B1 League Round 48: Leader Ryukyu GK gets another victory

The Regular Season in B1 League is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 11 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Leader Ryukyu GK delivered the 35th win on Wednesday night. This time they crushed 9th ranked San-en NeoPhoenix (11-38) 110-71 in Okinawa. Ryukyu GK made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Ryukyu GK outrebounded San-en NeoPhoenix 45-25 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 52.8 percentage. Ryukyu GK looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by San-en NeoPhoenix's players. The best player for the winners was American power forward Jack Cooley (206-91, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. The other American import forward Dwayne Evans (201-92, college: St.Louis, agency: Wasserman) chipped in 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Jamaican power forward Kyle Hunt (208-89, college: USAO) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ryukyu GK (35-11) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position. San-en NeoPhoenix lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 38 games lost. Ryukyu GK are looking forward to face Hitachi Sunrockers (#5) in Tokyo in the next round. San-en NeoPhoenix will play at home against the league's second-placed Toshiba Thunders (#2) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Leader Tochigi B. recorded the 38th victory. This time they beat 9th ranked Yokohama BC (14-34) 76-64. It was a good game for American power forward Josh Scott (208-93, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Ryan Rossiter contributed with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American forward Robert Carter (206-94, college: Maryland) replied with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for Yokohama BC. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tochigi B. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 38-10 record. Yokohama BC lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 34 games lost. Tochigi B. will play against Diamond Dolphins (#4) in Nagoya in the next round. Yokohama BC will play on the road against Osaka E. (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Shimane was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Diamond Dolphins (29-20) played at the court of 5th ranked Shimane Magic (19-28). Diamond Dolphins defeated Shimane Magic 88-72 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Shimane Magic. Worth to mention a great performance of Leo Lyons who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was Perrin Buford with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Diamond Dolphins maintains fourth position with 29-20 record. Shimane Magic at the other side keeps the fifth place with 28 games lost. Diamond Dolphins will meet league's leader Tochigi B. on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Shimane Magic will play against Toyama G. (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 48 Kyoto H. were defeated by Shinshu BW in Nagano 82-67. Toyama G. beat Akita NH at home 91-77.

Ryukyu GK - San-en NP 110-71

Leader Ryukyu GK delivered the 35th win on Wednesday night. This time they crushed 9th ranked San-en NeoPhoenix (11-38) 110-71 in Okinawa. Ryukyu GK made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Ryukyu GK outrebounded San-en NeoPhoenix 45-25 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 52.8 percentage. Ryukyu GK looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by San-en NeoPhoenix's players. The best player for the winners was American power forward Jack Cooley (206-91, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. The other American import forward Dwayne Evans (201-92, college: St.Louis, agency: Wasserman) chipped in 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Jamaican power forward Kyle Hunt (208-89, college: USAO) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and Serbian guard Nenad Miljenovic (194-93, agency: BeoBasket) added 16 points respectively. Five Ryukyu GK and four San-en NeoPhoenix players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ryukyu GK (35-11) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position. San-en NeoPhoenix lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 38 games lost. Ryukyu GK are looking forward to face Hitachi Sunrockers (#5) in Tokyo in the next round. San-en NeoPhoenix will play at home against the league's second-placed Toshiba Thunders (#2) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: J.Cooley 16+11reb+1ast, K.Imamura 15+4reb+3ast, S.Funyu 15+2reb+5ast, N.Tashiro 13+3reb+4ast, D.Evans 12+7reb+5ast, K.Tillie 11+10reb+1ast
San-en NP: K.Hunt 17+11reb, N.Miljenovic 16+2reb+2ast, F.Ravena 11+2reb+1ast, K.Tsuya 10+2reb+1ast, T.Suzuki 7+1reb+5ast, S.Okada 5+2reb+1ast

Yokohama BC - Tochigi B. 64-76

Leader Tochigi B. recorded the 38th victory. This time they beat 9th ranked Yokohama BC (14-34) 76-64. Tochigi B. players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a good game for American power forward Josh Scott (208-93, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 9 rebounds. International forward Ryan Rossiter (204-89, college: Siena) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American forward Robert Carter (206-94, college: Maryland) replied with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import power forward Reginald Buckner (206-91, college: Ole Miss) added 11 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Yokohama BC. Four Yokohama BC players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tochigi B. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 38-10 record. Yokohama BC lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 34 games lost. Tochigi B. will play against Diamond Dolphins (#4) in Nagoya in the next round. Yokohama BC will play on the road against Osaka E. (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tochigi B.: J.Scott 21+9reb+1ast, R.Rossiter 13+10reb+7ast, L.Peak 8+2ast, J.Gibbs 6+5reb+2ast, H.Watanabe 6+1reb+3ast, S.Ikaruga 5+2ast
Yokohama BC: R.Carter 17+7reb+5ast, M.Morikawa 13+2reb+1ast, R.Buckner 11+8reb+1ast, A.Chambers 10+2reb+2ast, P.Auda 8+4reb+2ast, K.Takeda 3+1reb

Shimane SM - Nagoya DD 72-88

The game in Shimane was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Diamond Dolphins (29-20) played at the court of 5th ranked Shimane Magic (19-28). Diamond Dolphins defeated Shimane Magic 88-72 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Shimane Magic. Diamond Dolphins looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Shimane Magic's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Leo Lyons (206-87, college: Missouri) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Justin Burrell (207-88, college: St.John's) who added 18 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Diamond Dolphins players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Perrin Buford (198-94, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) with 18 points and 7 rebounds and the former international power forward Nyika Williams (203-87, college: Pacific) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Diamond Dolphins maintains fourth position with 29-20 record. Shimane Magic at the other side keeps the fifth place with 28 games lost. Diamond Dolphins will meet league's leader Tochigi B. on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Shimane Magic will play against Toyama G. (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nagoya DD: J.Burrell 18+6reb+2ast, L.Lyons 15+9reb+6ast, J.Ayres 14+9reb+1ast, S.Ando 12+2reb+3ast, T.Saito 11+2reb+2ast, T.Nakahigashi 6+5reb+3ast
Shimane SM: P.Buford 18+7reb+3ast, R.Travis 16+3reb+2ast, N.Williams 15+10reb, D.Brooks 6+4reb+1ast, Y.Yamashita 6+1reb, H.Kitagawa 5+3ast

Shinshu BW - Kyoto H. 82-67

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Kyoto H.'s (15-32) road loss to seventh ranked Shinshu BW (16-29) 67-82 on Wednesday. Shinshu BW made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized American guard Louis Kurihara (188-96, college: Whittier) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and American forward Josh Hawkinson (208-95, college: WSU, agency: Wasserman) who added 13 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Four Shinshu BW players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American center David Simon (208-82, college: PFW) with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Rayvonte Rice (193-92, college: Illinois) scored 18 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shinshu BW moved-up to sixth place. Loser Kyoto H. keeps the eighth position with 32 games lost. Shinshu BW will meet at home Hokkaido L. (#8) in the next round. Kyoto H. will play against Shiga L-Stars and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: L.Kurihara 24+7reb+6ast, W.Marshall 20+4reb+1ast, J.Hawkinson 13+11reb+2ast, A.McHenry 11+5reb+2ast, T.Nishiyama 6+4ast, E.Yamamoto 3+1reb+3ast
Kyoto H.: R.Rice 18+3reb, D.Simon 15+15reb, J.Harper 13+6reb+2ast, T.Ryo 9+6reb+2ast, Y.Nagayoshi 4+1reb, K.Matsui 3+2reb+1ast

Toyama G. - Akita NH 91-77

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Toyama G. (33-16) defeated at home 7th ranked Akita Northern Happinets (25-23) 91-77 on Wednesday. Toyama G. outrebounded Akita Northern Happinets 36-25 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Toyama G. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 56.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Zimbabwean-American forward Julian Mavunga (203-90, college: Miami, OH, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists and American center Joshua Smith (208-92, college: Georgetown) who added 16 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Four Toyama G. players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Alex Davis (206-92, college: Fresno St.) with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals and American-Panamanian center Javier Carter (203-91, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) scored 16 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Toyama G. have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 33-16 record. Akita Northern Happinets lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 23 games lost. Toyama G. will meet Shimane Magic (#5) on the road in the next round. Akita Northern Happinets will play against Chiba J. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: J.Mavunga 24+8reb+10ast, T.Mito 16+2reb+2ast, J.Smith 16+14reb+3ast, S.Maeta 11+1reb, O.Yuta 11, M.Yoshiyuki 6+4reb+2ast
Akita NH: J.Carter 16+9reb+1ast, A.Davis 13+7reb+7ast, R.Yasuoka 11+1ast, H.Noboru 9+2reb+3ast, T.Furukawa 9+2reb+2ast, T.Nakayama 6+1reb



Tags : JACK COOLEY, RYUKYU GOLDEN KINGS OKINAWA, JAPANESE BASKETBALL