B1 League Round 57 (Regular Season): Nagasaki defeat Ryukyu

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (40-16) in Okinawa on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by sixth ranked Nagasaki (24-32) 91-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Golden Kings. It was a good game for international Yudai Baba (196-1995) who led his team to a victory with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) contributed with 23 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 16 points and 10 rebounds for Ryukyu. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains sixth place with 24-32 record. Defending champion Ryukyu still keeps top position with 16 games lost. Nagasaki are looking forward to face Osaka E. (#7) at home in the next round. Ryukyu will play against the league's second-placed Nagoya DD (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Tokyo. Fourth ranked SunRockers (32-24) saved a 3-point victory at home edging leader San-en NP (44-12) 66-63 on Sunday evening. American-Kazakhstan point guard Anthony Clemmons (187-1994, college: Iowa) stepped up and scored 29 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and Josh Hawkinson chipped in 10 points and 14 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American David Dudzinski (205-1992, college: Holy Cross) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. San-en NP's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. SunRockers have a solid series of three victories in a row. Sunrockers Sh. moved-up to third place, which they share with Shimane SM. San-en NP at the other side still keeps top position with 12 games lost. Sunrockers Sh. will play against Kawasaki (#4) in Kanagawa in the next round. San-en NP will play at home against Toyama G. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Eighth-ranked Grouses (4-52) used its home court advantage to challenge seventh ranked Brave Warriors (9-47) in Toyama on Sunday. The visitors from Nagano managed to secure only one-point victory 74-73. However their fans expected easier game. Wayne Marshall nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Myles Hesson came up with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Toyama G. in the defeat. Grouses' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Shinshu maintains seventh place with 9-47 record. Toyama G. lost twenty eighth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 52 games lost. Shinshu will meet at home higher ranked Yokohama BC (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Toyama G. will play against the league's leader San-en NP where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 57: Sea Horses M. beat Kawasaki on the road 97-81. Gunma CT was destroyed by Akita NH on its own court 72-101. Osaka E. unfortunately lost to Hiroshima D. in a road game 71-83. Ibaraki R. managed to beat Chiba Jets at home 99-91. Saga B. crushed Kyoto H. on the opponent's court 73-52. Sendai 89ers beat Hokkaido L. in a home game 85-83. Alvark Tokyo won against Tochigi Brex on the road 70-61. Yokohama BC unfortunately lost to FE Nagoya on its own court 65-75.
The most impressive performance of 57th round was 11 points and 11 rebounds by Sean OMara of FE Nagoya.



Kawasaki BT - Sea Horses M. 81-97

The game between closely ranked teams ended with second ranked SeaHorses' (33-23) road victory over 3rd placed Brave Thunders (31-25) in Kanagawa 97-81 on Sunday. American power forward Davante Gardner (203-1991, college: Marquette) nailed 28 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 13 points and 10 rebounds. Four SeaHorses players scored in double figures. SeaHorses' coach Ryan Richman used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The former international power forward Nick Fazekas (207-1985, college: Nevada) came up with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-1993, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Kawasaki in the defeat. Sea Horses M. maintains second place with 33-23 record having eleven points less than leader Tochigi Brex, which they share with Hiroshima D. Loser Brave Thunders dropped to the fourth position with 25 games lost. Sea Horses M. will meet at home Saga B. (#5) in the next round. Kawasaki will play against Sunrockers Sh. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: R.Allen 18+6reb+4ast, N.Fazekas 17+9reb+4ast, Y.Fujii 16+2reb+3ast, T.Hasegawa 8+1reb+1ast, T.Wimbush 7+2reb+2ast, J.Heath 7+9reb+2ast
Sea Horses M.: D.Gardner 28+6reb+2ast, K.Yoshiaki 18+2reb+5ast, Z.Auguste 13+10reb+2ast, N.Satoshi 10+2reb+1ast, J.Layman 10+4reb+3ast, Y.Nishida 9+1reb+4ast

Gunma CT - Akita NH 72-101

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 4th placed Thunders (29-27) were smashed by fifth ranked Happinets (27-29) in Gunma 101-72 on Sunday. Akita NH dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Thunders's 30. Akita NH outrebounded Gunma CT 58-20 including a 24-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Akita NH looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Panamanian-American center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and American center Steve Zack (211-1992, college: La Salle) accounted for 14 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists. Ghanian-American Ben Bentil (206-1995, college: Providence) came up with 14 points and 9 rebounds and the former international swingman Naoto Tsuji (185-1989) added 14 points and 4 assists respectively for Gunma CT 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. Akita NH maintains fifth place with 27-29 record. Loser Thunders keeps the fourth position with 27 games lost. Akita NH will meet at home Hokkaido L. (#7) in the next round. Gunma CT will play against the league's second-placed Alvark Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Gunma CT: K.Kimura 15+1reb+1ast, N.Tsuji 14+1reb+4ast, B.Bentil 14+9reb+2ast, T.McKinney-Jones 7+1reb+2ast, N.Namizato 5+4ast, A.Hachimura 4+1reb+1ast
Akita NH: T.Furukawa 24+1reb+1ast, J.Carter 20+19reb+4ast, S.Zack 14+17reb+5ast, K.Ko 9+4reb+4ast, M.Taiyo 6+1reb, W.Weijia 6+1reb+1ast

Hiroshima D. - Osaka E. 83-71

Rather predictable result when third ranked Dragonflies (33-23) won against 7th ranked Osaka E. (22-34) in Hiroshima 83-71 on Sunday. Hiroshima D. made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) nailed 19 points for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Dwayne Evans (201-1992, college: St.Louis, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 16 points and 6 rebounds. Four Dragonflies players scored in double figures. Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) added 16 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Osaka E. in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Hiroshima D. moved-up to second place, which they share with Sea Horses M. Loser Osaka E. dropped to the sixth position with 34 games lost. They share it with Yokohama BC. Hiroshima D. will meet Shimane SM (#4) on the road in the next round. Osaka E. will play against Nagasaki and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Osaka E.: A.Caloiaro 25+10reb+6ast, S.Long 16+9reb+2ast, H.Lee 8+8reb+1ast, I.Fumiya 6+5reb, I.Hummer 4+1reb, A.Tajima 4+1ast
Hiroshima D.: R.Yamazaki 19+2reb+3ast, K.Blackshear Jr. 19+4reb+3ast, D.Evans 16+6reb+3ast, N.Mayo 12+8reb+4ast, N.Takuto 8+1reb+3ast, S.Funyu 5+3ast

Ibaraki R. - Chiba Jets 99-91

There was an upset when 3rd placed Jets (34-22) lost to eighth ranked Robots (11-45) in Mito 91-99 on Sunday. Ibaraki R. made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. American Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC) nailed a double-double by scoring 28 points and 20 rebounds for the winning side and swingman Hayato Yamaguchi (195-1998) accounted for 17 points and 5 assists. Five Robots players scored in double figures. The former international point guard Yuki Togashi (170-1993) came up with 36 points (!!!) and 4 assists and American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) added 11 points and 22 rebounds respectively for Chiba Jets in the defeat. Jets' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Ibaraki R. maintains eighth place with 11-45 record. Loser Jets keep the third position with 22 games lost. Ibaraki R. will meet higher ranked Sendai 89ers (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Chiba Jets will play against the league's leader Tochigi Brex where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Chiba Jets: Y.Togashi 36+3reb+4ast, S.Hara 23+2reb+1ast, J.Mooney 11+22reb+3ast, X.Cooks 6+1reb+2ast, O.Asato 6+1reb, F.Nishimura 5
Ibaraki R.: L.Maye 28+20reb+1ast, Y.Hayato 17+3reb+5ast, C.Tapscott 13+3reb, E.Jacobsen 10+9reb+1ast, N.Kohei 10+4reb+5ast, A.Hirao 9+2ast

Kyoto H. - Saga B. 52-73

Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Ballooners (28-28) outplayed on the road 8th ranked Kyoto H. (16-40) 73-52 on Sunday. Saga B. dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Kyoto H.'s 18. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) nailed 29 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals for the winning side and American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) accounted for 13 points and 5 rebounds. The former international guard Yuta Okada (189-1998) came up with 21 points and Canadian-Filipino guard Matthew Wright (193-1991, college: St.Bonaventure) added 8 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Kyoto H. 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. Newly promoted Saga B. maintains fifth place with 28-28 record. Loser Kyoto H. keeps the eighth position with 40 games lost. Saga B. will meet league's second-placed Sea Horses M. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kyoto H. will play against FE Nagoya (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: O.Yuta 21+3reb, C.Diallo 11+3reb, M.Wright 8+8reb+3ast, K.Jones 6+3reb+1ast, H.Ryota 4+4reb, C.Jackson 2+11reb+1ast
Saga B.: R.Garcia 29+7reb+7ast, Y.Childs 13+5reb+1ast, C.Fieler 13+5reb+1ast, Y.Karino 9+4reb+2ast, S.Taiki 5+5reb+3ast, J.Harrellson 2+12reb+3ast

Ryukyu GK - Nagasaki 84-91

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (40-16) in Okinawa on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by sixth ranked Nagasaki (24-32) 91-84. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Golden Kings. It was a good game for international Yudai Baba (196-1995) who led his team to a victory with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) contributed with 23 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 16 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import power forward Allen Durham (198-1988, college: Grace Christian) added 8 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in the effort for Ryukyu. Four Ryukyu players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains sixth place with 24-32 record. Defending champion Ryukyu still keeps top position with 16 games lost. Nagasaki are looking forward to face Osaka E. (#7) at home in the next round. Ryukyu will play against the league's second-placed Nagoya DD (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: K.Imamura 16+1reb+5ast, J.Cooley 16+10reb+2ast, R.Kishimoto 15+1reb+5ast, S.Onodera 13+2reb, A.Durham 8+10reb+7ast, V.Law 7+5reb
Nagasaki: Y.Baba 23+7reb+4ast, M.Bonds 23+7reb+3ast, J.Brantley 17+8reb+1ast, K.Koya 9+2reb+2ast, T.Kanji 6+2ast, M.Karimata 5+2reb+1ast

Sendai 89ers - Hokkaido L. 85-83

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Hokkaido L.'s (17-39) road loss to sixth ranked 89ers (25-31) in Sendai 83-85 on Sunday. Sendai 89ers dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Hokkaido L.'s 32. They outrebounded Hokkaido L. 41-26 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Guard Ryo Abe (184-1995) nailed 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and Ukrainian center Volodymyr Gerun (208-1994, college: Portland) accounted for 9 points and 16 rebounds. 89ers' coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Point guard Yuta Matsushita (180-1999) came up with 18 points and 5 rebounds and American DeMon Brooks (202-1992, college: Davidson) added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Hokkaido L. in the defeat. Four Hokkaido L. players scored in double figures. Sendai 89ers maintains sixth place with 25-31 record. Loser Hokkaido L. keeps the seventh position with 39 games lost. Sendai 89ers will meet at home Ibaraki R. (#8) in the next round. Hokkaido L. will play against Akita NH and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: M.Yuta 18+5reb+2ast, D.Brooks 16+7reb+1ast, S.Terazono 13+1reb+3ast, R.Travis 11+5reb+2ast, D.Willis 9+5reb+2ast, K.Hiroto 9+1reb
Sendai 89ers: R.Abe 25+5reb+5ast, N.Boothe 18+6reb+2ast, Y.Aoki 11+2reb+4ast, V.Gerun 9+16reb+1ast, R.Thomas 8+6reb, W.Shota 7+3reb+2ast

Sunrockers Sh. - San-en NP 66-63

Important game to mention about took place in Tokyo. Fourth ranked SunRockers (32-24) saved a 3-point victory at home edging leader San-en NP (44-12) 66-63 on Sunday evening. American-Kazakhstan point guard Anthony Clemmons (187-1994, college: Iowa) stepped up and scored 29 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and international forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) chipped in 10 points and 14 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American David Dudzinski (205-1992, college: Holy Cross) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Ryusei Sasaki (180-1996) scored 18 points (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). San-en NP's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. SunRockers have a solid series of three victories in a row. Sunrockers Sh. moved-up to third place, which they share with Shimane SM. San-en NP at the other side still keeps top position with 12 games lost. Sunrockers Sh. will play against Kawasaki (#4) in Kanagawa in the next round. San-en NP will play at home against Toyama G. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
San-en NP: D.Dudzinski 18+10reb+2ast, S.Ryusei 18+2reb+2ast, O.Sota 9+1reb+3ast, A.Ota 6+6reb+2ast, F.Ravena 4+1reb+1ast, H.Kazuki 3+2reb+2ast
Sunrockers Sh.: A.Clemmons 29+7reb, J.Hawkinson 10+14reb+3ast, J.Gibbs 10+7reb+1ast, D.Tanaka 5+2reb+1ast, K.Tsuya 5+1reb, R.Kelly 5+1reb+3ast

Toyama G. - Shinshu BW 73-74

Eighth-ranked Grouses (4-52) used its home court advantage to challenge seventh ranked Brave Warriors (9-47) in Toyama on Sunday. The visitors from Nagano managed to secure only one-point victory 74-73. However their fans expected easier game. Shinshu outrebounded Toyama G. 38-27 including 26 on the defensive glass. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Shinshu made 7 blocks. American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Justyn Mutts (201-1999, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 11 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and American forward Quincy Miller-Scott (206-1992, college: Baylor, agency: Slash Sports) added 21 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Toyama G. in the defeat. Grouses' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Shinshu maintains seventh place with 9-47 record. Toyama G. lost twenty eighth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 52 games lost. Shinshu will meet at home higher ranked Yokohama BC (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Toyama G. will play against the league's leader San-en NP where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: Q.Miller-Scott 21+5reb, M.Hesson 16+6reb+5ast, R.Ono 11+2reb+2ast, T.Ito 7+2reb+5ast, J.Williams III 6+5reb, T.Mito 6+1reb+1ast
Shinshu BW: W.Marshall 20+11reb+2ast, K.Ishikawa 14+2reb+3ast, J.Mutts 11+8reb+10ast, K.Mitsui 10+1reb, E.Kojima-Donley 7+7reb+3ast, S.Takumi 5+5reb+2ast

Tochigi Brex - Alvark Tokyo 61-70

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when second ranked Alvark Tokyo (45-11) beat on the road leader Tochigi Brex (47-9) 70-61 on Sunday. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. The former international forward Ryan Rossiter (206-1989, college: Siena) nailed a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side and Lithuanian center Arturas Gudaitis (211-1993) accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds. Four Alvark Tokyo players scored in double figures. American center Grant Jerrett (208-1993, college: Arizona) came up with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks and the other American import guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn St.) added 12 points and 5 assists respectively for Tochigi Brex in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Alvark Tokyo maintains second place with 45-11 record having just one point less than leader Tochigi Brex. Loser Tochigi Brex still keeps top position with nine games lost. Alvark Tokyo will meet at home Gunma CT (#4) in the next round. Tochigi Brex will play against Chiba Jets and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tochigi Brex: G.Jerrett 13+7reb+2ast, D.Newbill 12+3reb+5ast, G.Edwards 12+7reb, M.Hiejima 8+4reb+5ast, I.Fotu 7+7reb+2ast, Y.Endo 6+3reb+2ast
Alvark Tokyo: S.Ando 16+2reb+1ast, L.Meindl 16+5reb, A.Gudaitis 14+7reb+3ast, R.Rossiter 11+12reb+1ast, O.Taiki 4+1reb+2ast, G.Hiraiwa 4+4reb

Yokohama BC - FE Nagoya 65-75

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked B-Corsairs' (22-34) home loss to fifth ranked Fighting Eagles (30-24) in Yokohama 65-75 on Sunday. FE Nagoya outrebounded Yokohama BC 44-28 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. American forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) nailed 27 points for the winning side and the former international Luke Evans (203-1991, college: CBU) accounted for 13 points and 15 rebounds. Point guard Kenta Morii (178-1995) came up with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 13 assists and American forward Jarrod Uthoff (206-1993, college: Iowa) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Yokohama BC in the defeat. B-Corsairs' coach let to play twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Newly promoted FE Nagoya maintains fifth place with 30-24 record. Yokohama BC lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 34 games lost. They share it with Osaka E.. FE Nagoya will meet at home Kyoto H. (#8) in the next round. Yokohama BC will play against Shinshu in Nagano and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: D.Oliver 17+4reb, J.Uthoff 14+5reb+2ast, K.Morii 8+5reb+13ast, O.Takeru 6, J.Scott 4+4reb+2ast, K.Sotto 4+5reb
FE Nagoya: A.Henry 27+4reb+1ast, L.Evans 13+15reb+1ast, S.O'Mara 11+11reb+1ast, S.Ryo 6+4reb+2ast, J.Jones 6+7reb+2ast, T.Sugimoto 5