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2017–18 BC Prienai season

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2017–18 BC Prienai season
PresidentLithuania Norbertas Pranckus
Head coachLithuania Virginijus Šeškus
Staples centerPrienai Arena
LKLLast Place (Not Relegated)
BBLWithdrew
BCLFailed to qualify
Scoring leaderLithuania Eigirdas Žukauskas
12.7
Rebounding leaderLithuania Eigirdas Žukauskas
5.7
Assists leaderLithuania Tomas Dimša
4.0
Biggest win91–56 Tsmoki-Minsk
(25 October 2017)
Biggest defeat56–113 Lietuvos rytas
(6 January 2018)
All statistics correct as of April 1, 2018.

The 2017–18 BC Prienai season was the 23rd season in the existence of the club, which was known as Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas for sponsorship reasons (which was their last year under that name). The team played in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) but also briefly participated in the Baltic Basketball League (BBL) and in the qualifying round of Basketball Champions League (BCL). The season was highlighted with both on-court and financial struggles, dating as far back as 2016, and several roster changes.

The team, in December 2017, most notably signed American brothers LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball, who had drawn international attention in the years prior. Following the brothers' arrival, Vytautas withdrew from the BBL and announced Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company owned by LaVar Ball, as its sponsor. After the Ball brothers joined the team in January 2018, Vytautas took part in several exhibition games, including the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games and the Big Baller Brand International Tournament. Upon signing the Ball brothers, the team gained significant popularity, especially in the United States. However, both Ball brothers would not stay with the squad near the end of the season, thus leaving them with the threat of relegation.

Overview

[edit]

Vytautas started the 2017–18 season badly by failing to qualify for the 2017–18 Basketball Champions League season.[1] The team was also performing poorly in the national competition and saw decreasing popularity among fans.[2] Additionally, Vytautas faced major financial struggles, failing to fully pay many former players.[3] Towards the beginning of the season, the team controversially signed businessman Tomas Tumynas, who had no prior professional basketball experience.[4] According to head coach Virginijus Šeškus, Tumynas helped Vytautas financially, despite not playing any games before his release in January 2018.[4][5] The team lost to Lietuvos rytas Vilnius on 6 January 2018 by a margin of 113–56 for its worst defeat of the season. After the game, Vytautas dropped to last place in their league.[6]

On 11 December 2017, Vytautas signed LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball, the younger brothers of Los Angeles Lakers player Lonzo Ball, both of whom agreed to join the team in the beginning of January 2018.[7] Both brothers, along with Lonzo, had gained fame in the United States after leading Chino Hills High School to an undefeated season and mythical national championship in 2015–16. LiAngelo drew the international spotlight in November 2017 after being arrested for shoplifting in China, abruptly ending his college basketball career at UCLA and culminating in a Twitter-based feud between his father LaVar Ball and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Lithuanian team, whose managers described the signing as an instant success, subsequently received international attention and being featured in The New York Times.[8][9] Upon the Ball brothers' arrival, the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) rescheduled Vytautas' games against Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys and Juventus Utena to better suit their American audience.[10]

The final scoreboard at Vytautas' first game at the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games.

In early January 2018, Vytautas pulled out of the Baltic Basketball League season, instead setting up and hosting the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games, a series of exhibition games mostly against opponents from lower Lithuanian leagues.[11] On 23 January 2018, the team announced that the sports apparel company Big Baller Brand would be an official sponsor until the end of the season.[12] LaVar Ball, owner of the company, was appointed as assistant coach for a match-up with Dzūkija Alytus and then as head coach against Jonava.[13][14] Ball and his family helped the team pay off the club's debts, contributing €100,000.[15]

By the end of February, Vytautas announced that it would play in another exhibition event sponsored by the company, known the Big Baller Brand International Tournament, a round-robin competition featuring three European teams outside of Lithuania. LaVar Ball continued to serve as head coach.[16] In late March and early April, Vytautas participated in two more friendlies, hosting a game against a youth squad of the Chinese team Guangdong Southern Tigers and facing the London Lions of the British Basketball League (BBL) in London.[17][18] However, after the end of the team's exhibition games, head coach Virginijus Šeškus would make some drastic changes for the team to avoid the threat of relegation, most notably by sitting LaMelo Ball throughout the rest of the regular season. Since the changes, Vytautas would go on a three-game winning streak, with the threat of being relegated looking dimmer and dimmer in the process. However, after a 73–69 loss to Siauliai on April 25, LaVar Ball announced he would pull his sons out of the team after neither Ball player played that night. After losing that night, Vytautas would lose their last three games of the season, with the team letting go of Kervin Bristol, Rashaun Broadus, and Denys Lukashov before the end of their last game that season. As a result, their season left them with the threat of relegating to the NKL, with Vytis Šakiai looking for its promotion this season. Ultimately, while Vytautas finished the season in last place, they would survive the threat of relegation this season due to Vytis not meeting the proper promotion requirements this year.

Players

[edit]

Squad information

[edit]

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Vytautas Prienai-Birštonas roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
SF 7 Lithuania Aleksandravičius, Bartas 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 73 kg (161 lb) 25 – (1999-07-20)20 July 1999
C 55 Haiti Bristol, Kervin 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 102 kg (225 lb) 36 – (1988-09-04)4 September 1988
PG 16 Albania Broadus, Rashaun 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 87 kg (192 lb) 40 – (1984-08-05)5 August 1984
PF 11 Lithuania Dimša, Egidijus 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 39 – (1985-04-01)1 April 1985
G 10 Lithuania Ivanauskas, Paulius 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) 79 kg (174 lb) 37 – (1987-04-24)24 April 1987
SF 21 Lithuania Linkevičius, Martynas 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) 95 kg (209 lb) 39 – (1985-12-08)8 December 1985
PG 17 Ukraine Lukashov, Denys 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 82 kg (181 lb) 35 – (1989-04-30)30 April 1989
PG 5 Lithuania Maceina, Gediminas 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 74 kg (163 lb) 40 – (1984-08-28)28 August 1984
F/C 22 Lithuania Miniotas, Regimantas 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) 90 kg (198 lb) 28 – (1996-03-14)14 March 1996
F 31 Lithuania Sinica, Justas 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 82 kg (181 lb) 39 – (1985-05-31)31 May 1985
SG 9 Lithuania Šeškus, Edvinas 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 80 kg (176 lb) 29 – (1995-03-10)10 March 1995
G 6 Lithuania Žukauskas, Eigirdas (C) 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 98 kg (216 lb) 32 – (1992-06-03)3 June 1992
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured
Updated: April 29, 2018

Depth chart

[edit]
Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Bench 3
C Kervin Bristol
PF Regimantas Miniotas Eigirdas Žukauskas Egidijus Dimša
SF LiAngelo Ball Justas Sinica Martynas Linkevičius Bartas Aleksandravičius
SG Edvinas Šeškus Paulius Ivanauskas
PG Rashaun Broadus Denys Lukashov LaMelo Ball Gediminas Maceina

Notes:

  • 1 Sign and trade. Didn't play a single regular season game.

Club

[edit]

Technical staff

[edit]
Position Staff member
Club President Lithuania Norbertas Pranckus
Honorary President Lithuania Aurimas Bartuška
Team Director Lithuania Adomas Kubilius
Sports Director Lithuania Vilius Vaitkevičius
Press Officer Lithuania Erikas Kirvelaitis
Assistant Coaches Lithuania Mindaugas Arlauskas
Lithuania Marius Leonavičius

Kit

[edit]
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away

Friendlies

[edit]

  Win   Loss

Big Baller Brand Challenge Games
9 January 2018 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 90–80 Lithuania Žalgiris-2 Kaunas Prienai
Scoring by quarter: 19–16, 16–21, 31–17, 14–16
Pts: Miniotas 20
Rebs: Miniotas 13
Asts: La. Ball 9
PIR: not available 		Boxscore Pts: Jokubaitis 31
Rebs: Venskus 10
Asts: Arlauskas 3
PIR: not available 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,500
15 January 2018 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 130–93 Lithuania Lietuvos-rytas-2 Vilnius Prienai
20:30 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 32–19, 32–22, 34–19, 32–33
Pts: La. Ball 31
Rebs: Bristol 7
Asts: La. Ball 9
PIR: not available 		Boxscore Pts: Sirvydis 19
Rebs: Naruševičius 11
Asts: Jermolajevas, Marčiulionis 3
PIR: not available 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,200
17 January 2018 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 93–89 Lithuania Vytis Šakiai Prienai
21:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 21–18, 22–28, 28–27, 22–16
Pts: Li. Ball 22
Rebs: Bristol 8
Asts: Dimša 8 		Boxscore Pts: Užupis, Wanamaker 13
Rebs: Užupis 9
Asts: Juknevičius, Wanamaker 6 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,000
23 January 2018 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 147–142 Lithuania Dzūkija Alytus Prienai
21:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 34–37, 33–33, 40–37, 40–35
Pts: La. Ball 43
Rebs: Miniotas 9
Asts: La. Ball 10 		Boxscore Pts: Petrilevičius 35
Rebs: Žalalis 11
Asts: Danisevičius 8 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,000
28 January 2018 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 151–120 Lithuania Jonava Prienai
21:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 32–22, 36–42, 49–31, 34–23
Pts: La. Ball 40
Rebs: Miniotas 17
Asts: La. Ball 10 		Pts: Hobbs 30
Rebs: Hobbs 10
Asts: Hobbs 8 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,000
Big Baller Brand International Tournament
25 February 2018
1
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 133–141 Latvia VEF Rīga Skola Prienai
21:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 49–25, 22–38, 31–32, 31–46
Pts: Šeškus 35
Rebs: Miniotas 13
Asts: La. Ball 8 		Boxscore Pts: Zotovs 29
Rebs: Čavars 12
Asts: Zotovs 14 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 800
Referees: Jurgis Laurinavičius (LTU), Juozas Barkauskas (LTU), Mantas Butvilas (LTU)
26 February 2018
2
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 96–128 Poland Wilki Morskie Szczecin Prienai
21:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 24–34, 24–27, 30–32, 18–35
Pts: Li. Ball 26
Rebs: Miniotas 7
Asts: La. Ball 9 		Boxscore Pts: Jogėla 24
Rebs: Benjamin 14
Asts: Paliukėnas 8 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 500
Referees: Jurgis Laurinavičius (LTU), Juozas Barkauskas (LTU), Šarūnas Gabrilavičius (LTU)
27 February 2018
3
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 87–96 Slovenia Helios Suns Domžale Prienai
21:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 21–23, 26–22, 23–23, 17–28
Pts: Li. Ball 30
Rebs: Bristol 14
Asts: Maceina 10 		Pts: Oman, Klavžar 22
Rebs: Đumić 8
Asts: Klavžar, Đumić 6 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Other friendlies
27 March 2018 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 159–115 China Guangdong Southern Tigers (Jr.) Prienai
21:30 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 32–24, 43–31, 41–25, 43–35
Pts: Li. Ball 72
Rebs: Miniotas 16
Asts: La. Ball 13 		Boxscore Pts: Xu M.Z. 29
Rebs: Wang D.R. 7
Asts: Xu J. 11 		Arena: Prienai Arena
2 April 2018 London Lions United Kingdom 110–127 Lithuania Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas London
16:00 (GMT) Scoring by quarter: 30–28, 34–37, 25–33, 21–29
Pts: Spencer 32
Rebs: Dixon 20
Asts: Spencer 8 		Boxscore Pts: Li. Ball 44
Rebs: Bristol 23
Asts: La. Ball 16 		Arena: Copper Box Arena

Competitions

[edit]

Overall

[edit]
Competition Started round Final
position / round 		First match Last match
Lithuanian Basketball League Matchday 1 In progress September 24, 2017 May 2, 2018
Baltic Basketball League Matchday 1 Withdrew October 25, 2017 December 23, 2017
Basketball Champions League Qualifying round 1 Failed to qualify September 19, 2017 September 21, 2017

Source: Competitions

Overview

[edit]
Competition Record
Pld W D L PF PA PD Win %
Lithuanian Basketball League 27 5 0 22 2,138 2,371 −233 018.52
Baltic Basketball League 6 3 0 3 400 363 +37 050.00
Basketball Champions League 2 1 0 1 138 159 −21 050.00
Total 35 9 0 26 2,676 2,893 −217 025.71

Last updated: March 28, 2018
Source: Competitions

Lithuanian Basketball League

[edit]

League table

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W L PF PA PD Qualification or relegation
6 Pieno žvaigždės 36 14 22 2894 3140 −246 Advance to play-offs
7 Juventus 36 13 23 2918 3029 −111
8 Nevėžis 36 12 24 2805 2993 −188
9 Dzūkija 36 10 26 2721 3030 −309
10 Vytautas[a] 36 8 28 2805 3125 −320 Relegation to NKL[Note 1]
Source: LKL
Notes:
  1. ^ If other 9 LKL teams and Vytis from National Basketball League (NKL) meet the licensing requirements, Vytautas would be relegated. However, Vytis did not meet licensing requirements, meaning Vytautas stayed onto the LKL for at least another season.

  Win   Loss

Matches

[edit]
24 September 2017
1
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 59–61 Šiauliai Prienai
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 11–26, 11–15, 17–10, 20–10
Pts: Klimavičius 14
Rebs: E. Dimša 9
Asts: T. Dimša 6 		Report Pts: Birutis, Urbutis 16
Rebs: Birutis 11
Asts: Sabeckis 4 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 400
Referees: Andrius Maleckas, Gvidas Gedvilas
27 September 2017
2
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 80–84 Dzūkija Alytus Prienai
19:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 19–19, 20–17, 21–19, 20–29
Pts: Sinica 16
Rebs: E. Dimša 9
Asts: T. Dimša 7 		Report Pts: Reinhardt 24
Rebs: Reinhardt 7
Asts: Hernández 4 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 315
Referees: Gintaras Vitkauskas, Gintaras Mačiulis, Žydrūnas Paliušis
1 October 2017
3
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 78–94 Neptūnas Klaipėda Prienai
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 20–19, 18–22, 18–28, 22–25
Pts: T. Dimša 15
Rebs: Linkevičius 6
Asts: Žukauskas 5 		Report Pts: Seibutis 19
Rebs: Butkevičius, Seibutis 6
Asts: Butkevičius, Palacios 6 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 400
Referees: Tomas Jasevičius, Gvidas Gedvilas, Ignas Davainis
5 October 2017
4
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 69–75 Lietuvos rytas Vilnius Prienai
18:30 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 17–20, 19–16, 24–25, 9–14
Pts: Klimavičius 20
Rebs: Klimavičius 6
Asts: Maceina 5 		Report Pts: Madgen 21
Rebs: Echodas 6
Asts: Carter, Kramer 4 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 800
Referees: Andrius Maleckas, Mindaugas Večerskis, Aurimas Borusas
8 October 2017
5
 Lietkabelis Panevėžys 87–69 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Panevėžys
16:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 19–17, 21–12, 19–19, 28–21
Pts: Juškevičius 14
Rebs: K. Lavrinovič 6
Asts: Talton 6 		Report Pts: Sinica 19
Rebs: Linkevičius 11
Asts: T. Dimša 8 		Arena: Cido Arena
Attendance: 2,488
Referees: Gytis Vilius, Martynas Gudas, Šarūnas Gabrilavičius
14 October 2017
6
 Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys 80–74 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Pasvalys
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 19–22, 14–19, 18–15, 29–18
Pts: Ausējs 17
Rebs: Ausējs, Balašov 5
Asts: Lekūnas 4 		Report Pts: Šeškus, Žukauskas 18
Rebs: Klimavičius, Žukauskas 7
Asts: Žukauskas 5 		Arena: Pieno žvaigždės Arena
Attendance: 250
Referees: Jurgis Laurinavičius, Andrius Maleckas, Andžej Urbanovič
22 October 2017
7
 Žalgiris Kaunas 97–54 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Kaunas
17:20 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 25–17, 25–17, 22–9, 25–11
Pts: Kavaliauskas 16
Rebs: Jankūnas, Masiulis 7
Asts: Davies, Pangos 5 		Report Pts: Lukashov 12
Rebs: Klimavičius 3
Asts: Žukauskas 4 		Arena: Žalgiris Arena
Attendance: 2,578
Referees: Artūras Šukys, Mindaugas Večerskis, Oleg Barkovskij
28 October 2017
8
 Juventus Utena 77–68 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Utena
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 20–9, 18–14, 16–15, 23–30
Pts: Bičkauskis, Ireland 15
Rebs: Korniyenko 11
Asts: Bičkauskis, Korniyenko 5 		Report Pts: Sinica 17
Rebs: Žukauskas 6
Asts: Lukashov 8 		Arena: Utena Arena
Attendance: 1,243
Referees: Vilius Mačiulaitis, Gvidas Gedvilas, Gintaras Mačiulis
4 November 2017
9
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 85–98 Juventus Utena Prienai
17:20 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 20–9, 18–14, 16–15, 23–30
Pts: T. Dimša 17
Rebs: Žukauskas 6
Asts: Žukauskas 6 		Report Pts: Ireland 24
Rebs: Kupšas 7
Asts: Šikšnius 4 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 350
Referees: Artūras Šukys, Mindaugas Večerskis, Martynas Gudas
11 November 2017
10
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 101–80 Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys Prienai
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 23–12, 30–23, 25–25, 23–20
Pts: Linkevičius 22
Rebs: Žukauskas 12
Asts: Sinica 6 		Report Pts: Bobrov 22
Rebs: Balashov 10
Asts: Bobrov 4 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 320
Referees: Tomas Jasevičius, Andžej Urbanovič, Ignas Davainis
18 November 2017
11
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 92–78 Nevėžis Kėdainiai Prienai
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 31–20, 17–24, 22–18, 22–16
Pts: Žukauskas 20
Rebs: Žukauskas 8
Asts: E. Dimša 7 		Report Pts: Kuksiks 17
Rebs: Maldūnas 7
Asts: Grant 5 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 300
Referees: Artūras Šukys, Mindaugas Večerskis, Rytis Sabas
4 December 2017
12
 Dzūkija Alytus 60–90 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Alytus
19:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 17–25, 16–20, 6–21, 21–24
Pts: Sušinskas 11
Rebs: Samac, Žalalis 5
Asts: Hernández 5 		Report Pts: Sinica 17
Rebs: Skučas 11
Asts: Williams 8 		Arena: Alytus Arena
Attendance: 1,742
Referees: Jurgis Laurinavičius, Ignas Davainis, Mantas Butvilas
9 December 2017
13
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 88–74 Lietkabelis Panevėžys Prienai
17:20 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 22–22, 18–19, 21–19, 27–14
Pts: Žukauskas 18
Rebs: Žukauskas 8
Asts: T. Dimša 5 		Report Pts: Skučas 15
Rebs: Skučas 11
Asts: Williams 8 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 500
Referees: Vilius Mačiulaitis, Juozas Barkauskas, Andžej Urbanovič
16 December 2017
15
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 70–89 Žalgiris Kaunas Prienai
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 20–27, 12–12, 16–23, 22–27
Pts: Šeškus 19
Rebs: Miniotas 8
Asts: Maceina 5 		Report Pts: Kavaliauskas 14
Rebs: Masiulis 8
Asts: Micić 6 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,400
Referees: Gytis Vilius, Andrius Maleckas, Martynas Gudas
27 December 2017
16
 Neptūnas Klaipėda 104–83 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Klaipėda
18:50 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 26–23, 27–21, 26–21, 25–18
Pts: Galdikas 18
Rebs: Galdikas 8
Asts: Kisielius, Seibutis, Želionis 5 		Report Pts: Linkevičius, Šeškus 18
Rebs: Linkevičius, Miniotas 8
Asts: Sinica 4 		Arena: Švyturys Arena
Attendance: 2,550
Referees: Tomas Jasevičius, Gintaras Vitkauskas, Žydrūnas Paliušis
2 January 2018
17
 Šiauliai 79–73 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Šiauliai
18:30 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 16–13, 22–10, 21–19, 20–31
Pts: Birutis 20
Rebs: Sabeckis 10
Asts: Wright 5 		Report Pts: Miniotas 16
Rebs: Miniotas 9
Asts: Šeškus, Sinica 3 		Arena: Šiauliai Arena
Attendance: 2,550
Referees: Jurgis Laurinavičius, Juozas Barkauskas, Ignas Davainis
6 January 2018
18
 Lietuvos rytas Vilnius 113–56 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Vilnius
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 31–11, 20–22, 36–15, 26–7
Pts: Girdžiūnas 21
Rebs: Echodas 13
Asts: Giedraitis 5 		Report Pts: T. Dimša 17
Rebs: Miniotas 9
Asts: T. Dimša 3 		Arena: Lietuvos rytas Arena
Attendance: 2,550
Referees: Gytis Vilius, Mindaugas Večerskis, Mantas Butvilas
13 January 2018
19
 Lietkabelis Panevėžys 95–86 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Panevėžys
17:20 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 36–26, 18–15, 22–20, 19–25
Pts: Juškevičius 18
Rebs: D. Lavrinovič 7
Asts: Peiners 7 		Report Pts: T. Dimša 26
Rebs: Miniotas 8
Asts: Miniotas 4 		Arena: Cido Arena
Attendance: 4,819
Referees: Artūras Šukys, Gvidas Gedvilas, Aurimas Borusas
21 January 2018
20
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 93–116 Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys Prienai
19:30 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 19–22, 14–19, 18–15, 29–18
Pts: Li. Ball 20
Rebs: Bristol 7
Asts: T. Dimša 6 		Report Pts: Bobrov, Olisevičius 17
Rebs: Bobrov 9
Asts: Hughes 6 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,100
Referees: Vilius Mačiulaitis, Andrius Maleckas, Gintaras Mačiulis
27 January 2018
21
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 78–86 Juventus Utena Prienai
19:30 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 26–21, 17–20, 16–19, 19–26
Pts: Miniotas 14
Rebs: Miniotas 9
Asts: T. Dimša 5 		Report Pts: Gaines 23
Rebs: Flowers 7
Asts: Gaines 4 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,150
Referees: Šarūnas Gabrilavičius, Jurgis Laurinavičius, Mindaugas Večerskis
4 February 2018
22
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 96–118 Žalgiris Kaunas Prienai
17:20 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 26–36, 17–26, 29–22, 24–34
Pts: Li. Ball 25
Rebs: Bristol 7
Asts: La. Ball 6 		Report Pts: Masiulis 17
Rebs: Jankūnas 8
Asts: Udrih 8 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,500
Referees: Tomas Jasevičius, Martynas Gudas, Rytis Sabas
11 February 2018
23
 Šiauliai 95–97 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Šiauliai
15:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 32–24, 19–23, 18–26, 26–24
Pts: Šarakauskas 23
Rebs: Šarakauskas 12
Asts: Sabeckis, Žemaitis 5 		Report Pts: Lukashov 21
Rebs: Miniotas 7
Asts: Žukauskas 7 		Arena: Šiauliai Arena
Attendance: 3,800
Referees: Andrius Maleckas, Juozas Barkauskas, Oleg Barkovskij
3 March 2018
24
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 76–83 Lietuvos rytas Vilnius Prienai
17:20 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 23–17, 20–30, 18–15, 15–21
Pts: Li. Ball 18
Rebs: Žukauskas 9
Asts: T. Dimša 5 		Report Pts: Baron 20
Rebs: Echodas 6
Asts: Kramer 8 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,200
Referees: Gintaras Vitkauskas, Martynas Gudas, Oleg Barkovskij
10 March 2018
25
 Neptūnas Klaipėda 73–65 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Klaipėda
17:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 24–7, 16–15, 15–21, 18–22
Pts: Šulskis 16
Rebs: Galdikas 9
Asts: Delininkaitis 4 		Report Pts: Sinica 16
Rebs: Linkevičius 7
Asts: T. Dimša 4 		Arena: Švyturys Arena
Attendance: 5,100
Referees: Vilius Mačiulaitis, Gvidas Gedvilas, Mantas Butvilas
19 March 2018
26
 Dzūkija Alytus 82–79 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Alytus
19:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 19–18, 23–11, 24–21, 16–29
Pts: Žalalis 16
Rebs: Petrilevičius, Petty 8
Asts: Callison 5 		Report Pts: Žukauskas 21
Rebs: Žukauskas 11
Asts: Linkevičius 4 		Arena: Alytus Arena
Attendance: 2,896
Referees: Gytis Vilius, Andrius Maleckas, Andžej Urbanovič
25 March 2018
27
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 77–90 Nevėžis Kėdainiai Prienai
15:00 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 25–22, 23–22, 13–20, 16–26
Pts: Li. Ball 28
Rebs: Bristol, Žukauskas 9
Asts: Broadus 6 		Report Pts: Tamulis 17
Rebs: Maldūnas 13
Asts: Normantas, Tamulis 8 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 800
Referees: Jurgis Laurinavičius, Gvidas Gedvilas, Juozas Barkauskas
31 March 2018
28
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas 76–91 Lietkabelis Panevėžys Prienai
16:30 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 25–22, 23–22, 13–20, 16–26
Pts: Žukauskas 14
Rebs: T. Dimša 5
Asts: Broadus, T. Dimša, Žukauskas 3 		Report Pts: Čepukaitis 16
Rebs: D. Lavrinovič 9
Asts: Mavra 6 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 1,000
Referees: Tomas Jasevičius, Mindaugas Večerskis, Žydrūnas Paliušis
7 April 2018
29
 Lietuvos rytas Vilnius 104–71 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Vilnius
17:20 (EET) Scoring by quarter: 23–21, 34–22, 28–17, 19–11
Pts: Peterson 19
Rebs: Mockevičius 9
Asts: Kramer 8 		Report Pts: Li. Ball 16
Rebs: Li. Ball 6
Asts: Žukauskas 6 		Arena: Lietuvos rytas Arena
Attendance: 1,950
Referees: Tomas Jasevičius, Martynas Gudas, Ignas Davainis
12 April 2018
30
 Nevėžis Kėdainiai vs. Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Kėdainiai
18:50 (EET)
Arena: Kėdainiai Arena
15 April 2018
31
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas vs. Dzūkija Alytus Prienai
19:15 (EET)
Arena: Prienai Arena
19 April 2018
31
 Juventus Utena vs. Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Utena
18:45 (EET)
Arena: Utena Arena
25 April 2018
32
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas vs. Šiauliai Prienai
18:50 (EET)
Arena: Prienai Arena
28 April 2018
33
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas vs. Neptūnas Klaipėda Prienai
17:20 (EET)
Arena: Prienai Arena
2 May 2018
34
 Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys vs. Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Pasvalys
18:00 (EET)
Arena: Pasvalys Pieno žvaigždės Arena
9 May 2018
35
 Žalgiris Kaunas vs. Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Kaunas
18:50 (EET)
Arena: Kaunas Sports Hall

Baltic Basketball League

[edit]

Vytautas forfeited a game on October 31, 2017 against Rapla after head coach Virginijus Šeškus received a second technical foul with three minutes left in regulation and refused to let his team continue playing.[43] The Baltic Basketball League assessed Vytautas with a technical loss of 20–0 and fined the team €3,000.[44] On January 6, 2018, after playing six games in the BBL, Vytautas withdrew from the 2017–18 season.[11] In its place, the team set up the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games, a series of five friendly games that were designed to feature LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball in their professional debuts.[11] However, Vytautas were assessed a €5,000 fine for forfeiting a non-televised game against Tsmoki-Minsk and were disqualified from the BBL, with the results of previous games being nullified, for their second forfeit of the season.[45]

Matches

[edit]
25 October 2017
1
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 91–56 Belarus Tsmoki-Minsk Prienai
Scoring by quarter: 26–15, 21–9, 23–14, 21–18
Pts: Linkevičius 19
Rebs: Linkevičius 10
Asts: Žukauskas 5 		Report Pts: Beliankou 15
Rebs: Rubinshteyn 4
Asts: Beliankou, Rubinshteyn 2 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Referees: Ignas Davainis, Rytis Sabas, Andzej Urbanovic
31 October 2017
2
 Rapla Estonia 20–0 (forfeit) Lithuania Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Rapla
Report Arena: Sadolin Sports Hall
8 November 2017
3
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 87–60 Latvia Liepājas Lauvas Prienai
Scoring by quarter: 25–18, 15–14, 26–11, 21–17
Pts: Sinica 22
Rebs: E. Dimša, Linkevičius 8
Asts: E. Šeškus 6 		Report Pts: Apsitis 13
Rebs: Benjamin 9
Asts: Leimanis 5 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 100
Referees: Sarunas Gabrilavicius, Juozas Barkauskas, Mantas Butvilas
15 November 2017
4
 Šiauliai Lithuania 79–82 Lithuania Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Šiauliai
Scoring by quarter: 18–20, 24–24, 22–20, 15–18
Pts: Urbutis 26
Rebs: Urbutis 11
Asts: Prewitt, Sabeckis, Wright 4 		Report Pts: T. Dimša 20
Rebs: E. Dimša 9
Asts: T. Dimša 4 		Arena: Šiauliai Arena
Referees: Andrius Maleckas, Zydrunas Paliusis, Oleg Barkovskij
20 December 2017
5
 Jūrmala Latvia 80–58 Lithuania Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Jelgava
Scoring by quarter: 11–10, 25–16, 17–12, 27–20
Pts: Žvīgurs 16
Rebs: Krestinin, Strēlnieks 7
Asts: Jeromanovs, Krestinin 6 		Report Pts: Šeškus 18
Rebs: Miniotas 8
Asts: Ivanauskas 5 		Arena: Zemgale Olympic Center
Attendance: 200
Referees: Gatis Salins, Andris Petrovs, Andris Vaskāns
23 December 2017
6
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 82–88 Lithuania Šiauliai Prienai
Scoring by quarter: 26–21, 18–25, 22–27, 16–15
Pts: Šeškus 24
Rebs: Linkevičius 6
Asts: Lukashov, Maceina 5 		Report Pts: Birutis 21
Rebs: Wright 10
Asts: Sabeckis 6 		Arena: Prienai Arena
Attendance: 200
Referees: Arturas Sukys, Sarunas Gabrilavicius, Juozas Barkauskas

Basketball Champions League

[edit]

Qualification

[edit]
19 September 2017
1st leg
 Donar Groningen Netherlands 75–77 Lithuania Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Groningen
Scoring by quarter: 23–14, 13–25, 22–21, 17–17
Pts: Bruinsma 14
Rebs: Koenis 6
Asts: Dourisseau 5 		Report Pts: E. Dimša 24
Rebs: E. Dimša 6
Asts: Ivanauskas 6 		Arena: MartiniPlaza
21 September 2017
2nd leg
 Vytautas Prienai–Birštonas Lithuania 61–84 Netherlands Donar Groningen Prienai
Scoring by quarter: 14–26, 10–25, 22–18, 15–15
Pts: Tinsley 14
Rebs: Žukauskas 6
Asts: Ivanauskas 3 		Report Pts: Curry 20
Rebs: Koenis 9
Asts: Curry 8 		Arena: Prienai Arena

Individual awards

[edit]

Lithuanian Basketball League

[edit]
Player of the Week
Date Player Efficiency Ref.
13 November 2017 Lithuania Martynas Linkevičius 27 [46]
15 January 2018 Lithuania Tomas Dimša 30 [47]

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "Prienų–Birštono Vytautas - LKL.LT". LKL.lt. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "Ball brothers prepare for debut in controversial Lithuanian league". WTMJ. January 6, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Malinauskas, Lukas (September 21, 2017). "Ažiotažo dėl įregistruoto verslininko nustebintas Šeškus: "Visi supranta situaciją, bet ją išrutulioja"". BasketNews. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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  7. ^ "OFICIALU: "Vytauto" gretose – broliai Ball'ai". bcvytautas.lt (in Lithuanian). 12 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-12-15. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  8. ^ Keh, Andrew (December 21, 2017). "How This Lithuanian Outpost Lured LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball". The New York Times. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  9. ^ Stalgaitis, Vilius. "Rankomis trinantis "Vytautas": "Jau dabar matome akivaizdžią naudą"". BasketNews.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  10. ^ "Lkl Makes Changes to Vytautas' Schedule". LKL. January 12, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Goodman, Jeff (January 6, 2018). "Lithuanian team schedules 'Big Baller Brand Challenge' games". ESPN. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  12. ^ "Prie "Vytauto" Klubo Remeju Prisijunge "Big Baller Brand"". BCVytautas.lt. January 23, 2018. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  13. ^ "LaVar Ball to be assistant coach for LiAngelo and LaMelo's team for friendly in Lithuania". ESPN. January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  14. ^ Daniels, Tim (January 28, 2018). "LaVar Ball to Coach LiAngelo, LaMelo and Vytautas vs. Jonava". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  15. ^ "LiAngelo, LaMelo Ball's coach reveals how much LaVar paid to save team". Lonzo Ball Wire. March 16, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
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  20. ^ a b "Karlis Apsitis". LKL.LT. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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  22. ^ "Vytautas land Kervin Bristol - eurobasket News". eurobasket.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  23. ^ "LiAngelo, LaMelo Ball's Lithuanian team just signed another American". Lonzo Wire. 31 January 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  24. ^ ""Vytautą" sustiprino E. Dimša". LKL.LT. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  25. ^ a b c ""Vytautas" pasipildė Galdiku ir Sinica, komandoje lieka Gvezdauskas / Naujienos". Basketnews.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  26. ^ a b "Lithuanian Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings - eurobasket News". eurobasket.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  27. ^ "Denys Lukashov / Žaidėjai". Basketnews.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  28. ^ ""Vytauto" komandą papildė Gediminas Maceina - kvitrina.lt · Prienų ir Birštono naujienų portalas". kvitrina.lt. October 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  29. ^ a b "Lithuanian Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings - eurobasket News". eurobasket.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Tomas Tumynas / Žaidėjai". Basketnews.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  31. ^ "Eigirdas Zukauskas Basketball Player Profile, Vytautas Prienu, News, LKL stats, Career, Games Logs, Best, Awards". eurobasket. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  32. ^ "Arnas Beručka / Žaidėjai". Basketnews.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  33. ^ "Laurynas Birutis / Žaidėjai". Basketnews.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  34. ^ "Vytenis Cizauskas Basketball Player Profile, Tartu Ulikool, News, Alexela KML stats, Career, Games Logs, Best, Awards". eurobasket. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  35. ^ "Klaipėdietis Tomas Delininkaitis Prienuose nuskandino "Neptūną" | 24sek.lt". 15min.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  36. ^ "Darius Gvezdauskas / Žaidėjai". Basketnews.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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  38. ^ "Lithuanian Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings - eurobasket News". eurobasket.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  39. ^ "Tomas Michnevicius Basketball Player Profile, Vytautas Prienu, News, LKL stats, Career, Games Logs, Best, Awards". eurobasket. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  40. ^ "Mantas Šerkšnas / Žaidėjai". Basketnews.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  41. ^ "Domantas Šeškus / Žaidėjai". Basketnews.lt. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  42. ^ "Romanian Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings - eurobasket News". eurobasket.com. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  43. ^ Baranauskas, Povilas (October 31, 2017). "Seskus interrupts match, Vytautas handed technical loss". Baltic Basketball League. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  44. ^ Baranauskas, Povilas (November 1, 2017). "Verdict on Vytautas' game reached". Baltic Basketball League. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  45. ^ Baranauskas, Povilas (January 6, 2018). "Vytautas forfeits, disqualification looming". Baltic Basketball League. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  46. ^ "Vytautas forward Linkevicius selected as Player of the Week". Lithuanian Basketball League. November 13, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  47. ^ "Vytautas guard Dimsa named Player of the Week". Lithuanian Basketball League. January 15, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
[edit]
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