2SKL Round 4 of Regular Season

There were just four rounds played in Regular Season of 2SKL and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

First defeat of Ajdovscina (3-1) against top-ranked Terme Olimia (3-0) 80-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Ajdovscina. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Terme Olimia made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Ziga Svigelj (194-1997) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Power forward Filip Petic (196-2006) contributed with 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Ziga Dimec (210-1993, agency: BIG) replied with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds for Ajdovscina. Terme Olimia have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Newly promoted Ajdovscina dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with Branik and Hidria. They were replaced at the leadership position by Terme Olimia. Ajdovscina will play next round against Konjice trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Terme Olimia will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Grosuplje on the road.
Undefeated LTH Castings (2-1) recorded its first loss in Idrija. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Hidria (3-1) 93-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of LTH Castings. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Worth to mention a great performance of Blaz Rupnik (-1996) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 4 assists and Jaka Zemljic who added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side Serbian point guard Milutin Vidic (188-2004) responded with 14 points, 9 assists and 4 steals. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hidria moved-up to second place, which they share with Ajdovscina and Branik. LTH Castings at the other side dropped to the fifth position with one game lost. Hidria will play against Ipros Vrhnika (#11) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. LTH Castings will play against Branik (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game was also tough home defeat of 5th ranked Jezica in a game in Ljubljana versus Branik (#7) 97-89. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Jezica. It was a key game for the second position in the league. The winners were led by Matic Grusovnik who scored that evening 32 points and 7 rebounds. Even 20 points and 8 rebounds by Ziga Ferjancic did not help to save the game for Jezica. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Branik (3-1) moved-up to second place, which they share with Ajdovscina and Hidria. Loser Jezica dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. They share it with Slovan and Celje. Branik will meet LTH Castings (#5) in the next round. Jezica's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Ljubljana Slovan.

Other games in round 4 were not that significant. Grosuplje beat Portoroz on the road 79-67. Konjice won against Ipros Vrhnika on its own court 88-78. Celje managed to outperform Slovan in a road game 83-76.
The most impressive performance of 4th round was 15 points and 7 rebounds by Marko Vranjkovic of Celje.



Hidria - LTH Castings 93-77:
LTH Castings (2-1) recorded its first loss in Idrija. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Hidria (3-1) 93-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of LTH Castings. It was a key game for the second position in the league. It was a great shooting night for Hidria especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 61.1 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of Blaz Rupnik (-1996) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 4 assists and Jaka Zemljic (-2000) who added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side Serbian point guard Milutin Vidic (188-2004) responded with 14 points, 9 assists and 4 steals and guard Zak Hostnik (192-2005) scored 11 points and 4 assists. Five Hidria and four LTH Castings players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hidria moved-up to second place, which they share with Ajdovscina and Branik. LTH Castings at the other side dropped to the fifth position with one game lost. Hidria will play against Ipros Vrhnika (#11) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. LTH Castings will play against Branik (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
LTH Castings: D.Arsenije 17+1reb, V.Milutin 14+2reb+9ast, H.Adrian 12+1reb+3ast, H.Zak 11+4reb+4ast, N.Klei 8+5reb+1ast, P.Bine 8+7reb
Hidria: B.Rupnik 25+4ast, R.Savic 20+4reb+1ast, Z.Jaka 14+6reb+5ast, R.Luka 11+6reb+3ast, K.Andraz 11+3reb+1ast, S.Tratnik 8+3reb

Portoroz - Grosuplje 67-79:
Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Grosuplje and bottom-ranked Portoroz had identical 0-3 record. But Portoroz was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Grosuplje 79-67 on Saturday night. The winners were led by center Martin Drenik (199-2001) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Grega Sajevic (187-1996) supported him with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Grosuplje players scored in double figures. Even 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Amadej Stular (190-2007) did not help to save the game for Portoroz. Bosnian center Erwin Gutic (203-2000, college: Rio Grande) added 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for lost side. Grosuplje (1-3) left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Konjice and Ipros Vrhnika. It was Portoroz's fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. Grosuplje will meet at home league's leader Terme Olimia in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Portoroz will play against Celje (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Portoroz: S.Amadej 20+5reb+4ast, G.Erwin 16+6reb, J.Nik 10+6reb+3ast, M.Radanovic 7+8reb+2ast, T.Peter 4, R.Pavle 3+1reb
Grosuplje: M.Drenik 19+12reb+5ast, G.Sajevic 18+5reb+4ast, J.Oven 12+3reb+1ast, Z.Zuzek 11+10reb+2ast, T.Skubic 7+1reb+2ast, Z.Erculj 6+1reb+1ast

Terme Olimia - Ajdovscina 80-70:
First defeat of Ajdovscina (3-1) against top-ranked Terme Olimia (3-0) 80-70 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Ajdovscina. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Terme Olimia made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Ziga Svigelj (194-1997) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. Power forward Filip Petic (196-2006) contributed with 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Ziga Dimec (210-1993, agency: BIG) replied with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds and ex-international forward Mitja Nikolic (200-1991) added 14 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Ajdovscina. Five Terme Olimia and four Ajdovscina players scored in double figures. Terme Olimia have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Newly promoted Ajdovscina dropped to the second place with one game lost. They share the position with Branik and Hidria. They were replaced at the leadership position by Terme Olimia. Ajdovscina will play next round against Konjice trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Terme Olimia will try to continue on its current victory against tenth ranked Grosuplje on the road.
Top scorers:
Ajdovscina: V.Ivkovic 15+6reb+1ast, Z.Dimec 14+14reb+1ast, M.Nikolic 14+7reb+3ast, S.Karavdic 11+2reb, P.Skrlj 9+2reb+1ast, B.Gregor 3+2reb
Terme Olimia: F.Petic 19+9reb+2ast, A.Simo 16+6reb+2ast, Z.Svigelj 15+11reb+6ast, D.Djapa 11+1reb+2ast, D.Mohar 10+5reb+1ast, J.Brecko 5+1reb+3ast

Konjice - Ipros Vrhnika 88-78:
There was a minor upset when 9th ranked Ipros Vrhnika (1-3) lost on the road to eleventh ranked Konjice (1-3) 88-78 on Saturday. The winners were led by Aljaz Skof (-2002) who scored that evening 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Mihajlo Benic (198-2001) supported him with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Four Konjice players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 16 points and 17 rebounds by center Bright Ogbemudia (206-2005) did not help to save the game for Ipros Vrhnika. Forward Gasper Rojko (200-1996) added 19 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Konjice left bottom position moving up to ninth place, which they share with Grosuplje and Ipros Vrhnika. Konjice will meet league's second-placed Ajdovscina on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Ipros Vrhnika will play against Hidria (#4) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ipros Vrhnika: R.Gasper 19+7reb, B.Ogbemudia 16+17reb, Z.Anze 15+3reb+5ast, R.Filip 8+1reb+1ast, M.Peter 6+4reb+3ast, R.Naj 5
Konjice: A.Skof 27+5reb+4ast, B.Mihajlo 20+12reb+2ast, D.Lamesic 19+3reb+3ast, M.Korez 12+8reb, L.Benic 4+4reb, R.Maks 2+1reb

Jezica - Branik 89-97:
An interesting game was also tough home defeat of 5th ranked Jezica in a game in Ljubljana versus Branik (#7) 97-89. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Jezica. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Branik made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Jezica turnovers and outrebounded them 44-27 including a 30-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Branik looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The winners were led by forward Matic Grusovnik (199-1995) who scored that evening 32 points and 7 rebounds and guard Bine Pregl (187-2009) supported him with 16 points and 8 assists. Four Branik players scored in double figures. Even 20 points and 8 rebounds by guard Ziga Ferjancic (189-2002) did not help to save the game for Jezica. Bulgarian Radoslav Raykov (199-2006) added 23 points for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Branik (3-1) moved-up to second place, which they share with Ajdovscina and Hidria. Loser Jezica dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. They share it with Slovan and Celje. Branik will meet LTH Castings (#5) in the next round. Jezica's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Ljubljana Slovan.
Top scorers:
Jezica: R.Radoslav 23+4reb+1ast, F.Ziga 20+8reb+3ast, F.Luka 14+1reb+3ast, P.Rok 7+5reb+1ast, M.Miha 6+4reb+1ast, V.Drejc 5+2ast
Branik: G.Matic 32+7reb, V.Pregl 17+6reb+2ast, P.Bine 16+3reb+8ast, V.Miha 11+5reb+8ast, G.Guncer 8+4reb+1ast, N.Grmek 6+6reb

Slovan - Celje 76-83:
There was a small surprise when eighth ranked Celje (2-2) won against 6th ranked Slovan (2-2) in Ljubljana 83-76 on Saturday. The winners were led by guard Jan Rizman (196-1994) who scored that evening 25 points and 6 assists and power forward Marko Vranjkovic (205-1990) supported him with 15 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Even a double-double of 12 points and 16 rebounds by Vid Tamse (-2003) did not help to save the game for Slovan. Guard Aljaz Krizan (187-2003) added 12 points for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Slovan's coach Anze Trafela rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Celje moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Slovan and Jezica. Celje will meet at home bottom-ranked Portoroz (#12) in the next round where they are favorite. Slovan's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Ljubljana to the arena Jezica.
Top scorers:
Slovan: K.Aljaz 12+3reb+3ast, K.Patrik 12+3reb+3ast, T.Vid 12+16reb+1ast, I.Leon 11+1reb+1ast, B.Marko 7+2reb+1ast, J.Stipanicev 7+5reb+3ast
Celje: R.Jan 25+2reb+6ast, V.Marko 15+7reb+3ast, P.Kolka 12+3reb, B.Ivec 11+1reb+4ast, H.Blaz 9+7reb, M.Borsic 4+3ast