Round 10 (Regular Season): Rigas Z. beats Liepaja by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Tenth-ranked Liepaja (3-9) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Rigas Z. (12-1) on Friday. The visitors from Riga managed to secure only two-point victory 79-77. However their fans expected much easier game. Rigas Z. shot 21 for 29 from the free-throw line, while Liepaja only scored four points from the stripe. 24 personal fouls committed by Liepaja helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). contributed with 14 points for the winners. American guard Xavier DuSell (196-2001, college: Nevada) replied with 15 points for Liepaja. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rigas Z. have an impressive 12-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 12-1 record having just one point less than leader Tartu. Liepaja at the other side keeps the tenth place with nine games lost. Rigas Z.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Riga VEF Riga.
Important game to mention about took place in Tallinn. Sixth ranked Estonian TalTech (8-5) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 8th ranked Latvian BK Ogre (6-8) 80-77 on Wednesday evening. Point guard Siim-Markus Post (184-1997) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Taavi Jurkatamm chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Canadian forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore (203-2001, college: Ottawa) responded with 19 points. TalTech maintains sixth position with 8-5 record. BK Ogre lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with eight games lost. TalTech will play against Liepaja (#10) at home in the next round. BK Ogre will play against Valmiera Glass and hopes to get back on the winning track.
One of the most interesting games of round 10 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where sixth ranked TalTech outleveled visiting Keila C. (2-9) 86-63. Taavi Jurkatamm notched a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) to lead the effort. TalTech's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds by Isaiah Thompson did not help to save the game for Keila C.. TalTech maintains sixth position with 8-5 record. Keila C. lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with nine games lost. TalTech will meet at home Liepaja (#10) in the next round. Keila C. will play against Parnu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 10 were not that significant. Keila KK smashed LU on the road 103-75. Viimsi was destroyed by Valmiera Glass on its own court 69-99. Keila KK was outscored by Ventspils in a road game 117-93. VEF Riga managed to beat Parnu at home 90-80. Kalev/Cramo was defeated by BK Ogre on the opponent's court 111-101. Tartu beat Valmiera Glass in a home game 86-81.
The most impressive performance of 10th round was 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones of Valmiera Glass.



LU - Keila KK 75-103

No shocking result in a game when twelfth ranked Estonian Keila KK (2-11) crushed bottom-ranked Latvian LU (0-11) in Riga 103-75 on Tuesday. Keila KK shot 62.5 percent from the field. Strangely LU outrebounded Keila KK 45-27 including a 22-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Keila KK looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American guard Quion Burns (198-2002, college: Maine) notched 36 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and Jeremiah Paige supported him with 21 points and 5 assists. Five Keila KK players scored in double figures. Even 25 points and 7 rebounds by point guard Siim-Markus Post (184-1997) did not help to save the game for LU. American guard Marlon Short (193-2001, college: UMBC) added 12 points and 13 rebounds for lost side. LU's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Despite that victory Keila KK went down to thirteenth position due to points difference. Loser LU still closes the standings with 11 games lost. Keila KK will meet at home higher ranked Viimsi (#12) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. LU's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Riga Rigas Z..
Top scorers:
Keila KK: B.Quion 36+5reb, J.Paige 21+2reb+5ast, M.Issa 16+8reb+1ast, P.Patrik 10+5reb+8ast, R.Sats 10+5reb+7ast, R.Laanemaa 7+1reb+1ast
LU: F.Brody 25+7reb+1ast, M.Short 12+13reb, D.Rudis 11+6reb+1ast, K.Arturs 6+1ast, N.Francis 6+5reb+6ast, B.Oto 5+3ast

TalTech - BK Ogre 80-77

Important game to mention about took place in Tallinn. Sixth ranked Estonian TalTech (8-5) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 8th ranked Latvian BK Ogre (6-8) 80-77 on Wednesday evening. TalTech had a 14-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Point guard Siim-Markus Post (184-1997) had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Taavi Jurkatamm chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Canadian forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore (203-2001, college: Ottawa) responded with 19 points and American point guard Anders Nelson (185-1999, college: William & Mary, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. TalTech maintains sixth position with 8-5 record. BK Ogre lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with eight games lost. TalTech will play against Liepaja (#10) at home in the next round. BK Ogre will play against Valmiera Glass and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
TalTech: P.Siim-Markus 18+5reb+10ast, O.Metsalu 13+8reb+1ast, T.Jurkatamm 11+11reb, K.Valb 11+3reb+1ast, S.Saimon 9+4reb+2ast, O.Suurorg 9+1reb
BK Ogre: J.Ndjock-Tadjore 19+4reb+1ast, A.Reinis 15+2reb+2ast, A.Nelson 12+5reb+4ast, K.Apsitis 12+1reb+3ast, G.Sipolins 11+3reb+2ast, S.Anatoliy 4+3reb+2ast

Viimsi - Valmiera Glass 69-99

Very expected game when 12th ranked Estonian Viimsi (2-10) was smashed at home by fourth ranked Latvian Valmiera Glass (9-4) 99-69 on Wednesday. Valmiera Glass shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. New Zealand swingman Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (198-2001, college: UCSD) notched 15 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the effort and Davis Ozers (193-2004) supported him with 18 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!). Five Valmiera Glass players scored in double figures. Even 20 points and 6 rebounds by American forward Kevin Baker (205-1998, college: LC State, agency: Starting 5) did not help to save the game for Viimsi. Kaspar Kuusmaa (185-2004) added 6 points and 6 assists for lost side. Viimsi's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Valmiera Glass maintains fourth position with 9-4 record, which they share with Ventspils. Viimsi lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with ten games lost. Valmiera Glass will meet BK Ogre (#8) on the road in the next round. Viimsi will play against Keila C. (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Valmiera Glass: O.Davis 18+6reb+1ast, P.Omar 17+4reb+2ast, T.Aniwaniwa 15+6reb+7ast, K.Verners 13+2reb+2ast, J.Kalnins 11+5reb+1ast, M.Rinalds 10+6reb
Viimsi: K.Baker 20+6reb+2ast, K.Kristjan 10+1reb+1ast, U.Erki 10+5reb+1ast, K.Karmo 7+5reb+2ast, S.Kevin 6+2reb+2ast, K.Kuusmaa 6+4reb+6ast

Ventspils - Keila KK 117-93

Very predictable result when fifth ranked Latvian Ventspils (9-4) rolled over at home 12th ranked Estonian Keila KK (2-11) 117-93 on Friday. Ventspils made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. Ventspils outrebounded Keila KK 43-29 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Ventspils looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 6 passes made by Keila KK's players. American guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) notched a triple-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists to lead the effort and Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) supported him with 31 points. Ventspils' coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 33 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds by American guard Quion Burns (198-2002, college: Maine) did not help to save the game for Keila KK. Davis Ozers (193-2004) added 18 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Five Ventspils and four Keila KK players scored in double figures. Ventspils have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Valmiera Glass. Loser Keila KK dropped to the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. Ventspils will meet league's leader Tartu on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Keila KK will play against Viimsi (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: A.Arturs 31+2reb+2ast, R.Berze 17+3reb+2ast, U.Amandas 17+5reb+1ast, T.Bryant 16+6reb, Z.Ronalds 12+3reb+1ast, S.Cameron 12+12reb+12ast
Keila KK: Q.Burns 33+5reb, P.Jeremiah 18+6reb+1ast, P.Peemot 14+5reb+2ast, S.Ralf 13+6reb+2ast, I.Muhammad 6+5reb, L.Ron 5+1ast

Liepaja - Rigas Z. 77-79

Tenth-ranked Liepaja (3-9) used its home court advantage to challenge second ranked Rigas Z. (12-1) on Friday. The visitors from Riga managed to secure only two-point victory 79-77. However their fans expected much easier game. Rigas Z. shot 21 for 29 from the free-throw line, while Liepaja only scored four points from the stripe. 24 personal fouls committed by Liepaja helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Frankie Fidler contributed with 14 points for the winners. American guard Xavier DuSell (196-2001, college: Nevada) replied with 15 points and forward Kristians Feierbergs (203-2002, college: FSC) added 9 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Liepaja. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rigas Z. have an impressive 12-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 12-1 record having just one point less than leader Tartu. Liepaja at the other side keeps the tenth place with nine games lost. Rigas Z.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Riga VEF Riga.
Top scorers:
Rigas Z.: M.Rodijs 24+6reb+1ast, F.Fidler 14+4reb+1ast, B.Janis 12+3reb+2ast, B.Roberts 9+1reb+6ast, R.Sulcs 7+2reb+1ast, J.Pegues 5+3reb+3ast
Liepaja: X.DuSell 15+3reb+3ast, H.Petrovics 11+2reb+4ast, E.Krumins 11+2reb+5ast, K.Feierbergs 9+8reb+2ast, E.Egle 8+2ast, I.Kurucs 8+5reb+1ast

VEF Riga - Parnu 90-80

Not a big story in a game when 9th ranked Estonian Parnu (3-7) lost on the road to third ranked Latvian VEF Riga (12-2) 90-80 on Saturday. VEF Riga outrebounded Parnu 39-27 including a 17-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard Zahir Porter (198-2000, college: Weber St.) notched 27 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and Rihards Aleksandrovs (201-2002) supported him with 11 points and 9 rebounds. VEF Riga's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 16 points and 7 assists by American point guard Devin Harris (182-1992, college: OKWU) did not help to save the game for Parnu. Swedish point guard Jonatan Arvidsson (184-1998, college: E.Wyoming) added 18 points for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. VEF Riga have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Defending Latvian champion maintains third position with 12-2 record having just two point less than leader Tartu. Loser Parnu keeps the ninth place with seven games lost. VEF Riga's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Riga to the arena Rigas Z..
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: P.Zahir 27+8reb+3ast, K.Kristaps 17+2reb, A.Rihards 11+9reb, A.Adrians 11+2reb+3ast, B.Rodrigo 9+2ast, C.Ben 5+8reb+4ast
Parnu: J.Arvidsson 18+4reb+2ast, D.Harris 16+4reb+7ast, H.Eelmae 16+4reb+2ast, D.Johansson 10+8reb+4ast, G.Ilves 9+3reb+2ast, A.Ogemuno-Johnson 5+4reb

TalTech - Keila C. 86-63

One of the most interesting games of round 10 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where sixth ranked TalTech outleveled visiting Keila C. (2-9) 86-63. TalTech dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Keila C.'s 34. TalTech looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Keila C.'s players. Taavi Jurkatamm notched a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) to lead the effort and point guard Siim-Markus Post (184-1997) supported him with 18 points and 10 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). TalTech's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds by American forward Isaiah Thompson (198-2003, college: Winona St., agency: Starting 5) did not help to save the game for Keila C.. Rihards Aleksandrovs (201-2002) added 13 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. TalTech maintains sixth position with 8-5 record. Keila C. lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with nine games lost. TalTech will meet at home Liepaja (#10) in the next round. Keila C. will play against Parnu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
TalTech: O.Metsalu 18+8reb+3ast, P.Siim-Markus 18+3reb+10ast, T.Jurkatamm 17+13reb+4ast, O.Suurorg 14+3reb+3ast, S.Saimon 5+2reb+1ast, I.Sunelik 5+2reb+2ast
Keila C.: S.Patrik 13+6reb+2ast, E.Brittain-Watts 12+1reb, I.Thompson 10+12reb+2ast, L.Christopher 10+1reb+1ast, P.Margus 8+2reb+2ast, K.Ralf 6

BK Ogre - Kalev/Cramo 111-101

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when eighth ranked Latvian BK Ogre (6-8) defeated at home 7th ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (6-5) 111-101 on Saturday. BK Ogre looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when BK Ogre made 8 blocks. Canadian forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore (203-2001, college: Ottawa) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and Latvian Karlis Apsitis (200-1992) supported him with 26 points and 5 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Even 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists by Hugo Toom (200-2002) did not help to save the game for Kalev/Cramo. Latvian Anrijs Miska (208-2000) added 21 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Four BK Ogre and five Kalev/Cramo players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. BK Ogre maintains eighth position with 6-8 record. Kalev/Cramo lost third consecutive game. Defending Estonian champion keeps the seventh place with five games lost. BK Ogre will meet at home higher ranked Valmiera Glass (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kalev/Cramo will play against Liepaja and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
BK Ogre: A.Karlis 26+5reb, R.Avotins 22+1reb+3ast, N.Justin 21+16reb+2ast, G.Kampuss 18+1reb+5ast, D.Kristaps 8+11reb+8ast, A.Shundel 7+1reb+5ast
Kalev/Cramo: A.Miska 21+12reb, S.Kaukiainen 18+2reb+6ast, H.Toom 17+9reb+7ast, H.Kregor 17+7reb+1ast, M.Rosenthal 13+5reb+4ast, M.Erik 9+1reb+2ast

Tartu - Valmiera Glass 86-81

There was no surprise when 4th ranked Latvian Valmiera Glass (9-4) lost on the road to top-ranked Estonian Tartu (12-0) 86-81 on Saturday. Tartu made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. American guard Bryce McBride (188-2000, college: YSU) notched 22 points and 4 assists (perfect from downtown making all five shots) to lead the effort and the other American import swingman Malcolm Bernard (198-1994, college: Xavier) supported him with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists by New Zealand swingman Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (198-2001, college: UCSD) did not help to save the game for Valmiera Glass. Artis Ate (195-1989) added 11 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tartu have an impressive 12-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 12-0 record. Loser Valmiera Glass keep the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with Ventspils. Tartu will meet at home Ventspils (#4) in the next round. Valmiera Glass will play against BK Ogre and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tartu: M.Bryce 22+2reb+4ast, B.Malcolm 16+6reb+4ast, I.Markus 13+6reb+1ast, P.Dylan 10+5reb+2ast, V.Robert 9+2reb+1ast, L.Karl-Johan 7+6reb+1ast
Valmiera Glass: A.Tait-Jones 26+8reb+4ast, O.Pajic 13+5reb+2ast, A.Ate 11+9reb+3ast, C.Hollis 10+4reb+3ast, V.Kohs 9+6reb, R.Malmanis 7+3reb+1ast