1 Liiga Round 17 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 Paide VW defeat Audentese

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

1 Liiga top team - Paide VW (15-2) managed to deliver another win on Thursday. This time they beat eleventh ranked Audentese (3-14) in Tallinn 84-75. 27 personal fouls committed by Audentese helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Janar Aniste (177-2000) stepped up and scored 22 points and 6 assists for the winners and Georg Allemann (201-2001) chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Roger Hermet (185-2007) responded with 20 points. Audentese's coach Martin Rausberg rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Paide VW have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place with 15-2 record, which they share with Rapla. Audentese lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Rock Tartu. Paide VW is looking forward to face league's second-placed Rapla at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Audentese will play against Tamsalu (#9) in Tartu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Second ranked Rapla (15-2) crushed at home 12th ranked Haapsalu (2-15) by 36 points 108-72, which is the biggest margin this round. Point guard Tom Kaldre (185-1998) nailed 23 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 steals for the winning side and Sven Kaldre accounted for 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Aivar Gruning (190-1998) came up with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for Haapsalu in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rapla keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Paide VW. Haapsalu at the other side stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. Rapla will play against league's leader Paide VW on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Haapsalu will play against Reinar Halliku (#8) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Tartu: Ulikool/Estiko (#5) and Rock Tartu (#10). Rock Tartu was defeated at home 70-77 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. The best player for the winners was Kaur Suurorg who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds. Ulikool/Estiko's coach Olari Narits used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Georg-Edward Piil produced 16 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Ulikool/Estiko. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Kadrina and Haljala. Rock Tartu lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Audentese. Ulikool/Estiko will meet at home Haljala (#5) in the next round. Rock Tartu will play against Eesti M. (#6) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 17: Eesti M. destroyed Rae Koss on the opponent's court 88-67. Kadrina managed to outperform Reinar Halliku in a home game 75-67. Haljala managed to beat Tamsalu on the road 85-69.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 23 points and 13 rebounds by Taevon Lewis of Haljala.



Audentese - Paide VW 75-84

1 Liiga top team - Paide VW (15-2) managed to deliver another win on Thursday. This time they beat eleventh ranked Audentese (3-14) in Tallinn 84-75. 27 personal fouls committed by Audentese helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Janar Aniste (177-2000) stepped up and scored 22 points and 6 assists for the winners and Georg Allemann (201-2001) chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds. Five Paide VW players scored in double figures. Guard Roger Hermet (185-2007) responded with 20 points and swingman Stenver Poder (195-2008) scored 11 points and 7 rebounds. Audentese's coach Martin Rausberg rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Paide VW have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place with 15-2 record, which they share with Rapla. Audentese lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Rock Tartu. Paide VW is looking forward to face league's second-placed Rapla at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Audentese will play against Tamsalu (#9) in Tartu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Audentese: H.Roger 20+2reb+3ast, S.Rando 11+3reb+3ast, P.Stenver 11+7reb+2ast, P.Andreas 9+4reb+3ast, S.Holger 9+5reb+2ast, K.Oliver 6+5reb+1ast
Paide VW: J.Aniste 22+3reb+6ast, G.Allemann 21+8reb, M.Ruubel 15+2reb+1ast, V.Kiur-Thomas 10+9reb+4ast, M.Jaakson 10+7reb+6ast, A.Martson 3+5reb+1ast

Rae Koss - Eesti M. 67-88

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 6th ranked Rae Koss (9-8) were crushed at home by seventh ranked Eesti M. (9-8) 88-67 on Friday. Eesti M. had a 32-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was point guard Joosep Russak (188-1995) who scored 23 points and 5 rebounds. Lauri Mets (198-1998) chipped in 7 points and 10 rebounds. Four Eesti M. players scored in double figures. Eesti M.'s coach Timo Eichfuss felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. point guard Kaspar Vuks (190-2008) produced 25 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) and Mihkel Allorg (199-1992) added 23 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Eesti M. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Rae Koss. Eesti M. will meet at home Rock Tartu (#10) in the next round. Rae Koss will play against Kadrina (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rae Koss: V.Kaspar 25+4reb+3ast, A.Mihkel 23+5reb, K.Ken 9+4reb+3ast, L.Siim 5+2reb+3ast, T.Rait 2+8reb, M.Mattias 2
Eesti M.: J.Russak 23+5reb+1ast, K.Veismann 14+1reb+4ast, C.Gutmann 11+2ast, M.Kikkatalo 11+6reb+1ast, L.Mets 7+10reb+2ast, J.Vogelainen 7+2reb

Kadrina - Reinar Halliku 75-67

Rather predictable result when fourth ranked Kadrina (11-6) defeated at home 8th ranked Reinar Halliku (7-10) 75-67 on Friday. Kadrina forced 20 Reinar Halliku turnovers. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Joonas Jarvelainen (202-1990) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. Gert Kaldmae (195-1995) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds. Four Kadrina players scored in double figures. point guard Remi-Andero Rumm (184-2007) produced 16 points and Canadian guard Carl Veltmann (190, college: Guelph) added 17 points respectively for the guests. Reinar Halliku's coach Alessio Landra tested twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Kadrina moved-up to third place, which they share with Ulikool/Estiko and Haljala. Loser Reinar Halliku keeps the eighth position with ten games lost. Kadrina will meet at home Rae Koss (#7) in the next round. Reinar Halliku will play against Haapsalu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Reinar Halliku: V.Carl 17+2reb, R.Remi-Andero 16+4reb+1ast, P.Thor-Andreas 11+3reb+1ast, S.Eric 7+3reb+1ast, E.Erik-Ernst 5+1ast, R.Toomas 4+9reb
Kadrina: J.Jarvelainen 21+11reb+1ast, G.Kaldmae 17+9reb+3ast, G.Bibikov 16+4reb+4ast, A.Paidre 15+3reb+3ast, H.Kerm 2+4reb+2ast, J.Alavere 2+3reb+2ast

Rock Tartu - Ulikool/Estiko 70-77

Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Tartu: Ulikool/Estiko (#5) and Rock Tartu (#10). Rock Tartu was defeated at home 70-77 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Ulikool/Estiko dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Rock Tartu's 24. The best player for the winners was Kaur Suurorg (194-2004) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds. Ukrainian center Vladyslav Sinnik (203-2007) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Ulikool/Estiko's coach Olari Narits used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Georg-Edward Piil (-2002) produced 16 points and 8 rebounds and swingman Ervin Ranna (195-1995) added 11 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Ulikool/Estiko. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Kadrina and Haljala. Rock Tartu lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Audentese. Ulikool/Estiko will meet at home Haljala (#5) in the next round. Rock Tartu will play against Eesti M. (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rock Tartu: P.Georg-Edward 16+8reb+3ast, R.Ervin 11+7reb+3ast, J.Sander 10+5reb+5ast, M.Georg 9+2reb, V.Stiven 8+2reb+2ast, L.Robin 8+9reb+4ast
Ulikool/Estiko: K.Suurorg 25+13reb+2ast, V.Sinnik 14+6reb, V.Karl 10+6reb+1ast, R.Savi 8+2reb+1ast, G.Vendla 8+6reb+2ast, T.Lepp 5+1reb+5ast

Rapla - Haapsalu 108-72

Second ranked Rapla (15-2) crushed at home 12th ranked Haapsalu (2-15) by 36 points 108-72, which is the biggest margin this round. Rapla forced 27 Haapsalu turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Haapsalu's players. Point guard Tom Kaldre (185-1998) nailed 23 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 steals for the winning side and Sven Kaldre (197-1991) accounted for 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Aivar Gruning (190-1998) came up with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and Kent-Kaarel Vene (197-1994) added 17 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) respectively for Haapsalu in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rapla keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Paide VW. Haapsalu at the other side stay at the bottom place with 15 games lost. Rapla will play against league's leader Paide VW on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Haapsalu will play against Reinar Halliku (#8) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Haapsalu: V.Kent-Kaarel 17+5reb+1ast, G.Aivar 13+14reb+5ast, J.Silver 12+1reb, O.Rogem 8+4reb+3ast, T.Tiit 8+2reb, K.Robin 5+1reb
Rapla: T.Kaldre 23+5reb+7ast, J.Pajumets 21+7reb+1ast, K.Sven 20+5reb+7ast, M.Heinakroon 9, J.Ratas 8+2reb+2ast, J.Sein 7+4reb+2ast

Tamsalu - Haljala 69-85

Not a big story in a game in Tartu where 9th ranked Tamsalu (6-11) was defeated by fifth ranked Haljala (11-6) 85-69 on Thursday. Haljala made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Taevon Lewis (198-2003) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds. The former international Rain Veideman (192-1991) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. Lewis is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. point guard Jaan Erik Lepp (191-2000) produced 17 points and 7 rebounds and guard Hugo Tirs (190-2009) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Haljala. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Kadrina and Ulikool/Estiko. Tamsalu lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Haljala will meet Ulikool/Estiko (#4) in the next round. Tamsalu will play against Audentese (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tamsalu: L.Jaan Erik 17+7reb+3ast, T.Hugo 16+5reb+1ast, K.Daniel 13+4reb+2ast, L.Meiko 8+5reb+5ast, P.Martin-Otto 6+6reb, E.Artur 4+1reb
Haljala: T.Lewis 23+13reb+2ast, V.Rain 18+5reb+8ast, E.Sillamaa 18+4reb+3ast, M.Merimaa 8+2reb, O.Reinol 5+1ast, M.Laandu 4+8reb+2ast