Round 13 (Regular Season): BK Ogre beats Ventspils by two after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 13 in the Lat-Est BL took place in Ventspils. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 4th placed Ventspils (11-5) to eighth ranked BK Ogre (8-9) 85-83 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Ventspils. 24 personal fouls committed by Ventspils helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Anders Nelson (185-1999, college: William & Mary, agency: Diamond Sports) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Canadian forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore (203-2001, college: Ottawa) contributed with 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. BK Ogre's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds for Ventspils. BK Ogre have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain eighth place with 8-9 record. Ventspils at the other side keep the fourth position with five games lost. BK Ogre are looking forward to face Keila C. (#13) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Ventspils will play against the league's second-placed Rigas Z. (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
One of the most interesting games of round 13 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. First ranked Tartu outleveled host Keila C. (2-13) 95-65. Karl-Johan Lips (205-1996) stepped up and scored 16 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Dylan Painter chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Tartu's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American guard Ethan Brittain-Watts (188-2002, college: Ball St.) responded with 27 points. Tartu have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 15-1 record. Keila C. lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 13 games lost. Tartu will play against Keila KK (#12) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Keila C. will play against TalTech and hopes to get back on the winning track.
One of the most interesting games of round 13 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Fifth ranked Valmiera Glass won against visiting Rigas Z. (14-3) 121-103. Dominykas Stenionis nailed a double-double by scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for the winning side. Valmiera Glass' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Frankie Fidler came up with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Rigas Z. in the defeat. Valmiera Glass maintains fifth place with 11-6 record. Loser Rigas Z. keeps the second position with three games lost. Valmiera Glass will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rigas Z. will play against Ventspils and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 13 were not that significant. VEF Riga was beaten by Kalev/Cramo on the road 92-88. Liepaja was destroyed by LU on its own court 84-103. TalTech outscored LU in Tallinn 81-61. Parnu managed to beat BK Ogre at home 85-71. Kalev/Cramo was defeated by Valmiera Glass on the opponent's court 90-79.
The most impressive performance of 13th round was 21 points by Verners Kohs of Valmiera Glass.



Kalev/Cramo - VEF Riga 92-88

There was a small surprise when sixth ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (9-6) beat 3rd placed Latvian VEF Riga (13-4) in Tallinn 92-88 on Saturday. Kalev/Cramo made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by VEF Riga's players. Kregor Hermet nailed 19 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and Finnish point guard Severi Kaukiainen (185-1998, agency: Blacktop Management) accounted for 18 points and 7 assists. Five Kalev/Cramo players scored in double figures. Kalev/Cramo's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American guard Zahir Porter (198-2000, college: Weber St.) came up with 31 points and Latvian Kristaps Kilps (195-2001) added 21 points respectively for VEF Riga in the defeat. Kalev/Cramo have a solid series of three victories in a row. Despite that victory Kalev/Cramo went down to seventh position due to points difference. Defending Latvian champion VEF Riga keeps the third place with four games lost. Kalev/Cramo will meet at home Parnu (#9) in the next round. VEF Riga will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kalev/Cramo: K.Hermet 19+6reb+7ast, K.Severi 18+3reb+7ast, T.Hugo 14+4reb+2ast, E.Makke 12+3reb+2ast, M.Anrijs 10+9reb+2ast, R.Mart 7+2ast
VEF Riga: Z.Porter 31+3reb+2ast, K.Kilps 21+3reb+1ast, A.Andzevs 10+3reb+2ast, I.Sydorov 9+1reb+1ast, R.Aleksandrovs 9+9reb, T.Rocak 4+1reb

Ventspils - BK Ogre 83-85

The most exciting game of round 13 in the Lat-Est BL took place in Ventspils. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 4th placed Ventspils (11-5) to eighth ranked BK Ogre (8-9) 85-83 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Ventspils. 24 personal fouls committed by Ventspils helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Anders Nelson (185-1999, college: William & Mary, agency: Diamond Sports) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Canadian forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore (203-2001, college: Ottawa) contributed with 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. BK Ogre's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Arturs Ausejs (192-1990) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds and American guard Cameron Shelton (188-1999, college: LMU) added 15 points in the effort for Ventspils. Five Ventspils players scored in double figures. BK Ogre have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain eighth place with 8-9 record. Ventspils at the other side keep the fourth position with five games lost. BK Ogre are looking forward to face Keila C. (#13) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Ventspils will play against the league's second-placed Rigas Z. (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
BK Ogre: N.Anders 20+6reb+4ast, R.Avotins 15+2reb+2ast, N.Justin 13+8reb+2ast, A.Karlis 9+5reb, G.Kampuss 8+1reb+1ast, B.Kaspars 7+5reb+1ast
Ventspils: A.Ausejs 19+6reb+2ast, B.Thomas 15+3reb+2ast, C.Shelton 15+4reb+3ast, A.Urkis 14+6reb+1ast, R.Birkans 11+2reb+3ast, A.Nikolajs 5+4reb

Keila C. - Tartu 65-95

One of the most interesting games of round 13 was a derby match between two teams from Estonia. First ranked Tartu outleveled host Keila C. (2-13) 95-65. Tartu players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Karl-Johan Lips (205-1996) stepped up and scored 16 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and American center Dylan Painter (208-1998, college: Delaware) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Four Tartu players scored in double figures. Tartu's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American guard Ethan Brittain-Watts (188-2002, college: Ball St.) responded with 27 points and the other American import forward Isaiah Thompson (198-2003, college: Winona St., agency: Starting 5) scored 7 points and 9 rebounds. Tartu have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 15-1 record. Keila C. lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 13 games lost. Tartu will play against Keila KK (#12) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Keila C. will play against TalTech and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tartu: L.Karl-Johan 16+5reb+1ast, B.Malcolm 15+3reb+1ast, P.Dylan 15+5reb+1ast, I.Markus 11+8reb, P.Martin 8+2reb+6ast, V.Robert 8+2ast
Keila C.: E.Brittain-Watts 27+2reb+2ast, P.Margus 9+6reb+1ast, K.Nazari 8+1reb+1ast, M.Spaleta 7+4reb, I.Thompson 7+9reb+2ast, L.Christopher 7+2reb+2ast

Valmiera Glass - Rigas Z. 121-103

One of the most interesting games of round 13 was a derby match between two teams from Latvia. Fifth ranked Valmiera Glass won against visiting Rigas Z. (14-3) 121-103. Valmiera Glass forced 20 Rigas Z. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Dominykas Stenionis nailed a double-double by scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for the winning side and New Zealand swingman Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (198-2001, college: UCSD) accounted for 18 points and 10 rebounds. Valmiera Glass' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Frankie Fidler came up with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Janis Berzins (201-1993) added 17 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Rigas Z. in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Valmiera Glass maintains fifth place with 11-6 record. Loser Rigas Z. keeps the second position with three games lost. Valmiera Glass will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rigas Z. will play against Ventspils and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Valmiera Glass: H.Curtis 20+4reb+2ast, D.Stenionis 18+5reb+10ast, T.Aniwaniwa 18+10reb+1ast, A.Artis 16+5reb+1ast, K.Verners 15+4reb+2ast, P.Omar 14+3reb+2ast
Rigas Z.: F.Frankie 27+6reb+4ast, S.Rolands 18+3reb+1ast, J.Berzins 17+6reb+3ast, U.Pinete 14+3reb+1ast, P.JP 14+1reb+1ast, R.Macoha 11+6reb

Liepaja - LU 84-103

There was an upset when higher ranked Liepaja (3-12) was smashed at home by bottom-ranked LU (1-13) 103-84 on Monday. Nigerian-American guard Mike Adewunmi (198-1999, college: UTRGV) nailed 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Daniils Smirnovs accounted for 17 points and 10 rebounds. Five LU players scored in double figures. came up with 24 points and 7 rebounds and forward Kristians Feierbergs (203-2002, college: FSC) added 10 points and 13 rebounds respectively for Liepaja in the defeat. LU maintains fourteenth place with 1-13 record. It was Liepaja's fourth loss in a row. They keep the tenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Viimsi and Keila KK. LU will meet at home higher ranked Viimsi (#11) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Liepaja will play against Parnu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
LU: A.Mike 26+8reb+4ast, A.Kazaks 23+3reb+1ast, D.Smirnovs 17+10reb, R.Donis 11+5reb, O.Bergmanis 10+4ast, F.Neilands 10+4reb+9ast
Liepaja: M.Reds 24+7reb+1ast, E.Egle 19+2ast, K.Feierbergs 10+13reb, I.Kurucs 8+4reb+1ast, E.Krumins 7+2reb+8ast, S.Vitalii 6+3reb+1ast

LU - TalTech 61-81

Very predictable result when sixth ranked Estonian TalTech (10-5) rolled over bottom-ranked Latvian LU (1-13) in Riga 81-61 on Wednesday. TalTech dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to LU's 28. They outrebounded LU 42-29 including 30 on the defensive glass. TalTech looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Oliver Suurorg nailed 19 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and Oliver Metsalu accounted for 11 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. TalTech's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Nigerian-American guard Mike Adewunmi (198-1999, college: UTRGV) came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds and Rudis Donis added 10 points and 7 rebounds respectively for LU in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. TalTech have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain sixth place with 10-5 record. Loser LU stay at the bottom position with 13 games lost. TalTech will meet Keila C. (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. LU will play against Viimsi and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
TalTech: O.Suurorg 19+6reb+3ast, T.Jurkatamm 13+6reb+2ast, N.Tormi 11+10reb+2ast, O.Metsalu 11+7reb+7ast, R.Pehka 10+1reb, K.Valb 9+1reb+4ast
LU: M.Adewunmi 22+5reb+1ast, D.Rudis 10+7reb+2ast, K.Arturs 10+4reb+1ast, N.Francis 10+6reb+2ast, S.Daniils 5+1reb+2ast, P.Martins 3+4reb

Parnu - BK Ogre 85-71

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 8th ranked Latvian BK Ogre (8-9) lost on the road to ninth ranked Estonian Parnu (6-8) 85-71 on Wednesday. Parnu forced 20 BK Ogre turnovers. Strangely BK Ogre outrebounded Parnu 37-25 including 25 on the defensive glass. American point guard Devin Harris (182-1992, college: OKWU) nailed 21 points, 8 assists and 4 steals for the winning side and point guard Gregor Ilves (192-1999) accounted for 17 points and 5 rebounds. Four Parnu players scored in double figures. Latvian Kristaps Dargais (198-1990) came up with 7 points and 11 rebounds and Canadian forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore (203-2001, college: Ottawa) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for BK Ogre in the defeat. Parnu have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain ninth place with 6-8 record. Loser BK Ogre keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. Parnu will meet higher ranked Kalev/Cramo (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. BK Ogre will play against Keila C. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Parnu: H.Devin 21+4reb+8ast, I.Gregor 17+5reb+2ast, A.Jonatan 15+1reb+3ast, O.Ajiri 12+1reb, A.Hint 7+11reb+4ast, J.Daniel 5+1reb+3ast
BK Ogre: A.Reinis 15+3reb+1ast, J.Ndjock-Tadjore 12+8reb, K.Apsitis 11+3reb+2ast, K.Berzins 9+5reb+3ast, K.Gustavs 9+4reb+1ast, K.Dargais 7+11reb+3ast

Valmiera Glass - Kalev/Cramo 90-79

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Latvian Valmiera Glass' (11-6) home victory over 6th ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (9-6) 90-79 on Wednesday. Valmiera Glass looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Verners Kohs (203-1997) nailed 21 points for the winning side and Dominykas Stenionis accounted for 10 points and 9 assists. Latvian Anrijs Miska (208-2000) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Gregor Ilves (192-1999) added 16 points respectively for Kalev/Cramo in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Valmiera Glass maintains fifth place with 11-6 record. Defending Estonian champion Kalev/Cramo dropped to the seventh position with six games lost. Valmiera Glass will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kalev/Cramo will play against Parnu (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Valmiera Glass: K.Verners 21+4reb+2ast, P.Omar 14+3reb+1ast, H.Curtis 14+4reb+2ast, D.Stenionis 10+1reb+9ast, A.Artis 10+4reb+2ast, M.Vitols 8+2reb+4ast
Kalev/Cramo: A.Miska 18+11reb, M.Erik 16+3reb+1ast, H.Toom 14+3reb+1ast, M.Rosenthal 12+3reb+1ast, T.Rutherford 6+3reb+1ast, S.Kaukiainen 6+4reb+8ast