1st Division B Round 4 (Regular Season): #1 PuHu Juniorit is defeated by PeU-Basket

After 4 rounds played we can already see who rules in the 1st Division B and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of PuHu Juniorit (3-1) in Pernio on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by sixth ranked PeU-Basket (2-1) 87-76. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Benjamin Granstrom (191-2008) who helped to win the game recording 28 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and center Alex Makikokko (196-2002) who added 22 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side center Saku Korhonen (199-2002) responded with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. PeU-Basket moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Ura Basket and Honka 2. PuHu Juniorit at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. They share it with TuNMKY. PeU-Basket is looking forward to face Nokia (#7) on the road in the next round. PuHu Juniorit will have a break next round.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Kotka. Top-ranked host KTP II (4-0) defeated their biggest opponent TuNMKY (3-1) 86-70. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of TuNMKY. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The winners were led by guard Alfred Pitkanen (193) who scored that evening 20 points and 9 rebounds and Joonas Lehtoranta supported him with 19 points and 7 assists. Even 17 points by Severi Jalonen did not help to save the game for TuNMKY. TuNMKY's coach Ray Ailus rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. KTP II have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. TuNMKY at the other side keeps the second place with one game lost. They share the position with PuHu Juniorit. KTP II will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. TuNMKY will play at home against Kataja Ta. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Kataja Ta. has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Pajulahti (0-4) 104-67 on Sunday. Thomas Ronnholm fired 27 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Eemi Mustapaa produced 23 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kataja Ta. (1-3) left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with HyPo. It was Pajulahti's fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. Kataja Ta. will meet higher ranked TuNMKY (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Pajulahti will play against HyPo (#8) in Hyvinkaa and hopes to get finally their first victory.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 4: Nokia destroyed Raiders Basket on the opponent's court 96-68. Ura Basket managed to outperform HyPo in a home game 104-89. Nokia recorded a loss to PuHu Juniorit on the road 86-73.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 24 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists by Wille Nordell of PuHu Juniorit.



PeU-Basket - PuHu Juniorit 87-76:
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of PuHu Juniorit (3-1) in Pernio on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by sixth ranked PeU-Basket (2-1) 87-76. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Benjamin Granstrom (191-2008) who helped to win the game recording 28 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and center Alex Makikokko (196-2002) who added 22 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side center Saku Korhonen (199-2002) responded with 21 points and 9 rebounds and forward Aku Valimaki (194-2001) scored 18 points and 7 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. PeU-Basket moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Ura Basket and Honka 2. PuHu Juniorit at the other side dropped to the second position with one game lost. They share it with TuNMKY. PeU-Basket is looking forward to face Nokia (#7) on the road in the next round. PuHu Juniorit will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
PeU-Basket: B.Granstrom 28+8reb+6ast, A.Makikokko 22+6reb+3ast, W.Vihiniemi 13+2reb+2ast, T.Huolila 11+13reb+1ast, N.Huoponen 5+5reb+2ast, P.Laine 3+6reb
PuHu Juniorit: K.Saku 21+9reb+3ast, V.Aku 18+7reb+1ast, K.Rasmus 10+3reb+2ast, N.Wille 10+4reb, G.Oliver 6+3reb, R.Oskari 6+2reb+4ast

Raiders Basket - Nokia 68-96:
Rather expected game in Jarvenpaa where bottom-ranked Raiders Basket (0-3) was crushed by seventh ranked Nokia (2-2) 96-68 on Wednesday. Nokia dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Raiders Basket's 40. Nokia forced 28 Raiders Basket turnovers and outrebounded them 37-25 including 23 on the defensive glass. Nokia looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American Cory Abercrombie (201-1985, college: Independence) fired a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Guard Jonni Halme (183) chipped in 17 points and 6 assists. Five Nokia players scored in double figures. Guard Otso Hayrinen (189) produced 12 points and 6 assists and swingman Aleksi Tella (193-2010) added 9 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nokia maintains seventh position with 2-2 record. Loser Raiders Basket still closes the standings with three games lost. Nokia will meet at home higher ranked PeU-Basket (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Raiders Basket will play against Ura Basket (#6) in Kaarina and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Nokia: E.Sauramo 19+3reb+1ast, J.Halme 17+4reb+6ast, S.Iltanen 14+6reb+3ast, T.Selin 13+2reb+2ast, C.Abercrombie 13+11reb+6ast, H.Schnabel 11+2reb+2ast
Raiders Basket: H.Otso 12+1reb+6ast, H.Pyry 10+4reb, V.Samuel 9+2reb, T.Aleksi 9+4reb+4ast, L.Luukas 7+2reb+2ast, S.Liukko 6+2reb+1ast

KTP II - TuNMKY 86-70:
The game between Top Four teams took place in Kotka. Top-ranked host KTP II (4-0) defeated their biggest opponent TuNMKY (3-1) 86-70. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of TuNMKY. It was a key game for the top position in the league. KTP II dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to TuNMKY's 36. KTP II forced 20 TuNMKY turnovers and outrebounded them 41-24 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by guard Alfred Pitkanen (193) who scored that evening 20 points and 9 rebounds and Joonas Lehtoranta (194-1994) supported him with 19 points and 7 assists. Even 17 points by Severi Jalonen did not help to save the game for TuNMKY. Swingman Atte Peltonen (196-2005) added 14 points for lost side. TuNMKY's coach Ray Ailus rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. KTP II have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record. TuNMKY at the other side keeps the second place with one game lost. They share the position with PuHu Juniorit. KTP II will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. TuNMKY will play at home against Kataja Ta. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
KTP II: A.Pitkanen 20+9reb, J.Lehtoranta 19+2reb+7ast, J.Pitkanen 18+5reb+2ast, A.Turtiainen 9+3reb+1ast, A.Rasanen 8+15reb+4ast, J.Toikka 5+3reb+1ast
TuNMKY: J.Severi 17+4reb+3ast, P.Atte 14+4reb+3ast, H.Veeti 11+4reb, M.Kalle 9+1reb+2ast, S.Topias 7+4reb, J.Jesse 6+2reb

Ura Basket - HyPo 104-89:
The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Ura Basket's (2-1) home victory over 8th ranked HyPo (1-3) 104-89 on Friday. Ura Basket forced 19 HyPo turnovers and outrebounded them 41-30 including 32 on the defensive glass. Ura Basket looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by HyPo's players. Forward Akseli Arvonen (189-2004) fired 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Guard Matias Suomela (190-2004) chipped in 8 points, 6 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals. Guard Artturi Nieminen (193-1997) produced 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Juuso Kurki (190-2005) added 22 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ura Basket moved-up to fourth place, which they share with PeU-Basket and Honka 2. Loser HyPo keeps the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Kataja Ta.. Ura Basket will meet at home Raiders Basket (#10) in the next round where they are favorite. HyPo will play against Pajulahti and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ura Basket: A.Arvonen 27+5reb+4ast, J.Airenne 14+10reb+1ast, L.Taimela 13+6reb+2ast, J.Pellikka 12+2reb+1ast, M.Kozlov 11+2reb+1ast, M.Suomela 8+6reb+13ast
HyPo: K.Juuso 22+2reb+2ast, N.Artturi 22+8reb+4ast, K.Sauli 16+6reb+3ast, N.Matias 12+6reb+4ast, F.Leo 6+3reb+4ast, P.Eemi 4

Kataja Ta. - Pajulahti 104-67:
Kataja Ta. has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Pajulahti (0-4) 104-67 on Sunday. Kataja Ta. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Pajulahti's 32. They outrebounded Pajulahti 51-35 including a 40-29 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kataja Ta. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Forward Thomas Ronnholm (197-2003) fired 27 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Emil Eskelinen (190-2005) chipped in 22 points and 7 rebounds. Guard Eemi Mustapaa (187-2009) produced 23 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Kosmo Erola (180-2006) added 11 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kataja Ta. (1-3) left bottom position moving up to eighth place, which they share with HyPo. It was Pajulahti's fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. Kataja Ta. will meet higher ranked TuNMKY (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Pajulahti will play against HyPo (#8) in Hyvinkaa and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Kataja Ta.: T.Ronnholm 27+5reb+3ast, E.Eskelinen 22+7reb+1ast, E.Mannisto 14+6reb+8ast, M.Salmela 11+3reb, A.Pontinen 8+7reb, O.Pehkonen 6+2reb+6ast
Pajulahti: M.Eemi 23+8reb+3ast, E.Kosmo 11+2reb+4ast, R.Eemeli 10+4reb+3ast, M.Oscar 9+6reb+1ast, J.Nicholson 7+4reb+2ast, L.Magnus 6+9reb

PuHu Juniorit - Nokia 86-73:
Everything could happen in Vantaa at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked PuHu Juniorit and 7th ranked Nokia had identical 2-1 record. This time PuHu Juniorit used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Nokia 86-73 on Sunday night. PuHu Juniorit looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Swingman Wille Nordell (197-2002) fired 24 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Forward Aku Valimaki (194-2001) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds. Four PuHu Juniorit players scored in double figures. PuHu Juniorit's coach Santeri Savolainen used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American Cory Abercrombie (201-1985, college: Independence) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and forward Elias Sauramo (200-2005) added 14 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. PuHu Juniorit (3-1) moved-up to second place, which they share with TuNMKY. Loser Nokia keeps the seventh position with two games lost. PuHu Juniorit will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nokia will play against PeU-Basket (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
PuHu Juniorit: W.Nordell 24+5reb+7ast, A.Valimaki 22+12reb, S.Korhonen 17+4reb+1ast, N.Avist 13+3reb, T.Takala 3+3reb+4ast, O.Rantala 2+2reb+4ast
Nokia: A.Cory 15+14reb+2ast, S.Elias 14+8reb+1ast, S.Matti 10+4reb+1ast, A.Artturi 9+1ast, H.Jonni 8+3reb+5ast, I.Severi 5+1reb