LBBL Round 15 (Regular Season): Sparta keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Sparta as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Sparta defeated 12th ranked AB Contern in Bertrange 78-63. The best player for the winners was American forward Victor Iwuakor (200-1999, college: Southern Miss) who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 5 blocks. Victor Stein (190-1997) chipped in 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Sparta's coach Karl Khalil used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Drew Lowder (185, college: CSU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) who recorded 26 points and 7 rebounds. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. AB Contern lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 14 games lost. AB Contern will play next round against Mamer trying to get back on the winning streak. Sparta will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Esch on the road.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Etzella (12-3) against fifth ranked Esch (9-6) on Sunday night. Host Etzella was crushed by Esch in Ettelbruck 85-62. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Etzella. It was a good game for the former international power forward Clancy Rugg (204-1991, college: Vermont) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. Quinn Nelson contributed with 24 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Esch's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. The former international point guard Philippe Gutenkauf (183-1995) answered with 19 points and 6 assists for Etzella. Esch maintains fifth place with 9-6 record. Defending champion Etzella keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with Arantia. Esch will play against league's leader Sparta in Bertrange in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Etzella will play on the road against Kordall S. in Rodange and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Dudelange was also quite interesting. 6th ranked Residence (8-7) played at the court of seventh ranked T71 (8-6). T71 defeated Residence 101-89 on Saturday. It was a great evening for Joe Kalmes who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. T71's coach Christophe Ney allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was Brendan Bailey with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 10 rebounds. T71 moved-up to sixth place. Residence at the other side dropped to the seventh position with seven games lost. T71 will meet Musel Pikes (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Residence will have a break next round.

Other games of round 15 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Kordall S. was defeated by Arantia in Larochette 118-101. Amicale beat Mamer at home 76-61. Musel Pikes lost to Racing on the opponent's court 82-92. Amicale managed to outperform Residence in a home game 102-84.
The best stats of 15th round was 27 points and 12 rebounds by Malcolm Richardson of Amicale.



Arantia - Kordall S. 118-101

There was no surprise in Larochette where 8th ranked Kordall S. (4-10) was defeated by third ranked Arantia (12-3) 118-101 on Saturday. Arantia shot 61.9 percent from the field and made 32-of-38 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. It was a great evening for guard Kevon Godwin (188-2000, college: Angelo St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 35 points (!!!) (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Michael Carter III (196-1997, college: Portland St.) helped adding 26 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was swingman Andre Snoddy (198, college: Stony Brook) with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and guard Erik Timko (196, college: Delaware) scored 29 points and 5 rebounds. Five Arantia and four Kordall S. players scored in double figures. Kordall S.'s coach Antonio Lopez Pena rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Arantia have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Etzella. Kordall S. lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the ninth position with ten games lost. Arantia will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kordall S. will play against the league's second-placed Etzella (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Arantia: G.Kevon 35+3reb+3ast, I.Carter 26+7reb+1ast, d.Edson 23+5reb+3ast, S.Tyrell 16+6reb+2ast, V.Heuschling 10+3reb+1ast, D.Wilson 4+3reb
Kordall S.: E.Timko 29+5reb+1ast, G.Pellegrino 21+8reb+2ast, A.Snoddy 21+12reb+2ast, R.Jonaitis 19+3reb, S.Max 5+5reb+2ast, K.Raphael 3

Etzella - Esch 62-85

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Etzella (12-3) against fifth ranked Esch (9-6) on Sunday night. Host Etzella was crushed by Esch in Ettelbruck 85-62. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Etzella. They outrebounded Etzella 46-33 including a 37-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a good game for the former international power forward Clancy Rugg (204-1991, college: Vermont) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. American guard Quinn Nelson (190-1999, college: SW Baptist) contributed with 24 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Four Esch players scored in double figures. Esch's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. The former international point guard Philippe Gutenkauf (183-1995) answered with 19 points and 6 assists and American power forward Nick Davis (206-2001, college: Omaha) added 13 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Etzella. Esch maintains fifth place with 9-6 record. Defending champion Etzella keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with Arantia. Esch will play against league's leader Sparta in Bertrange in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Etzella will play on the road against Kordall S. in Rodange and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Esch: R.Clancy 29+18reb+5ast, N.Quinn 24+5reb+2ast, H.Jordan 16+6reb, D.Fonseca 10+5reb+3ast, D.Ceman 4+5reb+3ast, L.Stankovic 2+1reb
Etzella: G.Philippe 19+4reb+6ast, N.Davis 13+12reb+1ast, A.Delph 11+11reb+2ast, M.Billy 8+1reb, S.Tim 6, Z.Eric 5+1reb+1ast

Amicale - Mamer 76-61

No shocking result in a game in Steinsel where fourth ranked Amicale (10-5) defeated 10th ranked Mamer (4-11) 76-61 on Saturday. Amicale forced 21 Mamer turnovers. It was a great evening for the former international Alex Laurent (198-1993) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 4 assists. American guard Malcolm Richardson (185-1994, college: Florida St. Jkv) helped adding 16 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Amicale's coach Daniel Brandao allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American forward Dom Sleva (198, college: Shippensburg) with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 21 rebounds and the other American import forward Terry Winn III (201-1995, college: UTRGV) scored 16 points and 9 rebounds. Amicale have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 10-5 record. Mamer at the other side keeps the tenth position with 11 games lost. Amicale will meet at home Racing (#8) in the next round. Mamer will play against AB Contern and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Amicale: L.Alex 22+4reb+4ast, R.Malcolm 16+6reb+7ast, S.Ashton 15+7reb+1ast, A.Medeot 6+3reb, J.Theisen 4+2reb+1ast, K.Ivor 4+2reb+1ast
Mamer: D.Sleva 27+21reb, T.Winn III 16+9reb+1ast, A.Maid 9+2reb+3ast, M.Raphael 7+1reb+4ast, A.Bedirhanoglu 2+3reb+1ast, M.Henry 0+3reb+1ast

Sparta - AB Contern 78-63

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Sparta as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Sparta defeated 12th ranked AB Contern in Bertrange 78-63. The best player for the winners was American forward Victor Iwuakor (200-1999, college: Southern Miss) who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 12 rebounds and 5 blocks. Victor Stein (190-1997) chipped in 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Sparta's coach Karl Khalil used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Drew Lowder (185, college: CSU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) who recorded 26 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import Josh Ferguson (203-1996, college: Winthrop) added 12 points and 14 rebounds respectively. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. AB Contern lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 14 games lost. AB Contern will play next round against Mamer trying to get back on the winning streak. Sparta will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Esch on the road.
Top scorers:
Sparta: I.Victor 34+12reb+1ast, Y.Verbeelen 10+3reb+4ast, L.Holsten 7+4reb, V.Stein 7+8reb+4ast, N.Hittelet 5+2reb+1ast, M.Logelin 5+6reb+3ast
AB Contern: D.Lowder 26+7reb+3ast, J.Ferguson 12+14reb+3ast, D.Igor 8, C.William 6+8reb+1ast, M.Christophe 5+1reb, S.Jeffrey 4+5reb+3ast

Racing - Musel Pikes 92-82

Rather expected game in Luxembourg where 11th ranked Musel Pikes (3-12) was defeated by ninth ranked Racing (5-10) 92-82 on Saturday. Racing forced 24 Musel Pikes turnovers. It was a great evening for American forward Antonio Bivins (199-1992, college: UMass Lowell) who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 41 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import center Brendan Temple (206-2000, college: Purdue NW) helped adding 15 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Racing's coach Adam Radomirovic allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was forward Konan Oth (191-2007) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds and the former international guard Tom Welter (180-1993) scored 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Musel Pikes players scored in double figures. Racing moved-up to eighth place. Musel Pikes lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with 12 games lost. Racing will meet higher ranked Amicale (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Musel Pikes will play against T71 (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Racing: B.Antonio 41+10reb+1ast, T.Brendan 15+11reb+6ast, W.Flenard 9+5reb+1ast, M.Hilger 9+4reb+4ast, S.Lanners 6+1reb+3ast, L.Soragna 6+5reb+1ast
Musel Pikes: O.Konan 18+13reb+2ast, J.Key 16+6reb, W.Tom 13+6reb+5ast, S.Sam 13+3reb+2ast, M.Robinson 12+5reb+1ast, S.Enzo 6+2reb

T71 - Residence 101-89

The game in Dudelange was also quite interesting. 6th ranked Residence (8-7) played at the court of seventh ranked T71 (8-6). T71 defeated Residence 101-89 on Saturday. T71 made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 51.6 percentage. It was a great evening for the former international power forward Joe Kalmes (200-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. American guard Jimmie Taylor (193-1994, college: Rider) helped adding 25 points and 9 rebounds. Taylor is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. T71's coach Christophe Ney allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American forward Brendan Bailey (203-1997, college: Marquette) with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import guard Clark Slajchert (185, college: USC) scored 29 points. T71 moved-up to sixth place. Residence at the other side dropped to the seventh position with seven games lost. T71 will meet Musel Pikes (#11) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Residence will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
T71: J.Kalmes 26+7reb+5ast, T.Jimmie 25+9reb+2ast, C.Maurice 24+7reb+1ast, C.Jack 9+5reb+2ast, D.Ivan 9+6reb+7ast, D.Stephens 4+2reb+3ast
Residence: B.Bailey 31+10reb+1ast, C.Slajchert 29+4reb+2ast, S.Tom 10+4reb+1ast, F.Vranjes 8+8reb+1ast, V.Oliver 7+3reb, J.Fran 4+2reb

Amicale - Residence 102-84

Rather predictable result in Steinsel where fourth ranked Amicale (10-5) beat 6th ranked Residence (8-7) 102-84 on Wednesday. Amicale made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. It was a great evening for guard Malcolm Richardson (185-1994, college: Florida St. Jkv) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Ashton Sherrell (203, college: JCSU, agency: BIG) helped adding 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Amicale's coach Daniel Brandao used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to get some rest. The best for the losing side was guard Clark Slajchert (185, college: USC) with 29 points and 7 rebounds and forward Brendan Bailey (203-1997, college: Marquette) scored 20 points and 7 rebounds. Four Residence players scored in double figures. Amicale have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 10-5 record. Loser Residence dropped to the seventh position with seven games lost. Amicale will meet at home Racing (#8) in the next round. Residence will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Amicale: S.Ashton 33+8reb+1ast, R.Malcolm 27+12reb+3ast, K.Ivor 11+1reb, N.Medeot 9+3reb+1ast, J.Theisen 7+4reb, L.Alex 7+3reb
Residence: C.Slajchert 29+7reb+1ast, B.Bailey 20+7reb, F.Vranjes 14+7reb+1ast, V.Oliver 12+6reb+2ast, S.Tom 7+2reb, S.Victor 2+3reb+1ast