OPAP Basket League Round 15 (Regular Season): #1 AEK Larnaca is defeated by Anorthosis

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked AEK Larnaca (11-2) in Nicosia on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Anorthosis (11-3) 82-72. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of AEK Larnaca. Anorthosis looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for American point guard Gary Talton (185-1990, college: UIC) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import forward Lee Skinner (198-1992, college: Wofford) helped adding 17 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American point guard Tookie Brown (180-1995, college: Georgia South) with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Anorthosis have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain third place with 11-3 record having just one point less than leader AEK Larnaca. Defending champion AEK Larnaca still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Keravnos. Anorthosis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. AEK Larnaca will play at home against Etha and is hoping to win this game.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Nicosia: Apoel (#4) and Etha (#7). Etha was defeated at home 66-71 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Jayveous McKinnis (201-1999, college: Ole Miss) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists. Ioannis Giannaras accounted for 11 points and 4 assists. Apoel's coach used entire bench in such tough game. American guard Ricky Clemons (187-2000, college: Campbell) came up with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Etha in the defeat. Apoel maintains fourth place with 10-3 record. Etha at the other side keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. Apoel will play against Apollon (#6) in Limassol in the next round. Etha will play on the road against the league's leader AEK Larnaca and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Nicosia was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked AEL (9-5) played at the court of 8th ranked PAEEK (4-10). AEL managed to secure a 5-point victory 86-81 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of PAEEK. The best player for the winners was Kyran McClure who scored 21 points and 5 assists. AEL's coach Kalia Papadopoulou used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was Tristan Ikpe who recorded a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds. AEL maintains fifth place with 9-5 record. Newly promoted PAEEK keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. AEL will meet at home league's second-placed Keravnos in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. PAEEK will play against Achilleas (#10) in Kaimakli and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 15 bottom-ranked E.N. Paralimni was destroyed by Keravnos on the opponent's court 114-68. Apollon managed to outperform Achilleas in a home game 71-64.



Anorthosis - AEK Larnaca 82-72

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked AEK Larnaca (11-2) in Nicosia on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Anorthosis (11-3) 82-72. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of AEK Larnaca. Anorthosis looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for American point guard Gary Talton (185-1990, college: UIC) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. His fellow American import forward Lee Skinner (198-1992, college: Wofford) helped adding 17 points and 8 rebounds. Five Anorthosis players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American point guard Tookie Brown (180-1995, college: Georgia South) with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and Australian forward Jesse Hunt (203-1997, college: EWU, agency: Worldwide SM) scored 16 points and 9 rebounds. Anorthosis have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain third place with 11-3 record having just one point less than leader AEK Larnaca. Defending champion AEK Larnaca still keeps top position with two games lost. They share it with Keravnos. Anorthosis will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. AEK Larnaca will play at home against Etha and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Anorthosis: L.Horton 21+2reb+2ast, L.Skinner 17+8reb+1ast, G.Talton 16+5reb+7ast, M.Zayd 12+6reb+5ast, T.Georgios 10+4reb+1ast, K.Maragkos 4+4reb
AEK Larnaca: T.Brown 27+8reb+4ast, J.Hunt 16+9reb+1ast, T.Hollingsworth 13+12reb+1ast, K.Simitzis 8+1ast, R.Mantovani 3+3reb+1ast, A.Sizopoulos 3+1reb

Keravnos - E.N. Paralimni 114-68

Very expected game in Nicosia where 11th ranked E.N. Paralimni (2-12) was crushed by second ranked Keravnos (11-2) 114-68 on Friday. The game without a history. Keravnos led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They shot 68.3 percent from the field. Keravnos outrebounded E.N. Paralimni 37-22 including a 29-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Keravnos shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 66.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by E.N. Paralimni's players. The best player for the winners was American guard Delano Spencer (193-1994, college: Tennessee St.) who scored 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. The former international forward Nikos Stylianou (198-1988, college: WT) chipped in 24 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Keravnos players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American AJ Cheeseman (202-1998, college: UMES) who recorded 15 points and the other American import guard Glen Abram (188, college: WVSU) added 13 points respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Keravnos. They used an opportunity after AEK Larnaca lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Loser E.N. Paralimni stay at the bottom place with 12 games lost. Keravnos will meet AEL (#5) in the next round. E.N. Paralimni will play against APOP (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Keravnos: N.Stylianou 24+1reb+3ast, D.Spencer 22+6reb+5ast, I.Pasiali 14+4reb+1ast, T.Taylor 10+7reb+1ast, S.Michail 10+2reb+4ast, J.Crockett 9+4reb+3ast
E.N. Paralimni: A.Cheeseman 15+4reb+1ast, G.Abram 13+4reb+3ast, B.Najee 13+1reb+2ast, R.Alexandrou 7+1reb+2ast, V.Charalambous 6+2ast, P.Theodoros 5+1ast

PAEEK - AEL 81-86

The game in Nicosia was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked AEL (9-5) played at the court of 8th ranked PAEEK (4-10). AEL managed to secure a 5-point victory 86-81 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of PAEEK. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 28-23. But PAEEK won second period 22-20. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The best player for the winners was American guard Kyran McClure (188-1996, college: St.Leo, agency: Worldwide SM) who scored 21 points and 5 assists. The former international guard Panagiotis Markou (189-1996) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds. AEL's coach Kalia Papadopoulou used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Tristan Ikpe (198-1999, college: SHSU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds and the other American import swingman Ajay Sanders (196-1996, college: Coastal) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. AEL maintains fifth place with 9-5 record. Newly promoted PAEEK keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. AEL will meet at home league's second-placed Keravnos in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. PAEEK will play against Achilleas (#10) in Kaimakli and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
AEL: K.McClure 21+2reb+5ast, P.Markou 19+7reb+1ast, A.Makuoi 16+3reb+2ast, J.Shepherd 11+7reb+5ast, M.Mythillos 7+6reb+2ast, T.Bryan Flowers 6+5reb+4ast
PAEEK: T.Ikpe 26+14reb+3ast, A.Sanders 14+10reb+3ast, V.Ieronymidis 14+6reb+2ast, E.Day 14+4reb+7ast, A.Pafitis 6+1reb+1ast, A.Antreou 4+3reb+2ast

Etha - Apoel 66-71

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Nicosia: Apoel (#4) and Etha (#7). Etha was defeated at home 66-71 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Etha won third quarter 21-17. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Apoel dominated on the defensive end, holding Etha to just 5 points in first quarter. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Jayveous McKinnis (201-1999, college: Ole Miss) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Ioannis Giannaras (187-1999) accounted for 11 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Apoel's coach used entire bench in such tough game. American guard Ricky Clemons (187-2000, college: Campbell) came up with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import Tyler Stevenson (206-2002, college: MSU) added 14 points and 13 rebounds respectively for Etha in the defeat. Four Etha players scored in double figures. Apoel maintains fourth place with 10-3 record. Etha at the other side keeps the seventh position with nine games lost. Apoel will play against Apollon (#6) in Limassol in the next round. Etha will play on the road against the league's leader AEK Larnaca and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Apoel: J.McKinnis 19+21reb+4ast, I.Giannaras 11+2reb+4ast, J.Blackmon 9+2reb+4ast, D.Jacobs 8+1reb, R.Nottage 7+5reb, P.Papamichael 7+3reb+1ast
Etha: R.Clemons 22+5reb+4ast, E.Reed Jr 15+6reb+5ast, T.Stevenson 14+13reb+2ast, C.Hatzikostas 11+2reb+2ast, N.Antonis 3+3reb, K.Michalis 1+5reb+1ast

Apollon - Achilleas K. 71-64

Rather predictable result in Limassol where sixth ranked Apollon (6-8) defeated 9th ranked Achilleas (3-11) 71-64 on Sunday. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 21-13. But Achilleas won second period 18-13. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Apollon made 24-of-30 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard New Williams (185-1996, college: Fresno St.) who scored 27 points and 4 assists. Forward Walter Williams (196-1997, college: Virginia St.) chipped in 24 points and 7 rebounds. Williams is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Miles Tention (196, college: St.Anselm) who recorded 22 points and forward Zac Watson (201, college: Longwood) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Four Achilleas players scored in double figures. Achilleas K.'s coach Michalis Arvanitis rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Apollon maintains sixth place with 6-8 record. Loser Achilleas K. dropped to the tenth position with 11 games lost. Apollon will meet higher ranked Apoel (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Achilleas will play against PAEEK (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Apollon: N.Williams 27+4reb+4ast, W.Williams 24+7reb+3ast, L.Gill 13+8reb+1ast, G.Pantouris 3+2reb+1ast, A.Sofroniou 2+3reb+1ast, K.Grivas 2+9reb
Achilleas K.: M.Tention 22+4reb+3ast, Z.Watson 14+6reb+3ast, J.Smith 11+3reb+3ast, B.Shabazz 10+11reb+1ast, K.Alexandros 3, C.Christoudias 2+1reb