Division I Round 5 (Regular Season): Slavija edges Sloboda by two points

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in Division I, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 5 in the Division I took place in Tuzla. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-ranked Sloboda (3-2) to ninth ranked Slavija (3-2) 72-70 in the game for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Sloboda. 24 personal fouls committed by Sloboda helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American guard Biko Johnson (188-2002, college: Idaho) who scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Kyle Whippen (206-2002, college: Frostburg St., agency: Starting 5) chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds. The former international forward Sani Campara (190-1999) produced 15 points and 4 assists for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Slavija moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Sloboda. Slavija is looking forward to face Radnicki (#11) in Gorazde in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sloboda will play on the road against the league's leader Siroki (#1) in Siroki Brijeg and is hoping to win this game.
Radnicki can celebrate their first win this season after four consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Gradina (1-4) 87-82. American forward Vin Baker Jr (206-1999, college: Milwaukee) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Stefan Adzic contributed with 25 points and 6 assists for the winners. Aleksandar Radukic (206-1991, agency: 011 Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 16 rebounds for Gradina. Radnicki left bottom position moving up to tenth place, which they share with 4 other teams including defeated Gradina. It was Gradina's third loss in a row. Radnicki will play against higher ranked Slavija (#7) in Sarajevo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gradina will play at home against Zrinjski HT to get more than just one victory in their record.
Leader Siroki delivered the fourth victory on Wednesday night. This time they crushed 10th ranked Mladost (1-4) 90-71 in Mrkonjic Grad. Matej Bosnjak stepped up and scored 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Siroki's coach Marijan Bagaric used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aleksandar Smiljanic responded with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Siroki have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-1 record, which they share with Leotar and Basket Zivinice. Mladost at the other side keeps the tenth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Siroki will meet at home Sloboda (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Mladost will play against Drina PZ (#14) in Zvornik and hope to win that game.

Other games of round 5 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Orlovik was crushed by Borac in Banja Luka 95-72. Promo was beaten by Basket Zivinice at home 65-81. Leotar won against Drina PZ on the opponent's court 70-68. Zrinjski HT managed to outperform Igman Burch in a home game 94-80.
The best stats of 5th round was 25 points and 5 assists by William Kondrat of Zrinjski HT.



Borac - Orlovik 95-72:
There was a minor upset in Banja Luka where 4th placed Orlovik (3-2) was crushed by ninth ranked Borac (3-2) 95-72 on Monday. Borac dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Orlovik's 34. Borac looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Serbian center Matija Tomasevic (205-2005) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and naturalized Serbian forward Nikola Saric (188-2005, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 13 points and 7 assists. Center Emir Ahmedovic (217-1994) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and forward Ramo Rizvic (201-1987) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Borac moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Orlovik. Borac will meet league's second-placed Basket Zivinice on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Orlovik will play against Leotar in Trebinje and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Borac: T.Matija 20+11reb+1ast, D.Viktor 15+1reb+1ast, S.Nikola 13+4reb+7ast, D.Boris 11+4reb+3ast, S.Vasilije 10+8reb+1ast, A.Srdjan 9+5reb+6ast
Orlovik: E.Ahmedovic 21+11reb, R.Rizvic 13+5reb, D.Abdul 10+3reb+4ast, E.Preldzic 10+2reb, P.Edo 5+1ast, S.Gavric 5+4reb+2ast

Promo - Basket Zivinice 65-81:
No shocking result in a game in Vakuf where second ranked Basket Zivinice (4-1) defeated 11th ranked Promo (1-4) 81-65 on Sunday. Basket Zivinice well out of reach of Promo shooting 80.0 percent from the field. They outrebounded Promo 26-13 including a 24-8 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Basket Zivinice especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 64.3 percentage. Guard Anes Podojak (191-2000) stepped up and scored 13 points for the winners and American guard Tyron Harris (195-1991, college: Columbus St.) chipped in 12 points. American guard Demarion Watson-Saulsberry (201-2003, college: N.Texas) responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import guard Eric Morgan (193, college: St.Peter's, agency: Praetor Sports) scored 14 points. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Basket Zivinice have a solid series of three victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Siroki and Leotar. Promo at the other side dropped to the tenth place with four games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Basket Zivinice will meet at home Borac (#4) in the next round. Promo will play against Igman Burch (#9) in Ilidza and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Basket Zivinice: P.Anes 13+3reb+1ast, H.Tyron 12+3reb+2ast, T.Nikola 11+1reb+1ast, N.Milidragovic 11+4reb+1ast, C.De'Shaun 8+5reb+1ast, A.Korkutovic 8+6reb
Promo: D.Watson-Saulsberry 15+6reb+1ast, E.Morgan 14, N.Miletic 10+3reb, K.Nedim 7, K.Muhammed 7, F.Surakat 4

Drina PZ - Leotar 68-70:
Very expected game in Zvornik where 12th ranked Drina PZ (1-4) was edged by third ranked Leotar (4-1) 70-68 on Sunday. Naturalized Serbian forward Nikola Radovanovic (206-2003, college: Pepperdine) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and Serbian guard Ognjen Petronijevic (195-2000, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 21 points. Naturalized Serbian Bojan Matic (202-2000) responded with 12 points and 5 rebounds and naturalized Serbian Velibor Milovanovic (200-2004, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds. Drina PZ's coach Vladan Eric tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Leotar keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Siroki and Basket Zivinice. Newly promoted Drina PZ dropped to the bottom place with four games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Leotar will meet at home Orlovik (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Drina PZ will play against Mladost (#10) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Leotar: P.Ognjen 21+2reb+3ast, N.Radovanovic 19+12reb+2ast, J.Jones 12+3reb+2ast, B.Vuk 8+10reb+2ast, B.Khari 5+5reb+4ast, S.Dejan 2
Drina PZ: V.Milovanovic 15+5reb, B.Matic 12+5reb+3ast, I.Stokic 11+4reb+3ast, B.Mihailovic 9+2reb+1ast, N.Gajic 6+4reb+2ast, F.Ruzicic 5+2ast

Mladost - Siroki 71-90:
Leader Siroki delivered the fourth victory on Wednesday night. This time they crushed 10th ranked Mladost (1-4) 90-71 in Mrkonjic Grad. Croatian center Matej Bosnjak (204-2002, college: Wichita St., agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up and scored 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and American swingman Chavaughn Lewis (194-1993, college: Marist) chipped in 10 points and 6 assists. Siroki's coach Marijan Bagaric used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Naturalized Serbian forward Aleksandar Smiljanic (198-2003) responded with 16 points and 9 rebounds and naturalized Serbian forward Rajko Gutalj (200-2003, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Siroki have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 4-1 record, which they share with Leotar and Basket Zivinice. Mladost at the other side keeps the tenth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Siroki will meet at home Sloboda (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Mladost will play against Drina PZ (#14) in Zvornik and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Siroki: C.Josip 14+2reb, B.Matej 13+8reb+2ast, V.Dominik 12+3reb+4ast, G.Matej 10+2ast, L.Chavaughn 10+4reb+6ast, K.Ivan 8+4reb
Mladost: R.Gutalj 17+7reb+2ast, A.Smiljanic 16+9reb+1ast, N.Milosevic 11+3reb+7ast, M.Popovic 10+10reb+2ast, M.Prodani 9+1reb, S.Milos 4

Radnicki - Gradina T. 87-82:
Radnicki can celebrate their first win this season after four consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Gradina (1-4) 87-82. Radnicki players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. They brought some defensive toughness making 12 blocks. American forward Vin Baker Jr (206-1999, college: Milwaukee) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Naturalized Serbian forward Stefan Adzic (197-1999, agency: Olsta) contributed with 25 points and 6 assists for the winners. Aleksandar Radukic (206-1991, agency: 011 Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 16 rebounds and naturalized Serbian guard Stefan Milosevic (187-2001) added 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists (was perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line !!!) in the effort for Gradina. Radnicki left bottom position moving up to tenth place, which they share with 4 other teams including defeated Gradina. It was Gradina's third loss in a row. Radnicki will play against higher ranked Slavija (#7) in Sarajevo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gradina will play at home against Zrinjski HT to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Radnicki: A.Stefan 25+3reb+6ast, B.Vin 22+10reb+3ast, A.Adi 16+5reb+4ast, C.Cameron 8+5reb+5ast, O.David 6+4reb, M.Chrisdon 4+9reb+1ast
Gradina T.: M.Stefan 27+7reb+5ast, A.Radukic 26+16reb+2ast, A.Powell Ill 13+1reb, A.Bojanic 7+7reb+6ast, H.Cucovic 3+4reb+1ast, A.Mehic 2+1reb

Sloboda - Slavija 70-72:
The most exciting game of round 5 in the Division I took place in Tuzla. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-ranked Sloboda (3-2) to ninth ranked Slavija (3-2) 72-70 in the game for the fourth place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Sloboda. 24 personal fouls committed by Sloboda helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American guard Biko Johnson (188-2002, college: Idaho) who scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Kyle Whippen (206-2002, college: Frostburg St., agency: Starting 5) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. Four Slavija players scored in double figures. The former international forward Sani Campara (190-1999) produced 15 points and 4 assists and guard Djordje Gobovic (202-2002, college: State College FL, agency: Octagon Europe) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Slavija moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Sloboda. Slavija is looking forward to face Radnicki (#11) in Gorazde in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sloboda will play on the road against the league's leader Siroki (#1) in Siroki Brijeg and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Slavija: J.Biko 18+5reb+3ast, K.Kevin 13+2reb+2ast, W.Kyle 11+11reb+2ast, S.Pierre 10+7reb+3ast, B.Marko 9+7reb+2ast, J.Eman 4+1reb
Sloboda: S.Campara 15+3reb+4ast, D.Gobovic 13+6reb, I.Volf 10+2reb+1ast, I.Polutak 7+8reb, J.Stulic 7+3reb+1ast, B.Tarik 6+1ast

Zrinjski HT - Igman Burch 94-80:
There was a small surprise in Mostar where ninth ranked Zrinjski HT (3-2) beat 6th ranked Igman Burch (3-2) 94-80 on Thursday. Zrinjski HT looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American forward William Kondrat (203-1999, college: D'Youville) stepped up and scored 25 points and 5 assists for the winners and his fellow American import guard Trevante Anderson (185-2000, college: UIC) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Kondrat is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. International point guard Adnan Arslanagic (182-1997) responded with 15 points and 9 assists and guard Eman Medunjanin (201-2005, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Four Zrinjski HT and five Igman Burch players scored in double figures. Igman Burch's coach Edi Sipka rotated twelve players and allowed the starting five to rest. Zrinjski HT moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 5 other teams including defeated Igman Burch. Zrinjski HT will meet Gradina (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Igman Burch will play against Promo (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Zrinjski HT: K.William 25+4reb+5ast, T.Mladen 19+9reb+3ast, A.Trevante 18+5reb+9ast, M.Bogdan 12+4reb+6ast, M.Matija 7+3reb+1ast, W.Carlous 5+1reb+1ast
Igman Burch: A.Arslanagic 15+4reb+9ast, L.Egeljic 14+5reb+1ast, D.Maran 14+1reb+1ast, E.Medunjanin 14+6reb, I.Milicevic 10+5reb+1ast, H.Woods 7+5reb+2ast