Ventspils falls to Lithuania's Gargždai in first preseason test

Latvian basketball club Ventspils played its first preseason friendly on August 30, traveling to Lithuania to face top-league side Gargždai. The match, under head coach Gints Fogels, ended in a heavy 67:107 defeat.

Gargždai built a commanding lead early, outscoring Ventspils 24:10 in the opening quarter. The gap persisted throughout the game, with quarter scores of 24:10, 27:22, 33:20 and 23:15 in the hosts' favor.

Ventspils started the game with four guards and forward Edvards Mežulis in the lineup. Kristofers Karlsons was the team's top scorer with 13 points and five assists. Estonian guard Kristens Kasemetss added 12 points, while Ajahj Bernett contributed 11. Team captain Artūrs Ausējs hit one three-pointer during the game.

For Gargždai, Langston Wilson posted 18 points and six rebounds, while Grant Sherfield scored 17 points.

Different preparation timelines

Lithuanian clubs are further along in their preseason preparations than their Latvian counterparts. Gargždai will open its official championship on September 17 at home against Kaunas' Žalgiris. Ventspils, meanwhile, will begin its Latvian-Estonian league season on September 23 with an away match in Valmiera.

Before that, Ventspils has several more friendlies scheduled, against Jonava, Liepāja, Ogre and a Mažeikiai team.