Round 16 (Regular Season): VEF Riga fire past LU

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game of round 16 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Third ranked VEF Riga won against host LU (2-15) 89-73. VEF Riga looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by LU's players. Worth to mention a great performance of Latvian Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Swiss-Croatian forward Toni Rocak (206-1999, college: USF) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. VEF Riga's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Brody Fox (198-2002, college: Citadel) replied with 20 points for LU. Defending Latvian champion maintains third position with 14-4 record having four points less than leader Tartu. LU at the other side keeps the thirteenth place with 15 games lost. VEF Riga are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Keila C. (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. LU will play against Keila C. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
One of the most interesting games of round 16 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where sixth ranked Kalev/Cramo outleveled visiting Viimsi (4-15) 110-73. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Tommy Rutherford (204-1997, college: UC Irvine) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds and Anrijs Miska who added 20 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Kevin Baker (205-1998, college: LC State, agency: Starting 5) responded with 22 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. Kalev/Cramo have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Estonian champion (13-6) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with TalTech. Viimsi at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Keila KK. Kalev/Cramo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Viimsi will play on the road against TalTech (#6) in Tallinn and hopes to get back on the winning track.
One of the most interesting games of round 16 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Ninth ranked Parnu won against visiting Keila C. (2-18) 98-82. The winners were led by Gregor Ilves who scored that evening 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Even a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds by Isaiah Thompson did not help to save the game for Keila C.. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Parnu (9-11) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with BK Ogre. Keila C. lost fifteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Parnu will meet higher ranked Valmiera Glass (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Keila C. will play against VEF Riga (#3) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 16 were not that significant. Rigas Z. smashed Keila KK on the road 91-69. Ventspils won against Parnu on its own court 80-71. Tartu managed to outperform BK Ogre in a road game 83-78. Liepaja managed to beat Keila C. at home 96-89.



LU - VEF Riga 73-89

The most interesting game of round 16 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Third ranked VEF Riga won against host LU (2-15) 89-73. VEF Riga looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by LU's players. Worth to mention a great performance of Latvian Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Swiss-Croatian forward Toni Rocak (206-1999, college: USF) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. VEF Riga's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Brody Fox (198-2002, college: Citadel) replied with 20 points and point guard Francis Neilands (194-2005) added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for LU. Defending Latvian champion maintains third position with 14-4 record having four points less than leader Tartu. LU at the other side keeps the thirteenth place with 15 games lost. VEF Riga are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Keila C. (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. LU will play against Keila C. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: K.Kristaps 24+6reb+6ast, R.Toni 19+8reb+2ast, S.Illya 13+3reb+2ast, A.Rihards 9+3reb, B.Raivo 7+5reb+1ast, J.Niedra 6+1reb+3ast
LU: F.Brody 20+4reb+2ast, N.Francis 14+6reb+5ast, D.Rudis 10+6reb+2ast, M.Short 9+4reb+1ast, K.Arturs 6+2reb+2ast, S.Zion 5+2reb+2ast

Keila KK - Rigas Z. 69-91

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Latvian Rigas Z. (15-4) crushed on the road 10th ranked Estonian Keila KK (4-15) 91-69 on Tuesday. Rigas Z. outrebounded Keila KK 46-34 including 31 on the defensive glass. Rigas Z. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Keila KK's players. The winners were led by Nigerian-American guard Mike Adewunmi (198-1999, college: UTRGV) who scored that evening 19 points and 7 rebounds and forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) supported him with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Four Rigas Z. players scored in double figures. Rigas Z.'s coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists by American guard Jeremiah Paige (190-1996, college: Colorado St.) did not help to save the game for Keila KK. His fellow American import guard Quion Burns (198-2002, college: Maine) added 20 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Rigas Z. maintains second position with 15-4 record having just two points less than leader Tartu. Loser Keila KK dropped to the eleventh place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Viimsi. Rigas Z. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Keila KK will play against BK Ogre (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rigas Z.: A.Mike 19+7reb+3ast, F.Fidler 17+8reb+2ast, M.Rodijs 17+9reb+1ast, L.Denys 13+3reb+7ast, B.Roberts 8+1reb, R.Sulcs 7+4reb+2ast
Keila KK: Q.Burns 20+5reb+1ast, P.Jeremiah 16+7reb+6ast, G.Markus 14+7reb+1ast, L.Ron 9+3reb+1ast, P.Peemot 5+7reb+3ast, S.Ralf 5+3reb+1ast

Ventspils - Parnu 80-71

Very expected game when 9th ranked Estonian Parnu (9-11) lost on the road to fourth ranked Latvian Ventspils (14-5) 80-71 on Tuesday. Ventspils made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists and the other American import center Bryant Thomas (203-1999, college: C-N, agency: Olsta) supported him with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Four Ventspils players scored in double figures. Even 16 points and 8 assists by American point guard Devin Harris (182-1992, college: OKWU) did not help to save the game for Parnu. point guard Gregor Ilves (192-1999) added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Ventspils have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 14-5 record. Parnu lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with BK Ogre. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Parnu will play against Valmiera Glass (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: T.Bryant 16+9reb+2ast, R.Berze 14+2reb+1ast, S.Cameron 13+11reb+9ast, B.Renars 12+3reb+4ast, U.Amandas 7+2reb+2ast, M.Edvards 7+3reb
Parnu: A.Ogemuno-Johnson 18+6reb+1ast, D.Harris 16+4reb+8ast, G.Ilves 15+5reb+6ast, T.Jarrett 9+6reb, D.Johansson 8+7reb+3ast, S.Karl Mattias 3

Kalev/Cramo - Viimsi 110-73

One of the most interesting games of round 16 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where sixth ranked Kalev/Cramo outleveled visiting Viimsi (4-15) 110-73. Kalev/Cramo dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Viimsi's 34 and made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Kalev/Cramo forced 19 Viimsi turnovers and outrebounded them 44-15 including a 19-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kalev/Cramo players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Tommy Rutherford (204-1997, college: UC Irvine) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds and Latvian Anrijs Miska (208-2000) who added 20 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Kalev/Cramo players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Kevin Baker (205-1998, college: LC State, agency: Starting 5) responded with 22 points and Erki Urvik (205-2002) scored 11 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. Kalev/Cramo have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Estonian champion (13-6) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with TalTech. Viimsi at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Keila KK. Kalev/Cramo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Viimsi will play on the road against TalTech (#6) in Tallinn and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Kalev/Cramo: M.Anrijs 20+7reb+1ast, T.Hugo 16+5reb+2ast, R.Tommy 16+13reb+1ast, M.Dorbek 11+1reb+2ast, R.Mart 11+3reb, A.Tyson 10+4reb+3ast
Viimsi: K.Baker 22+4reb+3ast, U.Erki 11+2reb+3ast, G.Suvi 8+3reb, R.Kristo 7+2reb, R.Jorgen 7+1reb, K.Kristjan 7+1reb

BK Ogre - Tartu 78-83

Very predictable result when first ranked Estonian Tartu (17-2) won against on the road 8th ranked Latvian BK Ogre (9-11) 83-78 on Wednesday. Tartu made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Tartu outrebounded BK Ogre 41-29 including 27 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by Karl-Johan Lips (205-1996) who scored that evening 15 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) and guard Martin Paasoja (191-1993, agency: Helping Ballers) supported him with 16 points. Tartu's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds by Canadian forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore (203-2001, college: Ottawa) did not help to save the game for BK Ogre. American point guard Anders Nelson (185-1999, college: William & Mary) added 10 points and 6 assists for lost side. Tartu maintains first position with 17-2 record. Loser BK Ogre keeps the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Parnu. Tartu will meet LU (#13) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. BK Ogre will play against Keila KK (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tartu: P.Martin 16+1reb+2ast, L.Karl-Johan 15+7reb+1ast, B.Malcolm 9+4reb+1ast, S.Hannes 9+5reb+1ast, P.Dylan 8+7reb+1ast, R.Andre 7+4reb+1ast
BK Ogre: J.Ndjock-Tadjore 31+10reb+2ast, G.Sipolins 13+4reb+1ast, A.Nelson 10+2reb+6ast, K.Gustavs 9+3reb+1ast, A.Reinis 7+3reb+2ast, S.Anatoliy 4+5ast

Liepaja - Keila C. 96-89

Not a big story in a game when 14th ranked Estonian Keila C. (2-18) lost on the road to twelfth ranked Latvian Liepaja (4-14) 96-89 on Wednesday. The winners were led by forward Kristians Feierbergs (203-2002, college: FSC) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and point guard Emils Krumins (185-2001) supported him with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Liepaja's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 25 points and 9 rebounds (made all of his twelve free throws !!!) by Patrik Saal (206-2000) did not help to save the game for Keila C.. American forward Isaiah Thompson (198-2003, college: Winona St., agency: Starting 5) added 19 points and 12 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Liepaja moved-up to tenth place. Keila C. lost fifteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Liepaja will meet higher ranked Valmiera Glass (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Keila C. will play against VEF Riga (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: D.Xavier 19+3reb+2ast, R.Martinsons 19+3reb+1ast, F.Kristians 13+11reb+6ast, K.Ilja 12+6reb, K.Emils 12+5reb+7ast, V.Shymanskyi 11+9reb+1ast
Keila C.: S.Patrik 25+9reb+2ast, I.Thompson 19+12reb+1ast, M.Maletic 14+4reb+3ast, L.Christopher 12+4reb+1ast, K.Ralf 11+5reb+9ast, P.Margus 8+4reb+2ast

Parnu - Keila C. 98-82

One of the most interesting games of round 16 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Ninth ranked Parnu won against visiting Keila C. (2-18) 98-82. Parnu shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. The winners were led by point guard Gregor Ilves (192-1999) who scored that evening 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) and Swedish Daniel Johansson (201-1998) supported him with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 17 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.. Ralf Kuttis (197-2002) added 15 points for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Parnu (9-11) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with BK Ogre. Keila C. lost fifteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Parnu will meet higher ranked Valmiera Glass (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Keila C. will play against VEF Riga (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Parnu: I.Gregor 24+5reb+5ast, J.Daniel 20+5reb, H.Devin 16+2reb+6ast, A.Hint 11+4reb+3ast, E.Hendrik 9+4reb, S.Aav 8+3reb+1ast
Keila C.: I.Thompson 17+12reb+1ast, M.Maletic 15+3reb+1ast, K.Ralf 15+4reb+2ast, E.Brittain-Watts 14+1reb+1ast, S.Patrik 7+6reb+1ast, L.Christopher 4+1reb+1ast