U18 League Round 4 (Regular Season): Zalgiris lose to VKM in the game between Top 4 teams

After 4 rounds played we can already see who rules in the U18 League and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Kaunas. 4th ranked host Zalgiris (2-2) lost to top-ranked VKM (4-0) 83-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zalgiris. Zalgiris trailed by 11 points after 3 quarters before a 23-19 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 76-83 at the end of the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when VKM made 7 blocks. 27 personal fouls committed by Zalgiris helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Deivid Karmazinskij (186) who helped to win the game recording 31 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and center Dominik Lavrinovich (195-2009) who added 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks during the contest. At the losing side forward Mangirdas Jakutis (201) responded with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Zalgiris' coach Julius Pranevicius rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. VKM have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with NKA. Zalgiris at the other side keeps the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with Saule and Tornado KM. VKM is looking forward to face Snaiperis (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zalgiris will play against SKM I (#3) in Vilniaus and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Panevezio has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat VKM-2 (0-3) 116-63. The winners were led by guard Titas Katauskas (188-2009) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 30 points, 7 rebounds and 14 assists and Matas Binkys supported him with 21 points and 10 assists. Even 32 points by guard Adomas Daukantas (190) did not help to save the game for VKM-2. VKM-2's coach Gintaras Razutis gave up on the game allowing to play thirteen players seeing no chance for a win. Panevezio (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Snaiperis and NKA-Perlas. It was VKM-2's third loss in a row. They still close the standings with three games lost. Panevezio will play against higher ranked Prienu (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. VKM-2 will play against Prienu (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Snaiperis has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. The win is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Saule (2-2) 69-62 on Tuesday. Vainius Vabalas fired 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Snaiperis' coach Edgaras Bartusevicius used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kernius Cekanauskas produced a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Snaiperis (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with NKA-Perlas and Panevezio. Loser Saule keeps the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with Zalgiris and Tornado KM. Snaiperis will meet league's second-placed VKM in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Saule will play against NKA-Perlas and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 4 NKA destroyed Prienu on the opponent's court 111-72. NKA-Perlas was outscored by Tornado KM in a home game 52-111.



Panevezio - VKM-2 116-63:
Panevezio has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat VKM-2 (0-3) 116-63. The game without a history. Panevezio led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to VKM-2's 30. Panevezio forced 24 VKM-2 turnovers and outrebounded them 46-30 including a 33-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Panevezio players were unselfish on offense dishing 41 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by VKM-2's players. The winners were led by guard Titas Katauskas (188-2009) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 30 points, 7 rebounds and 14 assists and guard Matas Binkys (193-2009) supported him with 21 points and 10 assists. Five Panevezio players scored in double figures. Even 32 points by guard Adomas Daukantas (190) did not help to save the game for VKM-2. Guard Kipras Patamsis (184) added 6 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. VKM-2's coach Gintaras Razutis gave up on the game allowing to play thirteen players seeing no chance for a win. Panevezio (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Snaiperis and NKA-Perlas. It was VKM-2's third loss in a row. They still close the standings with three games lost. Panevezio will play against higher ranked Prienu (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. VKM-2 will play against Prienu (#7) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Panevezio: T.Katauskas 30+7reb+14ast, M.Binkys 21+4reb+10ast, J.Bartusevicius 17+9reb+3ast, R.Motiejunas 15+3reb+1ast, J.Gribenas 15+12reb+1ast, T.Lukminas 9+5reb+2ast
VKM-2: D.Adomas 32+3reb, B.Natas 8+2reb, P.Kipras 6+8reb+2ast, B.Otonas 5+3reb, T.Emilis 4+2reb+1ast, U.Gvidas 4+1reb+3ast

Prienu - NKA 72-111:
Very expected game when 6th ranked Prienu (1-2) was crushed at home by top-ranked NKA (4-0) 111-72 on Tuesday. The game without a history. NKA led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Prienu's 34 and made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Prienu 60-28 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. NKA looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when NKA made 7 blocks. Guard Matas Antanavicius (176-2009) fired 23 points for the winners. Forward Joris Sinica (195-2009) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Five NKA players scored in double figures. Guard Titas Okmanas (182-2009) produced 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Jokubas Bujavicius (194-2010) added 12 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. NKA have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record, which they share with VKM. Loser Prienu dropped to the seventh place with two games lost. They share the position with VKKM. NKA will meet Tornado KM (#5) in the next round. Prienu will play against VKM-2 in Vilniaus and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
NKA: M.Antanavicius 23+4reb+2ast, J.Sinica 15+11reb+1ast, S.Knysius 15+5reb+6ast, K.Bieliauskas 14+5reb+2ast, A.Kicas 13+5reb+1ast, A.Palubinskas 10+6reb+6ast
Prienu: O.Titas 21+6reb+6ast, B.Jokubas 12+2reb+2ast, B.Dominykas 10+1reb, N.Arijus 6+2reb, M.Povilas 5+2reb, L.Herkus 5+4reb+1ast

NKA-Perlas - Tornado KM 52-111:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Tornado KM and 8th ranked NKA-Perlas had identical 1-2 record. But NKA-Perlas was not able to use a home court advantage and was smashed by the opponent from Kaunas 111-52 on Tuesday night. The game without a history. Tornado KM led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated on the defensive end, holding NKA-Perlas to just 5 points in fourth quarter. Tornado KM dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to NKA-Perlas' 26. Tornado KM forced 33 NKA-Perlas turnovers and outrebounded them 58-34 including a 41-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tornado KM looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by NKA-Perlas' players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tornado KM made 7 blocks. Forward Benas Kryzius (199-2009) fired a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Lukas Lukosiunas (186-2009) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 assists and 6 steals. Five Tornado KM players scored in double figures. Forward Jokubas Dudonis (189-2010) produced 7 points and 10 rebounds and forward Rokas Simanskis (190-2010) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tornado KM (2-2) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Zalgiris and Saule. NKA-Perlas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth position with three games lost. They share it with Snaiperis and Panevezio. Tornado KM will meet at home league's leader NKA in the next round and it may be the game of the week. NKA-Perlas will play against Saule (#6) in Siauliai and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Tornado KM: B.Kryzius 18+11reb+3ast, D.Seputis 15+6reb+5ast, L.Lukosiunas 15+4reb+10ast, J.Siupsinskas 12+6reb+2ast, P.Adomavicius 11+3reb+4ast, V.Burokas 10+6reb+1ast
NKA-Perlas: S.Rokas 12+6reb+1ast, P.Rokas 9+2reb+3ast, D.Jokubas 7+10reb+2ast, P.Ajus 6+4reb+1ast, A.Benas 6+1ast, Z.Enris 4+5reb

Zalgiris - VKM 76-83:
The game between Top Four teams took place in Kaunas. 4th ranked host Zalgiris (2-2) lost to top-ranked VKM (4-0) 83-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Zalgiris. Zalgiris trailed by 11 points after 3 quarters before a 23-19 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 76-83 at the end of the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when VKM made 7 blocks. 27 personal fouls committed by Zalgiris helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Deivid Karmazinskij (186) who helped to win the game recording 31 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and center Dominik Lavrinovich (195-2009) who added 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks during the contest. At the losing side forward Mangirdas Jakutis (201) responded with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Vytautas Stuikys (200) scored 7 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Zalgiris' coach Julius Pranevicius rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. VKM have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with NKA. Zalgiris at the other side keeps the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with Saule and Tornado KM. VKM is looking forward to face Snaiperis (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zalgiris will play against SKM I (#3) in Vilniaus and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
VKM: D.Karmazinskij 31+5reb+8ast, L.Lukauskis 17+7reb+1ast, D.Lavrinovich 17+11reb+1ast, T.Jurgilevicius 8+2reb+5ast, E.Vansevicius 5+1reb+2ast, D.Jankunas 3+5reb
Zalgiris: J.Mangirdas 18+7reb+4ast, S.Rojus 14+3reb+2ast, S.Matas 12, B.Nojus 10+5reb+3ast, S.Vytautas 7+17reb+4ast, T.Arminas 5+7reb+5ast

Snaiperis - Saule 69-62:
Snaiperis has registered their first victory this season after three consecutive losses. The win is especially important as they defeated much higher ranked Saule (2-2) 69-62 on Tuesday. Saule was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. Snaiperis dominated on the defensive end, holding Saule to just 5 points in second quarter. They also forced 19 Saule turnovers. Vainius Vabalas (-2009) fired 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Joris Makarevicius (-2009) chipped in 11 points and 5 rebounds. Snaiperis' coach Edgaras Bartusevicius used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Kernius Cekanauskas (185) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Paulius Veliulis (202-2009) added 16 points respectively for lost side. Snaiperis (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with NKA-Perlas and Panevezio. Loser Saule keeps the fourth position with two games lost. They share it with Zalgiris and Tornado KM. Snaiperis will meet league's second-placed VKM in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Saule will play against NKA-Perlas and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Snaiperis: V.Vabalas 13+5reb+4ast, J.Makarevicius 11+5reb+3ast, K.Raizgys 9+4reb+1ast, L.Martisius 8+6reb+1ast, A.Letukas 8+1reb, A.Peciulis 7+4reb+2ast
Saule: C.Kernius 18+10reb+6ast, V.Paulius 16+3reb+2ast, P.Nojus 11+2reb+3ast, G.Domas 5+3reb+1ast, A.Emilis Alishan 4+4reb+4ast, S.Gustas 3+1reb