1st Division A Round 20 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 JBA defeat RaPy

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

1st Division A top team - JBA (17-1) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed fifth ranked RaPy (10-9) in Jyvaskyla 94-68. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of RaPy. The game without a history. JBA led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They also forced 22 RaPy turnovers. JBA looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of forward Eino Pallijeff (198-2004) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Juuso Salmi (188-2004) who added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Guard Karo Puittinen (195-1999) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds 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. JBA have an impressive 13-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-1 record. Newly promoted RaPy keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Raiders Basket. JBA are looking forward to face HNMKY (#9) in Helsinki in the next round and are hoping to win another game. RaPy will play at home against Oulun Bball (#10) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
The game in Aanekoski supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Honka (17-2) played at the court of 7th ranked Huima (9-11). Honka did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 90-70. The winners were led by American guard David Gonzalvez (193-1987, college: Richmond) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and Riku Korhonen supported him with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Even 30 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) by American guard Corevon Lott (185-1999, college: Keiser) did not help to save the game for Huima. Huima's coach Tommi Koskinen rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Honka have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 17-2 record having just one point less than leader JBA. Huima at the other side keeps the seventh place with 11 games lost. Honka will play against Pyrinto Ak.A (#8) in Tampere in the next round where they are favorite. Huima will have a break next round.
Eleventh-ranked HBA-Marsky (4-15) gave a tough game to sixth ranked Raiders Basket (10-9) in Jarvenpaa on Friday. Raiders Basket managed to secure only three-point victory 87-84. However their fans expected much easier game. The best player for the winners was Deshone Hicks who scored 27 points, 9 assists and 6 steals. Samu Adler produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 assists for the guests. Raiders Basket moved-up to fifth place, which they share with RaPy. HBA-Marsky lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 15 games lost. Raiders Basket will meet higher ranked Kipina (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. HBA-Marsky will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 20 Kipina won against Oulun Bball on the opponent's court 85-80. HNMKY managed to outperform TuNMKY in a home game 88-74.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points, 8 assists and 6 steals by Lenni Hervola of HNMKY.



JBA - RaPy 94-68

1st Division A top team - JBA (17-1) had no problems winning another game on Friday. This time they crushed fifth ranked RaPy (10-9) in Jyvaskyla 94-68. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of RaPy. The game without a history. JBA led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They also forced 22 RaPy turnovers. JBA looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of forward Eino Pallijeff (198-2004) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Juuso Salmi (188-2004) who added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Guard Karo Puittinen (195-1999) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Olli Kanerva (198-1996) scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who 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. JBA have an impressive 13-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 17-1 record. Newly promoted RaPy keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Raiders Basket. JBA are looking forward to face HNMKY (#9) in Helsinki in the next round and are hoping to win another game. RaPy will play at home against Oulun Bball (#10) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
JBA: P.Eino 21+10reb+1ast, N.Karkkainen 14+2reb+1ast, S.Juuso 13+8reb+6ast, C.Rokas 10+3reb+1ast, A.Elmeri 10+3reb+5ast, S.Abokar 9+5reb+1ast
RaPy: K.Puittinen 15+10reb+4ast, N.Veikko 12+6reb, K.Miro 11+4reb+1ast, O.Kanerva 11+5reb+3ast, T.Savino 9+2reb+2ast, A.Tuomo 5+5reb+2ast

Raiders Basket - HBA-Marsky 87-84

Eleventh-ranked HBA-Marsky (4-15) gave a tough game to sixth ranked Raiders Basket (10-9) in Jarvenpaa on Friday. Raiders Basket managed to secure only three-point victory 87-84. However their fans expected much easier game. The hosts trailed by 9 points after first quarter, but they rallied back and won the game by 3 points. Raiders Basket made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. They also forced 27 HBA-Marsky turnovers. Strangely HBA-Marsky outrebounded Raiders Basket 44-29 including 30 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American point guard Deshone Hicks (178-1999, college: Ferrum) who scored 27 points, 9 assists and 6 steals. Forward Otto Raisanen (188-2003) chipped in 19 points and 4 steals (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Guard Samu Adler (188-2007) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 assists and center Kalle Kuhalampi (199-2006) added 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Four HBA-Marsky players scored in double figures. Raiders Basket moved-up to fifth place, which they share with RaPy. HBA-Marsky lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 15 games lost. Raiders Basket will meet higher ranked Kipina (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. HBA-Marsky will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Raiders Basket: D.Hicks 27+2reb+9ast, R.Otto 19+2reb, K.Teemu 18+1reb+1ast, A.Ahola 9+8reb+4ast, S.Albatrit 7+10reb+2ast, M.Kalle 5+3reb+1ast
HBA-Marsky: A.Samu 21+3reb+10ast, K.Kalle 17+10reb+4ast, B.Christian 13+1reb+1ast, A.Julius 12+15reb, T.Jelani 10+4reb, L.Rasmus 9+7reb+4ast

Huima - Honka 70-90

The game in Aanekoski supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Honka (17-2) played at the court of 7th ranked Huima (9-11). Honka did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 90-70. The game was mostly controlled by Honka. Huima was better in second period 22-15. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Honka dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Huima's 38. They outrebounded Huima 40-25 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. The winners were led by American guard David Gonzalvez (193-1987, college: Richmond) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and guard Riku Korhonen (195-2004) supported him with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Honka players scored in double figures. Even 30 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) by American guard Corevon Lott (185-1999, college: Keiser) did not help to save the game for Huima. His fellow American import forward Isaiah Lewis (201-2001, college: NC-Wesleyan, agency: Blacktop Management) added 14 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Huima's coach Tommi Koskinen rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Honka have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 17-2 record having just one point less than leader JBA. Huima at the other side keeps the seventh place with 11 games lost. Honka will play against Pyrinto Ak.A (#8) in Tampere in the next round where they are favorite. Huima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Honka: D.Gonzalvez 19+10reb+4ast, T.Iiro 19+4reb+1ast, K.Riku 18+8reb+7ast, T.Kotti 17+9reb+4ast, K.Saku 7+2reb, S.Makkonen 6+1reb+2ast
Huima: C.Lott 30+1reb+2ast, I.Lewis 14+7reb+3ast, U.Ian 7+2reb+4ast, G.Sokolov 6+3reb, J.Veeti 5+4reb+2ast, K.Kalle 5+5reb+1ast

Oulun Bball - Kipina 80-85

Very expected game when 9th ranked Oulun Bball (6-14) was defeated at home by fourth ranked Kipina (12-6) 85-80 on Saturday. The guests trailed by 5 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 2-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 85-80. Kipina looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Ben College (184-1998, college: Whitworth) who scored 36 points (!!!) and 4 steals. The other American import forward James Rojas (201-1999, college: Wichita St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Jeameril Wilson (203, college: Loyola, IL) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Viljami Valkama (191-2004) added 21 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for the hosts. Kipina maintains fourth position with 12-6 record. Loser Oulun Bball dropped to the tenth place with 14 games lost. Kipina will meet at home Raiders Basket (#6) in the next round. Oulun Bball will play against RaPy (#5) in Tampere and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kipina: B.College 36+3ast, M.McBride 16+6reb+6ast, J.Rojas 14+19reb+4ast, S.Mantymaa 5+2reb+1ast, V.Ville 5+11reb+3ast, S.Salmenkivi 4+5reb
Oulun Bball: J.Wilson 27+11reb+6ast, V.Viljami 21+8reb+7ast, K.Miro 13+7reb+3ast, J.Eskola 9+5reb+2ast, J.Alex 8+3reb, R.Johannes 2+3reb+3ast

HNMKY - TuNMKY 88-74

Rather predictable result in Helsinki where tenth ranked HNMKY (6-13) defeated bottom-ranked TuNMKY (2-17) 88-74 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by HNMKY. TuNMKY managed to win third quarter 27-25. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. HNMKY dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to TuNMKY's 28. HNMKY forced 23 TuNMKY turnovers. The best player for the winners was point guard Lenni Hervola (179-2003) who scored 21 points, 8 assists and 6 steals. Center Roni Vuori (205-2002) chipped in 9 points and 11 rebounds. HNMKY's coach Tuomas Oja used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Joona Airenne (200-1998) produced 21 points and 8 rebounds and guard Matias Suomela (190-2004) added 21 points and 7 assists respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. HNMKY moved-up to ninth place. TuNMKY lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. HNMKY will meet at home league's leader JBA in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. TuNMKY will play against ToPo Juniorit (#3) in Helsinki and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
HNMKY: H.Lenni 21+2reb+8ast, C.Eric 15+3reb+1ast, E.Leo 14+5reb+1ast, E.Leskinen 10+8reb, V.Roni 9+11reb+2ast, K.Nikolas 8+6reb+1ast
TuNMKY: J.Airenne 21+8reb+2ast, S.Matias 21+3reb+7ast, N.Wille 14+3reb, P.Rantanen 10+5reb+4ast, N.Mantere 6+6reb+3ast, V.Verneri 2+2reb+2ast