B1 League Round 36 (Regular Season): Leader Ryukyu loses to Alvark Tokyo

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Golden Kings (23-12) on the court of first ranked Alvark Tokyo on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Alvark Tokyo 91-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Golden Kings. Alvark Tokyo made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) who scored 31 points and 7 rebounds. The former international forward Ryan Rossiter (206-1989, college: Siena) chipped in 14 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Allen Durham (198-1988, college: Grace Christian) who recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Alvark Tokyo maintains first position with 30-5 record which they share with defeated Ryukyu. Defending champion Ryukyu still keeps top place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Sea Horses M.. Alvark Tokyo are looking forward to face league's leader Ryukyu in Okinawa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ryukyu will have a break next round.
Fifth-ranked Fighting Eagles (16-17) made lots of trouble for second ranked Tochigi Brex (28-7). Tochigi Brex managed to secure only one-point victory 81-80. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Fighting Eagles. It was a good game for American guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn St.) who saved his team from a defeat with 27 points and 5 assists. Isaac Fotu contributed with 21 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. Tochigi Brex's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) replied with 27 points and 7 rebounds for FE Nagoya. Tochigi Brex have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 28-7 record having just two points less than leader Ryukyu GK. Newly promoted FE Nagoya keeps the fifth place with 17 games lost. Tochigi Brex will play against FE Nagoya (#5) at home in the next round. FE Nagoya will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hamamatsu. First ranked San-en NP faced second-best Magic. Host San-en NP (31-4) smashed guests from Shimane (21-14) 103-71. Worth to mention a great performance of Yante Maten who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. San-en NP's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was Perrin Buford with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. San-en NP have an impressive 13-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 31-4 record. Shimane SM at the other side dropped to the third place with 14 games lost. San-en NP will meet at home Shimane SM (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Shimane SM will have a break next round.

Rest of the games of round 36 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Sunrockers Sh. defeated Ibaraki R. in Tokyo 74-69. Kyoto H. beat Kawasaki at home 81-77. Nagoya DD won against Nagasaki on the opponent's court 91-76. Osaka E. was outscored by Chiba Jets in a home game 77-97. Gunma CT managed to beat Saga B. on the road 79-68. Sea Horses M. defeated Shinshu on its own court 85-76. Hiroshima D. beat Sendai 89ers in a road game 69-61. Toyama G. lost to Akita NH at home 74-84. Hokkaido L. managed to outperform Yokohama BC on the opponent's court 80-73.
The best stats of 36th round was 12 points and 15 rebounds by Josh Scott of Yokohama BC.



Alvark Tokyo - Ryukyu GK 91-80

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Golden Kings (23-12) on the court of first ranked Alvark Tokyo on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Alvark Tokyo 91-80. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Golden Kings. Alvark Tokyo made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) who scored 31 points and 7 rebounds. The former international forward Ryan Rossiter (206-1989, college: Siena) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Allen Durham (198-1988, college: Grace Christian) who recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import forward Victor Law (201-1995, college: Northwestern, agency: Pensack Sports) added 18 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Alvark Tokyo maintains first position with 30-5 record which they share with defeated Ryukyu. Defending champion Ryukyu still keeps top place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Sea Horses M.. Alvark Tokyo are looking forward to face league's leader Ryukyu in Okinawa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ryukyu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: V.Law 18+5reb+2ast, R.Kishimoto 14+3ast, A.Durham 12+10reb+5ast, J.Cooley 10+7reb+1ast, M.Yoshiyuki 9+1reb, A.Kirk 7+5reb+1ast
Alvark Tokyo: S.Saiz 31+7reb+2ast, L.Meindl 23+6reb+3ast, R.Rossiter 14+15reb+6ast, K.Toews 11+1reb+4ast, R.Hashimoto 3+1reb+3ast, S.Ando 3+2reb+2ast

Ibaraki R. - Sunrockers Sh. 69-74

There was no surprise in Mito where 8th ranked Robots (3-32) were defeated by third ranked SunRockers (20-15) 74-69 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Kazakhstan point guard Anthony Clemmons (187-1994, college: Iowa) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 7 assists and the former international forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) who added 14 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four SunRockers players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American power forward Johnny OBryant III (207-1993, college: LSU, agency: Slash Sports) with 21 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Thomas Kennedy (201-1987, college: Detroit) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Sunrockers Sh. maintains third position with 20-15 record having ten points less than leader Ryukyu GK. Ibaraki R. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 32 games lost. Sunrockers Sh. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ibaraki R. will play against Sunrockers Sh. (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: J.O'Bryant III 21+8reb+2ast, T.Kennedy 16+5reb+1ast, A.Hirao 10+1reb+1ast, N.Kohei 9+1reb+2ast, C.Tapscott 8+8reb+5ast, O.Keitaro 3
Sunrockers Sh.: A.Clemmons 22+3reb+7ast, J.Hawkinson 14+6reb+3ast, L.Vendrame 12+2reb+2ast, K.Tsuya 12+3reb+2ast, J.Gibbs 9+8reb, R.Kelly 5+6reb+1ast

Kyoto H. - Kawasaki BT 81-77

There was a surprise result when eighth ranked Kyoto H. (12-23) defeated at home higher ranked Brave Thunders (19-16) 81-77 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Yuta Okada (189-1998) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 9 assists and Mali power forward Cheick Diallo (206-1996, college: Kansas) who added 23 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-1993, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) with 29 points and 8 rebounds and the former international point guard Yuma Fujii (178-1991) scored 16 points and 7 assists. Brave Thunders' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Kyoto H. maintains eighth position with 12-23 record. Kawasaki at the other side keeps the fourth place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Hiroshima D.. Kyoto H. will meet at home higher ranked Kawasaki (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kawasaki will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: R.Allen 29+8reb+3ast, Y.Fujii 16+2reb+7ast, T.Wimbush 13+5reb+4ast, N.Reiya 8+4reb, K.Masuda 4+2reb+1ast, R.Shinoyama 3+1reb+3ast
Kyoto H.: O.Yuta 27+2reb+9ast, C.Diallo 23+9reb, K.Jones 16+12reb+3ast, S.Reon 8, H.Ryota 7+5reb+2ast, K.Mizuno 0+3reb+1ast

Nagasaki - Nagoya DD 76-91

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Nagasaki (15-20) was defeated at home by third ranked Dolphins (22-15) 91-76 on Saturday. Nagoya DD looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Joshua Smith (210-1992, college: Georgetown) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and the former international point guard Takumi Saito (172-1995) who added 22 points and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Masaya Karimata (178-1988) scored 14 points and 6 assists. Four Nagoya DD and five Nagasaki players scored in double figures. Nagasaki's coach rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Dolphins have an impressive five-game winning streak. Nagoya DD moved-up to second place. Newly promoted Nagasaki keeps the sixth position with 20 games lost. They share it with Yokohama BC. Nagoya DD will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nagasaki will play against the league's second-placed Nagoya DD (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: C.Min-Kug 16+1reb+1ast, M.Karimata 14+4reb+6ast, M.Bonds 11+11reb+3ast, N.Perkins 11+5reb+2ast, D.Washington 10+5reb+2ast, K.Koya 6+2ast
Nagoya DD: T.Saito 22+1reb+4ast, P.Ray 19+5reb+2ast, J.Smith 18+10reb+1ast, R.Franks 10+5reb+2ast, M.Kikuchi 8+3reb+2ast, T.Sato 6+5reb+1ast

San-en NP - Shimane SM 103-71

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hamamatsu. First ranked San-en NP faced second-best Magic. Host San-en NP (31-4) smashed guests from Shimane (21-14) 103-71. San-en NP looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Shimane SM's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Yante Maten (201-1996, college: Georgia) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Coty Clarke (201-1992, college: Arkansas, agency: Slash Sports) who added 15 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Four San-en NP players scored in double figures. San-en NP's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) scored 10 points and 9 rebounds. San-en NP have an impressive 13-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 31-4 record. Shimane SM at the other side dropped to the third place with 14 games lost. San-en NP will meet at home Shimane SM (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Shimane SM will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shimane SM: P.Buford 24+13reb+5ast, T.Shota 10+2ast, N.Kay 10+9reb+1ast, H.Martin 9+3reb+1ast, K.Hareyama 9+1reb+1ast, R.Shirahama 4+2reb
San-en NP: Y.Maten 24+8reb+6ast, F.Ravena 15+4reb+2ast, C.Clarke 15+11reb+6ast, D.Dudzinski 12+6reb+3ast, A.Kenny 12+1reb+1ast, K.Kanamaru 12

Osaka E. - Chiba Jets 77-97

Rather predictable result when third ranked Jets (22-13) outscored on the road 7th ranked Osaka E. (13-22) 97-77 on Saturday. Chiba Jets outrebounded Osaka E. 39-27 including 28 on the defensive glass. Chiba Jets looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Yuki Togashi (170-1993) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 assists and American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who added 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks during the contest. Five Jets players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds and Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) scored 15 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Jets have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Chiba Jets maintains third position with 22-13 record having eight points less than leader Ryukyu GK. Osaka E. lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 22 games lost. Chiba Jets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Osaka E. will play against Chiba Jets (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Osaka E.: S.Long 18+16reb+1ast, A.Caloiaro 15+4reb+5ast, T.Suzuki 14+2reb+4ast, I.Hummer 7+2reb, T.Hashimoto 6+2ast, R.Goda 6
Chiba Jets: Y.Togashi 21+2reb+10ast, J.Mooney 16+11reb+1ast, K.Ren 15+3reb+1ast, X.Cooks 15+9reb+1ast, I.Brown 12+5reb+1ast, D.Stephens 10+2reb

Saga B. - Gunma CT 68-79

There was a minor upset in Saga where their close opponent Ballooners (18-17) were defeated by fifth ranked Thunders (17-18) 79-68 on Saturday. Gunma CT made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Kaleb Tarczewski (212-1993, college: Arizona) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Ghanian-American Ben Bentil (206-1995, college: Providence) who added 21 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) with 27 points and 6 rebounds and American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) scored 22 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Gunma CT maintains fifth position with 17-18 record. Saga B. lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team dropped to the fourth place with 17 games lost. They share the position with Akita NH. Gunma CT will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Saga B. will play against Gunma CT (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saga B.: R.Garcia 27+6reb+2ast, C.Fieler 22+8reb+2ast, Y.Childs 8+5reb+1ast, Y.Yamashita 7+2reb+2ast, Y.Mitsuhara 2+4reb+1ast, S.Taiki 2+2reb+2ast
Gunma CT: B.Bentil 21+4reb, T.McKinney-Jones 18+4reb+2ast, K.Tarczewski 16+10reb, N.Namizato 7+3ast, K.Flippin 6+2reb+4ast, M.Parker 6+9reb+1ast

Sea Horses M. - Shinshu BW 85-76

Everything went according to plan in Kariya where second ranked SeaHorses (23-12) won against 7th ranked Brave Warriors (6-29) 85-76 on Saturday. Sea Horses M. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Davante Gardner (203-1991, college: Marquette) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who added 11 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Justyn Mutts (201-1999, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Pensack Sports) with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Ivorian power forward Deon Thompson (204-1988, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Four Shinshu players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Sea Horses M. keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Ryukyu. Shinshu lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 29 games lost. Sea Horses M. will meet at home Shinshu (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Shinshu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: J.Mutts 22+10reb+5ast, A.Rhon Jhay 12+1reb+4ast, D.Thompson 12+13reb+3ast, E.Kojima-Donley 10+5reb+1ast, H.Kyosuke 8+1reb+1ast, K.Ishikawa 5+3reb+8ast
Sea Horses M.: D.Gardner 28+10reb+4ast, J.Layman 18+2reb+4ast, Z.Auguste 11+12reb+3ast, D.Lee 9+2reb+3ast, K.Yoshiaki 5+3reb+3ast, T.Nakamura 5+1reb+1ast

Sendai 89ers - Hiroshima D. 61-69

There was no surprise in Sendai where 6th ranked 89ers (14-21) were defeated by fourth ranked Dragonflies (19-16) 69-61 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Ryo Terashima (175-1997) who helped to win the game recording 23 points (perfect from downtown making all five shots) and American forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) who added 12 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Nathan Boothe (208-1994, college: Toledo) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and guard Ryo Abe (184-1995) scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Hiroshima D. maintains fourth position with 19-16 record, which they share with Kawasaki. Sendai 89ers lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 21 games lost. Hiroshima D. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sendai 89ers will play against Hiroshima D. (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sendai 89ers: N.Boothe 20+12reb+2ast, R.Abe 18+6reb+8ast, V.Gerun 11+10reb+2ast, E.Murphy 6+1reb, K.Sawabe 4+3reb+1ast, W.Shota 2+2reb+4ast
Hiroshima D.: T.Ryo 23+2reb+1ast, K.Blackshear Jr. 12+6reb+3ast, D.Evans 10+5reb+2ast, T.Nephawe 8+10reb, N.Takuto 8+2reb+3ast, N.Mayo 6+5reb+3ast

Toyama G. - Akita NH 74-84

No shocking result in a game in Toyama where fourth ranked Happinets (18-17) defeated 8th ranked Grouses (4-31) 84-74 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of Panamanian-American center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds and American Tanner Leissner (201-1995, college: UNH) who added 21 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was Croatian power forward Ivan Buva (207-1991) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) scored 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Toyama G. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Akita NH maintains fourth position with 18-17 record, which they share with Saga B. Toyama G. lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 31 games lost. Akita NH will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Toyama G. will play against Akita NH (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: I.Buva 20+10reb+1ast, N.Gadson 13+7reb+4ast, U.Shunsuke 10+3reb, Q.Miller-Scott 10+7reb+1ast, N.Uto 7+2reb+5ast, R.Ono 6+1reb+3ast
Akita NH: J.Carter 25+14reb+2ast, T.Leissner 21+4reb+1ast, K.Ko 17+3reb+6ast, A.Chol 6+7reb, S.Taguchi 5+1reb+1ast, T.Furukawa 5+1reb+2ast

Tochigi Brex - FE Nagoya 81-80

Fifth-ranked Fighting Eagles (16-17) made lots of trouble for second ranked Tochigi Brex (28-7). Tochigi Brex managed to secure only one-point victory 81-80. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Fighting Eagles. Tochigi Brex had a 26-15 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for American guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn St.) who saved his team from a defeat with 27 points and 5 assists. Tongan-New Zealand Isaac Fotu (203-1993, college: Hawaii) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. Four Tochigi Brex players scored in double figures. Tochigi Brex's coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) replied with 27 points and 7 rebounds and swingman Ryo Sadohara (192-1999) added 16 points in the effort for FE Nagoya. Tochigi Brex have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 28-7 record having just two points less than leader Ryukyu GK. Newly promoted FE Nagoya keeps the fifth place with 17 games lost. Tochigi Brex will play against FE Nagoya (#5) at home in the next round. FE Nagoya will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: A.Henry 27+7reb+3ast, S.Ryo 16+4reb+1ast, L.Evans 12+3reb+2ast, J.Jones 9+5reb+2ast, S.O'Mara 7+5reb+2ast, H.Kawashima 5+1reb
Tochigi Brex: D.Newbill 27+2reb+5ast, I.Fotu 21+10reb, M.Hiejima 16+1reb+3ast, Y.Endo 10+4reb+1ast, T.Shinji 5, K.Takeuchi 2+6reb

Yokohama BC - Hokkaido L. 73-80

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Yokohama where 6th ranked B-Corsairs (15-20) were defeated by seventh ranked Hokkaido L. (11-24) 80-73 on Saturday. Hokkaido L. made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Darral Willis (206-1996, college: Wichita St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Shuto Terazono (172-1994) who added 20 points and 4 assists during the contest. Five Hokkaido L. players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was international guard Yuki Kawamura (172-2001) with 25 points and 8 assists and American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Hokkaido L. maintains seventh position with 11-24 record. Loser B-Corsairs keeps the sixth place with 20 games lost. They share the position with Nagasaki. Hokkaido L. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yokohama BC will play again against Hokkaido L. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: K.Yuki 25+4reb+8ast, J.Scott 12+15reb+2ast, J.Uthoff 11+10reb+2ast, K.Sotto 9+2reb, S.Koya 6, K.King 5+2reb+1ast
Hokkaido L.: S.Terazono 20+2reb+4ast, D.Brooks 18+5reb+3ast, D.Willis 15+10reb+2ast, D.Ramos 12+9reb+3ast, K.Hiroto 11+3reb+1ast, N.Danieldan 2