Round 20: VEF Riga edge Rapla by three points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Sixth-ranked Estonian Rapla (12-10) made lots of trouble for second ranked Latvian VEF Riga (19-3) on Tuesday. The visitors from Riga managed to secure only three-point victory 74-71. However their fans expected much easier game. The best player for the winners was point guard Kristers Zoriks (193-1998, college: St.Mary's, CA) who scored 19 points and 7 assists. American point guard Glenn Cosey (183-1992, college: EKU) chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. American guard Kendall Stephens (198-1994, college: Nevada) produced 15 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Rapla's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. VEF Riga have an impressive 16-game winning streak. Defending Latvian champion maintains second position with 19-3 record having just two point less than leader Prometey. Rapla at the other side dropped to the seventh place with ten games lost. VEF Riga are looking forward to face TalTech (#12) in Tallinn in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rapla will play at home against Parnu (#10) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
One of the most interesting games of round 20 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Eleventh ranked Parnu outleveled visiting Keila (6-14) 89-66. American point guard Isaiah Hart (180-1999, college: AUM) orchestrated the victory by scoring 24 points and 4 assists. Mihkel Kirves contributed with 11 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) replied with 14 points and 7 rebounds for Keila. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending Estonian champion (8-9) moved-up to tenth place. Keila lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. Parnu will play against higher ranked Rapla (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Keila will have a break next round.
One of the most interesting games of round 20 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where third ranked Kalev/Cramo won against visiting Viimsi (10-8) 87-74. Worth to mention a great performance of Oleksandr Kovliar who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 5 rebounds. Devin Harris responded with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kalev/Cramo (14-3) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain third position having eight points less than leader Prometey. Loser Viimsi keeps the eighth place with eight games lost. Kalev/Cramo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Viimsi will play against Valmiera Glass (#14) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 20 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Tartu was defeated by Kalev/Cramo in Tallinn 75-71. Ventspils smashed Tarvas at home 98-59. TalTech destroyed LU on the opponent's court 73-53. Liepaja managed to outperform Tarvas in a home game 70-69. VEF Riga managed to beat Tallinna Kalev on the road 67-61. BK Ogre crushed Keila on its own court 97-76. Rapla was beaten by Prometey in Kamianske 89-81.

Parnu - Keila 89-66

One of the most interesting games of round 20 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Eleventh ranked Parnu outleveled visiting Keila (6-14) 89-66. They outrebounded Keila 43-27 including 16 on the offensive glass. American point guard Isaiah Hart (180-1999, college: AUM) orchestrated the victory by scoring 24 points and 4 assists. Mihkel Kirves (200-1996) contributed with 11 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) replied with 14 points and 7 rebounds and Croatian center Matej Radunic (211-1996) added 12 points in the effort for Keila. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending Estonian champion (8-9) moved-up to tenth place. Keila lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. Parnu will play against higher ranked Rapla (#7) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Keila will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Parnu: I.Hart 24+3reb+4ast, R.Valge 12+1reb, M.Kirves 11+9reb+2ast, M.McCarthy 10+9reb+1ast, T.Pazera 9+4reb+3ast, S.Aav 7+3reb+3ast
Keila: C.Sengbusch 15, K.Kristen 14+7reb, M.Radunic 12+4reb+2ast, I.Mikhieiev 7+5reb+2ast, L.Christopher 4+2ast, A.Myronenko 4+2reb+1ast

Kalev/Cramo - Viimsi 87-74

One of the most interesting games of round 20 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where third ranked Kalev/Cramo won against visiting Viimsi (10-8) 87-74. Kalev/Cramo forced 19 Viimsi turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of Ukrainian point guard Oleksandr Kovliar (188-2002) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 5 rebounds and Latvian center Martins Meiers (208-1991) who added 12 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American point guard Devin Harris (182-1992, college: OKWU) responded with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Karl-Johan Lips (200-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. Four Viimsi players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kalev/Cramo (14-3) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain third position having eight points less than leader Prometey. Loser Viimsi keeps the eighth place with eight games lost. Kalev/Cramo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Viimsi will play against Valmiera Glass (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kalev/Cramo: O.Kovliar 30+5reb+3ast, M.Meiers 12+5reb, A.Gilbert 11+2reb+3ast, H.Wade-Chatman 7+3reb+2ast, A.Konontsuk 6+3reb+3ast, T.Hugo 5+4reb+1ast
Viimsi: D.Harris 19+5reb+6ast, K.Lips 14+10reb+2ast, E.Haller 14+3reb, M.Toppin 13+6reb+2ast, A.Hint 7+3reb+3ast, R.Jorgen 5

Kalev/Cramo - Tartu 75-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with one of their biggest challengers Tartu's (13-6) road loss to third ranked Kalev/Cramo (14-3) 71-75 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of Latvian center Martins Meiers (208-1991) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and Artur Konontsuk (201-2000, college: Southern Miss) who added 15 points during the contest. Mart Rosenthal (192-1999) responded with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and Slovakian center Tomas Pavelka (217-2000) scored 8 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Kalev/Cramo have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 14-3 record having eight points less than leader Prometey. Loser Tartu keeps the fourth place with six games lost. Kalev/Cramo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tartu will play against Liepaja (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kalev/Cramo: M.Meiers 17+4reb, A.Konontsuk 15+4reb+1ast, K.Kitsing 15+3reb, H.Wade-Chatman 9+4reb+2ast, T.Jurkatamm 7+6reb+4ast, T.Hugo 6+3reb+1ast
Tartu: A.Voinalovych 17+1reb, M.Rosenthal 14+8reb+7ast, H.Eelmae 11+6reb+1ast, T.Pavelka 8+9reb+3ast, B.Johnson 6+3reb, O.Suurorg 6+2reb+1ast

Ventspils - Tarvas 98-59

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Latvian Ventspils (13-7) smashed at home bottom-ranked Estonian Tarvas (1-18) 98-59 on Friday. They outrebounded Tarvas 50-27 including a 35-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Ventspils looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Tarvas' players. Worth to mention a great performance of Guntis Sipolins (207-1993) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 8 rebounds and Linards Jaunzems (200-1995) who added 17 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Four Ventspils players scored in double figures. Croatian center Antun Maricevic (208-1997, college: S.Florida, agency: Helping Ballers) responded with 12 points and 6 rebounds and Slovenian point guard Jan Razdevsek (191-2000) scored 12 points. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ventspils have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 13-7 record. Tarvas lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tarvas will play against Tallinna Kalev (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: G.Sipolins 18+8reb+2ast, L.Jaunzems 17+8reb+3ast, E.Elksnis 16+6reb+3ast, E.Wembi 14+8reb+3ast, K.Mediss 12+1reb+2ast, I.Gandia-Rosa 8+2reb+4ast
Tarvas: J.Razdevsek 12+2reb+2ast, A.Maricevic 12+6reb+1ast, V.Shevchenko 8+4reb, E.Kaasik 7+3ast, L.Renato 7+4reb, G.Kaldmae 6+3reb+4ast

LU - TalTech 53-73

There was a minor upset in Riga where 10th ranked Latvian LU (8-13) was rolled over by thirteenth ranked Estonian TalTech (6-12) 73-53 on Saturday. TalTech forced 19 LU turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of Latvian Kristaps Gluditis (190-1995) who helped to win the game recording 18 points, 7 assists and 4 steals and Estonian Oliver Metsalu (196-1993) who added 19 points during the contest. Latvian center Edvards Mezulis (202-2000) responded with 9 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Toms Skuja (184-2002) scored 10 points. LU's coach let to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. TalTech moved-up to twelfth place. Loser LU dropped to the eleventh position with 13 games lost. TalTech will meet league's second-placed VEF Riga on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. LU will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
TalTech: O.Metsalu 19+3reb, K.Gluditis 18+4reb+7ast, R.Andre Pehka 9+10reb+1ast, A.Shundel 9+1reb+1ast, E.Keedus 9+6reb+5ast, G.Ilves 5+2reb+1ast
LU: P.Miglinieks 11+1reb+1ast, N.Strautins 11+3reb, S.Toms 10+4reb+1ast, E.Mezulis 9+7reb+2ast, L.Blaus 5+5reb, R.Avotins 5+6reb+2ast

Liepaja - Tarvas 70-69

Very predictable result when eleventh ranked Latvian Liepaja (9-12) edged at home bottom-ranked Estonian Tarvas (1-18) 70-69 on Saturday. However just one-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Worth to mention a great performance of Latvian point guard Renars Birkans (186-1997) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists and center Karlis Silins (209-1997, college: FAU) who added 26 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Liepaja's coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Croatian center Antun Maricevic (208-1997, college: S.Florida, agency: Helping Ballers) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) and Ukrainian Volodymyr Shevchenko (200-1994, agency: BIG) scored 12 points. Liepaja moved-up to ninth place. Tarvas lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 18 lost games. Liepaja will meet higher ranked Tartu (#4) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Tarvas will play against Tallinna Kalev (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: K.Silins 26+5reb+1ast, R.Birkans 16+8reb+11ast, D.Geks 13+1reb, A.Helmanis 6+4reb, V.Ricards 5+3reb+1ast, R.Freimanis 2+9reb
Tarvas: A.Maricevic 22+11reb+2ast, E.Kaasik 14+1reb+2ast, V.Shevchenko 12+3reb+3ast, L.Arvan-Johhannes 6+2reb+2ast, S.Vitalii 5+3reb+1ast, G.Kaldmae 5+6reb+2ast

Tallinna Kalev - VEF Riga 61-67

Not a big story in a game when 15th ranked Estonian Tallinna Kalev (3-16) was defeated at home by second ranked Latvian VEF Riga (19-3) 67-61 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Kristers Zoriks (193-1998, college: St.Mary's, CA) who helped to win the game recording 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and Artis Ate (195-1989) who added 17 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Kristjan Kangur (202-1982) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and Lithuanian center Rokas Gadiliauskas (211-1998) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds. Tallinna Kalev's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. VEF Riga have an impressive 16-game winning streak. Defending Latvian champion maintains second position with 19-3 record having just two point less than leader Prometey. Tallinna Kalev lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth place with 16 games lost. VEF Riga will meet at home TalTech (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tallinna Kalev will play against Tarvas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: K.Zoriks 21+6reb+5ast, A.Ate 17+7reb+2ast, G.Cosey 14+5reb+3ast, A.Miska 9+3reb+1ast, M.Gulbis 4+4reb+2ast, P.Peteris 2+5reb
Tallinna Kalev: K.Kangur 22+11reb+4ast, R.Gadiliauskas 12+12reb, I.Kajupank 8+3reb+1ast, M.Paiste 5+2reb+5ast, R.Andre 4+2reb, E.Schmalz 3+2reb+2ast

BK Ogre - Keila 97-76

Everything went according to plan when seventh ranked Latvian BK Ogre (12-9) outleveled at home 12th ranked Estonian Keila (6-14) 97-76 on Saturday. BK Ogre forced 21 Keila turnovers. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 53.8 percentage. BK Ogre looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Latvian Karlis Apsitis (201-1992) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Latvian Kristaps Dargais (198-1990) who added 12 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Croatian center Matej Radunic (211-1996) responded with a triple-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and Estonian point guard Sten Saaremael (187-1999) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Keila's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. BK Ogre moved-up to sixth place. Keila lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. BK Ogre will meet Valmiera Glass (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Keila will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
BK Ogre: K.Apsitis 25+6reb+4ast, U.Pinete 24+3reb+2ast, K.Dargais 12+12reb+8ast, R.Zebergs 10+4reb+2ast, G.Talton 10+1reb+3ast, K.Markuss 6+1ast
Keila: S.Saaremael 18+6reb+1ast, M.Radunic 16+10reb+10ast, C.Sengbusch 14+1ast, K.Saks 10+5reb, A.Myronenko 6+3reb+1ast, K.Kristen 5+2reb+2ast

Prometey - Rapla 89-81

There was no surprise in Kamianske where 6th ranked Estonian Rapla (12-10) was defeated by first ranked Ukrainian Prometey (19-1) 89-81 on Saturday. Prometey forced 20 Rapla turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of Nigerian-Canadian Caleb Agada (196-1994, college: Ottawa, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and Oleksandr Lypovyy (203-1991, agency: BIG) who added 13 points during the contest. American guard Kendall Stephens (198-1994, college: Nevada) responded with 23 points and 5 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Derrick Woods (203-1997, college: St.Peter's) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Four Rapla players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Prometey have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 19-1 record. Loser Rapla dropped to the seventh place with ten games lost. Prometey will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rapla will play against Parnu (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Prometey: C.Agada 16+7reb+4ast, O.Lypovyy 13+4reb+3ast, O.Balvin 12+4reb, I.Sanon 10+1reb+3ast, M.Klassen 9+4reb+4ast, G.Clavell 9+1reb
Rapla: K.Stephens 23+5reb, O.Tomic 15+3reb, D.Woods 15+6reb, T.Cheese 11+5reb+3ast, R.Laane 6+9ast, V.Kaarel 4

Rapla - VEF Riga 71-74

Sixth-ranked Estonian Rapla (12-10) made lots of trouble for second ranked Latvian VEF Riga (19-3) on Tuesday. The visitors from Riga managed to secure only three-point victory 74-71. However their fans expected much easier game. The best player for the winners was point guard Kristers Zoriks (193-1998, college: St.Mary's, CA) who scored 19 points and 7 assists. American point guard Glenn Cosey (183-1992, college: EKU) chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. American guard Kendall Stephens (198-1994, college: Nevada) produced 15 points and 7 rebounds and Bosnian center Obrad Tomic (208-1993, agency: PEPI SPORT) added 12 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Rapla's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. VEF Riga have an impressive 16-game winning streak. Defending Latvian champion maintains second position with 19-3 record having just two point less than leader Prometey. Rapla at the other side dropped to the seventh place with ten games lost. VEF Riga are looking forward to face TalTech (#12) in Tallinn in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rapla will play at home against Parnu (#10) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: K.Zoriks 19+2reb+7ast, A.Miska 14+5reb, M.Gulbis 11+6reb, G.Cosey 10+6reb+8ast, A.Ate 9+7reb+2ast, A.Putans 5+1reb
Rapla: T.Cheese 18+5reb, K.Stephens 15+7reb+1ast, O.Tomic 12+10reb+1ast, D.Woods 10+2reb, R.Laane 6+3reb+8ast, T.Niits 4+2reb+3ast



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