1 Liiga Round 18 (Regular Season): Paide VW lose to Rapla

The Regular Season in 1 Liiga is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Paide VW (15-3) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Rapla (16-2) 66-58. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Paide VW. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Rapla made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was point guard Jan-Marten Ratas (195-2001) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. point guard Tom Kaldre (185-1998) chipped in 11 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Mark-Andreas Jaakson (200-2000, college: Southern Miss) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rapla keeps a position of league leader. Paide VW at the other side dropped to the second place with three games lost. Rapla are looking forward to face Kadrina (#4) on the road in the next round. Paide VW will play against Ulikool/Estiko in Tartu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Kadrina (11-7) against seventh ranked Rae Koss (10-8) on Thursday night. Host Kadrina was defeated by Rae Koss in a tough game in Kadrina 85-94. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kadrina. It was a good game for Mihkel Allorg (199-1992) who led his team to a victory with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Ken Karja contributed with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Rae Koss' coach Risto Puur allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international forward Joonas Jarvelainen (202-1990) replied with 23 points for Kadrina. Rae Koss moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Eesti M. Kadrina at the other side dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Haljala. Rae Koss will play against Audentese (#11) in Tallinn in the next round where they are favorite. Kadrina will play at home against the league's leader Rapla (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Haljala (11-7) against fourth ranked Ulikool/Estiko (12-6) on Friday night. Visiting Haljala was crushed by Ulikool/Estiko in Tartu 98-73. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Haljala. Kaur Suurorg scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Erkki Sillamaa with 22 points and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ulikool/Estiko have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Haljala dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Kadrina. Ulikool/Estiko will meet at home league's second-placed Paide VW in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Haljala will play against Rock Tartu and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 18 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Audentese was crushed by Tamsalu in Tartu 100-75. Bottom-ranked Haapsalu was smashed by Reinar Halliku at home 53-97. Rock Tartu lost to Eesti M. on the opponent's court 74-81.
The best stats of 18th round was 18 points and 9 rebounds by Robin Luik of Rock Tartu.



Tamsalu - Audentese 100-75

There was no surprise in Tartu where 11th ranked Audentese (3-15) was crushed by ninth ranked Tamsalu (7-11) 100-75 on Tuesday. Tamsalu made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game, while Audentese only scored six points from the stripe. Tamsalu forced 20 Audentese turnovers. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tamsalu made 7 blocks. Guard Meiko Lindeberg (191-2005) scored 16 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Patrick Malm (194-2004) chipped in 12 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was guard Roger Hermet (185-2007) with 9 points and 12 rebounds and point guard Holger Suurorg (179-2007) scored 17 points. Five Tamsalu and four Audentese players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tamsalu maintains ninth position with 7-11 record. Audentese lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Rock Tartu. Tamsalu's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tartu to the arena Reinar Halliku.
Top scorers:
Tamsalu: M.Lindeberg 16+4reb+5ast, B.Arop 13+2reb, J.Lepp 12+2reb+2ast, M.Parve 12+1reb+2ast, P.Malm 12+4reb+1ast, E.Erm 11+2reb+2ast
Audentese: S.Holger 17+2reb+2ast, J.Roman 15+3reb+2ast, K.Oliver 12+2reb, P.Andreas 10+4reb+3ast, H.Roger 9+12reb+1ast, S.Rando 6+4ast

Kadrina - Rae Koss 85-94

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Kadrina (11-7) against seventh ranked Rae Koss (10-8) on Thursday night. Host Kadrina was defeated by Rae Koss in a tough game in Kadrina 85-94. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kadrina. Rae Koss dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Kadrina's 36. They outrebounded Kadrina 40-22 including a 29-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Rae Koss players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a good game for Mihkel Allorg (199-1992) who led his team to a victory with 20 points and 5 rebounds. point guard Ken Karja (191-1993) contributed with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Rae Koss' coach Risto Puur allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international forward Joonas Jarvelainen (202-1990) replied with 23 points and Gert Kaldmae (195-1995) added 16 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Kadrina. Five Rae Koss and four Kadrina players scored in double figures. Rae Koss moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Eesti M. Kadrina at the other side dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Haljala. Rae Koss will play against Audentese (#11) in Tallinn in the next round where they are favorite. Kadrina will play at home against the league's leader Rapla (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Rae Koss: M.Allorg 20+5reb+2ast, K.Vuks 19+4reb+1ast, R.Talviste 14+3reb+6ast, R.Tammet 12+5reb+2ast, K.Karja 10+8reb+6ast, M.Mandmets 6+1reb+1ast
Kadrina: J.Joonas 23+3reb+1ast, P.Andre 22, K.Gert 16+7reb+3ast, K.Hendrik 10+5reb+2ast, T.Ander 9+3reb+2ast, B.Gaspar 5+3reb+11ast

Haapsalu - Reinar Halliku 53-97

No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Reinar Halliku (8-10) smashed on the road bottom-ranked Haapsalu (2-16) 97-53 on Friday. Reinar Halliku dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Haapsalu's 20. They outrebounded Haapsalu 48-29 including 34 on the defensive glass. Point guard Eric Schmalz (188-1999) scored 18 points and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and guard Markus Juurik (187-2005) chipped in 5 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals during the contest. The best for the losing side was Kent-Kaarel Vene (197-1994) with 9 points and 10 rebounds and guard Aivar Gruning (190-1998) scored 5 points and 8 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Reinar Halliku maintains eighth position with 8-10 record. Loser Haapsalu stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Reinar Halliku's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tartu Tamsalu.
Top scorers:
Reinar Halliku: E.Schmalz 18+3reb+6ast, C.Veltmann 16+2reb, T.Raadik 12+6reb+1ast, J.Heinla 9+1reb, K.Soolep 9, A.Kivimagi 8+2reb+1ast
Haapsalu: O.Rogem 10+5reb, V.Kent-Kaarel 9+10reb, K.Aleksander 7+1reb+1ast, R.Rando 5, G.Aivar 5+8reb+2ast, K.Julius-Erik 5+3ast

Paide VW - Rapla 58-66

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Paide VW (15-3) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by Rapla (16-2) 66-58. It ended at the same time the ten-game winning streak of Paide VW. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Rapla made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was point guard Jan-Marten Ratas (195-2001) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. point guard Tom Kaldre (185-1998) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Mark-Andreas Jaakson (200-2000, college: Southern Miss) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and the former international Indrek Kajupank (200-1988) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rapla keeps a position of league leader. Paide VW at the other side dropped to the second place with three games lost. Rapla are looking forward to face Kadrina (#4) on the road in the next round. Paide VW will play against Ulikool/Estiko in Tartu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rapla: J.Ratas 20+11reb+1ast, K.Poldoja 13+3reb+3ast, T.Kaldre 11+11reb+5ast, M.Ladoga 7+2reb, K.Sven 7+4reb+3ast, J.Pajumets 3
Paide VW: J.Mark-Andreas 15+10reb+2ast, K.Indrek 14+5reb, K.Vehmanen 11+3reb, A.Janar 5+2reb+1ast, V.Sander 4+4reb+1ast, A.Georg 4+1reb

Ulikool/Estiko - Haljala 98-73

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Haljala (11-7) against fourth ranked Ulikool/Estiko (12-6) on Friday night. Visiting Haljala was crushed by Ulikool/Estiko in Tartu 98-73. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Haljala. They outrebounded Haljala 49-30 including 20 on the offensive glass. Ulikool/Estiko looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Kaur Suurorg (194-2004) scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Karl Jurtsenko (203-2004) chipped in 20 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Four Ulikool/Estiko players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was guard Erkki Sillamaa (180-1997) with 22 points and 4 assists and the former international Rain Veideman (192-1991) scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ulikool/Estiko have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Haljala dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Kadrina. Ulikool/Estiko will meet at home league's second-placed Paide VW in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Haljala will play against Rock Tartu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ulikool/Estiko: K.Suurorg 22+9reb+5ast, K.Jurtsenko 20+14reb+1ast, M.Tulubenski 15+4reb, G.Vendla 12+2reb+2ast, R.Savi 8+2reb+1ast, V.Sinnik 7+8reb
Haljala: S.Erkki 22+4reb+4ast, R.Veideman 18+5reb, M.Sene 9+4reb, L.Martin 6+5reb+2ast, R.Oliver 6, K.Erik 3+1reb+1ast

Eesti M. - Rock Tartu 81-74

Rather expected game when 10th ranked Rock Tartu (3-15) was defeated on the road by seventh ranked Eesti M. (10-8) 81-74 on Friday. Point guard Joosep Russak (188-1995) had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Latvian forward Markus Kikkatalo (200-2000) chipped in 12 points during the contest. Four Eesti M. players scored in double figures. Eesti M.'s coach Timo Eichfuss used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was guard Robin Luik (192-2004) with 18 points and 9 rebounds and Georg-Edward Piil (-2002) scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Eesti M. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Rae Koss. Rock Tartu lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Audentese. Eesti M. will meet at home bottom-ranked Haapsalu (#12) in the next round where they are favorite. Rock Tartu will play against Haljala and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Eesti M.: M.Kikkatalo 12+4reb+2ast, J.Russak 12+12reb+3ast, O.Sellis 11+5reb, J.Vogelainen 11+5reb, J.Jurgenstein 10+4ast, C.Kalda 9+2reb+3ast
Rock Tartu: P.Georg-Edward 18+6reb+5ast, L.Robin 18+9reb+3ast, R.Ervin 16+4reb+2ast, J.Sander 7+5reb, M.Georg 6+2reb+2ast, T.Mattis 6+1ast