1st Division B Round 22 (Regular Season): LrNMKY edges KTP II by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fifth-ranked KTP II (8-13) made lots of trouble for first ranked LrNMKY (18-3) in Kotka on Sunday. The visitors from Lappeenranta managed to secure only one-point victory 95-94. However their fans expected much easier game. KTP II was trailing by 6 points at halftime but managed to get 1-point lead after three quarters before a 22-21 charge of LrNMKY, which allowed them to win the game. Forward Patrik En (193-2004) fired a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Guard Niilo Tammi (188-2002) chipped in 20 points. Forward Niko Mykra (190-2004) produced 30 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for lost side. KTP II's coach Sauli Lanki rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. LrNMKY have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 18-3 record. KTP II lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with HyPo and Espoo Basket.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Helsinki. Third ranked Ura Basket faced their biggest opponent Pantterit. Guests from Kaarina (12-9) defeated host Pantterit (13-8) 84-72. Worth to mention a great performance of Joona Forsstrom (196-1995) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Lauri Hanninen contributed with 17 points and 4 assists for the winners. Forward Waheid Hassan (197-2001) replied with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for Pantterit. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ura Basket maintains third position with 12-9 record having six points less than leader Karkkila. Pantterit at the other side keeps the second place with eight games lost.
Leader Karkkila delivered the eighteenth victory on Sunday night. This time they beat 6th ranked Pyrinto Ak.B (7-13) 78-64 in Tampere. Ulyen Coleman had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. At the losing side Ossi Eskola responded with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists (made all of his eight free throws). Pyrinto Ak.B's coach Santeri Liljeberg tested ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Karkkila (18-2) have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Loser Pyrinto Ak.B dropped to the fifth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Pajulahti.

Rest of the games of round 22 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Espoo Basket defeated HyPo in a road game 95-81. PuHu Juniorit beat Nokia Ak. at home 84-66. Leppavaaran lost to MuKi on the opponent's court 80-94. Kataja Ta. outscored Pajulahti in a home game 92-68.

Pantterit - Ura Basket 72-84

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Helsinki. Third ranked Ura Basket faced their biggest opponent Pantterit. Guests from Kaarina (12-9) defeated host Pantterit (13-8) 84-72. The game was mostly controlled by Ura Basket. Pantterit was better in second period 20-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Ura Basket players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Joona Forsstrom (196-1995) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Lauri Hanninen (191-2002) contributed with 17 points and 4 assists for the winners. Forward Waheid Hassan (197-2001) replied with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Marcus Bailey-Henry Jr (178-1990, college: Portland CC) added 16 points in the effort for Pantterit. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ura Basket maintains third position with 12-9 record having six points less than leader Karkkila. Pantterit at the other side keeps the second place with eight games lost.
Top scorers:
Ura Basket: H.Lauri 17+1reb+4ast, J.Forsstrom 16+7reb+7ast, K.Maksimillian 14+7reb+1ast, O.Rasanen 9+3reb+2ast, C.Sinan 9+1reb+3ast, M.Suomi 8+3reb+5ast
Pantterit: M.Bailey-Henry Jr. 16+3ast, H.Waheid 11+9reb+4ast, J.Leo 9+3reb+2ast, S.Aapo 8+2reb+1ast, E.Nuutti 8+1reb+1ast, K.Paavo 4+3reb+1ast

HyPo - Espoo Basket 81-95

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Hyvinkaa where 6th ranked HyPo (8-13) was defeated by seventh ranked Espoo Basket (8-13) 95-81 on Sunday. The game without a history. Espoo Basket led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Espoo Basket forced 21 HyPo turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Kosovan guard Albatrit Syla (202-2003) scored 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and forward Eshaq Safi (205-1996) chipped in 24 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Joshua Wilchcombe (203-1994, college: OKWU) responded with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds and forward Kalle Mattila (203-2005) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Espoo Basket and four HyPo players scored in double figures. Espoo Basket have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with HyPo and KTP II.
Top scorers:
Espoo Basket: E.Safi 24+10reb+2ast, S.Albatrit 23+9reb+5ast, J.Rasmus 19+10reb+3ast, F.Leo 15+1reb+9ast, A.Mading 10+2reb+2ast, L.Aaro 2+2reb
HyPo: J.Wilchcombe 29+10reb+2ast, N.Joonas 15+1reb, M.Tim 13+2reb+1ast, M.Kalle 12+10reb+4ast, M.Antti 7+2reb+1ast, M.Miio 3+7reb+12ast

Pyrinto Ak.B - Karkkila 64-78

Leader Karkkila delivered the eighteenth victory on Sunday night. This time they beat 6th ranked Pyrinto Ak.B (7-13) 78-64 in Tampere. The game was mostly controlled by Karkkila. Pyrinto Ak.B managed to win second period 21-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Karkkila made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. American guard Ulyen Coleman (193, college: S.Connecticut) had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Teemu Hakkarainen (196-2002) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Four Karkkila players scored in double figures. At the losing side guard Ossi Eskola (188-2003) responded with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists (made all of his eight free throws) and forward Jaakko Nieminen (200-2006) scored 10 points and 8 rebounds. Pyrinto Ak.B's coach Santeri Liljeberg tested ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Karkkila (18-2) have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Loser Pyrinto Ak.B dropped to the fifth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Pajulahti.
Top scorers:
Karkkila: U.Coleman 26+15reb+3ast, M.Nyman 16+1reb+2ast, H.Teemu 11+9reb+1ast, D.Grady III 10+4reb+4ast, N.Akseli 6+3reb+3ast, K.Nestori 5+2reb+4ast
Pyrinto Ak.B: E.Ossi 21+9reb+8ast, S.Topias 13+5reb, N.Jaakko 10+8reb+3ast, N.Onni 5, K.Aku 4, H.Konsta 4+2reb

PuHu Juniorit - Nokia Ak. 84-66

No shocking result in a game in Vantaa where second ranked PuHu Juniorit (17-3) defeated 7th ranked Nokia Ak. (6-14) 84-66 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by PuHu Juniorit. Nokia Ak. managed to win third quarter 21-12. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. PuHu Juniorit forced 25 Nokia Ak. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Nokia Ak.'s players. Point guard Valtteri Leino (183-1995) scored 19 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and power forward Tony Rautiainen (194-2001) chipped in 7 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. PuHu Juniorit's coach used entire bench saving starting five for next games. At the losing side American forward Alvin Cannady III (206, college: National Park) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds and guard Niki Juntunen (188-2001) scored 20 points. PuHu Juniorit maintains second position with 17-3 record behind leader Karkkila. Nokia Ak. lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 14 games lost.
Top scorers:
PuHu Juniorit: V.Leino 19+5reb+1ast, L.Brederholm 11+1reb+1ast, P.Drockila 10+3reb+4ast, C.Ahokas 10+2reb, J.Salmi 9+5reb+3ast, R.Tony 7+8reb+5ast
Nokia Ak.: N.Juntunen 20+3reb+2ast, V.Aku 14+1reb+1ast, A.Cannady III 13+13reb+2ast, S.Henri 8+5reb, N.Ville-Matti 5+3reb+1ast, D.Santana William 4+6reb+1ast

MuKi - Leppavaaran P. 94-80

Very expected game in Helsinki where 8th ranked Leppavaaran (1-20) was defeated by fourth ranked MuKi (11-10) 94-80 on Sunday. The hosts trailed by 5 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 13-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 94-80. MuKi made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Leppavaaran turnovers. MuKi looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Forward Elias Lahdensuu (195-1998) had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Aleksi Kantonen (191-1995) chipped in 22 points and 6 assists during the contest (made all of his nine free throws !!!). At the losing side forward Akseli Leppanen (195-2002) responded with 21 points (made all of his seven free throws) and guard Michael Pietrzyk (195-2004) scored 15 points. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. MuKi maintains fourth position with 11-10 record. Leppavaaran lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 20 games lost.
Top scorers:
MuKi: E.Lahdensuu 24+11reb, A.Kantonen 22+1reb+6ast, V.Tomi 12+6reb+1ast, J.Eboreime 9+6reb+5ast, V.Riku 8+1reb+2ast, A.Nico 5+1reb+2ast
Leppavaaran P.: L.Akseli 21+3reb+1ast, P.Michael 15+2reb+2ast, U.Elmo 12+2reb+2ast, M.Samppa 7+3reb+5ast, L.Alejandro 7+7reb, P.Atte 5+3reb+2ast

KTP II - LrNMKY 94-95

Fifth-ranked KTP II (8-13) made lots of trouble for first ranked LrNMKY (18-3) in Kotka on Sunday. The visitors from Lappeenranta managed to secure only one-point victory 95-94. However their fans expected much easier game. KTP II was trailing by 6 points at halftime but managed to get 1-point lead after three quarters before a 22-21 charge of LrNMKY, which allowed them to win the game. Forward Patrik En (193-2004) fired a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Guard Niilo Tammi (188-2002) chipped in 20 points. Five LrNMKY players scored in double figures. Forward Niko Mykra (190-2004) produced 30 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists and French forward Manuel Barnes (198-1992, college: Baker) added 27 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for lost side. KTP II's coach Sauli Lanki rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. LrNMKY have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 18-3 record. KTP II lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with HyPo and Espoo Basket.
Top scorers:
LrNMKY: T.Niilo 20+4reb+2ast, D.Yonis 15+4reb+2ast, A.Conerly 15+4reb+4ast, R.Elias 14+8reb+3ast, E.Patrik 13+15reb+1ast, A.Mukhtar 9+8reb+2ast
KTP II: M.Niko 30+9reb+7ast, M.Barnes 27+9reb+7ast, A.Miron 16+5reb+2ast, R.Aleksi 8+10reb+1ast, N.Ahola 6+2reb, L.Matias 4+2reb+4ast

Kataja Ta. - Pajulahti 92-68

Rather predictable result in Joensuu where third ranked Kataja Ta. (12-8) outscored 5th ranked Pajulahti (7-13) 92-68 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by Kataja Ta.. Pajulahti managed to win fourth quarter 20-12. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Kataja Ta. made 25-of-31 free shots (80.6 percent) during the game, while Pajulahti only scored nine points from the stripe. Kataja Ta. forced 30 Pajulahti turnovers. American forward Vatangoe Donzo (201-2000, college: BMC) scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks to lead the charge for the winners and guard Otto Frilander (186-2002) chipped in 16 points and 4 steals during the contest. Four Kataja Ta. players scored in double figures. Kataja Ta.'s coach Marko Tuononen felt very confident that he used 11 players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side swingman Jan-Viljam Homanen (193-2002) responded with 17 points and 5 rebounds and center Tiitus Turtinen (201-2004) scored 11 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!). Kataja Ta. maintains third position with 12-8 record having seven points less than leader Karkkila. Loser Pajulahti keeps the fifth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Pyrinto Ak.B.
Top scorers:
Kataja Ta.: V.Donzo 22+9reb, F.Otto 16+4reb+3ast, M.Veikka 13+5reb+4ast, P.Aale 12+3reb, S.Ruskio 8+1reb, K.Akseli 5+1reb+1ast
Pajulahti: H.Jan-Viljam 17+5reb, T.Tiitus 11+6reb, V.Mio 11+4reb+1ast, J.Henderson 9+3reb+2ast, F.Elias 8+5reb+4ast, S.Petrus 5+5reb+3ast