) and his Khimki took the big showdown in the Russian League this week, downing Dynamo Moscow 94-87 at home on Friday. With the win, Khimki improves to 21-2 and stands just one game behind regular season champion CSKA Moscow. Daniel Ewing and Maciej Lampe paced the winners with 19 points each. Anton Ponkrashov added 17 while Clay Tucker had 13 for Khimki. Travis Hansen had 18 points for Dynamo, which finished the regular season with a 15-9 record. Sergei Monya added 16, Robertas Javtokas had 14 on 7-for-7 two-pointers, and Milos Vujanic bagged 11 for the guests. Ponkrashov had 8 points in a 15-3 run that allowed Khimki to run up 29-17 lead after 10 minutes. Khimki dominated the game thereafter, holding a safe lead all the way to the final buzzer. Veremeyenka scored 2 points for his team; in the regular season, he averaged 6.7 points per game and 3.7 rebounds. (Edited by Os Davis)
The Cape Verdean Basketball Federation has established a deadline of 15 days to decide whether the national team will participate in the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament to be held in Athens from June 14-29.
With only two months remaining before the start of the tournament, federation members have yet to receive any guarantees for the financing of the operation, which budgeted around 40 million Cape Verdean Escudos (approximately USD 576,000/EUR 362,000).
The national team, which qualified for the pre-Olympic tournament in Athens thanks to the third-place finish in the 2007 Afrobasket tournament held in Angola, received promises from supporters from various quadrants of Cape Verdean society at that time. But in this hour of truth, the federation continues to struggle to see if it can represent the country in this prestigious international competition of basketball.
The Government had promised, when the team returned from Angola, all the necessary support for the participation in the pre-Olympic tournament, but as of now the national team has been guaranteed of CVE 2.5 million (app. USD 36,000/EUR 22,650), to be made available by the General Secretariat of Sports in the contract of programs signed with the federation.
Federation president Kitana Cabral said that they will try to convince the government to provide a more substantial amount of money to cofinance national team participation in the tournament. Cabral added that if the national team does not represent the country in the tournament, it will be a great shame for Cape Verde.
The president of the Basketball Federation guarantees that, despite financial difficulties, almost everything has been prepared for the national team's participation in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde national radio, RCV, reports that Ric and Cula will assume command of the team, which was abandoned by Emanuel Trovoada, now coaching Desportivo de Huila in the Angolan championship. (Edited by Os Davis)
CAB Madeira tied up their series with Casino Figueira Ginasio at two games apiece by successfully beating the Figueirenses, 69-62, in Funchal in Game 4 of the quarterfinals of 2008 Portuguese playoffs. The ticket to the semifinals will be punched in the fifth (or 'black') game scheduled for Monday in Figueira da Foz.
Cape Verdean national team player Mario Jorge (190-G/F-77) put on a fantastic exhibition in the match, scoring 17 points and grabbing 19 rebounds: A tremendous performance for a hard working player who fights fiercely for his recognition in the Portuguese League. Jorge is a player who works tough on defence and doesn't appear much on offense: Such players tend to be left in the shadow and be less worthy of praise. However, Mario has the willpower to continue working and not to give up, and his ethic has been paying off with this latest contribuition to his team. With Madeira's two star players injured, Jorge has been carrying the load both on offense and defense in averaging 13 points and 14 rebounds per game in the series. (Edited by Os Davis)
Liceo de Costa Rica defeated 90-69 Sat-Cybertech in Game 3 of the Liga Centroamericana 2008 Final Four, ending the competition at the first place undefeated, and qualifying for the next edition of Liga de las Americas for Clubs. This is an historical success for all the CostaRican basketball. The triumph of the 'Red Express' was completed by the award of its player Kendrick Jones (190-G-83, college: Columbus St.) as the Final Four MVP. Jones scored 20 pts in the last game, and his teammate Hernol Hall (205-C-82, agency: Sports Plus International, college: Lon Morris JC) scored 24 pts to be the team's top scorer. In the last game of the competition, Pioneros de Quintana Roo-Cancun prevailed over Icevic Tegucigalpa 89-70, clinching the second spot for the Liga de las Americas. The final standings of Liga Centroamericana 2008 are as follows:
1. Liceo 3-0
2. Pioneros 2-1
3. Sat-Cybertech 1-2
4. Icevic 0-3
The NBL completed its 44-round regular season journey this weekend. Nymburk showed excellent form in claiming its 43rd win. This time, the league favorites shocked Kolin 121-74 to remain on the top rung of the ladder. Pavel Benes (190-G-75) scored 17 points to lead Nymburk, while Radoslav Rancik (207-F/C-78, college: St.Cloud St.) and Monty Mack (191-G-77, agency: Interperformances, college: Massachusetts) added 16 points apiece for the winners. Drew Schifino (191-G-81, agency: PPGroup, college: California (PA)) answered with 19 points for Kolin as they ended the season in 11th and out of the playoffs.
Geofin remained in second place and also finished the regular season on a high, winning 87-86 in Ostrava. Ostrava fought bravely and led after three quarters, but Geofin recovered late to come away with a narrow victory. Robert Sarovic (205-F-78) knocked down 27 points to lead all scorers. Ondrej Soska (208-C-78) nailed 11 points for Geofin, and Mike Mitchell (183-G-83, college: New Mexico St.) recorded 22 points and 7 assists for Ostrava. The hosts finished the season in the 6th spot and will take on Prostejov in the opening round of playoffs.
Prostejov secured the no. 3 seed despite the last-round loss to USK Praha. Prostejov was beaten 84-77 in Prague and slipped to a 31-13 record. Lukas Kotas (192-F-84) scored 25 points to ensure the Praha outfit's winning outcome. Lucious Wagner (194-G-81, agency: Court Side, college: Evansville) added 19 points for the winners, and Stanislav Votroubek (214-C-81, agency: PPGroup) contributed 17 points to Prostejov. USK Praha clinched the 7th overall spot and will challenge Geofin in the quarterfinal. (Edited by Os Davis)
San Pedro de Macoris
Retiro 23 made the finals on the San Pedro de Macoris superior basketball tournament when they defeat Los Titanes de Miramar 90-64 extend an 6 games win streak after begin the season 0-3, Oskaris Lenderborg (189-G/F-72) (189-G/F-72) lead all players with 19 points and 9 assist, Franklin Gomez finish with 17 points, Benito Flores (198-F-80, college: Wisc.-Green Bay) had 16 points and 11 boards, Juan Carlos Eusebio (203-C/F-73) finish with a double - double with 10 points and 10 boards. Now Retiro 23 had to wait for the winner of the semi finals between Los Titanes de Miramar and Todos Estrellas de Consuelo.
La Romana
Los Indios de Quisqueya win the first match for the finals for La Romana superior basketball tournament when they defeat Maximo Gomez 115-94, the best for the winers were Andy Williams (195-G/F-80, agency: Court Side) with 36 points, Josue Abreu (188-G-66) finish with 23 points and Juan Pablo Montas (198-F-85) had 19 points and 9 boards, Henry Lalane was the best by the loosers with 26 points and 5 assist.
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Liga Superior Standings | ||||||||||||
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The quarterfinals have just begun in Estonian Meistriliiga. BC Pirita took a 1-0 advantage in the series over Valga Welg with its 105-99 victory. William Sharp (202-F-84) was unstoppable for the hosts with 34 points and 21 rebounds. Joosep Pokla (198-G-86) and Erki Kivinukk (199-F-73) supported him with 20 points apiece. Veljo Vares (200-F/G-81) ended up with 29 points in the losing effort.
Tallinna BC Kalev/Cramo became semifinalists after going 2-0 over KK Prnu/Catwees. The first game closed 103-57 for the favorites as Travis Reed (203-C-79, college: Long Beach St.) led all scorers with 21 points. Mateo Kedzo (207-F/C-84) nailed 18, while Rait Kabin had 15 points in defeat. In the second game, KK Prnu/Catwees lost to Tallinna BC Kalev/Cramo 108-73 at home. Tallinna BC Kalev/Cramo was paced by Valmo Kriisa (190-G-74), who scored 19 points. Tanel Sokk netted 18 and Kristjan Kangur had 17.
Triobet/Dalkia lost the opener to Fausto-Tartu Kalev, 75-72. Tanel Kaljula (191-G-81) led the winners with 22 points. Ardo Armpalu put in 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Osvaldas Macernis (197-F-82) scored 15. Gert Dorbek (187-G-85) produced 20 points and 6 rebounds in the losing cause.
The series between T/Rock and BC Kraft Mbel/Kohila tips off tomorrow. (Edited by Os Davis)
Barons LMT Riga are the 2008 EuroCup champion after defeating Dexia Mons-Hainaut in a 63-62 thriller in Limassol, Cyprus, Sunday night. Riga will have a good reason to celebrate tonight, as the Barons become the first to bring the European title to independent Latvia. The last Latvian team to win a title was ASK Riga back in 1960.
'We played like a team for 40 minutes like coach asked us,' said Lithuanian guard Giedrius Gustas (190-G-80, agency: Interperformances). 'We had ups and downs but we stayed like a team. We won by one point but this is enough to celebrate the win,' concluded Gustas, who notched 17 points on 75% shooting from the field, including a couple of clutch shots that helped win the game.
Dexia's Travis Conlan (194-G-75, college: Michigan) went to the line to shoot two free throws with his team down 63-60 and two seconds on the clock. After making the first, he faced the dilemma of attempting to sink the second or missing to go for the offensive rebound.
'I made a big mistake when I told Conlon not to miss the second free throw, thinking we could get a quick foul and then change the score,' said coach Chris Finch after the game.
The Belgian club failed to foul as the Barons ran the clock to start their celebrations.
The Latvians took over the game right from the start, stopping Dexia's big guys and getting the guards in foul trouble. Dexia came back with a big third quarter and even took the lead in the fourth, but the Barons had the fortitude to turn the game in their favor and win by a point.
Armands Skele (192-G-83) was the main executor for the Barons the entire night. The athletic Latvian guard showed his classic all-around skills in registering 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists behind huge, hard-nosed fighting spirit.
Dexia got 13 points each from their guards Conlon and Nate Reinking (183-G-73, college: Kent St.); the former added five rebounds and four assists, with the latter grabbing six boards. Andrew Sullivan (203-F-80, college: Villanova) led the Dexia comeback in the third quarter and finished with 12 points and six rebounds.
The Barons held an early 15-5 lead, taking advantage of a terrible start shooting by Dexia in the game's opening minutes. Michal Hlebowicki's (204-F-76) three-pointer made it a 12-point game, but big plays by Dexia in the closing seconds allowed them to finish the first quarter down 23-15.
J.P. Batista (206-F/C-81, college: Gonzaga) came off the bench to cover a weak start by Demetrius Alexander (204-F/C-75, agency: CAA Sports, college: Alabama), and gave Riga its largest lead of the game at 29-15 with seven minuets to play in the first half. Reinking and Mike Lenzly (189-G-81, college: Wofford) hit from long range to change the pace of the game, and Jim Cantamessa sent the teams to halftime with the score 35-28.
Through the first half, Dexia's big bodies were scoreless and Conlon and Reinking amassed three fouls apiece, but they were still in the game.
The Barons allowed no breathing room, though, and two minutes into the third, Hlebowicki finished a fast break to again make it a 12 point game at 44-32.
Sullivan took control of the game for his team before it was too late and was the main factor behind a 16-4 run that tied the game in the next six minutes. Gustas and Skele there to ensure the Barons held a 62-58 lead at the end of the third quarter, but Dexia would not yet be vanquished: Lenzly again tied the score with a three-pointer, and Ben Ebong (202-F/C-76, college: Davidson) added a bucket from close range to give Dexia their first lead of the game with an 8-2 run early in the fourth.
Dexia increased the lead to four, but Gustas and Alexander came back with 4:30 left on the clock and everything changed.
After a slow night on offense Alexander stepped up and his jumper put Barons on top again, 59-58. He added a point from the line and contributed a great effort on defense before Gustas sank a jumper of his own to give his team a 62-58 lead with 1:21 to go.
Skele hit one of two from the line with 55 seconds on the clock and Sullivan made it just a three-point game. After Skele missed a three-pointer, Dexia was left with their last chance. To cap a fantastic performance, Gustas fouled Conlon to prevent a three-point shot attempt, thereby fouling out of the game with 0:02 on the clock.
Conlon was too accurate this time, allowing the Barons to pop the champagne corks. (Edited by Os Davis)
Courtesy FIBA
Korisliiga, Finals, Game 1: 'We are the challengers', said Honka's (Espoo) Head Coach Mihailo Pavicevic before the finals. And the challengers captured
at once in the first Final game the home court advantage as Kouvot (Kouvola) never came to own level and lost at Kouvola 71-79 (42-42). Quarters:
23-21, 19-21, 14-19, 15-18. The first final game was the best TV-game this season in Finland. Especially the two first quarters both teams played so
well both in offense and defense. Honka even improved with the defense during the second half and that was one of the keys for Honka's victory.
Kouvot didn't get much room for shooting treys (3/12) and home team had exceptionally many (19) turnovers in the game. Honka was hitting much
better from all distances. Kimmo Muurinen (202-F-81, college: UALR) led Honka with 22 pts and seven boards. Ben Perkins (200-F-79, college: Mc Neese St.) added 19 pts. Jukka Matinen (203-F-78) worked so hard in the defence. Tuomas Iisalo (195-G-82) scored 16 pts (nine pts during the first 10 minutes) for Kouvot. Jukka Kataja (197-F-82) added 14 pts. Kouvot - Honka 0-1. Game 2 on Tuesday, April 22, in Espoo.
Kouvot - Honka 71-79 (42-42) (Tuomas Iisalo 16/1, Jukka Kataja 14/5, Corey Smith 13/9, Wayne Bernard 11/0, Peter Cipriano 6/5, Roope Suonio 5/1, Samu Kaaresvirta 4/2, Tero Laitinen 2/1. 1 - 60,0%, 2 - 62,2%, 3 - 25,0%. R: 28. TO: 19. - Kimmo Muurinen 22/7, Ben Perkins 19/4, Matt Williams 14/4, Akeem Scott 12/1/7a, Jukka Matinen 7/4, Eldar Skamo 4/2, Petri Heinonen 1/0. 1 - 72,2%, 2 - 65,6%, 3 - 38,1%. R: 26. TO: 16).
The Chalon-Paris game which took place on 27 November was played with Mohammed Kon. At that time, however, the center had already been suspended for doping but played because he did not pick his mail up in time; Kon was therefore in court as well as against ASVEL one week later. If Chalon lost against the green team 95-89, they defeated Paris 60-59. Today, the disputed game is a key result in the fight against relegation and Paris benefited from the decision of the juridical French basketball league commission, which decided that this game had to be replayed.
Chalon is now studying the options for appeal, but this decision will surely be one of the hot spots over the next weeks. Some coaches already started raising questions about the wisdom of the decision, with Philippe Namyst wondering about 'the credibility of French basketball' and coach Choulet raising the duality between punishment inflicted on a player and another on an entire club. In today's edition of the newspaper l'Equipe, a total Ubuesque outcome is speculated upon, a total judicial mess that could lead to no relegations and 18 teams playing for the next championship... (Edited by Os Davis)
The top two teams in Pro B lost in away games last Saturday. Other games had Limoges winning versus St-Vallier, while Nanterre and Poitiers lost. The MVP of the day was American forward Nick Bradford (200-G/F-78, college: Kansas) of Reims, with the top ranking of 29.
Brest (13)* 86-79 JL Bourg Basket (1)
Gay: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks / Reid: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 10 turnovers.
Mathis: 23 points, 8 rebounds / Dorsey: 15 points, 5 rebounds.
Toti: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists / Field: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists.
Younger: 19 points, 8 rebounds / Ingram: 24 points, 3 assists, 5 steals.
Chigard:14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals / Moerman: 14 points, 9 rebounds.
Freeman: 22 points, 8 rebounds / Bucknor: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals.
Boulazac (10) 55-79 Aix-Maurienne (7)
Forbes: 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists / McClark: 22 points, 10 rebounds.
Reims (18) 72-65
Besanon (11) 74-59 Chlons (15)
Schmieder: 14 points, 6 assists / Sy: 18 points, 6 rebounds.
*before the game
Of note: The first triple-double recorded this season in Pro B was turned in by Reims' Nick Bradford: Bradford posted 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 11 assists ... Nanterre suffered its sixth defeat in nine games ... Reims will play in NM1 next year, but who will be the second for relegation: Le Portel, St-Vallier or Chlons? ... Great suspense remains at the top, where five teams are within three wins of one another; at the bottom of the table, three teams are tied. (Edited by Os Davis)
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MZT FON Univerzitet Skopje beat Amak SP in Ohrid 90-86 in game one of their quarterfinal matchup. As the away team, Skopje played a very smart and solid game, leading from word go. The home team came back to within two points at 84-82 late, but missed their offense and lost the game.
Muhamed Thaci lead MZT with 30 points, going 11-of-11 from the foul line, while Jarrid Frye's 28 points were not enough for the Ohrid-based side.
Fersped Rabotnicki took the lead against Svisslion Pelister, thanks to a 84-74 home win. Dimitar Mirakovski had a great second half, scoring 30 of his total 33 points to help his side solidify home-court advantage.
Fixtures from game 2 will be played tomorrow night. (Edited by Os Davis)
Player of the Day: Jean Francois (197-F-80, agency: AMI, college: Georgia Southern), Cuxhaven: 53 points on 21-of-36 shooting and 9-of-16 on three-pointers, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal.
Points: Jean Francois,
Rebounds: Gary Hamilton (208-F/C-84, college: Miami, FL), Lich: 22.
Assists: Monta McGhee (202-F-79, agency: AMI, college: Lewis),
Steals: Brandon Gary (202-F-83, college: Hutchinson JC),
Blocked Shots: Frederick Gary Kleemichen (209-F-86),
Check out all stats and scores at the official website of the 2. Bundesliga. (Edited by Os Davis)
For all the stats and scores, check out the official website of the 2. Bundesliga.
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Ian Vouyoukas (212-C/F-85, college: St.Louis) turned in a great game against PAOK and was rewarded with the MVP award for week 25. In Rethymno's 89-62 win over PAOK, the talented young center scored 27 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks in the 29th game. The Greek center contributed his best effort in a Rethymno jersey and proved to be the foundation in the vital win over PAOK. The islanders of
In other news from week 25, we had the mathematically top position in the regular season on behalf of champions Panathinaikos, led by another great game from Dimitris Diamantidis (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks) ... an overtime road victory was had by Olympiakos over Zouros Panellinios. Lynn Greer put in 20 points for Olympiakos in the 74-69 win. ... Panionios registered a nice home win over Markopouloss Marousi, 92-80 ... also winning were Kolossos Rodou in Patras over Olympiada and Aris over Egaleo in Alexandreion Melthron, 94-67 ... AEK Athens defeated Olympia Larissas, 84-66, and Christos Tapoutos (208-F-82) scored 20 points for the winners. (Edited by Os Davis)
Saturday night in the FEB's final regular season weekend showed little drama in the race for the last playoff seedings. Defending Dutch champions Eiffel Towers overtook the West Brabant Giants for the 2nd place spot while Upstairs Weert held on to the last playoff spot, and Landstede Basketball, the Matrixx Magixx and the Hanzevast Capitals scoring impressive wins.
In the Maaspoort, Eiffel Towers took control of the game's tempo from the 2nd quarter on, building a 46-31 halftime lead and cruising to a 92-74 win over no. 1 seed MyGuide Amsterdam. Darrell Tucker 
(206-F-80, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: USF) led Eiffel with 25 points, and Robert Owens (201-F-82, college: Ball St.) added 18. Eiffel also made 12 three-point shots. Eiffel will face no. 7 Landstede in the first round of the FEB playoffs.
In Leeuwarden, Upstairs Weert made a statement for themselves, coming out of the starting blocks hungary against Aris Friesland, jumping out to a 36-16 lead at the end of the first quarter and not letting up in rolling to a 131-102 blowout win. FEB statistical champion Ashley Champion (198-F-81, college: Chattanooga) continued his strong late-season play with a game-high 31 points and 9 assists, with Trey McDowell (188-G-85, college: Louisiana Tech) adding 30. Upstairs will face a tough matchup with top seed MyGuide Amsterdam.
In the ZBC Hall, Landstede Basketball had no trouble making the playoffs in their matchup with ZZ Leiden. While Leiden was a team fighting to extend its season, Landstede needed merely to hold onto the 7th spot. Landstede had to deal with their leading scorer Darnell Wilson (198-F-85, college: Canisius) being in foul trouble throughout most of the game, but had others who stepped up in his place. In the end, Landstede eliminated ZZ Leiden from playoff contention in winning 77-71. Robby Bostain (191-G/F-84, agency: Sports Plus International, college: Furman) had a strong game, scoring 22 points to go with 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals; Gerad Punch (193-G/F, college: Furman) added 13 points and 10 boards. Nikki Hulzebos (206-F-86) put in a strong performance for Landstede, scoring 12 points.
At Martini Plaza, the Hanzevast Capitals too made a statement, with a strong fourth-quarter finish in defeating nemeses the Rotterdam Challengers, overtaking Rotterdam for the no. 5 sed. In a tight ballgame through three quarters, Hanzevast closed with a 36-17 run to finish off the Rotterdammers, 94-75. Alton Mason (185-G-77, agency: Court Side, college: Arizona St.) led Hanzevast with 24 points. Hanzevast will face the Matrixx Magixx in the first round of the FEB playoffs.
In Den Helder, the Matrixx Magixx also finished off the regular season in style, taking no prisoners in giving Den Helder Seals no chance and winning in a 106-57 blowout. Matrixx shot 64.8% from the floor and had five players in double figures, led by
Alhaji Mohammed (192-G-81, agency: Beo Basket, college: Louisville) with 24 points. Matrixx also dished out 27 assists in clinching the no. 4 seed and first-round homecourt advantage. (Edited by Os Davis)Dutch NT player Kees Akerboom (199-F-83, agency: Court Side) has received a four-year contract extension from Eiffel Towers Den Bosch.
Akerboom, a 24-year-old forward, was trained at EBBC Den Bosch and, after sojourns with Nijmegen and Groningen, returned to the Eiffel Towers Den Bosch two years ago. Akerboom averaged 12.2 points per game this season.
Aside from Akerboom, Marcel Aarts, Jos Frederiks and Jeroen van Vugt have also recently signed multi-year deals with Eiffel Towers. Eiffel Towers gave an interpretation of team policy, i.e. to increase the input of Dutch top players in the near future. (Edited by Os Davis)
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Only one game remains in the regular season and while Ferrara is promoted and Novara relegated, Caserta (Andrea Ghiacci (200-G/F-81) 21 pts) is sure to be the first seed in the playoffs ranking after winning at Ferrara behind Andre Collins (183-G-82, college: Loyola, MD) and his 20 points.
Meanwhile, 35 from Alvin Young (191-F-75, agency: SportsTalent, college: Niagara) wasn't enough for Reggio Emilia, who lost at home to Rimini and German Scarone (190-G-75) with 25 points.
Five players scored in double figures as Montecatini defeated Livorno. Rashad Anderson (195-G/F-83, college: Connecticut) of Montecatini led all scorers with 24 points. The team still hopes to avoid relegation with a win next Sunday and a loss by Fabriano at home against Novara. Novara defeated Soresina thanks to 30 points and 9 rebounds from Philip Martin (202-F-80, college: Hawaii). Quadre Lollis (200-F/C-73, college: Montana St.) put in 21 for Soresina.
Great defense was seen at Sassari, where the team coached by Demis Cavina beat Casale.
Luis Flores (188-G-81, college: Manhattan) put up 30 points at Veroli, but his team Fabriano lost.
Six players scored in double figures as Pavia won against Pistoia.
Tim Pickett (193-G/F-81, agency: Interperformances, college: Florida St.) scored 27, but the 27 scored by counterpart Ryan Hoover (188-G-74, agency: SportsTalent, college: Notre Dame) put Hoover's Jesi squad over Pickett and Imola.
Other results:
Agr.Glo.Mont.-TDShop.it LI 87-81.
Trenkwalder RE-Coopsette RN 76-83.
Carife FE-Pepsi Caserta 73-85.
Ignis Novara-Vanoli Soresina 92-86.
BancoSardegna-Fastweb Casale 55-51.
Prima Veroli-Indesit Fab 87-83.
Edimes PV-Carmatic PT 86-73.
Fileni Jesi-Aget Imola 89-79.
See complete boxscores at LegaDueBasket.it. (Edited by Os Davis)
(214-C-71, agency: Interperformances) scored 20 points, and the 15 for Ibrahim Jaaber (188-G-84, college: Pennsylvania) was his personal best in Italy. Cimberio Varese won his first game on the road this season at Capo D'Orlando. Varese has won three of the last four (albeit meaningless) games. Key to Varese's favorable result: Giacomo Galanda (211-F/C-75). Against Pierrel Gek, Galanda had 24 points, and in Varese's eight wins he has averaged 16 points. Along with Galanda, Mario Austin (206-F/C-82, college: Mississippi St.) is also in prime shape at this moment of the season, scoring 23 in the overtime match at Biella. Angelico is now out of playoff contention. Thanks to the victory over Rieti, Upim Bologna is in: Rieti-Upim Bologna was another game that went down to the wire, with Steven Smith (203-F-83, college: La Salle) missing a shot that would have won the game. Legea Scafati clinched 17th place with a win at home against La Fortezza. Of note is the huge 20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 4 steals and 4 assists turned in by Marcus Hatten (186-G-80, college: St.John's). (Edited by Os Davis)
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Men: Sigal Prishtina 95, Peja 77.
Women: Bashkimi 79, Sigal Prishtina 60.
Source: fbk-ks.com. (Edited by Os Davis)
Liceo de Costa Rica defeated 90-69 Sat-Cybertech in Game 3 of the Liga Centroamericana 2008 Final Four, ending the competition at the first place undefeated, and qualifying for the next edition of Liga de las Americas for Clubs. This is an historical success for all the CostaRican basketball. The triumph of the 'Red Express' was completed by the award of its player Kendrick Jones (190-G-83, college: Columbus St.) as the Final Four MVP. Jones scored 20 pts in the last game, and his teammate Hernol Hall (205-C-82, agency: Sports Plus International, college: Lon Morris JC) scored 24 pts to be the team's top scorer. In the last game of the competition, Pioneros de Quintana Roo-Cancun prevailed over Icevic Tegucigalpa 89-70, clinching the second spot for the Liga de las Americas. The final standings of Liga Centroamericana 2008 are as follows:
1. Liceo 3-0
2. Pioneros 2-1
3. Sat-Cybertech 1-2
4. Icevic 0-3
In a derby game of Round 9 in the Montenegrin Play-Out League, Basketball Primorje lost to Mornar Basketball Club from Bar at home in H. Novi, 73-77 (scoring by quarters, 17-14; 13-16; 19-21;24-26). Following the loss, Primorje and Kotor Basketball Club, as the bottom two teams in MNT Play-Out League, will be relegated to the MNT1B Division for next season. For Mornar, the high scorer was Mijovic with 28 points. Igor Bjelic (208-F/C-87) contributed 25 ponts and 12 rebounds. For Primorje, Sucevicho totalled 27 points.
Other results: Jedinstvo 100, Ulcinj 78. Rudar 113, Kotor 84 (Dujovic scored 25 points and Mirko Vukajlovic (198-G-80) added 18 for Rudar; Mandic put in 17 points for BC Kotor). (Edited by Os Davis)
In a derby game in Round 5 of the Montenegrin basketball super league, visiting team Mogren Basketball Club of Budva won over Danilovgrad, 98-91 (scoring by quarter, 22-23; 24-24; 22-29; 30-25). For Mogren, again best was Boris Lalovic (206-C-81) with 24 points and 10 rebounds - index 33 (in game of 5 Round index 40). Also of note were Stefanovic with 18 points, Smiljanic with 19, and Samir Leric (204-F/C-74) with 15 points and 10 rebounds. For Danilovgrad, Vasilije Seferovic (193-G/F-85) put in 20 points.
Other results from Round 5: Buducnost 84, Lovcen 79; ABS Primorje 91, Niksic 74. (Edited by Os Davis)
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(201-F/C-82, college: Mississippi) (Vitoria), with 29 points, 15 rebounds and 3 steals, the unavoidable Tommie Eddie ....
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The Romanian championship has reached the playoff stage and the top eight teams hit the road aiming for the title.
Top-ranked CSU Ploiesti took on Targu Mures at home in the opening game of the series. Eighth seed Targu Mures challenged the league favorites and the teams were tied after 20 minutes of action, 46-46. However, CSU Ploiesti gradually clawed their way ahead and took over the initiative. A well-balanced offensive effort allowed the hosts to dominate late in rolling to an 88-80 win. Arvydas Cepulis (195-G-79) and Alexander Deangelo scored 21 points apiece to lead CSU Ploiesti. Rashard Griffith (212-C-74, agency: Edge Sports, college: Wisconsin) added 16 points and 10 boards for the winners. JuJuan Cooley (175-G-82, college: Indiana Tech) was impressive for Targu Mures with 33 points. Bryan McCullough (198-G/F-83, agency: AMI, college: NC-Asheville) had 15 points in defeat.
CSU Sibiu also gained a 1-0 lead in the series against Dinamo Bucuresti. CSU Sibiu led from the tipoff and gradually piled up a comfortable advantage. The hosts went 48% from the field and Dinamo Bucuresti simply had few answers to such a confident display of skills from Sibiu. Jason Smith (197-F-77, college: Mississippi) knocked down 20 points and pulled down 10 boards to propel CSU Sibiu to an 81-71 victory. William Hatcher (188-G-84, agency: LimeLight, college: Miami, OH) nailed 18 points, while Menelik Barbary (208-C-83, agency: Worldwide Hoops, college: San Jose St.) dropped 16 points for the winners. Four Dinamo players netted 11 points apiece in a losing effort.
Tudor Dumitrescu scored 36 points, but it still was not enough for Gaz Metan to celebrate a road win over U Mobitelco. Instead, Mobitelco overcame a 10-point deficit before the fourth quarter and forced overtime. Brad Buckman (203-F-84, college: Texas) provided 25 points and paced the home team to a hard-fought 99-90 victory. LeVar Seals (194-G-82, agency: Naiditch Entertainment, college: De Paul) notched 21 points for the winners. Rob Thomson (208-C-82, college: Fairfield) replied with 14 points for Gaz Metan.
Rapid Bucuresti edged Timisoara at home, 89-82, to pull in front in the quarterfinal series. Five players scored in double figures as Rapid stepped closer to the semis. Ivan Stefanovic (201-G/F-80, agency: World Sport Agency) and Adrian Voinescu canned 19 points apiece for the winners. Milos Pesic (202-F-84) responded with 17 points for Timisoara. (Edited by Os Davis)
Partizan Igokea celebrates in eternal derby against Crvena Zvezda with a 83-78 win much tougher than anyone expected. Zvezda played without captain Tadija Dragicevic, guard Boris Bakic and, of course, head coach Stevan Karadzic, who resigned from his position 24 hours before the game.
The reigning Serbian and Adriatic league champions had to work very hard in order to reach their third Superleague win. In the 13th minute, Zvezda had run up a 27-19 lead and held the advantage through 33 minutes. In the 34th, Velickovic, Pekovic and Palacio led Partizan on a 10-0 run and with four minutes to go took a 71-69 lead. Partizan's players maintained the lead without problem until the buzzer.
Novica Velickovic (205-F-86) led Partizan to the win while collecting 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Euroleague player of the year Nikola Pekovic (210-C-86, agency: Beo Basket) added 17 points and 6 rebounds, while Milton Palacio (190-G-78, college: Colorado St.) also had 17 points to go with his 4 assists. USA point guard Omar Cook (186-G-82, college: St.John's) was once again top performer for Zvezda, collecting 14 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. (Edited by Os Davis)
Crvena Zvezda 78, Partizan Igokea 83
(scoring by quarter, 20-17; 26-27; 13-15; 19-24)
Zvezda: Subotic 16 (6 rebs), Kikanovic 16, Cook 14 (4 rebs, 7 assists).
Partizan: Velickovic 21 (4 rebs, 4 steals), Pekovic 17 (6 rebs), Palacio 17 (4 assists).
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Geoplin Slovan captured the U-19 Championship with a 76-51 victory over Parklji. Uros Zadnik (185-G-90) was named MVP of the Final Four; top rebounder was Czech Jan Vesely (14.0 per game) and Marko Vranjkovic of Mario Primorac was top scorer (20.0 ppg).
Final results: Geoplin Slovan 76, Parklji 51. Third-place game: Mario Primorac 75, Jance 61. Semifinals: Geoplin Slovan 74, Jance 48; Parklji 75, Mario Primorac 60. Full stats are available at http://www.mladinski-portal.com/.
Geoplin Slovan roster: 4 Uros Zadnik, 5 Klemen Panic, 6 Luka Hren, 7 Danijel Majstorovic, 8 Tilen Heco, 9 Zoran Dragic, 10 Mitja Nikolic Smrdelj, 11 Sinisa Bilic, 12 Sasa Petrovic, 13 Jakob Virk, 14 Davor Cvjetkovic. 15 Jan Vesely. Coach: Mirsad Alilovic. (Edited by Os Davis)
The Samsung Thunders hosted Dongbu Promy with their backs against the wall, down two games to zero, and edged Dongbu by a penny, 88-87. Leather Terrence (206-C-81, college: S.Florida) led all scorers with 34 points and added 12 rebounds.
Dongbu still holds a 2-1 lead in the series and home-court advantage. Samsung still has to win another game In Seoul before returning to Wonju to stay alive in the best-of-seven series. Game four will be held on Wednesday, April 23, in Seoul.
For more details, see http://www.kbl.or.kr/. (Edited by Os Davis)
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SAN ANTONIO - He wasn't supposed to be involved. Not on that fateful play. Not at the end of Saturday's first overtime at the AT&T Center.
But at the last second, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich switched assignments, and Tim Duncan, the play's third option, buried one of the bigger shots of his career.
'In all honesty, I didn't think (the ball) was going to go there,' Popovich said after a 117-115 double-overtime win that gave the Spurs a 1-0 lead in their first-round playoff series with the Suns.
'But he was exactly where he was supposed to be, and you could imagine my horror when it went in his direction. That's not what we expected.'
The Spurs trailed 104-101 with 12.6 seconds left. Manu Ginobili waited for a Duncan screen near the top of the key and drove left.
Suns center Shaquille O'Neal broke from Duncan and tried to slow Ginobili enough for Steve Nash to catch up, but the Spurs guard had a step.
Ginobili considered driving all the way. He had an open lane. But he was aware of the time. A layup meant the Spurs still needed another possession, so with 6.4 seconds left, Ginobili turned and fired to Duncan, who was feeling confident after nailing an 18-foot jumper a minute earlier.
O'Neal tried to reverse course. Suns guard Raja Bell, standing near the basket, sprinted toward Duncan. But it was too late. The two-time MVP took his time, got his feet under him and drilled his first 3-pointer since March 28, 2007. This one produced a second overtime.
'I had all the time in the world to line it up,' Duncan said. 'I just threw it up there and hoped for the best.'
From the San Antonio bench, Brent Barry wasn't even sure Ginobili knew who he was throwing to. Kurt Thomas wasn't positive Duncan had that kind of range. Popovich feared the worst.
'Whenever Timmy shoots a 3, I have doubt,' he said, joking. 'He's been on me lately for taking his game away and keeping him close to the rim. He thinks he has a lot more to show and I won't allow it. I think he's trying to send me a message.'
Asked how confident he is from such distances, Duncan said, 'Not very.' Then he changed his mind. 'No, I'm very confident. I don't think anybody else is.'
Before the game, the one statistic everyone kept repeating belonged to Duncan. In two games against O'Neal and the Suns, he had shot 15 of 40, averaging 20 points.
In Game 1, he hit 16 of 24 shots, finishing with 40 points, 15 rebounds and a 3-pointer he won't forget anytime soon.
Doug Haller
The Arizona Republic
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Women News
*****************************************************The four teams which won the right to play in the A1 this coming seazon and that tehy will replace the historic team of Sporting, Iraklis Thessalonikis, AIAS Evosmou and Asteras Exarhion are Apollon Kalamarias, Olympiada Larisas, Paleo Faliro Pireus and DASAL (Ano Liosa)
In their last game the four teams had the following results:
Aris Thivas - Paleo Faliro Pireus 56-59
Hania - Ano Liosa 66-85
Apollon Kalamarias - AE Pylaias 95-51
Olympiada Larissas - AO Triglias 78-58
Attalos and PAOK will compete each other in a special series of play offs, in case any of the teams which are currently participating in the A1 cannot 'afford' to remain in the A1 division so the position will be held from the winner of the game between Attalos and PAOK (Their in between gaem will be held in the neutral stadium of Volos this coming Wednesday 23 of April, 2008)
Esperides defeated Panathinaikos 62-60 thanks to the two breaks of Tula Kalentzou toward the end, and now needs a victory on the last match-day against Aias, in order to celebrate the title. Before the start of the game, Thanassis Giannakopoulos honored Papailias for his great contributionsto Panathinaikos, as the sensational guard decided to retire from basketball.
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The Korean women's national team celebrated their first win in the Good Luck Beijing 2008 tournament, overcoming New Zealand in the second round of action to improve to 1-1 for the competition. Kim Jung Eun (181-F-87) erupted with 26 points to propel Korea to a 90-78 victory.
The Asian team came out firing and converted an impressive 72% from the field to succeed. Jung Sun Min (186-C-74) had 18 points, while Choi Youn Ah (170-G-85) dropped in 13 for the winners. Korea led by four after the first quarter and widened its lead to 9 points at the break. The Tall Ferns got into foul trouble early and failed to revive the intrigue in this one, suffering its second consecutive loss. Angela Marino (166-G-86) provided 22 points and 5 boards in defeat.
South Korea next faced the world's top-seed, Team USA. Korea could only keep it close for the first five minutes of the game. Then Sylvia Fowles (198-C-85, college: LSU) and Lisa Leslie (196-C-72, college: USC) nailed a bunch of buckets and the North American players ran out to a double-digit lead. Overwhelming dominance under the rims allowed the USA to build a 39-28 buffer at halftime. Korea trimmed it to 10 points midway through the third period, but the USA opened up a 19-point lead with one quarter to go. Korea put up little resistance in the final stanza and suffered its second loss at the tournament. Sylvia Fowles notched 20 points and 10 boards.
Lisa Leslie contributed 16 points and 12 boards, while Candice Wiggins (180-G-87, college: Stanford) and Katie Smith (180-G-74, college: Ohio St.) had 11 points apiece for the winning side. Jung Sun Min (186-C-74) and Beon Yeon Ha (182-F-80) nailed 13 points apiece for Korea. Team USA outrebounded their opponents 57-18 and converted 53% from the field. (Edited by Os Davis)
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An outstanding Final series is on the way to end in Swedish Play-offs. The spectators however lucky to see all the games that were scheduled in the Final. Solna Vikings grabbed the road win and expect a home game on April 22.
Solna Vikings will have a home court advantage in the last game of the Final. Playing away from home Solna grabbed the win over Telge 64:74. The visitors took a lead after the first 10 minutes of the game ad had 20:15 advantage. In a back-to-back second period Solna Vikings luckily increased to 6 points before the half time.
After 20:18 in the third period the game was almost close at 55:51. Entering the last period Solna realized that it could be the last quarter in the series, however they enlarged the series to at least four more periods. A 15:9 in the final quarter saw the series tied at 2-2. Katarina Andersson (191-C-83) paced the winners with 17 points. Jurgita Kausaite (178-G/F-70, college: Emporia St.) netted 16, while Christy Bacon had 15. Frida Eldebrink (174-G-88) top-scored for the hosts with 22 points.
The Final Game 5 is scheduled on April 25th.
Telge - Solna Vikings 64-74
Telge: Frida Eldebrink 22, Erica Blomgren (179-F-83) 14, Louice Halvarsson 10, Elin Eldebrink 10, Shelley Hammonds 4, Josefin Olheim 4, Linda Stеhlberg 0, Cleopatra Forsman 0, Camilla Osth 0
Solna Vikings: Katarina Andersson 17, Jurgita Kausaite 16, Christy Bacon 15, Michaela Livijn 10, Jennifer Harris 8, Elisabeth Egnell 6, Anna Hцglund 2, Helena Klackenberg 0