B1 League Round 60 (Regular Season): Hiroshima D. defeat Ryukyu

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (40-19) in Hiroshima on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Dragonflies (36-23) 69-59. It was a good game for American forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) who led his team to a victory with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import forward Nick Mayo (206-1997, college: EKU, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international swingman Keita Imamura (191-1996) replied with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Ryukyu. Golden Kings' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dragonflies have an impressive five-game winning streak. Hiroshima D. maintains third position with 36-23 record having ten points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Ryukyu lost fourth consecutive game. Defending champion still keeps top place with 19 games lost. Hiroshima D. 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.
An interesting game for SeaHorses (35-24) which hosted in Kariya top-ranked San-en NP (46-13). Second ranked SeaHorses had an easy win 91-74. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of San-en NP. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 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 16 points, 17 rebounds and 8 assists and Zach Auguste who added 20 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) during the contest. The best for the losing side was American David Dudzinski (205-1992, college: Holy Cross) with 19 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sea Horses M. maintains second position with 35-24 record having eleven points less than leader Tochigi Brex, which they share with Chiba Jets. San-en NP at the other side still keeps top place with 13 games lost. Sea Horses M. will again play against league's leader San-en NP in Hamamatsu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. San-en NP will have a break next round.
An interesting game was also a 19-point surprising road defeat of 4th ranked Shimane SM in a game versus Osaka E. (#7) 92-73. The winners were led by Shawn Long who had that evening a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds. Even a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds by Nick Kay did not help to save the game for Magic. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Osaka E. maintains seventh position with 24-35 record. Shimane SM lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 27 games lost. Osaka E. will meet at home higher ranked Shimane SM (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shimane SM will have a break next round.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 60: Alvark Tokyo beat Hokkaido L. on the road 78-66. Akita NH lost to Chiba Jets on its own court 72-88. Sendai 89ers unfortunately lost to Gunma CT in a road game 85-97. Hokkaido L. recorded a loss to Alvark Tokyo at home 78-85. Tochigi Brex crushed Ibaraki R. on the opponent's court 100-59. Sunrockers Sh. beat Shinshu in a home game 94-79. FE Nagoya won against Toyama G. on the road 77-70. Yokohama BC unfortunately lost to Kawasaki on its own court 92-98.
The most impressive performance of 60th round was 30 points and 14 assists by Yuki Kawamura of Yokohama BC.



Hokkaido L. - Alvark Tokyo 66-78

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Alvark Tokyo (48-12) beat 7th ranked Hokkaido L. (17-43) in Sapporo 78-66 on Friday. The winners were led by the former international guard Kai Toews (188-1998, college: UNCW) who scored that evening 18 points and 5 assists and Lithuanian center Arturas Gudaitis (211-1993) supported him with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks. Even a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds by American DeMon Brooks (202-1992, college: Davidson) did not help to save the game for Hokkaido L.. His fellow American import forward Reid Travis (203-1995, college: Kentucky, agency: Pensack Sports) added 14 points and 10 rebounds. Four Hokkaido L. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Alvark Tokyo have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 48-12 record having just three point less than leader Tochigi Brex. Hokkaido L. lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 43 games lost.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: D.Willis 19+4reb, D.Brooks 15+11reb+1ast, R.Travis 14+10reb+1ast, N.Tsukasa 12+4ast, S.Ren 2+4reb, K.Hiroto 2+2ast
Alvark Tokyo: K.Toews 18+1reb+5ast, L.Meindl 17+5reb+1ast, A.Gudaitis 14+9reb, R.Rossiter 8+7reb, O.Taiki 6+1reb+2ast, K.Fukuzawa 5

Akita NH - Chiba Jets 72-88

Rather expected game when 5th ranked Happinets (29-30) lost to third ranked Jets (35-24) in Akita 72-88 on Saturday. Chiba Jets dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Happinets's 22. Chiba Jets looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The winners were led by Australian forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) who scored that evening 20 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) supported him with 7 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Jets players scored in double figures. Even 11 points and 9 rebounds by Panamanian-American center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Akita NH. American center Steve Zack (211-1992, college: La Salle) added 7 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Chiba Jets moved-up to second place, which they share with Sea Horses M. Loser Happinets keeps the fifth position with 30 games lost. Chiba Jets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Akita NH will play against Chiba Jets (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Akita NH: H.Noboru 13+2reb+2ast, T.Furukawa 13+1reb, J.Carter 11+9reb, S.Zack 7+9reb+3ast, O.Akitoshi 6+1reb+2ast, T.Nakayama 6+1reb+3ast
Chiba Jets: X.Cooks 20+6reb+3ast, O.Asato 14+1reb+2ast, C.Smith 13+1reb+1ast, U.Sori 10+5reb+4ast, I.Brown 9+5reb, S.Hara 8+5ast

Gunma CT - Sendai 89ers 97-85

Rather predictable result when fourth ranked Thunders (31-28) won against 6th ranked 89ers (26-33) in Gunma 97-85 on Saturday. Gunma CT looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The winners were led by American guard Trey McKinney-Jones (198-1990, college: Miami, FL) who scored that evening 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and naturalized American forward Michael Parker (200-1981, college: Evergreen St.) supported him with 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Thunders players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 5 assists by guard Yasunori Aoki (182-1995) did not help to save the game for Sendai 89ers. American Nathan Boothe (208-1994, college: Toledo) added 19 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gunma CT maintains fourth position with 31-28 record. Loser 89ers keep the sixth place with 33 games lost. Gunma CT will meet at home Sendai 89ers (#6) in the next round. Sendai 89ers will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sendai 89ers: N.Boothe 19+5reb+1ast, Y.Aoki 18+3reb+5ast, R.Thomas 13+8reb+2ast, V.Gerun 9+11reb+2ast, M.Kataoka 8+2reb+1ast, R.Abe 7+4reb+4ast
Gunma CT: B.Bentil 20+5reb, T.McKinney-Jones 19+7reb+7ast, M.Parker 16+6reb+3ast, N.Namizato 11+4reb+2ast, N.Tsuji 11+1reb+1ast, A.Hachimura 8+1reb

Hiroshima D. - Ryukyu GK 69-59

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (40-19) in Hiroshima on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Dragonflies (36-23) 69-59. It was a good game for American forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) who led his team to a victory with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import forward Nick Mayo (206-1997, college: EKU, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international swingman Keita Imamura (191-1996) replied with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and American power forward Allen Durham (198-1988, college: Grace Christian) added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Ryukyu. Golden Kings' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Dragonflies have an impressive five-game winning streak. Hiroshima D. maintains third position with 36-23 record having ten points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Ryukyu lost fourth consecutive game. Defending champion still keeps top place with 19 games lost. Hiroshima D. 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: R.Kishimoto 12+2reb+2ast, A.Durham 10+6reb+5ast, K.Imamura 10+7reb+6ast, M.Yoshiyuki 9+3reb, H.Falcon 5+3reb+1ast, J.Cooley 5+5reb
Hiroshima D.: N.Mayo 20+5reb, N.Takuto 14+2reb+2ast, K.Blackshear Jr. 11+8reb+6ast, K.Toshiki 8+3reb+2ast, S.Funyu 6+1reb+1ast, T.Nephawe 4+6reb+1ast

Hokkaido L. - Alvark Tokyo 78-85

Not a big story in a game when 7th ranked Hokkaido L. (17-43) lost to second ranked Alvark Tokyo (48-12) in Sapporo 78-85 on Saturday. Alvark Tokyo looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by Brazilian Leonardo Meindl (201-1993) who scored that evening 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and the former international forward Ryan Rossiter (206-1989, college: Siena) supported him with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Even 15 points by Tsukasa Nakano (185-1996) did not help to save the game for Hokkaido L.. American DeMon Brooks (202-1992, college: Davidson) added 15 points. Five Hokkaido L. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Alvark Tokyo have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 48-12 record having just three point less than leader Tochigi Brex. Hokkaido L. lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 43 games lost.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: N.Tsukasa 15+4reb+2ast, D.Brooks 15+4reb+1ast, S.Terazono 14+1reb+4ast, R.Travis 13+4reb+1ast, D.Willis 11+8reb, S.Ren 5+2reb+7ast
Alvark Tokyo: R.Rossiter 20+7reb+2ast, L.Meindl 18+5reb+7ast, A.Gudaitis 16+8reb+2ast, S.Ando 9+2reb, O.Taiki 8+2ast, K.Toews 6+4reb+8ast

Ibaraki R. - Tochigi Brex 59-100

Everything went according to plan when first ranked Tochigi Brex (50-9) outplayed 8th ranked Robots (12-47) in Mito 100-59 on Saturday. Tochigi Brex looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The winners were led by swingman Shinji Takashima (191-2000) who scored that evening 15 points and 6 rebounds and American power forward Gavin Edwards (206-1988, college: UConn, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 11 points and 7 rebounds. Four Tochigi Brex players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds by American Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC) did not help to save the game for Ibaraki R.. His fellow American import Eric Jacobsen (208-1994, college: Arizona St.) added 8 points and 9 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. Tochigi Brex have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 50-9 record. Loser Robots keeps the eighth place with 47 games lost. Tochigi Brex 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 Tochigi Brex (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: L.Maye 12+10reb+3ast, N.Kohei 11+2reb+1ast, E.Jacobsen 8+9reb+1ast, O.Keitaro 7+2reb+2ast, T.Keita 5, C.Tapscott 5+4reb+5ast
Tochigi Brex: T.Shinji 15+6reb, I.Fotu 13+1reb+1ast, M.Hiejima 13+2reb+4ast, K.Shike 11+2reb+2ast, G.Edwards 11+7reb+2ast, G.Jerrett 9+6reb+2ast

Osaka E. - Shimane SM 92-73

An interesting game was also a 19-point surprising road defeat of 4th ranked Shimane SM in a game versus Osaka E. (#7) 92-73. Osaka E. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 31 points and 14 rebounds and Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) supported him with 22 points and 4 assists. Four Osaka E. players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds by Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) did not help to save the game for Magic. The former international guard Seiya Ando (181-1992) added 17 points and 7 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Osaka E. maintains seventh position with 24-35 record. Shimane SM lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 27 games lost. Osaka E. will meet at home higher ranked Shimane SM (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shimane SM will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shimane SM: N.Kay 22+12reb+3ast, S.Ando 17+4reb+7ast, H.Martin 8+10reb+1ast, K.Wiley 6+2reb, T.Shota 6+1reb+4ast, H.Kitagawa 5+2reb+1ast
Osaka E.: S.Long 31+14reb+2ast, A.Caloiaro 22+2reb+4ast, A.Tajima 11+2reb+2ast, H.Lee 11+6reb+2ast, K.Makoto 4+3reb+1ast, I.Hummer 3+2reb

Sea Horses M. - San-en NP 91-74

An interesting game for SeaHorses (35-24) which hosted in Kariya top-ranked San-en NP (46-13). Second ranked SeaHorses had an easy win 91-74. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of San-en NP. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Sea Horses M. players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 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 16 points, 17 rebounds and 8 assists and Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who added 20 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) during the contest. Five SeaHorses players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American David Dudzinski (205-1992, college: Holy Cross) with 19 points and 4 assists and his fellow American import forward Coty Clarke (201-1992, college: Arkansas, agency: Slash Sports) scored 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sea Horses M. maintains second position with 35-24 record having eleven points less than leader Tochigi Brex, which they share with Chiba Jets. San-en NP at the other side still keeps top place with 13 games lost. Sea Horses M. will again play against league's leader San-en NP in Hamamatsu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. San-en NP will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
San-en NP: D.Dudzinski 19+3reb+4ast, O.Sota 11+3reb+7ast, K.Kanamaru 10+2reb, C.Clarke 10+8reb+5ast, Y.Maten 8+7reb+1ast, F.Ravena 7+6reb+1ast
Sea Horses M.: Z.Auguste 20+6reb+1ast, Y.Nishida 16+1reb+3ast, D.Gardner 16+17reb+8ast, N.Satoshi 12+5reb+10ast, J.Layman 11+2reb+1ast, D.Lee 7+1ast

Sunrockers Sh. - Shinshu BW 94-79

There was no surprise when 7th ranked Brave Warriors (10-49) lost to third ranked SunRockers (34-25) in Tokyo 79-94 on Saturday. Sunrockers Sh. dominated down low during the game scoring 42 of its points in the paint compared to Brave Warriors's 20 and made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Sunrockers Sh. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 55.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The winners were led by international forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) who scored that evening 32 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international point guard Leo Vendrame (183-1993) supported him with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Even a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds by American forward Justyn Mutts (201-1999, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Shinshu. His fellow American import center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) added 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Sunrockers Sh. maintains third position with 34-25 record having twelve points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Loser Brave Warriors keeps the seventh place with 49 games lost. Sunrockers Sh. will meet at home Shinshu (#7) in the next round. Shinshu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: J.Mutts 26+10reb+1ast, W.Marshall 16+8reb+5ast, K.Ishikawa 13+1reb+6ast, H.Kyosuke 9+3reb+3ast, L.Kurihara 6+2ast, A.Brandt 5+1reb
Sunrockers Sh.: J.Hawkinson 32+6reb+4ast, A.Clemmons 25+4reb+5ast, L.Vendrame 23+6reb+6ast, R.Kelly 8+2reb+1ast, D.Tanaka 4+1reb+1ast, J.Gibbs 2+7reb+1ast

Toyama G. - FE Nagoya 70-77

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Fighting Eagles (32-25) beat 8th ranked Grouses (4-55) in Toyama 77-70 on Saturday. The winners were led by American forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) who scored that evening 23 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import forward Jeremy Jones (201-1996, college: Gonzaga) supported him with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists by American power forward Johnathan Williams III (206-1995, college: Gonzaga, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Toyama G.. British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) added 19 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted FE Nagoya maintains fifth position with 32-25 record. Toyama G. lost 31th consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 55 games lost. FE Nagoya will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Toyama G. will play against FE Nagoya (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: M.Hesson 19+12reb+2ast, J.Williams III 17+11reb+5ast, T.Ito 11+1reb, Q.Miller-Scott 8+3reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 4+1reb+1ast, N.Uto 4+2reb+2ast
FE Nagoya: J.Jones 24+9reb+2ast, A.Henry 23+7reb+7ast, T.Sasayama 15+3reb+1ast, L.Evans 8+5reb+3ast, S.Ryo 3+3reb+1ast, T.Kagitomi 2+1ast

Yokohama BC - Kawasaki BT 92-98

Rather expected game when 6th ranked B-Corsairs (23-36) lost to fourth ranked Brave Thunders (33-26) in Yokohama 92-98 on Saturday. Kawasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Kawasaki made 7 blocks. The winners were led by American forward Thomas Wimbush (201-1993, college: Fairmont St., agency: Slash Sports) who scored that evening 31 points and 9 rebounds and the former international power forward Nick Fazekas (207-1985, college: Nevada) supported him with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 30 points and 14 assists (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) by international guard Yuki Kawamura (172-2001) did not help to save the game for Yokohama BC. Filipino-American center Kai Sotto (220-2002) added 19 points and 14 rebounds. Five Kawasaki and four Yokohama BC players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kawasaki maintains fourth position with 33-26 record. Loser B-Corsairs keeps the sixth place with 36 games lost. Kawasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yokohama BC will play against Kawasaki (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: K.Yuki 30+3reb+14ast, K.Sotto 19+14reb+1ast, D.Oliver 18+10reb+1ast, J.Uthoff 13+8reb+3ast, Y.Sugiura 7+1reb, K.King 5+1reb
Kawasaki BT: T.Wimbush 31+9reb+1ast, N.Fazekas 14+8reb+4ast, Y.Fujii 12+3reb+2ast, I.Ryo 11+3reb+2ast, R.Shinoyama 11+2reb+7ast, R.Allen 10+7reb+2ast