Super Liga Round 4 (Regular Season): Rabotnicki keeps a leadership position

Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Rabotnicki as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rabotnicki defeated 4th ranked Kumanovo MK in Skopje 70-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kumanovo MK. Rabotnicki made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Kumanovo MK 43-24 including 29 on the defensive glass. Bosnian-Croatian center Robert Rikic (219-1990, agency: AltusBasket) fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. ex-international Viktor Efremovski (194-1998) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Rabotnicki's coach Vladimir Mirkovski used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international swingman Adem Mekic (197-1995, agency: 011 Sports) produced 18 points for lost side. Rabotnicki have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Kumanovo MK at the other side keeps the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Kumanovo MK will play next round against strong Kozuv trying to get back on the winning streak. Rabotnicki will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Madzari 2003. It will be extra interesting game as Madzari 2003 is their local rival from Skopje.
Undefeated MZT Skopje (3-1) recorded its first loss on the court of seventh ranked Strumica. Visitors were defeated by Strumica 87-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of MZT Skopje. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Malique Jacobs (190-2000, college: Kent St.) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 6 assists. Cameron Crawford contributed with 21 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Strumica's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international swingman Vojdan Stojanovski (194-1987) replied with 17 points and 4 assists (made all of his ten free throws !!!) for MZT Skopje. Strumica (2-2) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending champion MZT Skopje keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Kozuv. Strumica will play against bottom-ranked Sokoli 1933 (#10) in Stip in the next round where they are favorite. MZT Skopje will play at home against Pelister (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Sokoli 1933 (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 84-70 loss to eighth ranked TFT (2-2) in Skopje on Saturday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Nakavieon White who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 5 assists. TFT's coach Boro Smilkovski used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side Cam Hamilton responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. TFT moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Sokoli 1933 still closes the standings with four games lost. TFT will meet Tikvesh (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Sokoli 1933 will play against Strumica and hopes to get finally their first victory.

In the last two games of round 4 Tikvesh was defeated by Kozuv in Gevgelija 90-81. Pelister beat Madzari 2003 at home 101-94.



Kozuv - Tikvesh 90-81:
There was no surprise in Gevgelija where 8th ranked Tikvesh (1-3) was defeated by third ranked Kozuv (3-1) 90-81 on Sunday. Kozuv looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Terry Armstrong (201-2000, college: Arizona) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and forward Nigel Burris (201-2003, college: Weber St.) who added 14 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side guard Jeremy Smith (190-1991, college: Nicholls) responded with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Davion Sykes (198-2003, college: SIU) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Kozuv moved-up to second place, which they share with MZT Skopje. Tikvesh lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Madzari 2003. Kozuv will meet Kumanovo MK (#5) on the road in the next round. Tikvesh will play against TFT and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kozuv: A.Terry 24+5reb+7ast, B.Nikola 20+1reb+4ast, B.Nigel 14+12reb+3ast, S.Stefan 13+10reb+5ast, K.Jordan 10+1reb+2ast, K.Ilija 6+6reb+2ast
Tikvesh: J.Smith 23+7reb+4ast, D.Sykes 15+6reb+3ast, T.Wolfe 11+7reb+2ast, M.Ilija 10+4reb, A.Kechovski 8+3reb+3ast, S.Gligorijevic 8+6reb+2ast

Pelister - Madzari 2003 101-94:
Everything could happen in Bitola at the game between two tied teams. Both eighth ranked Pelister and 6th ranked Madzari 2003 had identical 1-2 record. This time Pelister used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Skopje 101-94 on Sunday night. Pelister made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 52.0 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian guard Nikola Kocovic (197-1996) who helped to win the game recording 31 points and 5 assists and American point guard CJ Wilson (180-1994, college: Young Harris) who added 19 points and 5 assists during the contest. Four Pelister players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Collin Parker (203-2003, college: Austin Peay) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Cameron Jones (198-1999, college: McNeese St.) scored 22 points and 6 rebounds. Pelister (2-2) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Madzari 2003 dropped to the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Tikvesh. Pelister will meet league's second-placed MZT Skopje on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Madzari 2003's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Skopje Rabotnicki.
Top scorers:
Pelister: K.Nikola 31+4reb+5ast, W.C.J. 19+1reb+5ast, R.Alonzo 18+6reb+1ast, D.Blagoj 11+5reb+1ast, S.Ivan 9+5reb+3ast, K.Kosta 5+1reb
Madzari 2003: C.Parker 25+11reb+2ast, C.Jones 22+6reb+3ast, K.Blazevski 11+1reb, J.Jackson 10+1reb+6ast, S.Mladenovski 9+2ast, M.Milovanovikj 9+3reb+1ast

Rabotnicki - Kumanovo MK 70-63:
The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Rabotnicki as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rabotnicki defeated 4th ranked Kumanovo MK in Skopje 70-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kumanovo MK. Rabotnicki made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Kumanovo MK 43-24 including 29 on the defensive glass. Bosnian-Croatian center Robert Rikic (219-1990, agency: AltusBasket) fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. ex-international Viktor Efremovski (194-1998) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Rabotnicki's coach Vladimir Mirkovski used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international swingman Adem Mekic (197-1995, agency: 011 Sports) produced 18 points and ex-international point guard Boban Stajic (185-1993) added 9 points, 6 assists and 4 steals respectively for lost side. Rabotnicki have a solid four-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Kumanovo MK at the other side keeps the fourth place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Kumanovo MK will play next round against strong Kozuv trying to get back on the winning streak. Rabotnicki will try to continue on its current victory against eighth ranked Madzari 2003. It will be extra interesting game as Madzari 2003 is their local rival from Skopje.
Top scorers:
Rabotnicki: R.Robert 17+11reb+3ast, E.Jaxon 13+8reb, E.Viktor 12+7reb+2ast, R.Damjan 9+6reb+1ast, G.Darrin 8+2reb+8ast, N.Kristijan 5+2reb+2ast
Kumanovo MK: A.Mekic 18+3reb, S.Fundic 12+4reb+2ast, C.Gooden 9+4reb+3ast, B.Stajic 9+3reb+6ast, B.Krstevski 7+2reb+3ast, M.Mitevski 4+1reb+2ast

Strumica - MZT Skopje 87-79:
Undefeated MZT Skopje (3-1) recorded its first loss on the court of seventh ranked Strumica. Visitors were defeated by Strumica 87-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of MZT Skopje. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Malique Jacobs (190-2000, college: Kent St.) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 6 assists. The other American import guard Cameron Crawford (196-2003, college: Duquesne) contributed with 21 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Strumica's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The former international swingman Vojdan Stojanovski (194-1987) replied with 17 points and 4 assists (made all of his ten free throws !!!) and ex-international power forward Andrej Maslinko (208-1997) added 15 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) in the effort for MZT Skopje. Four MZT Skopje players scored in double figures. Strumica (2-2) moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending champion MZT Skopje keeps the second position with one game lost. They share it with Kozuv. Strumica will play against bottom-ranked Sokoli 1933 (#10) in Stip in the next round where they are favorite. MZT Skopje will play at home against Pelister (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Strumica: J.Malique 29+2reb+6ast, C.Cameron 21+7reb+2ast, H.Marland 16+7reb, P.Dimitar 9+7reb, J.Milos 5+1reb+1ast, P.Kocev 5+3reb
MZT Skopje: V.Stojanovski 17+3reb+4ast, M.Andrej 15+3reb+3ast, E.Krajinic 13+5reb+1ast, N.Farrakhan 12+2reb+3ast, A.Andrej 8+8reb+2ast, P.Boshaleski 7+3reb+1ast

TFT - Sokoli 1933 84-70:
Bottom-ranked Sokoli 1933 (0-4) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 84-70 loss to eighth ranked TFT (2-2) in Skopje on Saturday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Nakavieon White (201-2002, college: Georgia South) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 5 assists and Guinean-American forward Sekou Sylla (195-2000, college: Towson) who added 13 points and 15 rebounds during the contest. Four TFT players scored in double figures. TFT's coach Boro Smilkovski used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American point guard Cam Hamilton (180-1999, college: Valdosta St.) responded with 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and American-South Sudanese forward Jay Pal (206-2000, college: SDSU) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. TFT moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Sokoli 1933 still closes the standings with four games lost. TFT will meet Tikvesh (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Sokoli 1933 will play against Strumica and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
TFT: W.Nakavieon 22+4reb+5ast, S.Sekou 13+15reb+2ast, S.Nikolov 12+5reb, L.Alain 10+5reb+9ast, Z.Georgi 7+4reb, G.Grigorij 7+2reb
Sokoli 1933: C.Hamilton 27+6reb+4ast, J.Pal 14+7reb+1ast, N.Karakolev 10+3reb+3ast, S.Aleksandar 8+2reb+1ast, I.Dimcevski 6+10reb+1ast, M.Mitev 3