BC "AVIS UTILITAS Rapla" - BC "Prometey" - 73:95 (24:21, 16:29, 14:32, 19:13). December 28. Latvian-Estonian basketball league Pafbet. Rapla (Estonia). Arena "Sadolin Spordihun". 370 viewers.
BC "AVIS UTILITAS Rapla": Cheese* (21), Laane* (4 + 5 assists + 2 steals), Davydiuk* (15 + 2 steals), Kaldre*, captain (5), K. Stephens* (6), Ruubel (4), Sunelik (5), Ruut (0), Valb (0), Niits (13 + 10 rebounds).
BC "Prometey": Lukashov*, captain (8 + 7 assists), Tkachenko* (17), Balvin* (13 + 8 rebounds), Sanon* (17 + 8 assists), DJ Stephens* (10), Lypovyy ( 13), Dickey (6), Clavell (8), Petrov (0), Klassen (3 + 5 assists).
For the first time in the last month, “Prometey” had an opportunity to concentrate on the game of the Latvian-Estonian league, without thinking about confrontations in the 7DAYS EuroCup. “Red and white” should have hold two matches in a row in Rapla and Keila - two small Estonian towns. The first rival, “AVIS UTILITAS Rapla” seemed stronger. They have a much richer history and are located higher in the tournament standing than “Keila KK”.
“Rapla” managed to demonstrate that they are not accidentally in the high positions in the league. However, it could refer only to the certain segments of the match. For example, in one and a half minute of the match they started with a jerk of 9:2. “Rapla” pleyers distinguished with two hits from the perimeter (Davydiuk, Kaldre) and also, acted aggressively and organised in defense. Nevertheless, already after three minutes, due to the accurate three-pointer by Issuf Sanon, the score became equal (11:11). And at the time of the next parity (13:13) Cansdian guard Marek Klassen debuted in the “Prometey” line-up. Straightaway, Marek demonstrated hi excellent dispatching skills. He assisted to Sanon, which allowed our team to break away by 4 points (17:13). Another two his assists didn’t have a scoring results.
Unfortunately, “Prometey” not only did not develop their advantage, but also lost the opening quarter. Five seconds before the buzzer, with an equal score 21:21, Tyler Cheese threw from the perimeter and Ivan Tkachenko fouled on him. Cheese realised only one free throw out of three but on his second miss, Tormi Niits sent the ball into the hoop.
Due to the efforts of “Rapla” swingman Indrek Sunelik, the hosts of the court reached a handicap of 7 points (28:21) at the start of the second quarter. Exactly at this moment, “Prometey” managed to demonstrate its much higher class. The team succeeded in three-point shots (Issuf Sanon twice, Denys Lukashov, Oleksandr Lypovyy), Lypovyy and Balvin scored from the opponent’s “paint”, Gian Clavell supported his partners with shots from the mid distance.
The teams went for the long break with “+10” in favour of “Prometey”. Just within six minutes of the third quarter, this handicap was tripled (74:43). Guests succeeded in throws from the perimeter. Percentage of accuracy of three-pointers by “red and white” reached 45 at that moment. The result of the match by and large was decided. Our team was in lead by three dozen points three minutes before the final siren. Only after that, they allowed the opponent to make their defeat more acceptable for them.
Already on Friday, December 30, our team awaits the last official match in 2022. They will play in the town of Keila with the club of the same name.
Natural mineral water "Vytautas" is the official hydration partner of BC "Prometey"
