Round 24 (Regular Season): Derby game ends with Parnu's defeat of Keila KK

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game of round 24 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Tenth ranked Parnu won against visiting Keila KK (2-17) 91-82. Parnu had a 33-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. It was a good game for Ukrainian Volodymyr Shevchenko (201-1994, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists. Finnish forward Okko Jarvi (193-1996) contributed with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American point guard Javeon Jones (188-2000, college: Catawba, agency: Interperformances) replied with 20 points for Keila KK. Parnu have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place. Keila KK at the other side keeps the fourteenth position with 17 games lost. Parnu are looking forward to face Ventspils (#9) at home in the next round. Keila KK will play against Liepaja (#7) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Lat-Est BL top team - Latvian Rigas Z. (17-5) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed thirteenth ranked Estonian Viimsi (4-16) 100-71. Worth to mention a quality performance of Davids Viksne (195-2000) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and Kriss Helmanis who added 12 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Rigas Z.'s coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Bosnian center Omar Pajic (205-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Rigas Z. maintains first position with 17-5 record. Viimsi lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with 16 games lost. Rigas Z. will play against Keila C. (#12) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Viimsi will play against Ventspils and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Liepaja was also quite interesting. Third ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (16-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Latvian Liepaja (10-10). Kalev/Cramo managed to secure a 4-point victory 92-88 on Saturday. The winners were led by Severi Kaukiainen who scored that evening 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Kalev/Cramo's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even a double-double of 22 points and 11 assists by Kristaps Kilps did not help to save the game for Liepaja. Kalev/Cramo have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Estonian champion maintains third position with 16-4 record behind leader Rigas Z. Loser Liepaja keeps the seventh place with ten games lost. Kalev/Cramo will meet Keila C. (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Liepaja will play against Keila KK (#14) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 24: TalTech was beaten by Ventspils on the road 96-86. Keila C. lost to Valmiera Glass on its own court 85-90. VEF Riga outscored Tartu in a road game 93-67. Bottom-ranked LU lost to Estonian defending champion Kalev/Cramo at home 65-75.
The most impressive performance of 24th round was 22 points and 8 rebounds by Leemet Bockler of Kalev/Cramo.



Ventspils - TalTech 96-86

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when eleventh ranked Latvian Ventspils (9-10) beat at home 10th ranked Estonian TalTech (9-13) 96-86 on Friday. Ventspils made 21-of-23 free shots (91.3 percent) during the game. Ventspils outrebounded TalTech 37-22 including 25 on the defensive glass. The winners were led by Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) who scored that evening 31 points and 4 assists (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) and American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) supported him with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Randolph is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Ventspils players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 6 rebounds by Kristjan Kitsing (205-1990) did not help to save the game for TalTech. Guard Carlos Jurgens (196-1998, college: ORU) added 17 points. TalTech's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Ventspils have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Rapla. TalTech lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with 13 games lost. Ventspils will meet at home Viimsi (#13) in the next round. TalTech will play against Rapla and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
TalTech: K.Kitsing 19+6reb+1ast, C.Jurgens 17+2reb+3ast, S.Post 12+1reb+6ast, K.Valb 9+1ast, A.Tassa 9+2reb+1ast, P.Saal 8+3reb
Ventspils: A.Ausejs 31+3reb+4ast, M.Randolph 18+7reb+5ast, Z.Watson 18+9reb+2ast, R.Zakis 10+3reb, P.Blomgren 9+7reb+6ast, R.Berze 6+1reb+2ast

Keila C. - Valmiera Glass 85-90

Very expected game when 12th ranked Estonian Keila C. (7-12) lost at home to fourth ranked Latvian Valmiera Glass (14-6) 90-85 on Sunday. Valmiera Glass outrebounded Keila C. 46-32 including 16 on the offensive glass. Valmiera Glass looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by Ukrainian Rostyslav Novitskyi (204-2000, college: Fordham) who scored that evening 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and Nigerian-Canadian guard Mike Nuga (188-1997, college: UNLV) supported him with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Valmiera Glass' coach used entire bench in such tough game. Even 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists by Latvian point guard Margus Pahv (191-2000) did not help to save the game for Keila C.. Lithuanian guard Tautvydas Kupstas (193-2000, college: UWF) added 19 points. Four Valmiera Glass and five Keila C. players scored in double figures. Valmiera Glass have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 14-6 record. Keila C. lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with 12 games lost. Valmiera Glass will meet league's second-placed VEF Riga on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Keila C. will play against the league's leader Rigas Z. (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Keila C.: T.Kupstas 19+3reb+2ast, M.Pahv 16+6reb+6ast, C.Lenk 14+5reb, K.Saks 11+6reb, L.Dixon 10+3reb, R.Kuttis 8+2reb+2ast
Valmiera Glass: R.Novitskyi 18+8reb+5ast, M.Nuga 15+6reb+2ast, F.Policelli 12+7reb+2ast, D.Smith 12+3reb+5ast, D.Ozers 10+2reb, K.Karlsons 8+3ast

Parnu - Keila KK 91-82

The most interesting game of round 24 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. Tenth ranked Parnu won against visiting Keila KK (2-17) 91-82. Parnu had a 33-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. It was a good game for Ukrainian Volodymyr Shevchenko (201-1994, agency: BIG) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists. Finnish forward Okko Jarvi (193-1996) contributed with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American point guard Javeon Jones (188-2000, college: Catawba, agency: Interperformances) replied with 20 points and Ukrainian Vitalii Shymanskyi (205-2003) added 16 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Keila KK. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Parnu have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place. Keila KK at the other side keeps the fourteenth position with 17 games lost. Parnu are looking forward to face Ventspils (#9) at home in the next round. Keila KK will play against Liepaja (#7) and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Keila KK: J.Jones 20+4reb+3ast, V.Shymanskyi 16+9reb, R.Timma 15+5reb+1ast, E.Haller 15+1reb+5ast, O.Iyekekpolor 6+4reb, S.Kaldre 5+2reb+3ast
Parnu: R.Valge 25+1reb+4ast, O.Jarvi 20+9reb+6ast, V.Shevchenko 19+16reb+6ast, A.Ogemuno-Johnson 10+6reb+1ast, P.Malm 9, O.Suurorg 8+5reb+11ast

Liepaja - Kalev/Cramo 88-92

The game in Liepaja was also quite interesting. Third ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (16-4) played at the court of 7th ranked Latvian Liepaja (10-10). Kalev/Cramo managed to secure a 4-point victory 92-88 on Saturday. Kalev/Cramo made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. The winners were led by Finnish point guard Severi Kaukiainen (185-1998) who scored that evening 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Hugo Toom (200-2002) supported him with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Kalev/Cramo players scored in double figures. Kalev/Cramo's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Even a double-double of 22 points and 11 assists by Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) did not help to save the game for Liepaja. Forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) added 15 points and 9 rebounds. Kalev/Cramo have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Estonian champion maintains third position with 16-4 record behind leader Rigas Z. Loser Liepaja keeps the seventh place with ten games lost. Kalev/Cramo will meet Keila C. (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Liepaja will play against Keila KK (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: K.Kilps 22+2reb+11ast, R.Macoha 15+9reb, R.Kuksiks 15+2reb, K.Dubults 9+3reb, M.Kilups 8+1reb, R.Malmanis 6+6reb
Kalev/Cramo: A.Miska 16+3reb+2ast, E.Clarance 16+3ast, S.Kaukiainen 16+6reb+4ast, H.Toom 12+7reb+4ast, K.Hermet 10+7reb+1ast, S.Vaaks 8+2reb+1ast

Rigas Z. - Viimsi 100-71

Lat-Est BL top team - Latvian Rigas Z. (17-5) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed thirteenth ranked Estonian Viimsi (4-16) 100-71. Rigas Z. players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of Davids Viksne (195-2000) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and Kriss Helmanis (209-2002) who added 12 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Five Rigas Z. players scored in double figures. Rigas Z.'s coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Bosnian center Omar Pajic (205-1999, agency: PEPI SPORT) with 17 points and 6 rebounds and Jorgen Rikberg (185-2002) scored 18 points. Rigas Z. maintains first position with 17-5 record. Viimsi lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with 16 games lost. Rigas Z. will play against Keila C. (#12) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Viimsi will play against Ventspils and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Viimsi: J.Rikberg 18+3reb+1ast, O.Pajic 17+6reb, K.Kokk 12, G.Allemann 10+3reb, R.Laanemaa 6+3reb+7ast, K.Kuusmaa 5+1reb+2ast
Rigas Z.: D.Viksne 21+4reb+2ast, U.Pinete 15+2reb, F.Lacis 13+2reb, K.Helmanis 12+11reb+1ast, K.Skrinda 10+3reb, R.Berzins 10+2reb+2ast

Tartu - VEF Riga 67-93

Rather predictable result when second ranked Latvian VEF Riga (16-2) rolled over on the road 5th ranked Estonian Tartu (13-7) 93-67 on Saturday. VEF Riga shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 54.8 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by Ukrainian point guard Issuf Sanon (194-1999) who scored that evening 18 points and 5 assists and Ukrainian forward Vyacheslav Bobrov (203-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Even 20 points and 5 rebounds by center Rauno Nurger (208-1993, college: Wichita St.) did not help to save the game for Tartu. American power forward Jalen Henry (203-1996, college: SIUE) added 11 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. VEF Riga have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Latvian champion maintains second position with 16-2 record behind leader Rigas Z. Loser Tartu keeps the fifth place with seven games lost. VEF Riga will meet Viimsi (#13) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Tartu will play against Rapla (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tartu: R.Nurger 20+5reb, K.Lips 13+2reb, J.Henry 11+4reb+3ast, J.Harris 7+2reb+2ast, R.Veideman 6+1reb+2ast, M.Paasoja 3+3reb+5ast
VEF Riga: I.Sanon 18+2reb+5ast, M.Gulbis 12+1reb, I.Sydorov 11+2reb+5ast, D.Bertans 10+3reb+2ast, P.Pinnis 9+3reb, R.Aleksandrovs 9+5reb+1ast

LU - Kalev/Cramo 65-75

Not a big story in a game when 15th ranked Latvian LU (2-19) lost to third ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (16-4) in Riga 65-75 on Sunday. The winners were led by guard Leemet Bockler (200-2001, college: SMC) who scored that evening 22 points and 8 rebounds and Hugo Toom (200-2002) supported him with 13 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Even a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds by Arnolds Helmanis (200-1992) did not help to save the game for LU. Edvards Lucis (185-2000) added 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kalev/Cramo have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Estonian champion maintains third position with 16-4 record behind leader Rigas Z. LU lost fourth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 19 lost games. Kalev/Cramo will meet Keila C. (#12) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. LU will play against BK Ogre and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
LU: E.Lucis 14+5reb+3ast, A.Helmanis 11+13reb, E.Egle 10+3reb+4ast, V.Briedis 9+2reb+2ast, D.Skreivers 8+5reb+1ast, R.Svitins 5+4reb
Kalev/Cramo: L.Bockler 22+8reb, S.Vaaks 13+2reb+3ast, H.Toom 13+4reb+1ast, A.Miska 7+6reb+2ast, E.Clarance 6+1reb+3ast, M.Meiers 6+6reb+1ast