B1 League Round 13: Ryukyu GK lose to Gunma CT

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in B1 League, but even now we can clearly see the differece between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Ryukyu GK (11-3) recorded its third loss in Okinawa on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by sixth ranked Gunma CT (6-8) 100-94. They made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. Gunma CT looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Justin Keenan (202-89, college: Ferris St.) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Trey McKinney-Jones (198-90, college: Miami, FL) chipped in 22 points and 11 assists. Gunma CT's coach Thomas Wisman used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Dwayne Evans (201-92, college: St.Louis) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Despite that victory Gunma CT went down to seventh position due to points difference, which they share with 3 other teams. Ryukyu GK at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost. They share the position with Kawasaki BT. Gunma CT will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ryukyu GK will play again at home against Gunma CT and is hoping to win this game.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Shimane. Second ranked Shimane SM faced 4th placed Alvark Tokyo. Host Shimane SM (10-4) defeated guests from Tokyo (10-4) 79-66. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian Nick Kay (206-92, college: MSU Denver) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds. Reid Travis contributed with 25 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. International forward Ryan Rossiter (204-89, college: Siena) answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds for Alvark Tokyo. Shimane SM have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain second place with 10-4 record behind leader Kawasaki BT, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Alvark Tokyo. Shimane SM will again play against Alvark Tokyo (#4) at home in the next round. Alvark Tokyo will have a break next round.
Leader Hitachi SRT delivered the tenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 6th ranked Hiroshima D. (8-6) 82-69. The game was also dominated by American players. James McAdoo stepped up and scored 20 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Hitachi SRT's coach Tsutomu Isa used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side Nick Mayo responded with 18 points and 5 rebounds. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Hitachi SRT. Despite that victory Hitachi SRT went down to second position due to points difference, which they share with 3 other teams. Hiroshima D. lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth place with six games lost. They share the position with Nagoya DD. Hitachi SRT will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hiroshima D. will play again against Hitachi SRT (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 13 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Hokkaido L. was defeated by Akita NH in a road game 79-75. Chiba Jets smashed Niigata A. at home 88-62. Kawasaki BT won against Ibaraki R. on the opponent's court 105-96. Osaka E. managed to outperform Kyoto H. in a home game 88-71. Nagoya DD recorded a loss to Sea Horses M. on the road 91-79. Shinshu BW crushed Shiga L-Stars on its own court 89-62. San-en NP were beaten by Toyama G. in a road game 92-77. Yokohama BC lost to Tochigi Brex at home 61-75.
The best stats of 13th round was 21 points and 15 rebounds by Josh Scott of Tochigi Brex.

Akita NH - Hokkaido L. 79-75

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Hokkaido L.'s (5-9) road loss to eighth ranked Akita NH (7-7) 75-79 on Saturday. American forward Jordan Glynn (200-89, college: SF Austin) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the winners and point guard Noboru Hasegawa (173-96) chipped in 19 points. At the losing side American forward Shawn Long (208-93, college: La-Lafayette, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import DeMon Brooks (202-92, college: Davidson) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Four Hokkaido L. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Akita NH moved-up to sixth place. Loser Hokkaido L. keeps the ninth position with nine games lost. Akita NH will again meet at home Hokkaido L. (#9) in the next round. Hokkaido L. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: S.Long 21+10reb+3ast, D.Brooks 14+7reb+1ast, N.Tsukasa 11+1reb+1ast, K.Daichi 10+2reb+4ast, R.Hashimoto 7+4ast, S.Terazono 6+3reb+2ast
Akita NH: J.Glynn 23+11reb+4ast, H.Noboru 19+1reb+2ast, S.Taguchi 11+2reb, H.Kawashima 7+1reb+1ast, T.Nakayama 6+2reb+4ast, C.Iverson 4+6reb+1ast

Chiba Jets - Niigata A. 88-62

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Chiba Jets (10-4) smashed at home 11th ranked Niigata A. (2-12) 88-62 on Saturday. Chiba Jets made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American forward John Mooney (206-98, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and international power forward Gavin Edwards (206-88, college: UConn) chipped in 5 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-93, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Jeff Ayres (206-87, college: Arizona St.) scored 7 points and 8 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. Defending champion moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Niigata A. lost their eleventh game in a row. They dropped to the tenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Kyoto H. and Ibaraki R.. Chiba Jets will again meet at home Niigata A. (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Niigata A. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: R.Allen 22+5reb+3ast, J.Ayres 7+8reb+2ast, T.Nephawe 7+6reb, N.Yuto 7+1reb+4ast, O.Kotaro 5, H.Tomoki 5+2reb
Chiba Jets: J.Mooney 22+10reb+4ast, S.Hara 13+1ast, C.Smith 10+3reb+4ast, J.Duncan 8+5reb+1ast, Y.Togashi 8+1reb+8ast, T.Sato 7+3reb+1ast

Hiroshima D. - Hitachi SRT 69-82

Leader Hitachi SRT delivered the tenth victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 6th ranked Hiroshima D. (8-6) 82-69. Hitachi SRT forced 24 Hiroshima D. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Hitachi SRT made 7 blocks. The game was also dominated by American players. Forward James McAdoo (206-93, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 20 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and forward Josh Harrellson (208-89, college: Kentucky) chipped in 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Hitachi SRT's coach Tsutomu Isa used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side forward Nick Mayo (206-97, college: EKU, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 18 points and 5 rebounds and center Charles Jackson (208-93, college: Tenn Tech) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Hitachi SRT. Despite that victory Hitachi SRT went down to second position due to points difference, which they share with 3 other teams. Hiroshima D. lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth place with six games lost. They share the position with Nagoya DD. Hitachi SRT will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hiroshima D. will play again against Hitachi SRT (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: N.Mayo 18+5reb+1ast, C.Jackson 11+10reb+3ast, T.Ryo 9+1reb+4ast, G.Echenique 9+7reb, T.Kennedy 8+5reb+2ast, N.Tsuji 6+1reb+3ast
Hitachi SRT: J.McAdoo 20+9reb+1ast, J.Harrellson 16+10reb+2ast, L.Vendrame 9+1reb+6ast, M.Hisatake 9+2reb, K.Hirose 6+1reb+3ast, K.Sekino 5

Ibaraki R. - Kawasaki BT 96-105

Very expected game in Mito where 10th ranked Ibaraki R. (2-12) was defeated by second ranked Kawasaki BT (11-3) 105-96 on Saturday. Kawasaki BT made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The former international power forward Nick Fazekas (211-85, college: Nevada) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 30 points and 16 rebounds for the winners and the former international point guard Yuma Fujii (178-91) chipped in 16 points and 12 assists. At the losing side Canadian-Italian power forward Marc Trasolini (206-90, college: Santa Clara) responded with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and American Eric Jacobsen (208-94, college: Arizona St.) scored 20 points and 7 rebounds. Five Kawasaki BT and four Ibaraki R. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Kawasaki BT. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Ryukyu GK. Ibaraki R. lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the tenth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Niigata A. and Kyoto H.. Kawasaki BT will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ibaraki R. will play again against the league's leader Kawasaki BT (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: E.Jacobsen 20+7reb+1ast, M.Trasolini 19+6reb+6ast, K.Fukuzawa 15+2reb+8ast, G.De Liano Javier 13+5reb+1ast, A.Hirao 8+1reb+7ast, C.Tapscott 8+5reb+1ast
Kawasaki BT: N.Fazekas 30+16reb, Y.Fujii 16+1reb+12ast, P.Aguilar 15+8reb+1ast, M.Janning 14+4reb+4ast, J.Heath 12+5reb, K.Masuda 7+2reb+2ast

Osaka E. - Kyoto H. 88-71

Rather predictable result when eighth ranked Osaka E. (6-8) beat at home 11th ranked Kyoto H. (2-12) 88-71 on Saturday. They outrebounded Kyoto H. 40-26 including 30 on the defensive glass. Osaka E. looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Kyoto H.'s players. American-Jamaican power forward Kyle Hunt (208-89, college: USAO, agency: BIG) stepped up and scored 22 points and 9 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners and American guard DJ Newbill (193-92, college: Penn St.) chipped in 19 points. Five Osaka E. players scored in double figures. Osaka E.'s coach Kensaku Tennichi allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the losing side American forward Justin Harper (208-89, college: Richmond) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Yoshiaki Kubota (175-97) scored 16 points and 4 assists. Osaka E. moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 3 other teams. Kyoto H. lost their eleventh game in a row. They dropped to the tenth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Niigata A. and Ibaraki R.. Osaka E. will again meet at home Kyoto H. (#11) in the next round. Kyoto H. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: J.Harper 23+11reb+2ast, K.Yoshiaki 16+2reb+4ast, H.Kazuki 15+3reb, Y.Nagayoshi 6+3reb+3ast, J.Tillman 5+6reb+1ast, J.Mitsuda 2+1reb+1ast
Osaka E.: K.Hunt 22+9reb+2ast, D.Newbill 19+3reb+3ast, I.Brown 13+9reb+3ast, E.Donley 12+1reb+3ast, P.Ellis 11+6reb+4ast, N.Hiromu 3+1reb+3ast

Ryukyu GK - Gunma CT 94-100

Top ranked Ryukyu GK (11-3) recorded its third loss in Okinawa on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by sixth ranked Gunma CT (6-8) 100-94. They made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. Gunma CT looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Justin Keenan (202-89, college: Ferris St.) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Trey McKinney-Jones (198-90, college: Miami, FL) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 assists. Gunma CT's coach Thomas Wisman used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Dwayne Evans (201-92, college: St.Louis) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and power forward Allen Durham (198-88, college: Grace Christian) added 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Four Gunma CT and five Ryukyu GK players scored in double figures. Despite that victory Gunma CT went down to seventh position due to points difference, which they share with 3 other teams. Ryukyu GK at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost. They share the position with Kawasaki BT. Gunma CT will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ryukyu GK will play again at home against Gunma CT and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: A.Durham 23+8reb+5ast, D.Evans 23+10reb+6ast, R.Kishimoto 12+4reb+3ast, K.Imamura 12+1reb+1ast, N.Namizato 10+1reb+4ast, K.Flippin 8+1reb+1ast
Gunma CT: J.Keenan 24+11reb+5ast, T.McKinney-Jones 22+2reb+11ast, M.Parker 19+12reb+2ast, K.Kohei 12+2reb+3ast, S.Teru 8+2ast, A.Chambers 7+1reb+4ast

Sea Horses M. - Nagoya DD 91-79

Everything could happen in Kariya at the game between two tied teams. Both third ranked Sea Horses M. and 5th ranked Nagoya DD had identical 8-5 record. This time Sea Horses M. used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Nagoya 91-79 on Saturday night. Sea Horses M. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American players dominated the game. Power forward Davante Gardner (203-91, college: Marquette) stepped up and scored 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and forward Jarrod Uthoff (203-93, college: Iowa) chipped in 15 points and 9 rebounds. Four Sea Horses M. players scored in double figures. At the losing side power forward Scott Eatherton (206-91, college: Northeastern, agency: BeoBasket) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds and forward Coty Clarke (201-92, college: Arkansas) scored 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. Sea Horses M. maintains third place with 9-5 record having just two points less than leader Kawasaki BT, which they share with Tochigi Brex and Shinshu BW. Loser Nagoya DD keeps the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Hiroshima D.. Sea Horses M. will again meet at home Nagoya DD (#5) in the next round. Nagoya DD will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nagoya DD: S.Eatherton 24+13reb+3ast, C.Clarke 20+6reb+7ast, T.Saito 10+2reb+7ast, Y.Karino 8+3reb+1ast, T.Ito 7+1reb+3ast, P.Bobby Ray 4+5reb
Sea Horses M.: D.Gardner 20+7reb+6ast, J.Uthoff 15+9reb+2ast, Y.Nishida 11+1reb+3ast, A.Schafer 10+7reb+2ast, N.Satoshi 7+1reb+1ast, K.Collinsworth 7+6reb+3ast

Shimane SM - Alvark Tokyo 79-66

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Shimane. Second ranked Shimane SM faced 4th placed Alvark Tokyo. Host Shimane SM (10-4) defeated guests from Tokyo (10-4) 79-66. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian Nick Kay (206-92, college: MSU Denver) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds. American forward Reid Travis (203-95, college: Kentucky, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with 25 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. International forward Ryan Rossiter (204-89, college: Siena) answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and Spanish forward Sebastian Saiz (205-94, college: Ole Miss) added 14 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Alvark Tokyo. Shimane SM have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain second place with 10-4 record behind leader Kawasaki BT, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Alvark Tokyo. Shimane SM will again play against Alvark Tokyo (#4) at home in the next round. Alvark Tokyo will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Alvark Tokyo: S.Saiz 14+8reb, R.Rossiter 14+11reb+3ast, S.Ando 8, G.Kojima 8+2reb+1ast, J.Taylor 8+3reb+1ast, D.Tanaka 7+4reb+6ast
Shimane SM: R.Travis 25+9reb+1ast, S.Ando 23+2reb+8ast, N.Kay 18+16reb+2ast, R.Shirahama 6+6reb+1ast, R.Abe 3+2reb+1ast, N.Williams 2

Shinshu BW - Shiga L-Stars 89-62

Everything went according to plan in Nagano where fourth ranked Shinshu BW (9-5) outleveled 7th ranked Shiga L-Stars (6-8) 89-62 on Saturday. Shinshu BW made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. Shinshu BW outrebounded Shiga L-Stars 45-29 including 33 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Shinshu BW made 10 blocks. American Anthony McHenry (202-83, college: Georgia Tech) stepped up and scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and guard Tatsuya Nishiyama (171-88) chipped in 14 points and 5 assists. Four Shinshu BW players scored in double figures. At the losing side British Ovie Soko (201-91, college: Duquesne) responded with 23 points and American power forward Sean OMara (208-95, college: Xavier, agency: Inception Sports) scored 9 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Shinshu BW. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Sea Horses M. and Tochigi Brex. Shiga L-Stars lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with eight games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Shinshu BW will again meet at home Shiga L-Stars (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Shiga L-Stars will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shiga L-Stars: O.Soko 23+4reb, S.O'Mara 9+5reb+5ast, N.Gadson 9+8reb+1ast, N.Daichi 8+1reb+1ast, K.Isaac Ravena 4+1reb+3ast, M.Naoto 3
Shinshu BW: M.Reo 16+1reb+1ast, A.McHenry 14+7reb+5ast, T.Nishiyama 14+4reb+5ast, O.Yuta 12+4reb+1ast, K.Ko 9+2reb+4ast, W.Marshall 7+11reb+5ast

Toyama G. - San-en NP 92-77

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both ninth ranked Toyama G. and 10th ranked San-en NP had identical 3-10 record. This time Toyama G. used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Hamamatsu 92-77 on Saturday night. Toyama G. made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Toyama G. outrebounded San-en NP 39-26 including a 31-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Zimbabwean-American forward Julian Mavunga (203-90, college: Miami, OH, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up and scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and American center Joshua Smith (208-92, college: Georgetown) chipped in 21 points and 11 rebounds. Five Toyama G. players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Robert Carter (206-94, college: Maryland) responded with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Justin Knox (206-89, college: UNC) scored 11 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Toyama G.. They maintain ninth place with 4-10 record. San-en NP lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 11 games lost. Toyama G. will again meet at home San-en NP (#10) in the next round. San-en NP will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
San-en NP: R.Carter 16+7reb+6ast, F.Ravena 13+1reb+3ast, J.Knox 11+6reb+2ast, M.Yoshiyuki 9+1reb+1ast, K.Tsuya 7+2reb+1ast, M.Yamauchi 7+3reb+5ast
Toyama G.: J.Mavunga 22+7reb+6ast, J.Smith 21+11reb+1ast, D.Ramos 15+3reb+1ast, K.Matsui 13+1reb+1ast, B.Johnson 12+11reb+3ast, N.Uto 6+2reb+7ast

Yokohama BC - Tochigi Brex 61-75

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Tochigi Brex (9-5) defeated on the road 7th ranked Yokohama BC (6-8) 75-61 on Saturday. Tochigi Brex looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American power forward Josh Scott (208-93, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners and Tongan-New Zealand Isaac Fotu (203-93, college: Hawaii) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side American power forward Reginald Buckner (206-91, college: Ole Miss) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and Czech Patrik Auda (204-89, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Tochigi Brex. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Sea Horses M. and Shinshu BW. Yokohama BC lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with eight games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Tochigi Brex will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yokohama BC will play again against Tochigi Brex (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: R.Buckner 15+14reb+2ast, P.Auda 15+5reb+3ast, M.Morikawa 8+1reb+1ast, L.Hammonds 7+5reb+1ast, S.Koya 5+1reb, E.Morris 5+1reb
Tochigi Brex: J.Scott 21+15reb+3ast, I.Fotu 18+5reb+1ast, C.Fieler 10+5reb+1ast, K.Toews 9+3ast, Y.Endo 6, H.Watanabe 3+1reb+1ast



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