Round 7 (Regular Season): Keila rally past Viimsi

There were just 7 rounds played in Regular Season of Lat-Est BL and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game of round 7 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Eleventh ranked Keila C. won against host Viimsi (1-4) 77-70. Keila C. forced 19 Viimsi turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Ukrainian power forward Artem Kovalov (208-1997) contributed with 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Jorgen Rikberg (185-2002) answered with 23 points and 4 assists for Viimsi. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Keila C. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to seventh place. Viimsi at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with four games lost. Keila C. are looking forward to face higher ranked BK Ogre (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Viimsi will play against Kalev/Cramo (#4) in Tallinn and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
One of the most interesting games of round 7 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where sixth ranked Kalev/Cramo won against visiting Tartu (3-3) 85-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tartu. It was a great evening for guard Kasper Suurorg (200-2002, college: SFC) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 5 assists. Hugo Toom helped adding 16 points. Kalev/Cramo's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side Egyptian power forward Omar El-Sheikh (203-1998, college: Arkansas St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds. Kalev/Cramo have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending Estonian champion (4-1) moved-up to fourth place. Tartu at the other side dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Rapla. Kalev/Cramo will play against Viimsi (#13) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tartu will have a break next round.
An interesting game for Latvian Rigas Z. (6-3) which played road game in Tallinn against 4th placed Estonian TalTech (4-3). Third ranked Rigas Z. had an easy win 113-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of TalTech. It was an exceptional evening for Justin McKoy who led the winners and scored 27 points and 6 rebounds. Kaarel Valb came up with 19 points and 5 assists for TalTech in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rigas Z. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 6-3 record having just two point less than leader VEF Riga. Loser TalTech dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with BK Ogre. Rigas Z. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. TalTech will play against LU (#15) in Riga and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Viimsi was smashed by Valmiera Glass on the road 79-49. Liepaja lost to Tartu on its own court 63-66. Rigas Z. outscored Rapla in a road game 96-66. Ventspils recorded a loss to Tartu at home 92-93.
The most impressive performance of 7th round was 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by MJ Randolph of Ventspils.



Viimsi - Keila C. 70-77

The most interesting game of round 7 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Eleventh ranked Keila C. won against host Viimsi (1-4) 77-70. Keila C. forced 19 Viimsi turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of Kristen Kasemets (191-2002) who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Ukrainian power forward Artem Kovalov (208-1997) contributed with 22 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Jorgen Rikberg (185-2002) answered with 23 points and 4 assists and Bosnian center Omar Pajic (205-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Viimsi. Four Viimsi players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Keila C. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to seventh place. Viimsi at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with four games lost. Keila C. are looking forward to face higher ranked BK Ogre (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Viimsi will play against Kalev/Cramo (#4) in Tallinn and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Viimsi: J.Rikberg 23+4reb+4ast, M.Jaakson 13+4reb+1ast, O.Pajic 12+9reb+2ast, A.Hint 10+5reb+3ast, K.Sund 6+2reb+3ast, H.Shvydchenko 4
Keila C.: A.Kovalov 22+8reb, T.Kupstas 19+3reb+1ast, K.Kasemets 17+8reb+7ast, I.Serheyev 5+2reb, R.Kuttis 5+2ast, M.Pahv 5

Kalev/Cramo - Tartu 85-81

One of the most interesting games of round 7 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. The game took place in Tallinn where sixth ranked Kalev/Cramo won against visiting Tartu (3-3) 85-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tartu. Kalev/Cramo made 16-of-20 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for guard Kasper Suurorg (200-2002, college: SFC) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 5 assists. Hugo Toom (200-2002) helped adding 16 points. Kalev/Cramo's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side Egyptian power forward Omar El-Sheikh (203-1998, college: Arkansas St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds and American power forward Jalen Henry (203-1996, college: SIUE) scored 12 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Kalev/Cramo have a solid series of four victories in a row. Defending Estonian champion (4-1) moved-up to fourth place. Tartu at the other side dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Rapla. Kalev/Cramo will play against Viimsi (#13) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tartu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tartu: O.El-Sheikh 15+15reb+3ast, M.Paasoja 13+1reb+1ast, K.Lips 12+3reb+2ast, J.Henry 12+4reb+3ast, M.Bourcier 9+3reb+5ast, R.Roos 9+2ast
Kalev/Cramo: K.Suurorg 20+5ast, H.Toom 16+1reb+1ast, S.Vaaks 14+2reb, S.Kaukiainen 10+3reb+4ast, P.Tape 7+5reb+3ast, K.Hermet 5+3reb+2ast

Valmiera Glass - Viimsi 79-49

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Latvian Valmiera Glass (6-2) crushed at home 13th ranked Estonian Viimsi (1-4) 79-49 on Tuesday. Valmiera Glass dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Viimsi's 30. It was an exceptional evening for American Kahliel Spear (200-2000, college: RMU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Jordan Watson (188-1995, college: West Liberty) accounted for 14 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Watson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Valmiera Glass players scored in double figures. Valmiera Glass' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Bosnian center Omar Pajic (205-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) came up with 14 points and Aleksander Hint (199-2000) added 8 points respectively for Viimsi in the defeat. Valmiera Glass maintains second place with 6-2 record having just one point less than leader VEF Riga. Loser Viimsi keeps the thirteenth position with four games lost. Valmiera Glass will meet Keila KK (#14) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Viimsi will play against Kalev/Cramo in Tallinn and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Viimsi: O.Pajic 14+3reb+1ast, A.Hint 8+4reb, A.Sarap 5+1reb, J.Rikberg 5+1reb+4ast, K.Sund 5+4reb+2ast, K.Kokk 4+6reb
Valmiera Glass: J.Watson 14+1reb+5ast, R.Novitskyi 14+2reb, K.Spear 12+10reb, D.Smith 11+2reb+2ast, K.Karlsons 11+2reb+2ast, D.Ozers 5

TalTech - Rigas Z. 76-113

An interesting game for Latvian Rigas Z. (6-3) which played road game in Tallinn against 4th placed Estonian TalTech (4-3). Third ranked Rigas Z. had an easy win 113-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of TalTech. Rigas Z. shot 66.7 percent from the field and made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. Rigas Z. had a 23-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 60.7 percentage. Rigas Z. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Justin McKoy (203-2001, college: Hawaii) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 6 rebounds. Latvian Roberts Berzins (193-2001) accounted for 21 points (perfect behind the arc making all five shots) for the winning side. Point guard Kaarel Valb (192-2004) came up with 19 points and 5 assists and Taavi Jurkatamm (204-1997, college: USF) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively for TalTech in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rigas Z. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 6-3 record having just two point less than leader VEF Riga. Loser TalTech dropped to the fifth position with three games lost. They share it with BK Ogre. Rigas Z. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. TalTech will play against LU (#15) in Riga and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
TalTech: K.Valb 19+2reb+5ast, P.Saal 17+1reb, T.Jurkatamm 14+6reb+1ast, O.Metsalu 7+2reb, R.Andre 5+4reb+3ast, I.Sunelik 5+1reb
Rigas Z.: J.McKoy 27+6reb+2ast, R.Berzins 21+3reb+2ast, D.Viksne 13+3reb, R.Sulcs 10+1reb, J.Vitols 9+1reb+7ast, U.Pinete 8+1reb+2ast

Liepaja - Tartu 63-66

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 11th ranked Latvian Liepaja's (2-5) home loss to tenth ranked Estonian Tartu (3-3) 63-66 on Wednesday. Tartu made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for Rain Veideman (192-1991) who led the winners and scored 21 points. American power forward Jalen Henry (203-1996, college: SIUE) accounted for 11 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Tartu's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) came up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds and Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) added 17 points and 5 assists respectively for Liepaja in the defeat. Tartu moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Rapla. Loser Liepaja dropped to the twelfth position with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: K.Kilps 17+2reb+5ast, R.Macoha 12+11reb+1ast, K.Dubults 10+8reb, R.Freimanis 9+6reb, E.Lasenbergs 4+5reb+4ast, R.Vitolskis 4+1reb+1ast
Tartu: R.Veideman 21+1reb+1ast, J.Henry 11+8reb+2ast, K.Lips 10+6reb+2ast, M.Paasoja 8+2reb+4ast, R.Nurger 7+3reb+1ast, O.El-Sheikh 3+9reb

Rapla - Rigas Z. 66-96

Very predictable result when third ranked Latvian Rigas Z. (6-3) rolled over on the road 8th ranked Estonian Rapla (3-3) 96-66 on Friday. Rigas Z. made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 6 passes made by Rapla's players. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Justin McKoy (203-2001, college: Hawaii) who led the winners and scored 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Point guard Juris Vitols (188-2005) accounted for 15 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Rigas Z. players scored in double figures. American forward Jalyn McCreary (203-2000, college: Mercer) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import forward Brandon McKissic (190-1999, college: Florida, agency: Diamond Sports) added 21 points respectively for Rapla in the defeat. 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. Rigas Z. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 6-3 record having just two point less than leader VEF Riga. Loser Rapla keeps the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Tartu. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Rapla: B.McKissic 21+4reb, J.McCreary 20+10reb+1ast, T.Niits 13+3reb+1ast, E.Krumins 8+6reb+3ast, K.Kilk 2+1reb, R.Laane 2+2reb
Rigas Z.: J.McKoy 22+6reb+5ast, J.Vitols 15+3reb+5ast, K.Helmanis 12+6reb+3ast, R.Berzins 11+4reb+6ast, R.Sulcs 8+1reb, T.Skuja 8+2reb+3ast

Ventspils - Tartu 92-93

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Estonian Tartu and 11th ranked Latvian Ventspils had identical 2-3 record. But Ventspils were not able to use a home court advantage and were edged by the opponent from Tartu 93-92 on Friday night. Tartu outrebounded Ventspils 39-26 including 30 on the defensive glass. It was an exceptional evening for Egyptian power forward Omar El-Sheikh (203-1998, college: Arkansas St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds. Guard Martin Paasoja (191-1993, agency: Helping Ballers) accounted for 21 points and 4 assists for the winning side. American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) came up with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) added 17 points and 5 assists respectively for Ventspils in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Tartu (3-3) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Rapla. Ventspils lost third consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Ventspils: M.Randolph 21+5reb+6ast, A.Ausejs 17+4reb+5ast, Z.Watson 15+7reb+1ast, R.Berze 14+2reb+2ast, E.Hazners 8, R.Zakis 8+3reb+2ast
Tartu: M.Paasoja 21+2reb+4ast, M.Bourcier 19+3reb+4ast, O.El-Sheikh 17+15reb+2ast, J.Henry 13+7reb+2ast, R.Veideman 10+2reb+3ast, K.Lips 9+8reb+1ast