LEB Gold Round 4 (Second Stage): Leyma Basquet edge Castello by one point

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most exciting game of round 4 in the LEB Gold took place in Castellon. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of much higher ranked Castello (8-5) to sixth ranked Leyma Basquet (8-5) 78-77 in the game for the third place. American guard Zach Monaghan (188-92, college: MSU) fired 23 points and 6 assists for the winners. point guard Gaizka Maiza (191-96) chipped in 11 points. Leyma Basquet's coach Sergio Garcia Martin used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Slovakian center Tomas Pavelka (217-0) produced 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for lost side. Leyma Basquet moved-up to third place, which they share with Alicante and Castello. Leyma Basquet is looking forward to face league's second-placed Granada at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Castello will play against the league's leader Leche Rio Breogan in Lugo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Leche Rio Breogan delivered the tenth victory. This time they beat 10th ranked Almansa (2-11) 81-68. Worth to mention a great performance of power forward Ivan Cruz Uceda (208-91, college: Miami, FL) who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 6 rebounds. Kevin Larsen contributed with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Serbian Nikola Cvetinovic (203-88, college: Akron) replied with 14 points for Almansa. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Leche Rio Breogan maintains first position with 10-3 record. Almansa at the other side keeps the tenth place with 11 games lost. Leche Rio Breogan will play against Castello (#4) in Castellon in the next round. Almansa will play on the road against Palencia (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Girona between Caceres Basket and Girona. Twelfth ranked Caceres Basket (7-4) got a very close victory on the road over 11th ranked Girona (8-4). Caceres Basket managed to escape with a 1-point win 75-74 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Alf Pedersen who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. At the losing side Ryan Logan responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Girona's coach Carles Marco tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Caceres Basket maintains twelfth position with 7-4 record, which they share with Melilla. Newly promoted Girona keeps the eleventh place with four games lost. Caceres Basket will meet at home Basquet (#15) in the next round. Girona will play against Ourense (#14) and hope to secure a win.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Lleida, where higher ranked Melilla (7-4) lost to sixteenth ranked Basquet (6-5) in a road game 81-95. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Melilla. The winners were led by Michael Carrera who scored that evening 24 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Basquet moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Huesca. Melilla at the other side keeps the twelfth position with four games lost. Basquet's next round opponent will be higher ranked Caceres Basket (#12) on the road and it may be quite challenging game.
An interesting game took place in Huesca, where higher ranked Caceres Basket (7-4) lost to seventeenth ranked Huesca (6-5) in a road game 73-80 on Friday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Caceres Basket. Mike Moore fired 16 points for the winners. Huesca's coach Oscar Lata allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Huesca moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Lleida. Loser Caceres Basket keeps the twelfth position with four games lost. Huesca will face Burgos (#18) on the road in the next round.

Rest of the games of round 4 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Oviedo was defeated by Granada in a road game 72-68. Palma beat Valladolid at home 98-81. Palencia lost to Alicante on the opponent's court 73-84. Bottom-ranked Real Canoe was outscored by Ourense in a home game 70-90. Burgos was rolled over Real Murcia on the road 102-71.
The best stats of 4th round was 14 points and 8 rebounds by Roeland Schaftenaar of Caceres.

Almansa - Breogan 68-81

Leader Leche Rio Breogan delivered the tenth victory. This time they beat 10th ranked Almansa (2-11) 81-68. They outrebounded Almansa 40-28 including 25 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of power forward Ivan Cruz Uceda (208-91, college: Miami, FL) who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 6 rebounds. Danish center Kevin Larsen (207-93, college: GWU) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Serbian Nikola Cvetinovic (203-88, college: Akron) replied with 14 points and Serbian guard Filip Djuran (195-91, agency: Dynamics Global Management) added 13 points in the effort for Almansa. Four Almansa players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Leche Rio Breogan maintains first position with 10-3 record. Almansa at the other side keeps the tenth place with 11 games lost. Leche Rio Breogan will play against Castello (#4) in Castellon in the next round. Almansa will play on the road against Palencia (#9) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Breogan: I.Cruz Uceda 15+6reb+3ast, A.Sollazzo 14+4reb+2ast, K.Larsen 12+10reb+1ast, M.Kacinas 7+4reb+1ast, J.Salvador Arco 7, J.Israel Gutierrez 6+6reb
Almansa: N.Cvetinovic 14+4reb+2ast, F.Djuran 13+4reb, J.Gonzalez 12+1ast, S.Maxwell 10+4reb, B.Harris 7+3reb+1ast, C.Bivia 6+2reb+2ast

Castello - Coruna 77-78

The most exciting game of round 4 in the LEB Gold took place in Castellon. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of much higher ranked Castello (8-5) to sixth ranked Leyma Basquet (8-5) 78-77 in the game for the third place. American guard Zach Monaghan (188-92, college: MSU) fired 23 points and 6 assists for the winners. Point guard Gaizka Maiza (191-96) chipped in 11 points. Four Leyma Basquet players scored in double figures. Leyma Basquet's coach Sergio Garcia Martin used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Slovakian center Tomas Pavelka (217-0) produced 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and naturalized Dominican power forward Juan Jose Garcia (201-89, agency: Duran International) added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Leyma Basquet moved-up to third place, which they share with Alicante and Castello. Leyma Basquet is looking forward to face league's second-placed Granada at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Castello will play against the league's leader Leche Rio Breogan in Lugo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Coruna: Z.Monaghan 23+1reb+6ast, L.Nwogbo 11+2reb, G.Maiza 11+2reb+3ast, O.Matulionis 10+3reb+1ast, G.McGhee 6+6reb+1ast, R.Jakstas 5+5reb+1ast
Castello: T.Pavelka 16+6reb, A.Adala Moto 14+6reb, E.Duran 11+4ast, J.Jose Garcia 8+9reb+4ast, D.Dukan 7+1reb, J.Sabate 7+1reb+1ast

Granada - Oviedo 72-68

There was no surprise when 6th ranked Oviedo (7-6) was defeated on the road by second ranked Granada (9-4) 72-68 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Senegalese center Bamba Fall (217-86, college: SMU, agency: Players Group) fired 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Point guard Christian Diaz (185-92) chipped in 13 points. Four Granada players scored in double figures. American guard Elijah Brown (193-95, college: Oregon) produced 23 points and 5 rebounds and center Oliver Arteaga (208-83) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Granada have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 9-4 record behind leader Girona. Loser Oviedo keeps the sixth place with six games lost. Granada will face Leyma Basquet (#5) in Coruna in the next round. Oviedo will play at home against Palma and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Granada: B.Fall 13+7reb+1ast, C.Diaz 13+3reb+2ast, T.Bropleh 12+1reb, L.Costa 11+5reb+1ast, G.Martinez 7+1reb, M.Rodriguez 6+2ast
Oviedo: E.Brown 23+5reb+1ast, O.Arteaga 15+1reb+1ast, M.Norelia 8+5reb, M.Speight 7+1reb+3ast, C.Oluyitan 3+1reb+1ast, A.Bartolome 3+1reb+1ast

Palma - Valladolid 98-81

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Palma's (6-7) home victory over 8th ranked Valladolid (4-9) 98-81 on Sunday. Palma made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Sean McDonnell (203-95, college: Westmont) fired a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for the winners. Point guard Pol Figueras (187-98) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 assists. The former international forward Nacho Martin (202-83) produced 16 points and 5 rebounds and Slovenian swingman Matej Kavas (203-96, college: Nebraska) added 17 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Palma maintains seventh position with 6-7 record. Valladolid lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with nine games lost. Palma will face higher ranked Oviedo (#6) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Valladolid will play against HLA Alicante and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Palma: S.McDonnell 23+10reb+1ast, R.Harrell 20+6reb+3ast, P.Figueras 18+4reb+10ast, K.Kullamaee 16+5reb+5ast, J.Raffington 12+3reb+1ast, R.Diego 3
Valladolid: M.Kavas 17+4reb+1ast, N.Martin 16+5reb+2ast, S.De La Fuente 14+6reb+1ast, A.Mason 11+1reb+2ast, R.Timmer 10+1reb+6ast, G.Juan 4+4reb

Alicante - Palencia 84-73

Very expected game when 9th ranked Palencia (3-10) was defeated on the road by fourth ranked HLA Alicante (8-5) 84-73 on Friday. HLA Alicante dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Palencia's 34. American point guard Justin Pitts (178-94, college: NW Missouri St.) fired 21 points and 7 assists for the winners. Guard Txemi Urtasun (192-84) chipped in 16 points. Serbian-Portuguese center Sasa Borovnjak (206-89, college: Penn St., agency: 011 Sports) produced 14 points and 6 rebounds and Argentinian-Italian point guard Nicolas Richotti (183-86) added 10 points and 6 assists respectively for lost side. Five Palencia players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. HLA Alicante have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Castello and Coruna. Palencia lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with ten games lost. HLA Alicante will face Valladolid (#8) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Palencia will play against Almansa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Alicante: J.Pitts 21+4reb+7ast, T.Urtasun 16+2reb+1ast, A.Galan 10+2reb, N.Allen 9+4reb+1ast, S.Gjuroski 7+6reb+2ast, J.Ortega 7+2reb+1ast
Palencia: S.Borovnjak 14+6reb+1ast, A.Zubizarreta 14+1reb+3ast, L.Cugini 11+4reb, D.Rodriguez 11+1reb, N.Richotti 10+4reb+6ast, X.Rey 6+3reb+2ast

Real Canoe - Ourense 70-90

Very predictable result in Madrid where fourteenth ranked Ourense (6-4) outscored bottom-ranked Real Canoe (1-11) 90-70 on Friday. Ourense looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Point guard Mikel Uriz (182-89, agency: Promo Sport ID) fired 11 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Armenian-American guard Andre Spight (191-95, college: N.Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. Five Ourense players scored in double figures. Haitian-Canadian forward Kevin Bercy (201-94, college: St.Francis X.) produced 13 points and 6 rebounds and Danish center Sami Eleraky (213-93, college: Pacific, agency: Dynamics Global Management) added 10 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Ourense maintains fourteenth position with 6-4 record. Real Canoe lost fourth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 11 games lost. Ourense will face higher ranked Girona (#11) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game.
Top scorers:
Ourense: A.Spight 20+1reb+4ast, A.Henriquez 16+1reb+2ast, A.Mazaira 11+3reb+1ast, M.Uriz 11+6reb+9ast, E.Yates 10+6reb+3ast, D.Dimitrijevic 9+2reb+2ast
Real Canoe: K.Bercy 13+6reb+2ast, S.Eleraky 10+8reb+2ast, S.Bjornsson 8+2reb+1ast, D.de la Rua 8+2reb+3ast, A.Martinez 7+2reb+2ast, B.Ogalue 7+1reb+1ast

Girona - Caceres 74-75

A very close game took place in Girona between Caceres Basket and Girona. Twelfth ranked Caceres Basket (7-4) got a very close victory on the road over 11th ranked Girona (8-4). Caceres Basket managed to escape with a 1-point win 75-74 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Alf Pedersen who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds and American guard Devin Schmidt (193-94, college: Delta St., agency: Duran International) who added 21 points during the contest. Four Caceres Basket players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Ryan Logan (200-94, college: Stonehill) responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds and point guard Albert Sabat (181-85) scored 11 points and 8 assists. Girona's coach Carles Marco tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Caceres Basket maintains twelfth position with 7-4 record, which they share with Melilla. Newly promoted Girona keeps the eleventh place with four games lost. Caceres Basket will meet at home Basquet (#15) in the next round. Girona will play against Ourense (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Caceres: D.Schmidt 21+4reb+2ast, P.Alf 15+12reb+1ast, R.Schaftenaar 15+9reb, R.Barber 10+3reb, F.Cardenas 8+5reb+4ast, F.Del Aguila 3+2reb
Girona: R.Logan 16+5reb+1ast, D.Rozitis 12+4reb, A.Sabat 11+2reb+8ast, K.Jonsson 9+2reb+3ast, B.Faye 7+3reb, G.Sevillano 5

Lleida - Melilla 95-81

We should mention about the upset which took place in Lleida, where higher ranked Melilla (7-4) lost to sixteenth ranked Basquet (6-5) in a road game 81-95. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Melilla. Basquet made 18-of-23 charity shots (78.3 percent) during the game. The winners were led by Venezuelan forward Michael Carrera (196-93, college: S.Carolina, agency: Interperformances) who scored that evening 24 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Adrian Chapela (192-94) supported him with 9 points and 5 assists. Even 32 points by DR Congolese-Canadian guard Mathieu Kamba (196-95, college: Cent Arkansas, agency: Dynamics Global Management) did not help to save the game for Melilla. Bosnian forward Njegos Sikiras (205-99) added 16 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Basquet moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Huesca. Melilla at the other side keeps the twelfth position with four games lost. Basquet's next round opponent will be higher ranked Caceres Basket (#12) on the road and it may be quite challenging game.
Top scorers:
Lleida: M.Carrera 24+7reb+3ast, M.Bulic 14, M.Buchanan 11+4reb+2ast, A.Chapela 9+3reb+5ast, A.Sans 9+1reb+1ast, K.Manuel 8+2ast
Melilla: M.Kamba 32+1reb, N.Sikiras 16+5reb, P.Mbaye 10+2ast, J.Marin 8+5reb+5ast, A.Wintering 5+4reb+4ast, A.Misters 4+4reb+2ast

Real Murcia - Burgos 102-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 18th ranked Burgos' (3-7) road loss to seventeenth ranked Real Murcia (6-6) 71-102 on Saturday. Real Murcia shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 57.1 percentage. Burgos was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. Guard Alejandro Hernandez (189-90) fired 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from downtown making all five shots) for the winners. Serbian power forward Strahinja Gavrilovic (206-93, college: USC) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. Four Real Murcia players scored in double figures. Trinidad and Tobago-Canadian Kris Joseph (201-88, college: Syracuse) produced 18 points and swingman Ivan Martinez (192-90) 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. Newly promoted Real Murcia maintains seventeenth position with 6-6 record. Burgos at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighteenth place with seven games lost. Real Murcia will face higher ranked Melilla (#13) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Burgos will play against Huesca (#16) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Real Murcia: A.Hernandez 25+5reb+4ast, S.Gavrilovic 18+8reb, J.Martin 15+1reb+2ast, J.Rubio 14+4reb+2ast, D.Kapelan 9+1ast, C.Robinson 8+6reb
Burgos: K.Joseph 18+3reb+1ast, I.Martinez 12+1reb+3ast, A.Ruiz 11+2reb, S.Reaves 6+1reb, S.Barro 6+2reb, K.Sow 5+3reb

Huesca - Caceres 80-73

An interesting game took place in Huesca, where higher ranked Caceres Basket (7-4) lost to seventeenth ranked Huesca (6-5) in a road game 73-80 on Friday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Caceres Basket. American Mike Moore (203-94, college: Mount Olive) fired 16 points for the winners. Forward Ramon Vila (203-97, college: Chattanooga) chipped in 15 points. Huesca's coach Oscar Lata allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Dutch power forward Roeland Schaftenaar (211-88, college: Oregon St.) produced 14 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Devin Schmidt (193-94, college: Delta St., agency: Duran International) added 14 points respectively for lost side. Four Huesca and five Caceres Basket players scored in double figures. Huesca moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Lleida. Loser Caceres Basket keeps the twelfth position with four games lost. Huesca will face Burgos (#18) on the road in the next round.
Top scorers:
Huesca: M.Moore 16+4reb+2ast, R.Vila 15+3reb+3ast, D.Cubillan 14+2ast, K.Mackenzie 14+5reb+1ast, F.Corvalan 5+3reb+2ast, W.Butler 5+4reb
Caceres: D.Schmidt 14+4reb+2ast, R.Schaftenaar 14+8reb, J.Xavier 12+3reb+1ast, P.Alf 11+7reb+2ast, F.Cardenas 10+2reb+4ast, R.Barber 6+4reb