NBL Round 24 (Regular Season): Rilski lose to Balkan

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

There was a change at the NBL leadership position after last games. Round 24 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Rilski (19-5). They were edged by second ranked Balkan (19-5) 79-78 on Sunday night. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Rilski. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Balkan shot 29 for 41 from the free-throw line, while Rilski only scored thirteen points from the stripe. 27 personal fouls committed by Rilski helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Travis McConico (198-1997, college: Charleston So.) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Tajh Green (203-1998, college: Benedict) who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Balkan's coach Vasil Hristov used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was international forward Hristo Bachkov (200-2004, agency: BIG) with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Balkan keeps a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Rilski. Rilski will play next round against Shumen trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Balkan will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Minyor 2015 in Pernik.
Sixth ranked Spartak Pleven (12-11) crushed at home 7th ranked Minyor 2015 (11-13) by 37 points 106-69, which is the biggest margin this round. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Minyor 2015. The winners were led by American point guard Jalan McCloud (180-1995, college: ETSU, agency: Helping Ballers) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 assists and 6 steals and John Florveus supported him with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Even 16 points by Serbian power forward Lazar Stankovic (204-1999) did not help to save the game for Minyor 2015. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Spartak Pleven have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Botev. Minyor 2015 at the other side keeps the seventh position with 13 games lost. Spartak Pleven will play against Beroe (#8) in Stara Zagora in the next round. Minyor 2015 will play at home against the league's leader Balkan and hopes to get back on the winning track.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 24: Beroe lost to Lokomotiv Pl. on the opponent's court 83-96. Shumen unfortunately lost to Botev in a home game 77-83. Cherno More rolled over Akademik on the road 103-84.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 24 points and 13 rebounds by Jacquez Yow of Akademik P..



Spartak Pleven - Minyor 2015 106-69

Sixth ranked Spartak Pleven (12-11) crushed at home 7th ranked Minyor 2015 (11-13) by 37 points 106-69, which is the biggest margin this round. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Minyor 2015. Spartak Pleven dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Minyor 2015's 32 and made 19-of-24 charity shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Spartak Pleven forced 19 Minyor 2015 turnovers and outrebounded them 45-29 including 16 on the offensive glass. Spartak Pleven players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. The winners were led by American point guard Jalan McCloud (180-1995, college: ETSU, agency: Helping Ballers) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 assists and 6 steals and Haitian-American center John Florveus (211-1990, college: Georgia, agency: BIG) supported him with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Five Spartak Pleven players scored in double figures. Even 16 points by Serbian power forward Lazar Stankovic (204-1999) did not help to save the game for Minyor 2015. American guard Austin Price (193-1995, college: Lehigh) added 16 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Spartak Pleven have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Botev. Minyor 2015 at the other side keeps the seventh position with 13 games lost. Spartak Pleven will play against Beroe (#8) in Stara Zagora in the next round. Minyor 2015 will play at home against the league's leader Balkan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Minyor 2015: A.Price 16+2reb, S.Lazar 16+4reb, M.Murphy 10+6reb+1ast, I.Kesar 7+9reb, V.Ivo 5+3reb+3ast, L.Toshkov 5+2reb+5ast
Spartak Pleven: M.Jalan 21+2reb+11ast, I.Pavlin 15+3reb+6ast, F.John 13+13reb, B.Noel 13+6reb, S.Kavaughn 13+5reb, S.Martin 10+6reb+2ast

Balkan - Rilski 79-78

There was a change at the NBL leadership position after last games. Round 24 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Rilski (19-5). They were edged by second ranked Balkan (19-5) 79-78 on Sunday night. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Rilski. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Balkan shot 29 for 41 from the free-throw line, while Rilski only scored thirteen points from the stripe. 27 personal fouls committed by Rilski helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Travis McConico (198-1997, college: Charleston So.) who helped to win the game recording 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Tajh Green (203-1998, college: Benedict) who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Balkan's coach Vasil Hristov used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was international forward Hristo Bachkov (200-2004, agency: BIG) with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks and the former international Chavdar Kostov (196-1988, agency: BIG) scored 17 points. Five Rilski players scored in double figures. Balkan keeps a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Rilski. Rilski will play next round against Shumen trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Balkan will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Minyor 2015 in Pernik.
Top scorers:
Rilski: C.Kostov 17+4reb+3ast, H.Bachkov 14+10reb+1ast, A.Arnett 13+7reb+4ast, M.Edwards 10+6reb+2ast, Y.Alexander 10+3reb, I.Dimitrov 6+1reb
Balkan: M.Travis 19+5reb+6ast, G.Tajh 15+5reb+1ast, R.Demond 10+5reb+2ast, S.Aleks 9+5reb, D.Dimitar 7+4reb+4ast, T.Konstantin 7+4reb+3ast

Lokomotiv Pl. - Beroe 96-83

Very expected game in Plovdiv where 8th ranked Beroe (10-14) was defeated by fourth ranked Lokomotiv Pl. (15-9) 96-83. Lokomotiv Pl. made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. The winners were led by Canadian forward Khalil Miller (203-1996, agency: Starting 5) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 20 points and 19 rebounds and American guard Devearl Ramsey (180-1997, college: UCSB) supported him with 13 points and 12 assists. Four Lokomotiv Pl. players scored in double figures. Even 26 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) by American forward Brett Reed (204-1996, college: St.Martin's) did not help to save the game for Beroe. The former international power forward Martin Jordanov (205-2002, agency: BIG) added 8 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Lokomotiv Pl. have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Lokomotiv Pl. maintains fourth position with 15-9 record. Beroe at the other side keeps the eighth place with 14 games lost. Lokomotiv Pl. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Beroe will play on the road against Spartak Pleven (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Beroe: B.Reed 26+9reb+3ast, A.Matushev 14+1reb+1ast, J.Benjamin 12+5ast, M.Jordanov 8+8reb+1ast, D.Williams 7+7reb, D.Quisenberry 5+2reb+6ast
Lokomotiv Pl.: M.Khalil 20+19reb+2ast, A.Shaw 17+4reb, R.Devearl 13+3reb+12ast, K.Ioannis 11+1ast, T.Minkov 11+2reb+3ast, K.Georgi 10+4reb+2ast

Shumen - Botev 77-83

Very predictable result when fifth ranked Botev (12-11) defeated on the road bottom-ranked Shumen (3-20) 83-77. The winners were led by international guard Georgi Gerganov (192-2003) who scored that evening 22 points and 7 assists and American power forward Courtney Alexander (203-1997, college: Tenn Tech) supported him with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 16 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists by American swingman Jalen Barr (193, college: Flagler) did not help to save the game for Shumen. His fellow American import center Michael Marsh (208-1999, college: OK State) added 20 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Newly promoted Botev maintains fifth position with 12-11 record, which they share with Spartak Pleven. Shumen lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom. They share the position with Levski. Botev will play against Akademik (#9) in Plovdiv in the next round. Shumen will play at home against the league's second-placed Rilski and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Shumen: M.Marsh 20+8reb+2ast, B.Jalen 16+14reb+5ast, W.Ellis 16+2reb+4ast, K.Lazarov 13+3reb+4ast, D.Miroslav 7+1reb+1ast, M.Baris 5+3reb+2ast
Botev: G.Georgi 22+3reb+7ast, A.Courtney 22+9reb+1ast, K.Mihail 15+7reb+5ast, S.Mihaylov 11+2reb+2ast, H.David 6+2reb+1ast, K.Ivo 4+3reb

Akademik P. - Cherno More 84-103

Not a big story in a game in Plovdiv where 9th ranked Akademik (8-16) was rolled over by third ranked Cherno More (18-6) 103-84. Cherno More made 16-of-20 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Cherno More outrebounded Akademik 43-31 including 18 on the offensive glass. Cherno More players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. The winners were led by American forward Lamont West (203-2002, college: Missouri St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and British-Jamaican point guard Jelani Watson-Gayle (184-1998, college: Fresno Pacific) supported him with 22 points and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds by American forward Jacquez Yow (198-1999, college: Limestone) did not help to save the game for Akademik. The former international Vasil Bachev (195-1992, college: Cuesta JC) added 20 points and 4 assists. Four Akademik players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Cherno More maintains third position with 18-6 record behind leader Balkan. Akademik lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 16 games lost. Cherno More will play against Levski (#10) in Sofia in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Akademik will play on the road against Botev in Vratsa and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Akademik P.: J.Yow 24+13reb+3ast, V.Bachev 20+2reb+4ast, D.Sharp 14+2reb+1ast, O.Tomic 12+5reb+1ast, R.Petar 8+3reb+1ast, V.Donzo 4+2reb+1ast
Cherno More: W.Lamont 24+11reb+1ast, W.Jelani 22+4reb+5ast, G.Alonzo 20+5reb+2ast, B.Georgi 9+5reb+2ast, C.Tsvetomir 8+4reb+1ast, D.Darrell 7+4reb+9ast