Superliga Round 5 (Regular Season): Sigal Prishtina hands first defeat to Bashkimi

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in Superliga, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bashkimi (4-1) recorded its first loss on the court of fourth ranked Sigal Prishtina on Sunday night. Visitors were edged by Sigal Prishtina 79-77. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Bashkimi. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sigal Prishtina made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was point guard Vincent Golson Jr (173-1994, college: CSUDH, agency: Diamond Sports) who scored 30 points and 6 assists (was perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line !!!). Guard Bryson Dawkins (188-2002, college: YSU, agency: Ten18 Management) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Shannon Shorter (193-1989, college: N.Texas) produced 19 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Bashkimi's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sigal Prishtina (3-2) moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Bashkimi at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Sigal Prishtina's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Prishtina to the arena Bora.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Bora (3-2) against fifth ranked Trepca (3-2) on Sunday night. Host Bora was defeated by Trepca in Prishtina 79-68. The former international Shawn Jones (203-1992, college: MTSU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Thelwell contributed with 17 points for the winners. American guard Terrell Allen (190-1997, college: Georgetown, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 20 points for Bora. Bora's coach Zoran Kascelan tested eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Bora. Trepca will play against Ylli (#4) in Therande in the next round. Bora's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Prishtina Sigal Prishtina.
An interesting game where Rahoveci (#8) won against host Peja (#4) 106-95 on Saturday evening. The game was also dominated by American players. Mika Adams-Woods stepped up with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners. Rahoveci's coach Goran Samardziev used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Robert Smith responded with 28 points and 6 assists. Rahoveci (1-4) left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with Vellaznimi. It was Peja's third loss in a row. They dropped to the sixth position with three games lost. Rahoveci will meet at home bottom-ranked Vellaznimi (#8) in the next round. Peja will play against the league's leader Bashkimi and will have a slim chance for a victory.

In the last game of round 5 Ylli defeated Vellaznimi in Therande 100-86.
The best stats of 5th round was 26 points and 6 rebounds by Davontrey Thomas of Ylli.



Bora - Trepca 68-79:
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Bora (3-2) against fifth ranked Trepca (3-2) on Sunday night. Host Bora was defeated by Trepca in Prishtina 79-68. Bora was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international Shawn Jones (203-1992, college: MTSU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. American-Jamaican guard Andrew Thelwell (190-2002, college: Iowa) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Four Trepca players scored in double figures. American guard Terrell Allen (190-1997, college: Georgetown, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 20 points and the other American import Jericole Hellems (201-1999, college: NC State) added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Bora. Bora's coach Zoran Kascelan tested eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Bora. Trepca will play against Ylli (#4) in Therande in the next round. Bora's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Prishtina Sigal Prishtina.
Top scorers:
Bora: T.Allen 20+3reb+3ast, K.Olsi 9+4reb, F.Rugova 8+3reb, J.Hellems 8+9reb+6ast, J.Wheeler 7+7reb+1ast, J.Ismajli 5+5reb+1ast
Trepca: T.Andrew 17+4reb+3ast, D.Hajrizi 16+1reb+1ast, H.Kenny 15+2reb+2ast, J.Shawn 14+10reb+3ast, P.JaCori 8+1reb+3ast, G.James 6+6reb

Peja - Rahoveci 95-106:
An interesting game where Rahoveci (#8) won against host Peja (#4) 106-95 on Saturday evening. Strangely Peja outrebounded Rahoveci 40-28 including 26 on the defensive glass. The game was also dominated by American players. Guard Mika Adams-Woods (190-2000, college: St.Bonaventure) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners and guard Zion Fruster (188-2003, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) chipped in 28 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Rahoveci's coach Goran Samardziev used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Robert Smith (186-2001, college: Delaware St.) responded with 28 points and 6 assists and Xavier Johnson (201-1993, college: Colorado) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Rahoveci (1-4) left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with Vellaznimi. It was Peja's third loss in a row. They dropped to the sixth position with three games lost. Rahoveci will meet at home bottom-ranked Vellaznimi (#8) in the next round. Peja will play against the league's leader Bashkimi and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Peja: R.Smith 28+4reb+6ast, X.Johnson 20+13reb+2ast, A.Morina 12+4reb+1ast, T.Moore 11+2reb+4ast, O.Shatri 9+3reb+3ast, D.Wilson III 6+7reb+1ast
Rahoveci: A.Mika 31+6reb+10ast, F.Zion 28+2reb+5ast, Z.Samir 17+6reb+2ast, R.Kareem 15+1reb, K.Edmond 9+6reb+1ast, L.Shendrit 4+2reb+1ast

Sigal Prishtina - Bashkimi 79-77:
Bashkimi (4-1) recorded its first loss on the court of fourth ranked Sigal Prishtina on Sunday night. Visitors were edged by Sigal Prishtina 79-77. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Bashkimi. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sigal Prishtina made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was point guard Vincent Golson Jr (173-1994, college: CSUDH, agency: Diamond Sports) who scored 30 points and 6 assists (was perfect 13-for-13 from the free throw line !!!). Guard Bryson Dawkins (188-2002, college: YSU, agency: Ten18 Management) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Shannon Shorter (193-1989, college: N.Texas) produced 19 points and 6 rebounds and swingman Adrio Bailey (197-1997, college: Arkansas) added 15 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. Bashkimi's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sigal Prishtina (3-2) moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Bashkimi at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Sigal Prishtina's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Prishtina to the arena Bora.
Top scorers:
Bashkimi: S.Shorter 19+6reb+2ast, L.Zekjiri 15+6reb+1ast, A.Bailey 15+11reb, D.Myles 8+3reb+7ast, G.Clavell 8+2ast, J.Johnson 8+5reb
Sigal Prishtina: G.Vincent 30+1reb+6ast, D.Bryson 14+8reb+3ast, D.Hankins-Sanford 10+4reb, A.Malcolm 9+8reb+3ast, A.Edmond 6+4reb, O.Ajiri 5+8reb

Vellaznimi - Ylli 86-100:
There was no surprise in Gjakove where 7th ranked Vellaznimi (1-4) was defeated by third ranked Ylli (3-2) 100-86 on Saturday. Ylli dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Vellaznimi's 26 and made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. Ylli forced 20 Vellaznimi turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American players dominated the game. Forward Davontrey Thomas (196-2001, college: New Haven) stepped up and scored 26 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and point guard Khalil Shabazz (183-1998, college: USF) chipped in 21 points, 7 assists and 5 steals. Ylli's coach Rami Hadar used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. point guard Kentrell Pullian (183-2002, college: Milwaukee) responded with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and forward Vance Jackson (206-1997, college: ECU) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ylli have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Vellaznimi dropped to the bottom position with four games lost. They share it with Rahoveci. Ylli will meet league's second-placed Trepca in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Vellaznimi will play against Rahoveci (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vellaznimi: K.Pullian 28+7reb+7ast, M.Ismaili 14+1reb+1ast, V.Jackson 12+11reb+3ast, R.Tarrant 12+3reb+1ast, A.Ahmeti 8+2reb, A.Ibishi 7+4reb
Ylli: T.Davontrey 26+6reb+3ast, S.Khalil 21+1reb+7ast, B.Devonte 18+2reb+4ast, M.Musab 11+2reb+1ast, S.Lis 11+14reb+2ast, W.Connor 7+5reb+3ast