Superliga Round 2 (Regular Season): Skenderbeu loses to Beselidhja

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in Superliga. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Skenderbeu in Korce on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by Beselidhja 97-88. Beselidhja made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. Americans were the main players on the court. Swingman Stephen Behil (201, college: Whitworth) scored 23 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and guard Jalen Knott (188, college: GSU) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Beselidhja's coach Afrim Bilali used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Melvin Evans (193, college: Caldwell) responded with 29 points and 5 assists.
The game in Tirana supposed to be also worth to mention about. Teuta played at the court of Partizani. Teuta smashed Partizani 89-62. American forward Nazareth Fisher (208, college: EIU) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points and 18 rebounds to lead the effort and Trey Hubbard supported him with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 15 assists. Even 16 points and 5 rebounds by American guard Milan Mejia (188-2001, college: Louisiana) did not help to save the game for Partizani. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.
The game in Vlore was also quite interesting. Apolonia played at the court of Flamurtari. Apolonia defeated Flamurtari 84-70 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Jaron Thames who scored 22 points and 4 assists. Zach Engels produced a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts.

In the last two games of round 2 Vllaznia won against Pogradeci on the opponent's court 69-54. Elbasani managed to outperform Tirana in a home game 89-86.



Pogradeci - Vllaznia 54-69:
Rather expected game when Pogradeci was defeated at home by Vllaznia 69-54 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was American forward Zachary Mogbo (201-1998, college: Utah Valley) who had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import guard Jayden Hibbitt (198, college: Ottawa, KS) chipped in 22 points and 7 rebounds. American-Gambian center Pindo Drammeh (207-1996, college: Jessup) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and American-Nigerian guard Mark-Anthony Fidelis (185-2000, college: Salem) added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the hosts.
Top scorers:
Vllaznia: J.Hibbitt 22+7reb, Z.Mogbo 19+10reb+2ast, W.Myles 12+5reb+4ast, W.Errol 9+10reb+1ast, M.Elian 5+3reb+1ast, R.Shestani 2+5reb+6ast
Pogradeci: P.Drammeh 18+11reb, M.Fidelis 15+7reb+5ast, B.Ledjo 7+11reb+4ast, H.Mateo 7+10reb+4ast, W.Brendan 7+2reb+2ast, V.Rando 0

Partizani - Teuta 62-89:
The game in Tirana supposed to be also worth to mention about. Teuta played at the court of Partizani. Teuta smashed Partizani 89-62. Teuta dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Partizani's 34. They outrebounded Partizani 46-27 including a 34-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Teuta players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American forward Nazareth Fisher (208, college: EIU) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points and 18 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import guard Trey Hubbard (190-2002, college: C-N) supported him with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 15 assists. Four Teuta players scored in double figures. Even 16 points and 5 rebounds by American guard Milan Mejia (188-2001, college: Louisiana) did not help to save the game for Partizani. Pellumb Bisheva (-1999) added 12 points for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.
Top scorers:
Teuta: F.Nazareth 21+18reb+2ast, G.Michael 20+6reb+4ast, D.Redford 17+10reb+2ast, H.Trey 16+5reb+15ast, K.Gorea 9+4reb, E.Kamenica 4+2reb
Partizani: M.Mejia 16+5reb+2ast, B.Pellumb 12+4reb, F.Paloka 10+2reb+3ast, P.Gridi 8+2reb+5ast, G.Kejdi 4+3reb+1ast, P.Dejvis 3+1reb+1ast

Flamurtari - Apolonia 70-84:
The game in Vlore was also quite interesting. Apolonia played at the court of Flamurtari. Apolonia defeated Flamurtari 84-70 on Saturday. Apolonia dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Flamurtari's 22. Apolonia forced 20 Flamurtari turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American swingman Jaron Thames (198, college: MWSU) who scored 22 points and 4 assists. The other American import forward Tyrone Wright (206-2002, college: MSSU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. American Zach Engels (193, college: UMHB) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and ex-international Arlind Merkaj (-1993) added 14 points and 8 assists respectively for the hosts. Four Flamurtari players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Apolonia: T.Jaron 22+3reb+4ast, T.Lane 20+3reb+1ast, W.Tyrone 14+12reb, D.Elijah 9+3reb+14ast, R.Malachi 9+8reb+3ast, K.Bare 5
Flamurtari: E.Zach 24+10reb+4ast, M.Arlind 14+2reb+8ast, Z.Wilson 14+4reb+1ast, S.Armelind 11+7reb+2ast, S.Marsel 5+1reb+4ast, M.Miklovan 2+4reb+3ast

Skenderbeu - Beselidhja 88-97:
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Skenderbeu in Korce on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by Beselidhja 97-88. Beselidhja made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. Americans were the main players on the court. Swingman Stephen Behil (201, college: Whitworth) scored 23 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and guard Jalen Knott (188, college: GSU) chipped in 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Beselidhja players scored in double figures. Beselidhja's coach Afrim Bilali used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Melvin Evans (193, college: Caldwell) responded with 29 points and 5 assists and guard Ahmoni Weston (185, college: Madonna) scored 25 points and 6 rebounds.
Top scorers:
Beselidhja: S.Behil 23+7reb+2ast, K.Jalen 18+6reb+4ast, B.Cole 16+3reb+3ast, F.Lilaj 13+4reb, L.Alimani 10+2reb, H.Eldi 7+5reb+6ast
Skenderbeu: E.Melvin 29+3reb+5ast, W.Ahmoni 25+6reb+2ast, S.Carter 10+7reb+1ast, B.Keithean 8+2reb+1ast, H.Ethan 7+2reb, K.Stephen 6+4reb+1ast

Elbasani - Tirana 89-86:
Elbasani used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Tirana 89-86 on Sunday night. They outrebounded Tirana 44-31 including 33 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Belizean-American point guard David Thompson (183, college: CWU) who scored 32 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. American center Chiwer Mayen (206, college: Bates) chipped in 12 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks. American point guard Jaedon Willis (183-1999, college: NDC) produced 21 points and 9 assists and ex-international center Samuel Skendaj (197-2001) added 24 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Elbasani: D.Thompson 32+5reb+9ast, A.Cela 24+5reb+2ast, C.Mayen 12+22reb, M.Keyln 12+5reb+7ast, K.Cansler 8+4reb, B.Skendaj 1+2reb
Tirana: S.Samuel 24+9reb, J.Willis 21+3reb+9ast, G.Biliew 11+4reb+2ast, B.Laryea 10+6reb+2ast, M.Madison 8+3reb, S.Klein 8+2reb+5ast