Round 18 (Regular Season): Antwerp Giants rally past Kangoeroes

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game of round 18 was a derby match between two teams from Belgium. Second ranked Antwerp Giants outleveled visiting Kangoeroes (11-7) 81-40. Antwerp forced 21 Mechelen turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 5 passes made by Mechelen's players. It was a good game for American guard Enoch Cheeks (190-2001, college: Dayton) who led his team to a victory with 19 points. Niels De Ridder (195-2001) contributed with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Swedish forward Zaba Bangala (201-2001) replied with 5 points and 8 rebounds for Mechelen. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Antwerp maintains second position with 15-3 record behind leader Oostende. Mechelen lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with seven games lost. They share the position with Brussels. Antwerp are looking forward to face Groningen (#9) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mechelen will have a break next round.
One of the most interesting games of round 18 was a derby match between two teams from Holland. Sixth ranked ZZ Leiden won against visiting BAL Weert (2-17) 80-65. Forward Lucas Kruithof (199-2000) had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Brandon Bergsma chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Senegalese-French forward Kara Sene (199-2006) with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. BAL Weert's coach rotated twelve players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. ZZ Leiden (12-6) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Den Bosch and Kortrijk. BAL Weert at the other side keeps the seventeenth position with 17 games lost. ZZ Leiden will play against Leuven (#11) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. BAL Weert will have a break next round.
One of the most interesting games of round 18 was a derby match between two teams from Belgium. Fifth ranked Okapi Aalst won against host Spirou Charleroi (7-9) 73-67. Dante Maddox Jr notched 26 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort. Okapi Aalst's coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 22 points by Juwan Gary did not help to save the game for Charleroi. Aalst (13-6) moved-up to third place. Loser Spirou Charleroi keeps the twelfth position with nine games lost. Aalst will meet at home Brussels (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Charleroi will play against Den Bosch (#4) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 18: Limburg was beaten by Den Bosch on the road 95-79. Den Helder won against Leuven on its own court 71-66. Kortrijk was outscored by Groningen in a road game 105-84. Union Mons managed to beat Rotterdam at home 82-78. Leeuwarden was defeated by Oostende on the opponent's court 94-76. Brussels smashed Zwolle in a home game 97-75.
The most impressive performance of 18th round was 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Demetric Horton of Brussels.



Den Bosch - Limburg 95-79

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Dutch Den Bosch (12-6) beat at home 10th ranked Belgian Limburg United (9-9) 95-79 on Friday. Den Bosch made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Lithuanian Arunas Mikalauskas (203-1997) notched 17 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and center Menno Dijkstra (213-1997, college: UC Riverside) supported him with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Den Bosch players scored in double figures. Den Bosch's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 25 points by American guard Jalen Blackmon (190-2002, college: Miami, FL) did not help to save the game for Limburg. Dutch guard Marijn Ververs (194-1998) added 11 points and 5 assists. Defending Dutch champion moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Kortrijk and ZZ Leiden. Loser Limburg United keeps the tenth position with nine games lost. Den Bosch will meet at home Charleroi (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Limburg will play against the league's leader Oostende and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Den Bosch: K.Troy 18+1reb+2ast, M.Arunas 17+9reb+2ast, D.Menno 17+6reb+5ast, W.Jae'Lyn 11+9reb+1ast, S.Brandon 9+3reb+5ast, K.Veinot 8+1reb+1ast
Limburg: J.Blackmon 25+2reb+3ast, M.Ververs 11+4reb+5ast, N.Baumann 11+6reb+2ast, L.Wout 9+5reb+2ast, N.Muszynski 7+4reb+1ast, N.Timberlake 6+4reb

Antwerp - Mechelen 81-40

The most interesting game of round 18 was a derby match between two teams from Belgium. Second ranked Antwerp Giants outleveled visiting Kangoeroes (11-7) 81-40. Antwerp forced 21 Mechelen turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 5 passes made by Mechelen's players. It was a good game for American guard Enoch Cheeks (190-2001, college: Dayton) who led his team to a victory with 19 points. Niels De Ridder (195-2001) contributed with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four Antwerp Giants players scored in double figures. Swedish forward Zaba Bangala (201-2001) replied with 5 points and 8 rebounds and American point guard Joshua Heath (186-1994, college: Georgia Tech) added 11 points in the effort for Mechelen. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Antwerp maintains second position with 15-3 record behind leader Oostende. Mechelen lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with seven games lost. They share the position with Brussels. Antwerp are looking forward to face Groningen (#9) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mechelen will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Antwerp: C.Enoch 19+4reb+3ast, K.Vincent 14+3reb+4ast, L.Elias 13+5reb, D.Niels 11+8reb+4ast, F.Andrew 8+4reb+2ast, V.Letto 6+6reb+1ast
Mechelen: J.Heath 11+2reb+2ast, T.Ewuosho 8+3reb+1ast, W.Seppe 6+7reb, N.Stampley 5+7reb, Y.Dammen 5+1reb, Z.Bangala 5+8reb+2ast

Den Helder - Leuven 71-66

There was an upset when higher ranked Belgian Leuven Bears (8-10) lost on the road to sixteenth ranked Dutch Den Helder (5-13) 71-66 on Saturday. Den Helder made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. American point guard Reggie Mesidor (183, college: Southeastern) notched 18 points and 5 assists to lead the effort and the other American import forward Carter Gilmore (201, college: Wisconsin) supported him with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Four Den Helder players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds by swingman Tytan Anderson (198, college: UNI) did not help to save the game for Leuven. American guard Will Pruitt (190, college: Lipscomb) added 14 points. Leuven Bears' coach tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Den Helder moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Zwolle. Loser Leuven Bears keeps the eleventh position with ten games lost. Den Helder will meet higher ranked Union Mons (#13) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Leuven will play against ZZ Leiden and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Den Helder: M.Reggie 18+4reb+5ast, G.Carter 17+8reb+1ast, B.Antoine 12+7reb+3ast, U.Siem 10+7reb+1ast, S.Drew 7+7reb+1ast, J.Visser 3+3reb
Leuven: T.Anderson 17+10reb+2ast, W.Pruitt 14+3reb+2ast, R.Bucumi 14+4reb+1ast, R.Rogiers 7+5reb+2ast, K.Talford 5+9reb+1ast, W.Boss Mukubu 5+2reb

Groningen - Kortrijk 105-84

There was a surprise result when ninth ranked Dutch Groningen (10-6) rolled over at home higher ranked Belgian House of Talents (12-6) 105-84 on Saturday. Groningen outrebounded Kortrijk 38-21 including 24 on the defensive glass. Groningen looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Kortrijk's players. Danish forward Dane Erikstrup (208-2003, college: WSU) notched 30 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and American guard Austin Luke (191-1994, college: Belmont) supported him with 18 points and 8 assists. Even 18 points and 7 rebounds by Jarne Lesuisse (190-2000) did not help to save the game for Kortrijk. Guard Noel Coleman (188-2000, college: Hawaii) added 18 points. Five Groningen and four Kortrijk players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Groningen have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 10-6 record. Loser House of Talents dropped to the fourth place with six games lost. They share the position with Den Bosch and ZZ Leiden. Groningen will meet league's second-placed Antwerp on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Kortrijk will play against Leeuwarden and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Groningen: E.Dane 30+8reb+2ast, L.Austin 18+4reb+8ast, Z.Kjeld 16+7reb+1ast, M.Malik 13+7reb+6ast, F.Damian 12+8reb+1ast, T.Hoeve 8+2ast
Kortrijk: N.Coleman 18+3reb+2ast, J.Lesuisse 18+7reb, I.Horton 12+2reb, B.Bogaerts 12+1reb, D.Williams 8, S.Buysschaert 6+5reb+1ast

ZZ Leiden - BAL Weert 80-65

One of the most interesting games of round 18 was a derby match between two teams from Holland. Sixth ranked ZZ Leiden won against visiting BAL Weert (2-17) 80-65. ZZ Leiden outrebounded BAL Weert 42-29 including 32 on the defensive glass. ZZ Leiden players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Forward Lucas Kruithof (199-2000) had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and German Brandon Bergsma chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Four ZZ Leiden players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Senegalese-French forward Kara Sene (199-2006) with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and forward Ondaan Kenyuoe (196-1999, college: Adelphi, agency: Origins Sports Group) scored 11 points. BAL Weert's coach rotated twelve players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. ZZ Leiden (12-6) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Den Bosch and Kortrijk. BAL Weert at the other side keeps the seventeenth position with 17 games lost. ZZ Leiden will play against Leuven (#11) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. BAL Weert will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
ZZ Leiden: V.Stan 21+1reb+3ast, B.Bergsma 16+9reb+1ast, K.Lucas 15+10reb+6ast, N.Roberts 10+12reb+2ast, Z.Van 6+2reb+3ast, S.Jibbe 5+2reb+1ast
BAL Weert: K.Sene 17+6reb+5ast, K.De Graaf 15+1reb, O.Kenyuoe 11+3reb+2ast, V.Holst Niels 5+2reb, S.Romano 5, L.Lican 5+3reb+1ast

Union Mons - Rotterdam 82-78

Not a big story in a game when 18th ranked Dutch Rotterdam (1-16) lost to fourteenth ranked Belgian Belfius Mons-Hainaut (6-12) in Jemappes 78-82 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Union Mons made 28-of-32 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game, while Rotterdam only scored eleven points from the stripe. Union Mons forced 21 Rotterdam turnovers. Slovenian guard Maks Klanjscek (196-1999, college: Oklahoma) notched 32 points to lead the effort and American guard Malik Whitaker (198-2000, college: Fort Lewis, agency: Starting 5) supported him with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Even a double-double of 13 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks by American forward Tydus Verhoeven (206-1998, college: Northwestern) did not help to save the game for Rotterdam. His fellow American import forward James Graham (201-2000, college: AUM) added 17 points and 6 rebounds. Rotterdam's coach tested ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Union Mons moved-up to thirteenth place. Rotterdam lost ninth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Union Mons will meet at home Den Helder (#16) in the next round. Rotterdam will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Union Mons: K.Maks 32+4reb+2ast, W.Malik 16+8reb+2ast, V.Matteo 12+6reb+3ast, H.Garrett 8+9reb+2ast, M.Matic 8+2reb, M.Greg 4+4ast
Rotterdam: J.Graham 17+6reb+3ast, L.Nilsen 17+2reb, V.Tydus 13+17reb, Z.Nwokeji 11+1reb, N.Vrencken 9+3reb+1ast, J.Spence 8+9reb+3ast

Oostende - Leeuwarden 94-76

Everything went according to plan when first ranked Belgian Oostende (16-2) defeated at home 13th ranked Dutch Leeuwarden (5-12) 94-76 on Saturday. Oostende dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Leeuwarden's 30. They outrebounded Leeuwarden 39-28 including a 27-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Oostende looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Pierre-Antoine Gillet (201-1991) notched a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Danish-Israeli point guard Noam Yaacov (186-2004) supported him with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists. Even 19 points and 7 assists by Canadian guard Shakael Pryce (188, college: Cape Breton, agency: AOK Sports) did not help to save the game for Leeuwarden. Australian forward Tristan Forsyth (208-1998, college: CBU) added 16 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Oostende have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Belgian champion maintains first position with 16-2 record. Loser Leeuwarden dropped to the fourteenth place with 12 games lost. Oostende will meet Limburg (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Leeuwarden will play against Kortrijk (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Oostende: M.Silas 22+2reb+2ast, G.Pierre-Antoine 19+11reb+1ast, Y.Noam 13+5reb+12ast, M.Joppe 10+3reb+1ast, G.Andre 9+6reb, B.Haris 8+4reb+1ast
Leeuwarden: S.Pryce 19+1reb+7ast, T.Forsyth 16+11reb, L.O'Boyle 14+2reb+4ast, M.Edney 10+7reb+1ast, M.Frierson 6+1reb+3ast, B.Ter Weeme 6+2reb

Charleroi - Aalst 67-73

One of the most interesting games of round 18 was a derby match between two teams from Belgium. Fifth ranked Okapi Aalst won against host Spirou Charleroi (7-9) 73-67. American guard Dante Maddox Jr (188, college: Xavier) notched 26 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Eddie Colbert III (198, college: Charleston) supported him with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Okapi Aalst's coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 22 points by American forward Juwan Gary (198-2001, college: Nebraska) did not help to save the game for Charleroi. Bosnian forward Njegos Sikiras (205-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Four Charleroi players scored in double figures. Aalst (13-6) moved-up to third place. Loser Spirou Charleroi keeps the twelfth position with nine games lost. Aalst will meet at home Brussels (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Charleroi will play against Den Bosch (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Aalst: M.Dante 26+6reb+3ast, C.Eddie 18+15reb+1ast, V.Niels 10+2reb+6ast, L.Siebe 9+5reb+2ast, M.Ivan 4+7reb, J.Unal 3+2ast
Charleroi: J.Gary 22+4reb+1ast, N.Sikiras 14+10reb+1ast, E.Nottage 11+6reb+7ast, D.Styles 11+3reb+3ast, E.Boakye 9+7reb+2ast, R.Jules 0

Brussels - Zwolle 97-75

There was no surprise when 15th ranked Dutch Zwolle (5-13) was outleveled on the road by ninth ranked Belgian Circus Brussels (11-7) 97-75 on Sunday. Brussels dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Zwolle's 38. They outrebounded Zwolle 39-27 including 30 on the defensive glass. American guard Demetric Horton (196, college: NC A&T, agency: Players Group) notched 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Louis Hazard (198-1994) supported him with 24 points and 5 rebounds. Four Circus Brussels players scored in double figures. Even 21 points and 5 rebounds by Latvian center Klavs Dubults (206-1996) did not help to save the game for Zwolle. Jacobus Stolk (195-1997) added 18 points. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Brussels moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Mechelen. Loser Zwolle keeps the fifteenth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Den Helder. Brussels will meet higher ranked Aalst (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Zwolle will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Brussels: H.Demetric 25+6reb+4ast, H.Louis 24+5reb, O.Jamison 14+6reb, A.Jared 12+3reb+2ast, J.Onyeka 8+7reb, F.Jalen 4+1ast
Zwolle: K.Dubults 21+5reb, S.Jacobus 18+4reb+2ast, E.Sajantila 8+1reb, B.Van Der Vuurst 7+7reb+2ast, G.Carter 6+1reb+1ast, L.Williams 5+3reb+10ast