Korisliiga Round 1 (Regular Season): Kataja defeats Seagulls

The Regular Season in Korisliiga just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Seagulls in Joensuu on Tuesday night. Visitors were rolled over by Kataja 102-83. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Josiah Harris (206, college: La Salle) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Stevie Strong (185-2003, college: S.Nazarene) contributed with 26 points and 7 assists for the winners. Guard Tyrese Williams (190-2000, college: Quinnipiac, agency: One Motive Sports) answered with 26 points for Seagulls. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kataja is looking forward to face Bisons in Loimaa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Seagulls will play at home against Lahti and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game for Honka which played in Salo against Vilpas. Honka eked out just a narrow 3-points road win over Vilpas 107-104. Vilpas was very close to get their first win. But it seems they have to wait a little bit longer. American guard Trevon Faulkner (193-2000, college: NKU) stepped up and scored 24 points and 6 assists for the winners and AJ Ferguson chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. At the losing side the former international power forward Mikael Aalto (208-1994, agency: Blacktop Management) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws). Honka will play against Kouvot in Kouvola in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Vilpas will play on the road against Pyrinto in Tampere to get more than just one victory in their record.
An interesting game was also tough home loss of Kouvot in a game in Kouvola versus undefeated Karhubasket 77-74. Kouvot was very close to get their first win. But it seems they have to wait a little bit longer. American players dominated also this game. Tyeree Bryan nailed 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Masai Troutman came up with 21 points for Kouvot in the defeat. Kouvot's coach Kari Kurronen rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Karhubasket will meet at home KTP-Basket in the next round. Kouvot will play against Honka in Espoo and hope to win that game.

In the last two games of round 1 Bisons lost to KTP-Basket on the road 64-87. Korihait lost to Pyrinto on its own court 89-95.
The most impressive performance of 1st round was 20 points, 5 rebounds and 14 assists by Jordan Mason of Pyrinto.



Kataja - Seagulls 102-83:
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Seagulls in Joensuu on Tuesday night. Visitors were rolled over by Kataja 102-83. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Josiah Harris (206, college: La Salle) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Stevie Strong (185-2003, college: S.Nazarene) contributed with 26 points and 7 assists for the winners. Four Kataja players scored in double figures. Guard Tyrese Williams (190-2000, college: Quinnipiac, agency: One Motive Sports) answered with 26 points and guard Keonte Kennedy (196-2000, college: California) added 14 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Seagulls. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kataja is looking forward to face Bisons in Loimaa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Seagulls will play at home against Lahti and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Seagulls: T.Williams 26+1ast, V.Iwuakor 17+3reb+2ast, K.Kennedy 14+9reb+3ast, R.Raitanen 9+8reb+2ast, R.Rougeau 9+5reb+5ast, H.Lenni 5+1reb+1ast
Kataja: H.Josiah 27+13reb, S.Stevie 26+3reb+7ast, S.Richie 14+7reb, S.Teemu 13+1reb+5ast, P.Topias 8+5reb, T.Joonas 8+1reb+3ast

KTP-Basket - Bisons 87-64:
KTP-Basket used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Loimaa 87-64 on Tuesday night. KTP-Basket made 24-of-29 free shots (82.8 percent) during the game. American forward Mason Gillis (200-2000, college: Duke, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side and forward Joel Mantynen (199-2002, agency: Blacktop Management) accounted for 10 points and 8 rebounds. American guard Deshon Taylor (188-1996, college: Fresno St.) came up with 23 points and 4 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and the other American import guard Roydell Brown (198-1998, college: McNeese St.) added 14 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Bisons 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. KTP-Basket will meet Karhubasket in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bisons will play against Kataja and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Bisons: D.Taylor 23+4reb+4ast, R.Brown 14+14reb+1ast, J.Ogunyemi 10+4reb, A.Harris 7+1reb, F.Aidoo 5+3reb+1ast, O.Makynen 3+1reb
KTP-Basket: G.Mason 22+12reb, D.Daniel 11+5reb+1ast, M.Joel 10+8reb+2ast, W.AJ 10+2reb+1ast, S.Zion 9+2reb+1ast, H.Tuomas 9+2reb+3ast

Vilpas - Honka 104-107:
Another exciting game for Honka which played in Salo against Vilpas. Honka eked out just a narrow 3-points road win over Vilpas 107-104. Vilpas was very close to get their first win. But it seems they have to wait a little bit longer. Honka players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American guard Trevon Faulkner (193-2000, college: NKU) stepped up and scored 24 points and 6 assists for the winners and his fellow American import guard AJ Ferguson (201-2003, college: Murray St.) chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. At the losing side the former international power forward Mikael Aalto (208-1994, agency: Blacktop Management) responded with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) and American guard Leland Walker (185-2003, college: Wyoming) scored 25 points and 8 assists. Five Honka and four Vilpas players scored in double figures. Honka will play against Kouvot in Kouvola in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Vilpas will play on the road against Pyrinto in Tampere to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Vilpas: M.Aalto 28+12reb+1ast, L.Walker 25+4reb+8ast, K.Chavis 17+2reb, D.Jeffries 16+5reb+2ast, E.Innamaa 7+3reb+3ast, S.Lindberg 3+2reb+2ast
Honka: F.Trevon 24+3reb+6ast, T.Iiro 18+3reb+2ast, W.Terrance 17+4reb, F.AJ 16+8reb+9ast, T.Lucas 15+3reb+2ast, A.Peltoniemi 9+2reb+2ast

Kouvot - Karhubasket 74-77:
An interesting game was also tough home loss of Kouvot in a game in Kouvola versus undefeated Karhubasket 77-74. Kouvot was very close to get their first win. But it seems they have to wait a little bit longer. American players dominated also this game. Guard Tyeree Bryan (196, college: Texas Tech) nailed 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and forward Chandler Cuthrell (203, college: Elon) accounted for 17 points and 7 rebounds. Four Karhubasket players scored in double figures. Guard Masai Troutman (196-2002, college: GMU) came up with 21 points and forward Sheldon Williams (203-2004, college: TAMUCC) added 15 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Kouvot in the defeat. Kouvot's coach Kari Kurronen rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Karhubasket will meet at home KTP-Basket in the next round. Kouvot will play against Honka in Espoo and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Kouvot: M.Troutman 21+4reb+1ast, A.Johnson-Cash 20+3reb+1ast, S.Williams 15+11reb, E.Pallijeff 7+3reb+1ast, T.Harsila 5+2reb+3ast, E.Patrik 3
Karhubasket: B.Tyeree 19+8reb+5ast, C.Chandler 17+7reb+1ast, H.Tehree 11+2reb, B.Jerrell 10+12reb+2ast, B.Hugo 8, S.Erik 5+5reb+2ast

Korihait - Pyrinto 89-95:
But Korihait was not able to use a home court advantage and lost to the opponent from Tampere 95-89 on Wednesday night. Pyrinto looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Korihait's players. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Jordan Mason (190-2004, college: Temple) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points, 5 rebounds and 14 assists for the winning side and forward Jamal West Jr (198-2001, college: UTEP) accounted for 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Garry Clark (206-2002, college: Utah St., agency: Players Group) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and forward Devin Tillis (201-2001, college: Virginia) added 21 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Korihait in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Korihait's coach Pieti Poikola tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Pyrinto will meet at home Vilpas in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Korihait will play against Kipina in Aanekoski and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Korihait: D.Tillis 21+7reb+1ast, G.Clark 21+11reb, T.Murr 19+3reb+3ast, T.Niemi 12+1reb+2ast, K.Williams 10+1reb+3ast, R.Lindberg 3+3reb+1ast
Pyrinto: M.Jordan 20+5reb+14ast, J.Hakamaa 14+2reb, H.Shawn 14+2reb+2ast, E.Muhonen 14+5reb+3ast, W.Jamal 14+10reb+6ast, J.Nieminen 6+2reb