Division I Round 4 (Second Stage): Orlovik keep a leadership position

Division I is at the halfway of the Second Stage and there are still another 4 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Orlovik as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Orlovik defeated one of their biggest challengers Posusje in Zepce 82-74. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Orlovik made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Slovenian-Turkish forward Emir Preldzic (206-1987) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals. Forward Ramo Rizvic (203-1987) contributed with 24 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. American guard Rayshawn Mart (190-1998, college: Xavier, LA) replied with 17 points and 4 assists for Posusje. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Leotar and Slavija. Posusje lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Prijedor and Promo. Posusje will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Orlovik will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Posusje at home.
Another exciting game for Leotar (4-3) which played in Vakuf against Promo (3-4). First ranked Leotar eked out just a narrow 3-points road win over Promo 71-68. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Marko Rikalo (187-1994) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 5 rebounds and Vasilije Milovic who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Serbian point guard Nedeljko Kosanin (190-1996) responded with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Leotar have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-3 record, which they share with Slavija and Orlovik. Promo at the other side dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Posusje and Prijedor. Leotar will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Promo will play again at home against Leotar (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Trebinje between Leotar and Orlovik. First ranked Leotar (4-3) got a very close home victory over their biggest opponent Orlovik (4-3). Leotar managed to escape with a 3-point win 104-101 in the fight for the first place. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The winners were led by Marko Rikalo who scored that evening 21 points. Leotar's coach Marko Icelic used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Even 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by Emir Preldzic did not help to save the game for Orlovik. Leotar have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-3 record, which they share with Slavija and Orlovik. Leotar will meet Promo (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Orlovik will play against Posusje (#4) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Posusje was smashed by Prijedor on the road 103-75. Slavija won against Promo on its own court 73-72. Prijedor unfortunately lost to Slavija in Sarajevo 73-83. Sloboda managed to beat Mladost at home 86-73. Borac was defeated by Siroki on the opponent's court 82-67.
The most impressive performance of 4th round was 18 points and 8 assists by Martin Junakovic of Siroki.



Leotar - Orlovik 104-101

A very close game took place in Trebinje between Leotar and Orlovik. First ranked Leotar (4-3) got a very close home victory over their biggest opponent Orlovik (4-3). Leotar managed to escape with a 3-point win 104-101 in the fight for the first place. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The winners were led by the former international point guard Marko Rikalo (187-1994) who scored that evening 21 points and swingman Dejan Sakotic (195-1993, agency: PEPI SPORT) supported him with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Leotar's coach Marko Icelic used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Even 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by Slovenian-Turkish forward Emir Preldzic (206-1987) did not help to save the game for Orlovik. Forward Ramo Rizvic (203-1987) added 22 points for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Leotar have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-3 record, which they share with Slavija and Orlovik. Leotar will meet Promo (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Orlovik will play against Posusje (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Leotar: M.Rikalo 21+4reb+3ast, S.Milanovic 18+4reb, D.Sakotic 18+8reb+2ast, S.Glogovac 14+1reb+1ast, M.Nemanja 12+2reb, B.Djurasovic 10+7reb+2ast
Orlovik: R.Rizvic 22+4reb+1ast, E.Preldzic 20+5reb+6ast, C.Danko 18+2reb+3ast, M.Radovic 13+6reb, A.Mehic 11+7reb, D.Abdul 10+9reb+1ast

Prijedor - Posusje 103-75

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fourth ranked Prijedor (3-4) crushed at home one of their biggest challengers Posusje (3-4) 103-75 on Wednesday. Prijedor outrebounded Posusje 40-23 including 26 on the defensive glass. Prijedor looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by naturalized Serbian Bojan Lulic (198-1995) who scored that evening 17 points and 7 rebounds and Serbian point guard Nemanja Stankovic (181-2000) supported him with 16 points and 8 assists. Even 18 points by American guard Rayshawn Mart (190-1998, college: Xavier, LA) did not help to save the game for Posusje. Croatian forward Ivan Milicevic (202-1995) added 17 points for lost side. Five Prijedor and four Posusje players 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. Newly promoted Prijedor maintains fourth position with 3-4 record, which they share with Posusje and Promo. Posusje lost third consecutive game. Prijedor will meet league's second-placed Slavija in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Posusje will play against the league's leader Orlovik in Zepce and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Prijedor: B.Lulic 17+7reb+2ast, S.Nemanja 16+2reb+8ast, V.Kolja 15+5reb+3ast, G.Rajko 12+9reb+1ast, B.Andrej 10+5reb+5ast, N.Gosnell 9+4reb
Posusje: R.Mart 18+4reb+2ast, I.Milicevic 17+3reb+1ast, M.Zovko 12+5reb, M.Derek 11+2ast, Q.Gray 6+3reb+2ast, J.Ramljak 3+1reb+1ast

Slavija - Promo 73-72

Everything could happen in Sarajevo at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Slavija and 5th ranked Promo had identical 3-3 record. This time Slavija used a home court advantage and edged the opponent from Vakuf 73-72 on Wednesday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The winners were led by guard Dusan Elez (190-2001) who scored that evening 20 points and forward Srdjan Jovanovic (198-2001) supported him with 8 points and 11 rebounds. Even 19 points and 4 assists by Serbian point guard Nedeljko Kosanin (190-1996) did not help to save the game for Promo. Guard Dino Alkic (194-1996) added 13 points and 11 rebounds for lost side. Four Promo players scored in double figures. Slavija have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Leotar and Orlovik. Loser Promo dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Posusje and Prijedor. Slavija will meet at home Prijedor (#5) in the next round. Promo will play against Leotar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Slavija: D.Elez 20+1reb+1ast, D.Damjanovic 10+3reb+1ast, A.Ilic 9+1reb+6ast, H.Tanksley 9+4reb+2ast, M.David 8+3ast, J.Srdjan 8+11reb
Promo: K.Nedeljko 19+4reb+4ast, D.Alkic 13+11reb+2ast, V.Kovacevic 10+8reb, P.Nikola 10+3reb+2ast, V.Nikola 6+2reb+4ast, I.Josipovic 5+3reb+1ast

Slavija - Prijedor 83-73

Everything could happen in Sarajevo at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Slavija and one of their biggest challengers Prijedor had identical 3-3 record. This time Slavija used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Prijedor 83-73 on Saturday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Slavija shot 26 for 38 from the free-throw line, while Prijedor only scored seven points from the stripe. It was a great shooting night for Slavija especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. The winners were led by Serbian forward Filip Njegovanovic (198-2000) who scored that evening 23 points and forward Srdjan Jovanovic (198-2001) supported him with 7 points and 11 rebounds. Even 17 points and 5 rebounds by naturalized Serbian forward Srdjan Adamovic (198-2003) did not help to save the game for Prijedor. Serbian point guard Nemanja Stankovic (181-2000) added 13 points and 4 assists for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Prijedor's coach Danilo Palalic rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Slavija have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Leotar and Orlovik. Newly promoted Prijedor keeps the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Posusje and Promo. Slavija will again meet at home Prijedor (#5) in the next round. Prijedor will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Slavija: F.Njegovanovic 23+3reb+3ast, M.David 14+2reb+3ast, H.Tanksley 12+1reb, D.Damjanovic 11+8reb, J.Srdjan 7+11reb+3ast, A.Ilic 7+6reb
Prijedor: A.Srdjan 17+5reb+2ast, S.Nemanja 13+3reb+4ast, B.Lulic 12+4reb+1ast, B.Andrej 10+6reb+1ast, N.Gosnell 8+5reb+1ast, S.Sinisa 6+1reb

Orlovik - Posusje 82-74

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Orlovik as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Orlovik defeated one of their biggest challengers Posusje in Zepce 82-74. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Orlovik made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Slovenian-Turkish forward Emir Preldzic (206-1987) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals. Forward Ramo Rizvic (203-1987) contributed with 24 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. American guard Rayshawn Mart (190-1998, college: Xavier, LA) replied with 17 points and 4 assists and naturalized German forward Mateo Zovko (193-1998, college: Laramie CC) added 15 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Posusje. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Leotar and Slavija. Posusje lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Prijedor and Promo. Posusje will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Orlovik will try to continue on its current victory against fourth ranked Posusje at home.
Top scorers:
Orlovik: R.Rizvic 24+6reb+3ast, E.Preldzic 20+16reb+10ast, P.Anes 13+7reb+3ast, A.Mehic 12+6reb+1ast, M.Radovic 6+3reb+1ast, D.Abdul 5+3reb+1ast
Posusje: Q.Gray 19+2reb+1ast, R.Mart 17+3reb+4ast, M.Zovko 15+5reb+3ast, D.Jukic 11+3reb, I.Milicevic 8+12reb+3ast, M.Derek 2+8reb

Promo - Leotar 68-71

Another exciting game for Leotar (4-3) which played in Vakuf against Promo (3-4). First ranked Leotar eked out just a narrow 3-points road win over Promo 71-68. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Marko Rikalo (187-1994) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 5 rebounds and Montenegrin point guard Vasilije Milovic (188-2001) who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Leotar players scored in double figures. At the losing side Serbian point guard Nedeljko Kosanin (190-1996) responded with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Zool Kueth (201, college: Tennessee St.) scored 13 points and 8 rebounds. Leotar have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-3 record, which they share with Slavija and Orlovik. Promo at the other side dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Posusje and Prijedor. Leotar will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Promo will play again at home against Leotar (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Leotar: M.Rikalo 22+5reb+3ast, M.Vasilije 15+5reb+2ast, S.Glogovac 11+3reb+1ast, S.Milanovic 10+2reb, N.Pilindavic 8+6reb, M.Nemanja 3+6reb+1ast
Promo: K.Nedeljko 16+6reb+4ast, Z.Kueth 13+8reb+1ast, K.Punter 9+4reb+4ast, V.Kovacevic 8+8reb+1ast, I.Josipovic 7+4reb, P.Nikola 6+2reb

Sloboda T. - Mladost 86-73

Not a big story in a game when bottom-ranked Mladost (0-4) lost to third ranked Sloboda (3-1) in Tuzla 73-86 on Sunday. The winners were led by the former international center Ismet Sejfic (208-1993, agency: Interperformances) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points and 17 rebounds and Serbian Andrija Bojic (208-1993) supported him with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Sloboda T.'s coach Dragoljub Vidacic allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 21 points by Stefan Milovanovic did not help to save the game for Mladost. Forward Lazar Djurovic (202-1997, college: Dominican, CA) added 19 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Sloboda moved-up to second place. Loser Mladost still closes the standings with four games lost. Sloboda will meet Bosna (#5) in the next round. Mladost will play against Siroki and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Sloboda T.: A.Bojic 23+10reb+3ast, K.Brewton Jr. 19+1reb+1ast, I.Sejfic 19+17reb+3ast, G.Asim 6+1reb, E.Cerkezovic 6+4reb, D.Lelic 6+2reb+6ast
Mladost: M.Stefan 21+3reb+3ast, L.Djurovic 19+7reb, B.Mikavica 13+7reb+4ast, S.Orhan 8+6reb+4ast, D.Cup 5+7reb+2ast, M.Popovic 4+5reb+4ast

Siroki - Borac BL 82-67

There was a small surprise when fifth ranked Siroki (2-2) defeated one of their biggest challengers Borac (2-2) in Siroki Brijeg 82-67 on Sunday. Siroki made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Siroki outrebounded Borac 46-29 including a 30-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by Croatian point guard Martin Junakovic (188-1994, agency: PEPI SPORT) who scored that evening 18 points and 8 assists and Croatian center Josip Jukic (205-1996) supported him with 6 points and 13 rebounds. Even 17 points (made all of his seven free throws) by American point guard Jarrod West (182-1999, college: Louisville) did not help to save the game for Borac. Serbian Vuk Boskovic (200-2003) added 10 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Borac BL's coach Zoran Kascelan rotated eleven players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Siroki moved-up to third place, which they share with Borac. Siroki will meet Mladost (#7) in the next round. Borac will play against the league's leader Igokea (#1) in Aleksandrovac and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Siroki: M.Junakovic 18+3reb+8ast, C.Pepin 15+4reb+1ast, T.Tomazic 11+2reb+3ast, V.Dominik 10+1reb+4ast, M.Colak 8+7reb+1ast, M.Covic 6+7reb+1ast
Borac BL: J.West 17+3reb+1ast, S.Campara 10+1reb+3ast, B.Vuk 10+6reb+2ast, S.Gavric 8+2reb+3ast, B.Vuk 6+5reb, D.Amsal 4+1ast