Round 11 (Regular Season): Tartu lose their first game against Ventspils

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Estonian Tartu (12-1) at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were rolled over by fourth ranked Latvian Ventspils (11-4) 106-71. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Tartu. Americans were the main players on the court. It was a great evening for guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Center Bryant Thomas (203-1999, college: C-N, agency: Olsta) helped adding 24 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Swingman Malcolm Bernard (198-1994, college: Xavier) responded with 13 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ventspils have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 11-4 record. Tartu at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tartu will play at home against Viimsi and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Riga. First ranked Rigas Z. (14-1) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 3rd placed VEF Riga (12-3) 80-77 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of VEF Riga. It was an exceptional evening for forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Frankie Fidler accounted for 20 points. Puerto Rican center Arnaldo Barea (203-1997, college: St.John's) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 20 rebounds for VEF Riga in the defeat. The victory was the fourteenth consecutive win for Rigas Z.. They maintain first place with 14-1 record. Defending Latvian champion VEF Riga keeps the third position with three games lost. Rigas Z. will play against league's second-placed Tartu at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. VEF Riga will play against Keila C. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
One of the most interesting games of round 11 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. First ranked Rigas Z. outleveled host LU (0-12) 109-65. The best player for the winners was JP Pegues who scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Rigas Z.'s coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brody Fox produced 16 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. The victory was the fourteenth consecutive win for Rigas Z.. They maintain first place with 14-1 record. LU lost their twelfth game in a row. They still close the standings with 12 games lost. Rigas Z. will meet at home league's second-placed Tartu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. LU will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 11: Viimsi lost to Keila KK on the opponent's court 77-82. Parnu unfortunately lost to Ventspils in a home game 73-82. Viimsi managed to beat Keila C. on the road 75-62. BK Ogre defeated Valmiera Glass on its own court 90-77. Liepaja was smashed by Kalev/Cramo in Tallinn 99-73. TalTech destroyed Liepaja at home 95-76. Parnu managed to outperform Keila C. on the opponent's court 81-64.



LU - Rigas Z. 65-109

One of the most interesting games of round 11 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. First ranked Rigas Z. outleveled host LU (0-12) 109-65. They outrebounded LU 41-28 including 30 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was JP Pegues who scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Janis Berzins (201-1993) chipped in 22 points. Five Rigas Z. players scored in double figures. Rigas Z.'s coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) produced 16 points and 6 rebounds and Kristaps Gluditis (190-1995) added 15 points respectively for the hosts. The victory was the fourteenth consecutive win for Rigas Z.. They maintain first place with 14-1 record. LU lost their twelfth game in a row. They still close the standings with 12 games lost. Rigas Z. will meet at home league's second-placed Tartu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. LU will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
LU: F.Brody 16+6reb+1ast, K.Gluditis 15+1reb+3ast, S.Daniils 10+5reb+1ast, M.Short 6+1reb, P.Martins 5+4reb+1ast, B.Oto 4+1reb+7ast
Rigas Z.: B.Janis 22+4reb+1ast, J.Pegues 17+7reb+6ast, F.Fidler 15+6reb+1ast, M.Rodijs 11+5reb+1ast, D.Krestinin 11+6reb+2ast, V.Davids 11+4reb

Keila KK - Viimsi 82-77

There was a minor upset when their close opponent Viimsi (3-11) was defeated on the road by thirteenth ranked Keila KK (3-11) 82-77 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was American forward Issa Muhammad (206-2001, college: UT Martin) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. Patrik Peemot (189-2001) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. American forward Kevin Baker (205-1998, college: LC State, agency: Starting 5) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and forward Janis Berzins (201-1993) added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Keila KK moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Liepaja and Viimsi. Viimsi lost their fifth game in a row. Keila KK will meet higher ranked Parnu (#9) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Viimsi will play against the league's second-placed Tartu and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Viimsi: K.Baker 24+12reb+1ast, R.Jorgen 14+1reb+1ast, U.Erki 12+9reb+3ast, S.Kevin 12+2reb+2ast, K.Kuusmaa 6+5reb+6ast, P.Oliver 5
Keila KK: J.Paige 20+4reb+2ast, P.Patrik 17+6reb+6ast, M.Issa 17+12reb+1ast, R.Sats 13+4reb+3ast, B.Quion 8+6reb+1ast, R.Laanemaa 5+1ast

Parnu - Ventspils 73-82

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Latvian Ventspils (11-4) defeated on the road 9th ranked Estonian Parnu (4-8) 82-73 on Wednesday. The best player for the winners was American guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) who scored 27 points and 9 rebounds. Lithuanian forward Amandas Urkis (199-1999, college: Lewis & Clark, agency: BIG) chipped in 19 points. American point guard Devin Harris (182-1992, college: OKWU) produced 16 points and 5 rebounds and point guard Gregor Ilves (192-1999) added 13 points respectively for the hosts. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Ventspils. They maintain fourth place with 11-4 record. Loser Parnu keeps the ninth position with eight games lost. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Parnu will play against Keila KK (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Parnu: D.Harris 16+5reb+3ast, G.Ilves 13+3reb+3ast, J.Arvidsson 9+1ast, D.Johansson 9+4reb, A.Ogemuno-Johnson 8+9reb+1ast, H.Eelmae 8+6reb
Ventspils: S.Cameron 27+9reb+3ast, U.Amandas 19+4reb+1ast, B.Renars 9+3reb+5ast, R.Berze 8+4reb+2ast, A.Arturs 7+4reb+3ast, N.Atanasovs 7+2reb

Keila C. - Viimsi 62-75

There was a minor upset when their close opponent Keila C. (2-11) was defeated at home by thirteenth ranked Viimsi (3-11) 75-62 on Friday. The best player for the winners was Kaspar Kuusmaa (185-2004) who scored 20 points and 5 assists. American forward Kevin Baker (205-1998, college: LC State, agency: Starting 5) chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds. Four Viimsi players scored in double figures. American forward Isaiah Thompson (198-2003, college: Winona St., agency: Starting 5) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 19 rebounds and the other American import guard Ethan Brittain-Watts (188-2002, college: Ball St.) added 19 points respectively for the hosts. Viimsi moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Liepaja and Keila KK. Keila C. lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. Viimsi will meet league's second-placed Tartu on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Keila C. will play against VEF Riga (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Keila C.: E.Brittain-Watts 19+1reb+1ast, I.Thompson 14+19reb+2ast, M.Spaleta 12+3reb+1ast, S.Patrik 6+6reb, K.Ralf 6+4reb+2ast, P.Margus 4+1ast
Viimsi: K.Kaspar 20+4reb+5ast, B.Kevin 17+8reb+3ast, J.Rikberg 11+6reb+2ast, E.Urvik 10+7reb+2ast, K.Sund 6+1ast, K.Kokk 6+3reb

BK Ogre - Valmiera Glass 90-77

There was a small surprise when eighth ranked BK Ogre (7-8) beat at home 5th ranked Valmiera Glass (9-5) 90-77 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American point guard Anders Nelson (185-1999, college: William & Mary, agency: Diamond Sports) who scored 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Gustavs Kampuss chipped in 17 points. Four BK Ogre players scored in double figures. American Curtis Hollis (198-1998, college: Hutchinson) produced 19 points and 7 rebounds and New Zealand swingman Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (198-2001, college: UCSD) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the guests. Valmiera Glass' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. BK Ogre maintains eighth place with 7-8 record. Loser Valmiera Glass keep the fifth position with five games lost. They share it with TalTech. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Valmiera Glass: C.Hollis 19+7reb+3ast, A.Tait-Jones 19+5reb+3ast, R.Malmanis 13+11reb+1ast, O.Pajic 9+2reb, A.Ate 6+1ast, V.Kohs 5
BK Ogre: N.Anders 22+6reb+5ast, G.Kampuss 17+2reb+2ast, A.Karlis 13+3reb, R.Avotins 12+2reb+2ast, D.Kristaps 8+7reb+5ast, A.Shundel 8+3ast

Kalev/Cramo - Liepaja 99-73

There was no surprise in Tallinn where 10th ranked Latvian Liepaja (3-11) was outplayed by eighth ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (7-5) 99-73 on Saturday. Kalev/Cramo outrebounded Liepaja 48-36 including 34 on the defensive glass. Kalev/Cramo looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was Latvian Anrijs Miska (208-2000) who scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. Kregor Hermet chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Kalev/Cramo players scored in double figures. American guard Xavier DuSell (196-2001, college: Nevada) produced 23 points and point guard Emils Krumins (185-2001) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively for the guests. 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. Defending Estonian champion moved-up to seventh place. Liepaja lost their third game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Viimsi and Keila KK. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: X.DuSell 23+4reb, H.Petrovics 15+2reb+1ast, E.Krumins 13+1reb+4ast, E.Egle 9+3reb+2ast, K.Feierbergs 5+12reb+1ast, B.Henriks 3+3reb+1ast
Kalev/Cramo: M.Anrijs 21+9reb+3ast, T.Hugo 17+7reb, K.Hermet 16+10reb+4ast, R.Mart 11+3reb+5ast, K.Severi 10+4reb+6ast, A.Tyson 8+1reb+4ast

TalTech - Liepaja 95-76

No shocking result in a game in Tallinn where sixth ranked Estonian TalTech (9-5) outleveled 10th ranked Latvian Liepaja (3-11) 95-76 on Sunday. TalTech outrebounded Liepaja 42-26 including a 29-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. TalTech looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Liepaja's players. The best player for the winners was Oliver Suurorg who scored 20 points and 8 assists. Oliver Metsalu chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. point guard Emils Krumins (185-2001) produced 18 points and 8 assists and American guard Xavier DuSell (196-2001, college: Nevada) added 17 points respectively for the guests. Five TalTech and four Liepaja players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for TalTech. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Valmiera Glass. Liepaja lost their third game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Viimsi and Keila KK. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Liepaja: E.Krumins 18+3reb+8ast, X.DuSell 17+3reb+1ast, H.Petrovics 13+2reb+1ast, K.Feierbergs 10+5reb, S.Vitalii 8+3reb, B.Henriks 4+3reb+1ast
TalTech: O.Suurorg 20+3reb+8ast, K.Kristjan 18+4reb, T.Jurkatamm 18+9reb+2ast, K.Valb 14+3reb+3ast, O.Metsalu 13+13reb+4ast, I.Sunelik 5+5reb

Keila C. - Parnu 64-81

Very expected game when 13th ranked Keila C. (2-11) was defeated at home by ninth ranked Parnu (4-8) 81-64 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was Swedish Daniel Johansson (201-1998) who scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. point guard Gregor Ilves (192-1999) chipped in 12 points and 4 assists. Parnu's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Isaiah Thompson (198-2003, college: Winona St., agency: Starting 5) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and added 18 points and 13 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Parnu maintains ninth place with 4-8 record. Keila C. lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. Parnu will meet at home Keila KK (#12) in the next round. Keila C. will play against VEF Riga and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Keila C.: S.Patrik 18+13reb+3ast, I.Thompson 16+14reb+5ast, M.Spaleta 11+8reb+1ast, T.Roland 6+3reb, P.Margus 5+4ast, K.Nazari 2+4reb
Parnu: J.Daniel 18+6reb+3ast, A.Jonatan 15+3reb, I.Gregor 12+4reb+4ast, S.Aav 10+2ast, O.Ajiri 9+9reb+1ast, H.Devin 6+8reb+4ast

Rigas Z. - VEF Riga 80-77

Important game to mention about took place in Riga. First ranked Rigas Z. (14-1) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 3rd placed VEF Riga (12-3) 80-77 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of VEF Riga. VEF Riga was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for forward Rodijs Macoha (200-2002) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Frankie Fidler accounted for 20 points for the winning side. Puerto Rican center Arnaldo Barea (203-1997, college: St.John's) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 20 rebounds and Latvian Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) added 30 points respectively for VEF Riga in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the fourteenth consecutive win for Rigas Z.. They maintain first place with 14-1 record. Defending Latvian champion VEF Riga keeps the third position with three games lost. Rigas Z. will play against league's second-placed Tartu at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. VEF Riga will play against Keila C. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
VEF Riga: K.Kilps 30+4reb+2ast, A.Barea 14+20reb+3ast, Z.Porter 13+7reb, R.Aleksandrovs 11+6reb+1ast, A.Andzevs 6+1ast, I.Sydorov 3+3reb
Rigas Z.: F.Fidler 20+4reb, M.Rodijs 17+10reb, B.Janis 10+1reb+1ast, R.Sulcs 10+2reb+4ast, J.Pegues 8+5reb+4ast, P.Ugis 6+2reb+1ast

Tartu - Ventspils 71-106

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Estonian Tartu (12-1) at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were rolled over by fourth ranked Latvian Ventspils (11-4) 106-71. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Tartu. Americans were the main players on the court. It was a great evening for guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Center Bryant Thomas (203-1999, college: C-N, agency: Olsta) helped adding 24 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Swingman Malcolm Bernard (198-1994, college: Xavier) responded with 13 points and 7 rebounds and center Dylan Painter (208-1998, college: Delaware) scored 14 points. Five Ventspils and four Tartu players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ventspils have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 11-4 record. Tartu at the other side keeps the second position with one game lost. Ventspils will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tartu will play at home against Viimsi and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Tartu: D.Painter 14+3reb+1ast, M.Bernard 13+7reb+3ast, K.Lips 12+6reb, A.Rasmus 10+5reb+1ast, R.Nurger 7+5reb, B.McBride 6+1reb
Ventspils: S.Cameron 24+8reb+7ast, T.Bryant 24+5reb+2ast, A.Arturs 18+4reb, U.Amandas 15+6reb+1ast, Z.Ronalds 10+7reb+2ast, B.Renars 8+3reb+7ast