B1 League Round 31 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

B1 League round 31 most important game was a victory of Sunrockers Sh. over 5th ranked Hiroshima D. 71-65 on Saturday night. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. American forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) contributed with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Dwayne Evans (201-1992, college: St.Louis, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for Dragonflies. Dragonflies' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Sunrockers Sh. (17-14) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain third place having ten points less than leader Ryukyu GK, which they share with Kawasaki. Hiroshima D. at the other side dropped to the fourth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Akita NH. Sunrockers Sh. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hiroshima D. will play at home against Sunrockers Sh. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Okinawa. First ranked Golden Kings (21-10) saved a 2-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Tochigi Brex (24-7) 68-66 in the fight for the first place. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American players dominated the game. It was a great evening for power forward Jack Cooley (206-1991, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds. Allen Durham helped adding 14 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side center Grant Jerrett (208-1993, college: Arizona) responded with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Defending champion maintains first place with 21-10 record, which they share with Sea Horses M. Tochigi Brex at the other side keeps the second position with seven games lost. Ryukyu will again play against league's second-placed Tochigi Brex at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tochigi Brex will have a break next round.
An interesting game for SeaHorses (21-10) which hosted in Kariya 4th placed Dolphins (18-15). Second ranked SeaHorses managed to get a 6-point victory 91-85. It was an exceptional evening for Yudai Nishida who led the winners and scored 24 points. Scott Eatherton came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds for Nagoya DD in the defeat. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for SeaHorses. Sea Horses M. keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Ryukyu. Loser Dolphins keeps the fourth place with 15 games lost. Sea Horses M. will meet at home Nagoya DD (#4) in the next round. Nagoya DD will have a break next round.

Other games in round 31 were not that significant. Nagasaki was beaten by Akita NH on the road 78-71. Chiba Jets destroyed Hokkaido L. on its own court 98-79. Gunma CT managed to outperform Kyoto H. in a road game 84-66. San-en NP managed to beat FE Nagoya at home 79-66. Yokohama BC was defeated by Osaka E. on the opponent's court 100-89. Saga B. beat Toyama G. in a home game 81-72. Kawasaki lost to Sendai 89ers on the road 77-84. Shimane SM outscored Ibaraki R. on its own court 86-56. Alvark Tokyo rolled over Shinshu in a road game 87-57.
The most impressive performance of 31th round was 21 points and 13 rebounds by Sebastian Saiz of Alvark Tokyo.



Akita NH - Nagasaki 78-71

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Happinets (16-15) beat 6th ranked Nagasaki (14-17) in Akita 78-71 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for American Tanner Leissner (201-1995, college: UNH) who led the winners and scored 18 points and 9 rebounds. Panamanian-American center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) accounted for 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) came up with 8 points and 11 rebounds and guard Hirohide Araya (189-1998) added 10 points and 6 assists respectively for Nagasaki in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Akita NH maintains fourth place with 16-15 record, which they share with Hiroshima D. Nagasaki lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the fifth position with 17 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Akita NH will again meet at home Nagasaki (#6) in the next round. Nagasaki will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: Y.Baba 11+3reb+1ast, A.Hirohide 10+4reb+6ast, N.Perkins 9+9reb+1ast, J.Brantley 9+2ast, M.Bonds 8+11reb+2ast, K.Matsumoto 8+1reb+2ast
Akita NH: T.Leissner 18+9reb+2ast, T.Furukawa 14+2reb+2ast, J.Carter 12+5reb+3ast, H.Noboru 9+3reb+4ast, K.Ko 9+3reb+3ast, R.Yasuoka 6+3reb+4ast

Chiba Jets - Hokkaido L. 98-79

Very expected game when 7th ranked Hokkaido L. (9-22) was smashed by third ranked Jets (18-13) in Chiba 98-79 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Yuki Togashi (170-1993) who led the winners and scored 42 points (!!!) and 4 assists. American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. American center Darral Willis (206-1996, college: Wichita St.) came up with 22 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) added 6 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Hokkaido L. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Jets. Chiba Jets maintains third place with 18-13 record having nine points less than leader Ryukyu GK, which they share with Saga B. Loser Hokkaido L. keeps the seventh position with 22 games lost. They share it with Kyoto H.. Chiba Jets will again meet at home Hokkaido L. (#7) in the next round. Hokkaido L. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: D.Willis 22+5reb+3ast, M.Yuta 13+1reb+2ast, S.Terazono 9+1reb+5ast, K.Sekino 9+4reb+2ast, S.Ren 7+2reb+4ast, T.Welsh 6+11reb+1ast
Chiba Jets: Y.Togashi 42+3reb+4ast, J.Mooney 22+9reb+1ast, F.Nishimura 10+2reb+2ast, S.Hara 8+1reb+1ast, X.Cooks 5+11reb, O.Asato 4+2ast

Hiroshima D. - Sunrockers Sh. 65-71

B1 League round 31 most important game was a victory of Sunrockers Sh. over 5th ranked Hiroshima D. 71-65 on Saturday night. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. American forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) contributed with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four SunRockers players scored in double figures. American forward Dwayne Evans (201-1992, college: St.Louis, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) added 16 points and 12 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) in the effort for Dragonflies. Dragonflies' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Sunrockers Sh. (17-14) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain third place having ten points less than leader Ryukyu GK, which they share with Kawasaki. Hiroshima D. at the other side dropped to the fourth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Akita NH. Sunrockers Sh. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hiroshima D. will play at home against Sunrockers Sh. (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: K.Blackshear Jr. 16+12reb+2ast, D.Evans 15+11reb+4ast, N.Mayo 13+5reb, T.Ryo 9+1reb+3ast, R.Yamazaki 4+3reb, N.Takuto 4+1ast
Sunrockers Sh.: J.Hawkinson 18+11reb, L.Vendrame 11+2reb+4ast, A.Clemmons 11+3ast, J.Gibbs 11+5reb+4ast, R.Kelly 8+5reb+3ast, G.Kojima 6+3ast

Kyoto H. - Gunma CT 66-84

Rather predictable result when sixth ranked Thunders (14-17) won against on the road 8th ranked Kyoto H. (9-22) 84-66 on Saturday. Gunma CT dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Kyoto H.'s 24 and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Gunma CT looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Ghanian-American Ben Bentil (206-1995, college: Providence) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 7 rebounds. American guard Trey McKinney-Jones (198-1990, college: Miami, FL) accounted for 13 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Canadian-Filipino guard Matthew Wright (193-1991, college: St.Bonaventure) came up with 17 points and 6 assists and Mali power forward Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college: Kansas) added 15 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Kyoto H. in the defeat. Four Kyoto H. 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 fifth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Kyoto H. dropped to the seventh position with 22 games lost. They share it with Hokkaido L.. Gunma CT will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kyoto H. will play against Gunma CT (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: M.Wright 17+4reb+6ast, C.Diallo 15+9reb+1ast, K.Jones 13+6reb, C.Jackson 12+7reb+1ast, O.Yuta 4+4reb+4ast, S.Reon 3
Gunma CT: B.Bentil 27+7reb+1ast, T.McKinney-Jones 13+2reb+5ast, N.Tsuji 9+1reb+3ast, A.Hachimura 9+1reb, K.Flippin 8+3reb+8ast, M.Parker 6+5reb

San-en NP - FE Nagoya 79-66

Not a big story in a game when 5th ranked Fighting Eagles (14-15) lost to first ranked San-en NP (27-4) in Hamamatsu 66-79 on Saturday. 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 10 points and 14 rebounds. His fellow American import David Dudzinski (205-1992, college: Holy Cross) accounted for 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Five San-en NP players scored in double figures. American power forward Sean OMara (208-1995, college: Xavier) came up with 13 points and 6 rebounds and the former international Luke Evans (203-1991, college: CBU) added 12 points and 5 rebounds respectively for FE Nagoya in the defeat. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for San-en NP. They maintain first place with 27-4 record, which they share with Alvark Tokyo. FE Nagoya lost their fourth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the fifth position with 15 games lost. San-en NP will meet at home FE Nagoya (#5) in the next round. FE Nagoya will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: S.O'Mara 13+6reb+2ast, L.Evans 12+5reb+1ast, A.Henry 10+5reb+2ast, J.Jones 9+5reb+1ast, T.Sasayama 8+2reb+3ast, T.Sugimoto 6+2reb
San-en NP: D.Dudzinski 14+6reb+2ast, F.Ravena 13+4reb+4ast, O.Sota 11+3reb+4ast, A.Kenny 10+2reb, Y.Maten 10+3reb+2ast, C.Clarke 10+14reb+3ast

Osaka E. - Yokohama BC 100-89

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when seventh ranked Osaka E. (13-18) defeated at home 6th ranked B-Corsairs (14-17) 100-89 on Saturday. Osaka E. looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Yokohama BC's players. It was an exceptional evening for Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Five Osaka E. players scored in double figures. International guard Yuki Kawamura (172-2001) came up with 30 points and 5 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and American Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) added 23 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Yokohama BC in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Osaka E. maintains seventh place with 13-18 record. Loser B-Corsairs dropped to the fifth position with 17 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Osaka E. will meet at home higher ranked Yokohama BC (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Yokohama BC will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: K.Yuki 30+1reb+5ast, D.Oliver 23+9reb+3ast, J.Scott 11+13reb+1ast, J.Uthoff 8+6reb+1ast, S.Koya 5, K.King 4+4reb+2ast
Osaka E.: A.Caloiaro 24+13reb+8ast, S.Long 22+10reb+5ast, T.Hashimoto 14+2reb+3ast, T.Suzuki 11+6ast, I.Fumiya 10+3ast, R.Goda 6+2reb

Ryukyu GK - Tochigi Brex 68-66

Important game to mention about took place in Okinawa. First ranked Golden Kings (21-10) saved a 2-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Tochigi Brex (24-7) 68-66 in the fight for the first place. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American players dominated the game. It was a great evening for power forward Jack Cooley (206-1991, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds. Power forward Allen Durham (198-1988, college: Grace Christian) helped adding 14 points and 8 rebounds. Durham is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Golden Kings players scored in double figures. At the losing side center Grant Jerrett (208-1993, college: Arizona) responded with 20 points and 6 rebounds and guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn St.) scored 14 points and 6 assists. Defending champion maintains first place with 21-10 record, which they share with Sea Horses M. Tochigi Brex at the other side keeps the second position with seven games lost. Ryukyu will again play against league's second-placed Tochigi Brex at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tochigi Brex will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tochigi Brex: G.Jerrett 20+6reb+1ast, D.Newbill 14+4reb+6ast, I.Fotu 10+5reb, M.Hiejima 8+5reb+4ast, T.Shinji 3, M.Wataru 3+1reb
Ryukyu GK: K.Imamura 17+3reb, R.Kishimoto 15+4reb+2ast, A.Durham 14+8reb+3ast, J.Cooley 10+15reb+2ast, M.Yoshiyuki 5+1reb+1ast, V.Law 4+5reb

Saga B. - Toyama G. 81-72

There was no surprise when 8th ranked Grouses (4-27) lost to third ranked Ballooners (18-13) in Saga 72-81 on Saturday. It was an exceptional evening for American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) who led the winners and scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Point guard Taiki Sumida (182-1999) accounted for 22 points for the winning side. Croatian power forward Ivan Buva (207-1991) came up with 21 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Quincy Miller-Scott (206-1992, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) added 12 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Toyama G. in the defeat. Four Toyama G. players scored in double figures. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Ballooners. Newly promoted Saga B. maintains third place with 18-13 record having nine points less than leader Ryukyu GK, which they share with Chiba Jets. Toyama G. lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 27 games lost. Saga B. will meet at home Toyama G. (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Toyama G. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: I.Buva 21+7reb+2ast, U.Shunsuke 13+4reb, Q.Miller-Scott 12+12reb+3ast, R.Ono 12+2reb, T.Murphy Jr. 7+1reb+3ast, N.Gadson 7+3reb+3ast
Saga B.: S.Taiki 22+3reb+3ast, C.Fieler 21+8reb+8ast, Y.Childs 11+7reb+1ast, Y.Karino 9+2ast, R.Garcia 9+7reb+2ast, K.Daichi 6

Sea Horses M. - Nagoya DD 91-85

An interesting game for SeaHorses (21-10) which hosted in Kariya 4th placed Dolphins (18-15). Second ranked SeaHorses managed to get a 6-point victory 91-85. Sea Horses M. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Dolphins's 32. Sea Horses M. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international forward Yudai Nishida (190-1999) who led the winners and scored 24 points. Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Four SeaHorses players scored in double figures. American power forward Scott Eatherton (208-1991, college: Northeastern) came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds and the former international point guard Takumi Saito (172-1995) added 25 points and 4 assists respectively for Nagoya DD in the defeat. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for SeaHorses. Sea Horses M. keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Ryukyu. Loser Dolphins keeps the fourth place with 15 games lost. Sea Horses M. will meet at home Nagoya DD (#4) in the next round. Nagoya DD will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nagoya DD: T.Saito 25+2reb+4ast, S.Eatherton 23+16reb+3ast, R.Franks 16+9reb+2ast, P.Ray 6+2reb, T.Nakahigashi 4+5reb+2ast, M.Kikuchi 3
Sea Horses M.: Y.Nishida 24+2reb+3ast, D.Lee 17+2reb, Z.Auguste 17+10reb, J.Layman 15+6reb+3ast, D.Gardner 7+9reb+9ast, R.Sumino 6+6reb

Sendai 89ers - Kawasaki BT 84-77

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fifth ranked 89ers (14-17) beat 4th placed Brave Thunders (17-14) in Sendai 84-77 on Saturday. Sendai 89ers looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Nathan Boothe (208-1994, college: Toledo) who led the winners and scored 32 points and 7 rebounds. Ukrainian center Volodymyr Gerun (208-1994, college: Portland) accounted for 12 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. The former international point guard Yuma Fujii (178-1991) came up with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-1993, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) added 20 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Kawasaki in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sendai 89ers maintains fifth place with 14-17 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Kawasaki lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the third position with 14 games lost. They share it with Sunrockers Sh.. Sendai 89ers will meet at home higher ranked Kawasaki (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kawasaki will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: Y.Fujii 28+6reb+4ast, R.Allen 20+6reb+1ast, T.Wimbush 15+6reb, K.Masuda 6+1reb, J.Heath 5+5reb+1ast, N.Yuto 3+1reb+3ast
Sendai 89ers: N.Boothe 32+7reb, R.Abe 16+2reb+8ast, V.Gerun 12+13reb+4ast, W.Shota 8+3reb+1ast, R.Kobayashi 8+2reb+6ast, J.Yang 5+5reb+4ast

Shimane SM - Ibaraki R. 86-56

Very expected game when 8th ranked Robots (3-28) were smashed by second ranked Magic (19-12) in Shimane 86-56 on Saturday. Shimane SM made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) accounted for 13 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Four Magic players scored in double figures. American power forward Johnny OBryant III (207-1993, college: LSU, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 26 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import forward Chehales Tapscott (195-1990, college: Portland St.) added 7 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Ibaraki R. 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. The victory was the third consecutive win for Magic. Shimane SM maintains second place with 19-12 record having eight points less than leader Ryukyu GK. Ibaraki R. lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 28 games lost. Shimane SM will meet at home Ibaraki R. (#8) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Ibaraki R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: J.O'Bryant III 26+9reb, T.Kennedy 9+7reb, C.Tapscott 7+8reb+2ast, A.Shugo 4, A.Hirao 4+1reb+5ast, N.Kohei 3+2ast
Shimane SM: P.Buford 19+13reb+7ast, S.Ando 18+3reb+3ast, T.Shota 16+2ast, N.Kay 13+11reb+3ast, H.Martin 8+10reb+1ast, K.Hareyama 5+2reb

Shinshu BW - Alvark Tokyo 57-87

Very predictable result when first ranked Alvark Tokyo (27-4) rolled over 7th ranked Brave Warriors (5-26) in Nagano 87-57 on Saturday. Alvark Tokyo dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Brave Warriors's 32. Alvark Tokyo outrebounded Shinshu 40-29 including 31 on the defensive glass. It was a great shooting night for Alvark Tokyo especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.1 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds. Brazilian Leonardo Meindl (201-1993) accounted for 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. Four Alvark Tokyo players scored in double figures. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) came up with 13 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Justyn Mutts (201-1999, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Pensack Sports) added 10 points and 8 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. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Alvark Tokyo. They maintain first place with 27-4 record, which they share with San-en NP. Shinshu lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 26 games lost. Alvark Tokyo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinshu will play again against the league's leader Alvark Tokyo (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: A.Brandt 13+7reb, J.Mutts 10+8reb+1ast, H.Kyosuke 8+1reb+2ast, K.Ishikawa 8+2reb+4ast, D.Thompson 7+6reb, K.Mitsui 4+1reb
Alvark Tokyo: S.Saiz 21+13reb+1ast, L.Meindl 19+8reb+4ast, S.Ando 13+2reb+1ast, A.Gudaitis 12+7reb+1ast, R.Rossiter 6+8reb+6ast, Z.Baranski 5