Korisliiga Round 4 (Second Stage): Vilpas keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Vilpas as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Vilpas defeated 5th ranked KTP-Basket in Salo 88-75. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of KTP-Basket. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Vilpas made 8 blocks. Nigerian-American forward ZeRik Onyema (206-2002, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) fired 21 points (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!) for the winners. American guard Jack Forrest (196-2000, college: Bucknell) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. Vilpas' coach Jussi Savolainen used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Jayden Taylor (193-2003, college: NC State) produced 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Vilpas (19-7) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Karhubasket. KTP-Basket at the other side keeps the fifth place with 12 games lost. KTP-Basket will play next round against strong Korihait trying to get back on the winning streak. Vilpas will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Seagulls in Helsinki.
Sixth-ranked Seagulls (13-13) made lots of trouble for second ranked Karhubasket (19-7) in Kauhajoki. Karhubasket managed to secure only three-point victory 82-79. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Skyler Flatten (198-1995, college: S.Dakota St., agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 7 rebounds. Ike Nweke contributed with 18 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Jalen Henry (203-1996, college: SIUE) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds for Seagulls. Karhubasket keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Vilpas. Seagulls lost third consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the sixth place with 13 games lost. Karhubasket will play against Honka (#3) in Espoo in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Seagulls will play at home against the league's leader Vilpas and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Honka (16-10) against fourth ranked Korihait (15-11) on Saturday night. Visiting Honka was defeated by Korihait in a tough game in Uusikaupunki 102-107. Worth to mention a great performance of Frank Champion who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side Riku Korhonen responded with 31 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Korihait have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 15-11 record. Honka lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the third place with ten games lost. Korihait will meet KTP-Basket (#5) in the next round. Honka will play against the league's second-placed Karhubasket and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 4 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Bisons was defeated by Kataja in Joensuu 86-74. Kouvot was beaten by Pyrinto at home 63-77. Bottom-ranked Kobrat lost to Lahti on the opponent's court 112-118.
The best stats of 4th round was 30 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists by Tamenang Choh of Kobrat.



Kataja - Bisons 86-74

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Joensuu where 7th ranked Bisons (12-14) was defeated by eighth ranked Kataja (13-14) 86-74 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard DeVion Harmon (188-2001, college: Texas Tech) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and the other American import forward Jermaine Marshall (198-2000, college: Samford) who added 13 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American center Dean Keeler (211-2001, college: UC Irvine, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds and point guard Tevaun Kokko (180-1995, college: TMU, agency: One Motive Sports) scored 17 points and 5 assists. Kataja moved-up to seventh place. Loser Bisons dropped to the eighth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Pyrinto. Kataja will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bisons will play against Lahti (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kataja: H.De'Vion 23+3reb+3ast, M.Jermaine 13+7reb+3ast, P.Henri 11+5reb+2ast, J.Timonen 11+1ast, K.Henri 8+2reb+2ast, K.Jared 8+7reb+2ast
Bisons: D.Keeler 26+14reb, T.Kokko 17+2reb+5ast, V.Heinonen 10+1reb, J.Anderson 9+8reb+2ast, R.Hall III 6+1reb+6ast, M.Onni 4+4reb

Korihait - Honka 107-102

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Honka (16-10) against fourth ranked Korihait (15-11) on Saturday night. Visiting Honka was defeated by Korihait in a tough game in Uusikaupunki 102-107. Korihait shot 60.7 percent from the field and made 30-of-33 free shots (90.9 percent) during the game, while Honka only scored thirteen points from the stripe. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Frank Champion (201-2002, college: Chattanooga) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import swingman Jalen Jackson (198-1994, college: UALR, agency: Diamond Sports) who added 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side guard Riku Korhonen (196-2004) responded with 31 points and American guard AJ Ferguson (201-2003, college: Murray St.) scored 24 points. Five Korihait and four Honka players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Korihait have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 15-11 record. Honka lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the third place with ten games lost. Korihait will meet KTP-Basket (#5) in the next round. Honka will play against the league's second-placed Karhubasket and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Korihait: C.Frank 26+9reb+3ast, J.Jalen 20+7reb+4ast, A.Mikael 15+7reb+2ast, S.Bojan 14+1reb+1ast, T.Ville 14+1reb+1ast, H.Jamir 8+1reb+2ast
Honka: K.Riku 31+1reb+3ast, A.Ferguson 24+4reb+3ast, P.Alvar 12+2reb+4ast, I.Kelly 12+4reb+5ast, U.Emil 8+2reb, T.Donald 6+4reb+4ast

Karhubasket - Seagulls 82-79

Sixth-ranked Seagulls (13-13) made lots of trouble for second ranked Karhubasket (19-7) in Kauhajoki. Karhubasket managed to secure only three-point victory 82-79. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Skyler Flatten (198-1995, college: S.Dakota St., agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 7 rebounds. American-Nigerian power forward Ike Nweke (201-2000, college: Quinnipiac) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Jalen Henry (203-1996, college: SIUE) replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Kahron Ross (180-1995, college: Lehigh, agency: One Motive Sports) added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Seagulls. Four Seagulls players scored in double figures. Karhubasket keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Vilpas. Seagulls lost third consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the sixth place with 13 games lost. Karhubasket will play against Honka (#3) in Espoo in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Seagulls will play at home against the league's leader Vilpas and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Karhubasket: F.Skyler 26+7reb+2ast, N.Ike 18+15reb+1ast, A.Antti 15+1reb+2ast, L.Eemi 9+6reb+4ast, O.Kanden 8+4reb+1ast, A.Laavainen 3+2ast
Seagulls: J.Henry 24+12reb, K.Ross 20+5reb+6ast, R.Rougeau 12+10reb+5ast, O.Heinonen 10+2reb+1ast, R.Waxlax 8+4reb+1ast, C.Chukwuma 3+4reb+1ast

Vilpas - KTP-Basket 88-75

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Vilpas as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Vilpas defeated 5th ranked KTP-Basket in Salo 88-75. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of KTP-Basket. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Vilpas made 8 blocks. Nigerian-American forward ZeRik Onyema (206-2002, college: Texas, agency: Diamond Sports) fired 21 points (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!) for the winners. American guard Jack Forrest (196-2000, college: Bucknell) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. Vilpas' coach Jussi Savolainen used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Jayden Taylor (193-2003, college: NC State) produced 14 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international center Hannes Polla (211-1998, college: UT Martin) added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Vilpas and four KTP-Basket players scored in double figures. Vilpas (19-7) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Karhubasket. KTP-Basket at the other side keeps the fifth place with 12 games lost. KTP-Basket will play next round against strong Korihait trying to get back on the winning streak. Vilpas will try to continue on its current victory against sixth ranked Seagulls in Helsinki.
Top scorers:
Vilpas: O.Ze'Rik 21+3reb+1ast, F.Jack 17+5reb+3ast, B.Jalen 15+5reb+2ast, A.Ansley 10+6reb+2ast, A.Samu 10+4reb+1ast, E.Innamaa 6+3reb+1ast
KTP-Basket: H.Polla 16+7reb, K.Sapwell 16+3reb+2ast, J.Taylor 14+9reb+6ast, A.Carver 10+9reb, R.Raitanen 9+6reb+2ast, J.Granlund 6+1reb+2ast

Kouvot - Pyrinto 63-77

No shocking result in a game in Kouvola where ninth ranked Pyrinto (12-14) defeated 11th ranked Kouvot (8-18) 77-63 on Sunday. Pyrinto outrebounded Kouvot 54-37 including a 21-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jared Billups (193-2003, college: GMU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import guard Beon Riley (198-2002, college: Utah Tech) who added 18 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Pyrinto's coach Tero Hassinen allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side American guard Wesley Cardet Jr (198, college: Providence) responded with 12 points and 8 rebounds and swingman Tuukka Harsila (192-2004) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. Four Kouvot players scored in double figures. Pyrinto have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Bisons. Loser Kouvot keeps the eleventh position with 18 games lost. Pyrinto will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kouvot will play against Kobrat (#12) in Lapua and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Pyrinto: R.Beon 18+10reb+2ast, B.Jared 14+11reb+5ast, M.Valtteri 10+3reb+3ast, P.Topias 9+3reb, J.Hakamaa 9+2reb, E.Muhonen 8+13reb+2ast
Kouvot: H.Tuukka 13+5reb, W.Cardet Jr. 12+8reb+1ast, D.Blanton 11+5reb, T.Rotegard 10+6reb, H.Joona 7+2reb+3ast, P.Timi 6+1reb

Lahti - Kobrat 118-112

Rather expected game when 12th ranked Kobrat (4-22) was defeated on the road by tenth ranked Lahti (12-15) 118-112 on Sunday. Lahti shot 66.2 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 55.6 percentage. Lahti looked well-organized offensively handing out 36 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Max Brooks (203, college: UMass Lowell) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 6 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field) and the other American import guard Samage Teel (188-2002, college: Indiana St.) who added 17 points and 8 assists during the contest. Five Lahti players scored in double figures. Lahti's coach Kristian Palotie allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side American-Cameroonian forward Tamenang Choh (196-1998, college: Brown, agency: Helping Ballers) responded with a double-double by scoring 30 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists (made all of his eight free throws) and American forward Bobby Planutis (203-1997, college: PFW, agency: One Motive Sports) scored 27 points. Newly promoted Lahti maintains tenth position with 12-15 record. Kobrat lost fourth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 22 lost games. Lahti will meet higher ranked Bisons (#9) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kobrat will play against Kouvot and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Lahti: B.Max 27+6reb+2ast, T.Sebastian 19+8ast, T.Samage 17+4reb+8ast, W.Lue 15+1reb+4ast, N.Vili 10+5reb+2ast, T.Kuukkanen 10+6reb+3ast
Kobrat: T.Choh 30+14reb+9ast, B.Planutis 27+4reb+1ast, S.Simeon 20+2reb+6ast, T.Jussi 11+2reb, L.Juho-Matti 9+1reb+2ast, H.Veeti 9+5reb