B1 League Round 23 (Regular Season): Gunma CT defeat Ryukyu

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (17-6) in Gunma on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by sixth ranked Thunders (11-12) 80-71. Gunma CT dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Golden Kings's 40. American center Kaleb Tarczewski (212-1993, college: Arizona) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points and 9 rebounds. The former international guard Koh Flippin (188-1996, college: Doane) contributed with 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Jack Cooley (206-1991, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for Ryukyu. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gunma CT moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending champion Ryukyu still keeps top position with six games lost. Gunma CT is looking forward to face league's leader Ryukyu in Okinawa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ryukyu will have a break next round.
Another interesting game for Kyoto H. (7-17) which played in Sapporo against 7th ranked Hokkaido L. (6-18). Eighth ranked Kyoto H. had an easy win 86-69. It was a great evening for Mali power forward Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college: Kansas) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Kevin Jones helped adding 19 points and 8 rebounds. American center Darral Willis (206-1996, college: Wichita St.) responded with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kyoto H. maintains eighth place with 7-17 record. Hokkaido L. at the other side keeps the seventh position with 18 games lost. Kyoto H. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hokkaido L. will play again at home against Kyoto H. (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Osaka between Osaka E. and Nagasaki. Seventh ranked Osaka E. (11-12) got a very close home victory over 3rd placed Nagasaki (13-10). Osaka E. managed to escape with a 2-point win 97-95 on Saturday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Shawn Long who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jarrell Brantley came up with 22 points and 5 assists for Nagasaki in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Osaka E. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Newly promoted Nagasaki keeps the third position with ten games lost. They share it with Shimane SM. Osaka E. will again meet at home higher ranked Nagasaki (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Nagasaki will have a break next round.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 23: Sea Horses M. beat Hiroshima D. on the road 69-60. Alvark Tokyo won against Nagoya DD on its own court 83-68. Akita NH managed to outperform Ibaraki R. in a road game 79-63. San-en NP rolled over Shinshu at home 83-53. Shimane SM was defeated by Tochigi Brex on the opponent's court 83-68. FE Nagoya was beaten by Kawasaki in a home game 77-89. Yokohama BC was destroyed by Saga B. on the road 87-54. Sendai 89ers managed to outperform Chiba Jets on its own court 92-76. Sunrockers Sh. was rolled over Toyama G. in a road game 90-57.



Hiroshima D. - Sea Horses M. 60-69

No shocking result in a game when third ranked SeaHorses (16-8) beat 6th ranked Dragonflies (11-13) in Hiroshima 69-60 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds. Point guard Satoshi Nagano (175-1995) accounted for 10 points and 5 assists for the winning side. American forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) came up with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international point guard Ryo Terashima (175-1997) added 15 points respectively for Hiroshima D. in the defeat. SeaHorses have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Sea Horses M. moved-up to second place. Loser Dragonflies dropped to the fifth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Sunrockers Sh.. Sea Horses M. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hiroshima D. will play against the league's second-placed Sea Horses M. (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sea Horses M.: Z.Auguste 22+12reb, N.Satoshi 10+5ast, D.Gardner 9+3reb, J.Layman 6+4reb+1ast, R.Sumino 6+2reb, Y.Nishida 5+3reb+3ast
Hiroshima D.: K.Blackshear Jr. 17+9reb+4ast, T.Ryo 15+2reb+2ast, N.Takuto 7+2reb+1ast, N.Mayo 7+6reb+3ast, S.Funyu 5+1reb, T.Nephawe 4+5reb+1ast

Alvark Tokyo - Nagoya DD 83-68

The game between closely ranked teams ended with second-ranked Dolphins' (15-10) road loss to first ranked Alvark Tokyo (20-3) 68-83 on Saturday. Alvark Tokyo looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international guard Shuto Ando (190-1994) who led the winners and scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Brazilian Leonardo Meindl (201-1993) accounted for 15 points for the winning side. Alvark Tokyo's coach used entire bench saving starting five for next games. American power forward Scott Eatherton (208-1991, college: Northeastern) came up with 26 points and 6 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and the other American import forward Robert Franks (201-1996, college: WSU) added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Nagoya DD in the defeat. Alvark Tokyo have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 20-3 record. Loser Dolphins keeps the second position with ten games lost. Alvark Tokyo will meet at home league's second-placed Nagoya DD in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nagoya DD will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Alvark Tokyo: L.Meindl 15+3reb+2ast, S.Ando 14+6reb+1ast, K.Toews 11+2reb+6ast, Z.Baranski 10, O.Taiki 9+1reb+3ast, S.Saiz 8+6reb+1ast
Nagoya DD: S.Eatherton 26+6reb+1ast, R.Franks 17+5reb+4ast, J.Smith 11+8reb+2ast, T.Nakatsuka 6, Y.Suda 5+2reb+1ast, T.Nakahigashi 3+4reb+5ast

Gunma CT - Ryukyu GK 80-71

The most surprising game was another loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (17-6) in Gunma on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by sixth ranked Thunders (11-12) 80-71. Gunma CT dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Golden Kings's 40. American center Kaleb Tarczewski (212-1993, college: Arizona) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points and 9 rebounds. The former international guard Koh Flippin (188-1996, college: Doane) contributed with 19 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Jack Cooley (206-1991, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and the former international swingman Keita Imamura (191-1996) added 22 points in the effort for Ryukyu. Five Gunma CT and four Ryukyu players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gunma CT moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending champion Ryukyu still keeps top position with six games lost. Gunma CT is looking forward to face league's leader Ryukyu in Okinawa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ryukyu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Gunma CT: K.Flippin 19+7reb+1ast, K.Tarczewski 17+9reb+1ast, B.Bentil 14+4reb+3ast, T.McKinney-Jones 14+6reb+3ast, N.Namizato 12+1reb+5ast, A.Hachimura 2+3reb+1ast
Ryukyu GK: K.Imamura 22+2reb+2ast, J.Cooley 19+14reb, V.Law 11+6reb, R.Kishimoto 10+3reb+2ast, H.Falcon 4+2ast, S.Onodera 2+2ast

Hokkaido L. - Kyoto H. 69-86

Another interesting game for Kyoto H. (7-17) which played in Sapporo against 7th ranked Hokkaido L. (6-18). Eighth ranked Kyoto H. had an easy win 86-69. Kyoto H. outrebounded Hokkaido L. 41-30 including 30 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for Mali power forward Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college: Kansas) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Kevin Jones (203-1989, college: WVU) helped adding 19 points and 8 rebounds. Four Kyoto H. players scored in double figures. American center Darral Willis (206-1996, college: Wichita St.) responded with 20 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kyoto H. maintains eighth place with 7-17 record. Hokkaido L. at the other side keeps the seventh position with 18 games lost. Kyoto H. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hokkaido L. will play again at home against Kyoto H. (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: K.Jones 19+8reb+1ast, C.Diallo 17+10reb+4ast, S.Reon 13+3reb+5ast, C.Jackson 12+10reb+2ast, R.Aoki 8, M.Wright 7+4reb+4ast
Hokkaido L.: D.Willis 20+7reb+1ast, T.Welsh 12+13reb, S.Terazono 10+6ast, D.Ramos 9+3reb+2ast, D.Brooks 7+4reb+2ast, N.Tsukasa 6

Ibaraki R. - Akita NH 63-79

Rather predictable result when fifth ranked Happinets (11-12) won against 8th ranked Robots (1-22) in Mito 79-63 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for American Tanner Leissner (201-1995, college: UNH) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 8 rebounds. His fellow American import center Steve Zack (211-1992, college: La Salle) accounted for 9 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Four Happinets players scored in double figures. American power forward Johnny OBryant III (207-1993, college: LSU, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 9 points and 9 rebounds and guard Keitaro Ohba (173) added 15 points respectively for Ibaraki R. in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Akita NH moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Ibaraki R. lost twelfth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 22 games lost. Akita NH will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ibaraki R. will play against Akita NH (#5) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Akita NH: T.Leissner 21+8reb+2ast, K.Ko 11+2reb+5ast, T.Furukawa 11+3reb+3ast, J.Carter 11+7reb, S.Zack 9+10reb+2ast, T.Nakayama 6+4reb+5ast
Ibaraki R.: O.Keitaro 15+1reb+3ast, C.Tapscott 13+4reb, J.O'Bryant III 9+9reb+1ast, A.Brandt 9+8reb+1ast, A.Hirao 5+2reb, Y.Hayato 4+6reb+1ast

San-en NP - Shinshu BW 83-53

Not a big story in a game when 7th ranked Brave Warriors (4-19) were outscored by first ranked San-en NP (19-4) in Hamamatsu 83-53 on Saturday. San-en NP looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Coty Clarke (201-1992, college: Arkansas, agency: Slash Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. His fellow American import David Dudzinski (205-1992, college: Holy Cross) accounted for 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Four San-en NP players scored in double figures. American-Ivorian power forward Deon Thompson (204-1988, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 17 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Justyn Mutts (201-1999, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Pensack Sports) added 8 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Shinshu in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. San-en NP maintains first place with 19-4 record. Shinshu lost twelfth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 19 games lost. San-en NP will meet at home Shinshu (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Shinshu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
San-en NP: F.Ravena 17+1reb+2ast, C.Clarke 15+12reb+9ast, D.Dudzinski 13+8reb, Y.Maten 11+6reb, S.Ryusei 8+2reb+3ast, H.Kazuki 8+2reb
Shinshu BW: D.Thompson 17+8reb+3ast, J.Mutts 8+7reb+1ast, S.Takumi 6+2reb+2ast, K.Ishikawa 5+1reb, Y.Fuki 4+2ast, D.Simon 4+6reb

Tochigi Brex - Shimane SM 83-68

Everything went according to plan when second ranked Tochigi Brex (18-5) defeated at home 4th placed Magic (13-10) 83-68 on Saturday. Tochigi Brex looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. The former international power forward Kosuke Takeuchi (206-1985) accounted for 7 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Four Tochigi Brex players scored in double figures. Tochigi Brex's coach used an eleven-player rotation saving starting five for next games. The former international power forward Nyika Williams (203-1987, college: Pacific) came up with 14 points and 8 rebounds and Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) added 12 points and 5 assists respectively for Shimane SM in the defeat. Tochigi Brex maintains second place with 18-5 record having just two points less than leader Ryukyu GK. Loser Magic dropped to the third position with ten games lost. They share it with Nagasaki. Tochigi Brex will meet at home Shimane SM (#4) in the next round. Shimane SM will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tochigi Brex: D.Newbill 18+11reb+3ast, G.Jerrett 13+3reb+3ast, Y.Endo 12+3reb, I.Fotu 12+5reb+1ast, M.Hiejima 12+1reb+7ast, K.Takeuchi 7+9reb+6ast
Shimane SM: N.Williams 14+8reb+1ast, S.Ando 14, N.Kay 12+4reb+5ast, P.Buford 8+6reb+6ast, T.Shota 8+3reb+3ast, H.Martin 6+6reb+1ast

FE Nagoya - Kawasaki BT 77-89

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 4th placed Fighting Eagles' (12-9) home loss to third ranked Brave Thunders (15-8) in Nagoya 77-89 on Saturday. Kawasaki shot 20 for 27 from the free-throw line, while FE Nagoya only scored four points from the stripe. Kawasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international power forward Nick Fazekas (207-1985, college: Nevada) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-1993, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 16 points and 4 steals for the winning side. Five Brave Thunders players scored in double figures. American forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) came up with 29 points and 4 assists (perfect behind the arc making all five shots) and the other American import power forward Sean OMara (208-1995, college: Xavier) added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for FE Nagoya in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kawasaki maintains third place with 15-8 record having five points less than leader Ryukyu GK. Newly promoted FE Nagoya keeps the fourth position with nine games lost. Kawasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. FE Nagoya will play against Kawasaki (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: N.Fazekas 24+10reb+7ast, T.Hasegawa 18+1ast, R.Allen 16+4reb+3ast, T.Wimbush 14+3reb+1ast, Y.Fujii 11+4reb+6ast, J.Heath 4+7reb+1ast
FE Nagoya: A.Henry 29+2reb+4ast, S.O'Mara 12+5reb+4ast, L.Evans 8+11reb+1ast, T.Sasayama 7+1reb+1ast, T.Sugimoto 7+1reb, H.Kawashima 6+1ast

Saga B. - Yokohama BC 87-54

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Ballooners' (13-11) home victory over 6th ranked B-Corsairs (10-14) in Saga 87-54 on Saturday. Saga B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who led the winners and scored 26 points and 6 rebounds. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) accounted for 16 points and 4 assists for the winning side. International guard Yuki Kawamura (172-2001) came up with 18 points and 4 assists and American forward Jarrod Uthoff (206-1993, college: Iowa) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Yokohama BC in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Ballooners have a solid series of three victories in a row. Newly promoted Saga B. maintains fifth place with 13-11 record. Loser B-Corsairs keeps the sixth position with 14 games lost. Saga B. will meet at home Yokohama BC (#6) in the next round. Yokohama BC will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saga B.: Y.Childs 26+6reb+2ast, R.Garcia 16+4reb+4ast, S.Taiki 11+2reb+3ast, C.Fieler 9+6reb+4ast, Y.Karino 9+1reb+4ast, J.Harrellson 6+9reb+4ast
Yokohama BC: K.Yuki 18+4reb+4ast, J.Uthoff 12+7reb, K.King 6+1reb, J.Scott 6+6reb+1ast, D.Oliver 4+5reb+2ast, C.Tanaka 4+1ast

Sendai 89ers - Chiba Jets 92-76

There was a minor upset when 3rd placed Jets (12-11) lost to sixth ranked 89ers (11-12) in Sendai 76-92 on Saturday. Sendai 89ers looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Chiba Jets' players. It was an exceptional evening for Ukrainian center Volodymyr Gerun (208-1994, college: Portland) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Ryo Abe (184-1995) accounted for 17 points and 9 assists for the winning side. Four 89ers players scored in double figures. Australian forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) and American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) added 19 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Chiba Jets in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Sendai 89ers moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Jets keep the third position with 11 games lost. Sendai 89ers will meet at home higher ranked Chiba Jets (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Chiba Jets will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sendai 89ers: V.Gerun 20+13reb+4ast, N.Boothe 20+3reb+4ast, R.Abe 17+3reb+9ast, J.Yang 11+5reb+2ast, W.Ryu 8, Y.Aoki 7+2reb+5ast
Chiba Jets: Y.Togashi 23+2ast, J.Mooney 19+7reb+2ast, X.Cooks 17+10reb+4ast, D.Stephens 4+3reb, O.Sota 4+4ast, O.Asato 3+1reb+1ast

Toyama G. - Sunrockers Sh. 90-57

There was a small surprise when eighth ranked Grouses (3-21) rolled over 5th ranked SunRockers (11-13) in Toyama 90-57 on Saturday. Toyama G. shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 57.7 percentage. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Quincy Miller-Scott (206-1992, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 9 rebounds. Croatian power forward Ivan Buva (207-1991) accounted for 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Four Grouses players scored in double figures. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke) came up with 13 points and 6 rebounds and the former international forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) added 9 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Sunrockers Sh. in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toyama G. maintains eighth place with 3-21 record. Loser SunRockers keeps the fifth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Hiroshima D.. Toyama G. will meet at home higher ranked Sunrockers Sh. (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sunrockers Sh. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: Q.Miller-Scott 24+9reb+1ast, I.Buva 17+10reb+3ast, N.Gadson 12+2reb+6ast, R.Ono 11+2reb+1ast, T.Murphy Jr. 7+2reb, T.Ito 5+3ast
Sunrockers Sh.: R.Kelly 13+6reb+2ast, J.Gibbs 12+3reb, J.Hawkinson 9+5reb+2ast, D.Tanaka 7+2reb+2ast, A.Clemmons 7+6reb+3ast, K.Tsuya 5

Osaka E. - Nagasaki 97-95

A very close game took place in Osaka between Osaka E. and Nagasaki. Seventh ranked Osaka E. (11-12) got a very close home victory over 3rd placed Nagasaki (13-10). Osaka E. managed to escape with a 2-point win 97-95 on Saturday evening. Osaka E. shot 64.8 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 60.0 percentage. Osaka E. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 18 points and 5 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Four Osaka E. players scored in double figures. American Jarrell Brantley (201-1996, college: Charleston, agency: BIG) came up with 22 points and 5 assists and international Yudai Baba (196-1995) added 26 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) respectively for Nagasaki in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Osaka E. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Newly promoted Nagasaki keeps the third position with ten games lost. They share it with Shimane SM. Osaka E. will again meet at home higher ranked Nagasaki (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Nagasaki will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Osaka E.: S.Long 20+11reb+1ast, T.Hashimoto 19+2reb+2ast, A.Caloiaro 18+3reb+5ast, K.Makoto 17+1reb+3ast, R.Goda 6, I.Hummer 5+4reb+2ast
Nagasaki: Y.Baba 26+2ast, J.Brantley 22+4reb+5ast, N.Perkins 14+1reb+2ast, K.Matsumoto 9+3reb+4ast, M.Bonds 9+7reb, A.Hirohide 7+1reb+3ast