Division I Round 3 of Regular Season

This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in Division I and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of league's leader Borac (2-1) against Promo (1-2) 72-69 was the most important game of the last round. Promo outrebounded Borac 42-28 including 32 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Promo made 9 blocks. It was a good game for American guard Demarion Watson-Saulsberry (201-2003, college: N.Texas) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocks. His fellow American import guard Brenton Knapper (183-2002, college: Santa Clara) contributed with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Promo's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Naturalized Serbian forward Nikola Saric (188-2005, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 16 points for Borac. Borac will play next round against Leotar trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Promo will try to continue on its current victory against Orlovik in Zepce.
Sloboda smashed Igman Burch in Tuzla 105-86. It was a great evening for American point guard OShowen Williams (180-1997, college: App State) who led his team to a victory scoring 14 points and 4 assists. Tarik Bukva helped adding 14 points. The best for the losing side was international point guard Adnan Arslanagic (182-1997) with 15 points and 8 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Igman Burch will play next round against Radnicki trying to get back on the winning streak. Sloboda will try to continue on its current victory against Gradina at Tesanj.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Leotar (2-1) in Siroki Brijeg on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Siroki (2-1) 77-59. It was an exceptional evening for Tayler Persons who led the winners and scored 16 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. Jhei-R Jones came up with 12 points and 5 assists for Leotar in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Siroki will meet at home Drina PZ (#13) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Leotar will play against Borac (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 3: Slavija was beaten by Drina PZ on the road 89-83. Mladost won against Gradina on its own court 76-66. Basket Zivinice managed to outperform Radnicki in a road game 78-77. Zrinjski HT managed to beat Orlovik at home 88-76.
The most impressive performance of 3rd round was 28 points and 10 rebounds by Mladen Tomasevic of Zrinjski HT.



Promo - Borac 72-69:
First defeat of league's leader Borac (2-1) against Promo (1-2) 72-69 was the most important game of the last round. Promo outrebounded Borac 42-28 including 32 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Promo made 9 blocks. It was a good game for American guard Demarion Watson-Saulsberry (201-2003, college: N.Texas) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocks. His fellow American import guard Brenton Knapper (183-2002, college: Santa Clara) contributed with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Promo's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Naturalized Serbian forward Nikola Saric (188-2005, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 16 points and guard Viktor Djurovic (195-2006) added 16 points in the effort for Borac. Borac will play next round against Leotar trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Promo will try to continue on its current victory against Orlovik in Zepce.
Top scorers:
Promo: W.Demarion 24+15reb, K.Brenton 18+6reb+5ast, M.Nikola 8+8reb+2ast, N.Kamberovic 5+2ast, M.Eric 4+2reb+1ast, M.Kovac 4+1reb
Borac: N.Saric 16+3reb+2ast, V.Djurovic 16+3reb, M.Tomasevic 10+3reb+1ast, S.Adamovic 9+5reb, B.Dragojevic 9+8reb+1ast, N.Johnson 4+2reb+1ast

Drina PZ - Slavija 89-83:
There was a surprise result when Drina PZ (1-2) beat Slavija (1-2) in Zvornik 89-83 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for naturalized Serbian Bojan Matic (202-2000) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. Serbian forward Igor Stokic (201-1999, college: Dalton St.) accounted for 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. American guard Biko Johnson (188-2002, college: Idaho) came up with 23 points and the other American import point guard Pierre Sanders (178-1999, college: Midwestern St.) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively for Slavija in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Drina PZ will meet Siroki in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Slavija will play against Mladost (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Drina PZ: M.Bojan 21+5reb+2ast, S.Igor 15+8reb+2ast, M.Velibor 13+8reb+2ast, R.Filip 12+2reb+5ast, G.Nikola 10+3reb+3ast, J.Andrej 8+6reb+3ast
Slavija: B.Johnson 23+3reb+3ast, P.Sanders 17+3reb+4ast, D.Rebic 11+5reb+1ast, M.Buha 10+5reb, D.Vuk 9+2reb, K.Whippen 8+8reb+1ast

Mladost - Gradina T. 76-66:
There was a minor upset when Gradina (1-2) lost to Mladost (1-2) in Mrkonjic Grad 66-76 on Sunday. Mladost outrebounded Gradina 43-30 including 30 on the defensive glass. It was an exceptional evening for Serbian forward Matija Popovic (200-1996, agency: Olsta) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 8 rebounds. Naturalized Serbian forward Aleksandar Smiljanic (198-2003) accounted for 13 points and 14 rebounds for the winning side. Four Mladost players scored in double figures. Naturalized Serbian guard Stefan Milosevic (187-2001) came up with 22 points and American Alex Peacock (199-1997, college: Texas St.) added 9 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Gradina in the defeat. Mladost will meet Slavija (#12) in the next round. Gradina will play against Sloboda where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Mladost: P.Matija 21+8reb+1ast, G.Rajko 13+13reb, S.Aleksandar 13+14reb+1ast, A.Djordje 11+1reb+4ast, M.Nemanja 8+5reb+6ast, P.Marvin 6+1reb+4ast
Gradina T.: M.Stefan 22+2reb+1ast, A.Radukic 11+9reb+1ast, A.Peacock 9+11reb+3ast, A.Powell Ill 9+1reb+3ast, S.Nemanja 6+1reb+2ast, H.Cucovic 4+2reb

Radnicki - Basket Zivinice 77-78:
Very predictable result when Basket Zivinice (2-1) edged Radnicki (0-3) in Gorazde 78-77 on Saturday. Basket Zivinice shot 27 for 37 from the free-throw line, while Radnicki only scored eleven points from the stripe. Basket Zivinice forced 22 Radnicki turnovers. Strangely Radnicki outrebounded Basket Zivinice 42-22 including a 18-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for Serbian power forward Nikola Tadic (206-1988) who led the winners and scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. ex-international guard Marko Rikalo (188-1994) accounted for 19 points and 4 steals for the winning side. American forward Vin Baker Jr (206-1999, college: Milwaukee) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) and forward Adi Alikadic (190-1999, agency: Olsta) added 8 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists respectively for Radnicki in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Radnicki's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Basket Zivinice will meet at home Zrinjski HT (#4) in the next round. Radnicki will play against Igman Burch (#8) in Ilidza and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Basket Zivinice: R.Marko 19+1reb+3ast, T.Nikola 16+7reb+2ast, P.Anes 13+3reb+4ast, D.Lazar 11+3reb+1ast, C.De'Shaun 8+4reb, H.Tyron 6
Radnicki: D.James 15+6reb+1ast, V.Baker Jr 14+11reb+3ast, H.Perkins 11+1reb+3ast, C.Morgan 10+1reb+1ast, S.Adzic 10+4reb+4ast, A.Alikadic 8+10reb+8ast

Siroki - Leotar 77-59:
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Leotar (2-1) in Siroki Brijeg on Monday night. Visitors were defeated by Siroki (2-1) 77-59. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Tayler Persons (191-1995, college: Ball St., agency: Players Group) who led the winners and scored 16 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. His fellow American import forward Joshua Ola-Joseph (201-2003, college: Loyola, IL) accounted for 11 points for the winning side. American point guard Jhei-R Jones (183, college: William & Mary) came up with 12 points and 5 assists and Serbian guard Ognjen Petronijevic (195-2000, agency: Octagon Europe) added 14 points respectively for Leotar in the defeat. Four Leotar players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Siroki will meet at home Drina PZ (#13) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Leotar will play against Borac (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Siroki: P.Tayler 16+3reb+6ast, O.Joshua 11+3reb+2ast, B.Josip 9+1ast, B.Matej 9+2reb+1ast, C.Josip 8+7reb, G.Matej 6+2reb+1ast
Leotar: O.Petronijevic 14+3reb+2ast, J.Jhei-R 12+4reb+5ast, V.Bojanic 10+2reb+1ast, K.Broadway 10+3reb+2ast, U.Grahovac 5+8reb, V.Nikolic 4+1reb

Sloboda - Igman Burch 105-86:
Sloboda smashed Igman Burch in Tuzla 105-86. It was a great evening for American point guard OShowen Williams (180-1997, college: App State) who led his team to a victory scoring 14 points and 4 assists. Swingman Tarik Bukva (195-2004) helped adding 14 points. Four Sloboda players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was international point guard Adnan Arslanagic (182-1997) with 15 points and 8 assists and center Ismet Sajfic (208-1993, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Igman Burch will play next round against Radnicki trying to get back on the winning streak. Sloboda will try to continue on its current victory against Gradina at Tesanj.
Top scorers:
Sloboda: W.O'Showen 14+2reb+4ast, T.Bukva 14+3reb+2ast, S.Jovan 13+5reb, C.Sani 12+2reb+4ast, G.Asim 10+5reb+2ast, M.Savo 10+3reb+1ast
Igman Burch: A.Arslanagic 15+2reb+8ast, D.Maran 14+2reb+2ast, I.Sajfic 13+10reb, I.Milicevic 9+1reb+1ast, H.Woods 8+5reb, L.Egeljic 8+3reb+1ast

Zrinjski HT - Orlovik 88-76:
There was a minor upset when Orlovik (2-1) lost to Zrinjski HT (2-1) in Mostar 76-88 on Saturday. Zrinjski HT dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Orlovik's 32. It was an exceptional evening for Croatian forward Mladen Tomasevic (205-2003) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds. Serbian forward Bogdan Mikavica (194-1999, agency: Olsta) accounted for 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Guard Abdul Delic (190-2005) came up with 20 points and Edin Preldzic (197-2008) added 21 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) respectively for Orlovik in the defeat. Orlovik's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Zrinjski HT will meet Basket Zivinice (#6) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Orlovik will play against Promo (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zrinjski HT: T.Mladen 28+10reb+3ast, A.Trevante 20+3ast, M.Bogdan 14+7reb+6ast, M.Matija 9+7reb+2ast, R.Isaiah 8+4reb+2ast, P.Marko 4+1reb
Orlovik: E.Preldzic 21+3reb+1ast, D.Abdul 20+4reb+2ast, R.Rizvic 15+5reb+2ast, D.Cvitanovic 6+5reb+3ast, P.Edo 5+3reb+3ast, S.Gavric 5+3reb+1ast