B1 League Round 9 (Regular Season): Yokohama BC defeat Shiga L-Stars in the closest game of the week

After 9 rounds played we can already see who rules in the B1 League and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Eighth-ranked Lakestars (1-8) gave a tough game to sixth ranked B-Corsairs (5-4) in Yokohama on Sunday. B-Corsairs managed to secure only two-point victory 77-75. However their fans expected easier game. Yokohama BC looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Gary Clark (198-1994, college: Cincinnati) stepped up and scored 17 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and French power forward Damien Inglis (206-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 11 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The best for the losing side was Taiwanese point guard Ai-Che Yu (183-2002) with 20 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Yokohama BC moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Shiga L-Stars lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the eighth position with eight games lost. They share it with Koshigaya A.. Yokohama BC is looking forward to face Hokkaido L. (#6) in Sapporo in the next round. Shiga L-Stars will play on the road against Gunma CT and are hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked SeaHorses (6-3) against sixth ranked Dolphins (5-4) on Sunday night. Visiting SeaHorses were crushed by Dolphins in Nagoya 105-82. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of SeaHorses. Americans were the main players on the court. Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC) nailed 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and Scott Eatherton accounted for 17 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Jake Layman (206-1994, college: Maryland) came up with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for Sea Horses M. 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. Nagoya DD moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Sea Horses M. at the other side dropped to the second position with three games lost. They share it with Osaka E. and Ryukyu. Nagoya DD will play against Nagasaki (#4) on the road in the next round. Sea Horses M. will play against the league's leader Alvark Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Shimane. First ranked host Magic (8-1) defeated 4th placed Happinets (4-5) 95-90. The best player for the winners was James McAdoo who had a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Yannis Morin who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds. Happinets' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Magic have a solid series of four victories in a row. Shimane SM maintains first place with 8-1 record, which they share with Alvark Tokyo and Chiba Jets. Loser Happinets keeps the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Kyoto H. and Saga B.. Shimane SM will meet league's second-placed Tochigi Brex on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Akita NH will play against the league's leader Chiba Jets and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 9: Hiroshima D. was destroyed by Ryukyu on the opponent's court 88-68. Sendai 89ers managed to outperform Koshigaya A. in a home game 73-63. Kyoto H. was rolled over Sunrockers Sh. on the road 95-60. Alvark Tokyo defeated Saga B. on its own court 79-66. Ibaraki R. was beaten by San-en NP in Hamamatsu 100-89. FE Nagoya lost to Tochigi Brex at home 70-76. Hokkaido L. unfortunately lost to Osaka E. on the opponent's court 84-90. Nagasaki recorded a loss to Chiba Jets in a home game 75-79.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 29 points and 6 rebounds by Mark Smith of Nagasaki.



Shimane SM - Akita NH 95-90

The game between Top Four teams took place in Shimane. First ranked host Magic (8-1) defeated 4th placed Happinets (4-5) 95-90. Shimane SM looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward James McAdoo (206-1993, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international Luke Evans (203-1991, college: CBU) chipped in 21 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was French power forward Yannis Morin (208-1993, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds and the former international guard Shigehiro Taguchi (184-1990) added 21 points respectively. Five Shimane SM and four Akita NH players scored in double figures. Happinets' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Magic have a solid series of four victories in a row. Shimane SM maintains first place with 8-1 record, which they share with Alvark Tokyo and Chiba Jets. Loser Happinets keeps the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Kyoto H. and Saga B.. Shimane SM will meet league's second-placed Tochigi Brex on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Akita NH will play against the league's leader Chiba Jets and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Akita NH: Y.Morin 22+14reb+1ast, S.Taguchi 21+2reb+1ast, T.Leissner 14+7reb+1ast, C.Mekowulu 12+3reb+1ast, R.Akaho 10+3reb+7ast, M.Gadiaga 9+2reb+6ast
Shimane SM: L.Evans 21+7reb+2ast, N.Kay 18+5reb+6ast, J.McAdoo 13+13reb+7ast, C.Clarke 11+3reb+2ast, Y.Nohmi 11+4reb+3ast, S.Tsuyama 10+1reb+5ast

Ryukyu GK - Hiroshima D. 88-68

Very expected game in Okinawa where 7th ranked Dragonflies (2-7) were crushed by third ranked Golden Kings (6-3) 88-68 on Sunday. Ryukyu dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Dragonflies's 32. The best player for the winners was American forward Victor Law (201-1995, college: Northwestern, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import power forward Jack Cooley (206-1991, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 5 points and 11 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) who recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists and Ryo Yamazaki (183-1992) added 16 points respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ryukyu moved-up to second place, which they share with Sea Horses M. and Osaka E. Loser Dragonflies dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Ryukyu will meet league's second-placed Osaka E. on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hiroshima D. will play against the league's second-placed San-en NP (#2) in Hamamatsu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: R.Yamazaki 16+4reb+1ast, D.Evans 14+4reb+2ast, K.Blackshear Jr. 11+10reb+7ast, T.Nakamura 7+1reb+2ast, K.Roberts 7+2reb, T.Kamisawa 5+1reb
Ryukyu GK: M.Waki 17+1reb, V.Law 17+10reb+5ast, S.Onodera 13+1reb+1ast, R.Kishimoto 10+1reb+4ast, A.Kirk 10+6reb, K.Aluma 8+5reb+2ast

Sendai 89ers - Koshigaya A. 73-63

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked 89ers' (3-6) home victory over 8th ranked Alphas (1-8) 73-63 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was American Stanton Kidd (202-1992, college: Colorado St.) who scored 22 points and 7 rebounds. Brazilian center Cristiano Felicio (210-1992, college: Oregon) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Filipino-American center Kai Sotto (220-2002) who recorded 6 points and 13 rebounds and American forward Jeff Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) added 15 points respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. 89ers have a solid series of three victories in a row. Sendai 89ers moved-up to fifth place. Koshigaya A. lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eighth position with eight games lost. They share it with Shiga L-Stars. Sendai 89ers will meet at home FE Nagoya (#7) in the next round. Koshigaya A.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Sunrockers Sh..
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: J.Gibbs 15+2reb+3ast, L.Peak 13+3reb+4ast, K.Hoshikawa 8+3reb, S.Matsuyama 8+2reb, T.Soares 7+6reb+3ast, K.Sotto 6+13reb+3ast
Sendai 89ers: S.Kidd 22+7reb+3ast, C.Felicio 11+11reb+1ast, Y.Aoki 10+3reb+3ast, N.Boothe 9+3reb+3ast, M.Kataoka 6+1reb, S.Watanabe 5+1reb+2ast

Sunrockers Sh. - Kyoto H. 95-60

Everything could happen in Tokyo at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked SunRockers and their close opponent Kyoto H. had identical 4-4 record. This time SunRockers used a home court advantage and rolled over the opponent from Kyoto 95-60 on Sunday night. Sunrockers Sh. dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Kyoto H.'s 26. They outrebounded Kyoto H. 33-21 including 20 on the defensive glass. Sunrockers Sh. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Reid Travis (203-1995, college: Kentucky, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Kevin Jones (203-1989, college: WVU) chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds. Five SunRockers players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Charles Jackson (208-1993, college: Tenn Tech) who recorded 15 points and 6 rebounds and the former international guard Yuta Okada (189-1998) added 14 points and 6 assists respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sunrockers Sh. (5-4) moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Loser Kyoto H. dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Akita NH and Saga B.. Sunrockers Sh.'s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Koshigaya A..
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: C.Jackson 15+6reb+1ast, Y.Okada 14+2reb+6ast, J.Heath 14+5reb+2ast, R.Ono 4+1reb, R.Shibuta 3+1reb+2ast, H.Kawashima 3
Sunrockers Sh.: R.Travis 26+11reb, K.Jones 17+8reb+1ast, A.Clemmons 16+3reb+5ast, L.Vendrame 13+2reb+5ast, J.Hawkinson 10+3reb+6ast, T.Murphy Jr. 6+4reb

Yokohama BC - Shiga L-Stars 77-75

Eighth-ranked Lakestars (1-8) gave a tough game to sixth ranked B-Corsairs (5-4) in Yokohama on Sunday. B-Corsairs managed to secure only two-point victory 77-75. However their fans expected easier game. Yokohama BC looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Gary Clark (198-1994, college: Cincinnati) stepped up and scored 17 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and French power forward Damien Inglis (206-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 11 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. The best for the losing side was Taiwanese point guard Ai-Che Yu (183-2002) with 20 points and 4 assists and Panamanian-American center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Yokohama BC moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Shiga L-Stars lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the eighth position with eight games lost. They share it with Koshigaya A.. Yokohama BC is looking forward to face Hokkaido L. (#6) in Sapporo in the next round. Shiga L-Stars will play on the road against Gunma CT and are hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Shiga L-Stars: A.Yu 20+3reb+4ast, T.Okada 15+3ast, B.Motum 12+10reb+2ast, J.Carter 11+11reb+3ast, S.Ehara 6, K.Tsuneta 5+1ast
Yokohama BC: G.Clark 17+9reb+2ast, K.Ravena 13+3reb+2ast, D.Inglis 11+6reb+7ast, M.Kotsar 10+8reb+3ast, Y.Sugiura 9+3reb+1ast, T.Oba 6

Alvark Tokyo - Saga B. 79-66

Everything went according to plan when first ranked Alvark Tokyo (8-1) beat at home 5th ranked Ballooners (4-5) 79-66 on Sunday. Alvark Tokyo outrebounded Saga B. 39-25 including 24 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). Lithuanian center Arturas Gudaitis (211-1993) chipped in 12 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international swingman Kosuke Kanamaru (192-1989) who recorded 27 points (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Alvark Tokyo have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-1 record, which they share with Chiba Jets and Shimane SM. Saga B. lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Akita NH and Kyoto H.. Alvark Tokyo will meet Sea Horses M. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Saga B. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saga B.: K.Kanamaru 27+3reb+1ast, Y.Childs 12+5reb+4ast, C.Fieler 10+6reb+9ast, T.Sumida 7+1reb+2ast, R.Garcia 7+3reb+1ast, A.Kishida 2+1ast
Alvark Tokyo: S.Saiz 25+10reb, A.Gudaitis 12+5reb+3ast, L.Meindl 11+5reb+3ast, T.Osakabe 8+1reb+1ast, R.Rossiter 5+9reb+4ast, S.Ando 5+2reb

Nagoya DD - Sea Horses M. 105-82

Very important is a road loss of third ranked SeaHorses (6-3) against sixth ranked Dolphins (5-4) on Sunday night. Visiting SeaHorses were crushed by Dolphins in Nagoya 105-82. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of SeaHorses. Nagoya DD shot 63.9 percent from the field. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists. Dolphins brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Americans were the main players on the court. Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC) nailed 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and power forward Scott Eatherton (208-1991, college: Northeastern) accounted for 17 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Jake Layman (206-1994, college: Maryland) came up with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and power forward Davante Gardner (203-1991, college: Marquette) added 13 points and 7 assists respectively for Sea Horses M. in the defeat. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nagoya DD moved-up to third place, which they share with 4 other teams. Sea Horses M. at the other side dropped to the second position with three games lost. They share it with Osaka E. and Ryukyu. Nagoya DD will play against Nagasaki (#4) on the road in the next round. Sea Horses M. will play against the league's leader Alvark Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sea Horses M.: J.Layman 17+7reb+5ast, Y.Suda 15+1reb+1ast, D.Gardner 13+4reb+7ast, R.Sumino 11+2reb, Y.Nishida 10+1reb+4ast, Z.Auguste 7+2reb
Nagoya DD: L.Maye 23+5reb+5ast, S.Eatherton 17+9reb+2ast, T.Sato 15+1reb+4ast, T.Saito 14+1reb+7ast, Z.Cheatham 12+7reb+3ast, T.Nakahigashi 10+5reb+5ast

San-en NP - Ibaraki R. 100-89

There was no surprise in Hamamatsu where 7th ranked Robots (2-7) were defeated by second ranked San-en NP (7-2) 100-89 on Sunday. San-en NP made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. San-en NP outrebounded Ibaraki R. 37-26 including 18 on the offensive glass. San-en NP looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American-Nigerian swingman David Nwaba (195-1993, college: Cal Poly) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. American David Dudzinski (205-1992, college: Holy Cross) chipped in a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Nwaba is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Robert Franks (205-1996, college: WSU) who recorded 25 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import forward Chehales Tapscott (195-1990, college: Portland St.) added 16 points and 5 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San-en NP have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-2 record behind leader Shimane SM, which they share with Tochigi Brex. Ibaraki R. lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. San-en NP will meet at home Hiroshima D. (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Ibaraki R. will play against Kyoto H. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: R.Franks 25+7reb+1ast, C.Tapscott 16+4reb+5ast, N.Hasegawa 15+4ast, K.Nakamura 11+4reb+2ast, E.Jacobsen 7+2reb+2ast, D.Mosaku 6+1reb+4ast
San-en NP: D.Nwaba 22+13reb+3ast, H.Yoshii 21+3reb, D.Dudzinski 21+12reb+4ast, Y.Maten 14+3reb, R.Sasaki 6+1reb+11ast, T.Yu 4

FE Nagoya - Tochigi Brex 70-76

No shocking result in a game in Nagoya where second ranked Tochigi Brex (7-2) won against 7th ranked Fighting Eagles (2-7) 76-70 on Sunday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tochigi Brex made 7 blocks. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The best player for the winners was guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn State) who scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Center Grant Jerrett (208-1993, college: Arizona) chipped in 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Justin Harper (208-1989, college: Richmond) who recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds and power forward Sean OMara (208-1995, college: Xavier) added 12 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Five FE Nagoya players scored in double figures. Fighting Eagles' coach let to play eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Tochigi Brex have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain second place with 7-2 record behind leader Shimane SM, which they share with San-en NP. FE Nagoya lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Tochigi Brex will meet at home league's leader Shimane SM in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. FE Nagoya will play against Sendai 89ers (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: J.Harper 14+12reb+1ast, S.O'Mara 12+5reb, T.Sasayama 12+2reb+2ast, H.Nakamura 10+1reb+6ast, N.Namizato 10+2reb+2ast, R.Yasuoka 6+3reb+2ast
Tochigi Brex: D.Newbill 21+8reb+4ast, M.Hiejima 15+2reb+6ast, G.Jerrett 14+8reb+7ast, Y.Endo 9+2reb+1ast, I.Fotu 8+3reb, K.Takeuchi 7+5reb

Osaka E. - Hokkaido L. 90-84

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Hokkaido L. (2-7) was defeated on the road by fourth ranked Osaka E. (6-3) 90-84 on Sunday. Osaka E. made 25-of-28 free shots (89.3 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Osaka E. made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American Ryan Luther (206-1995, college: Arizona) who scored 36 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). American-Filipino guard Ray Parks (193-1993, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 19 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American-German power forward Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa, agency: Pensack Sports) who recorded 20 points and 9 rebounds and American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) added 15 points and 11 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Osaka E. moved-up to second place, which they share with Sea Horses M. and Ryukyu. Loser Hokkaido L. keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Osaka E. will meet at home Ryukyu (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Hokkaido L. will play against Yokohama BC and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: R.Kriener 20+9reb+2ast, S.Terazono 17+6ast, T.Welsh 15+11reb+2ast, H.Kikuchi 9+1reb+1ast, T.Nakano 6+2reb+1ast, Y.Matsushita 5+4reb
Osaka E.: R.Luther 36+6reb+2ast, R.Parks 19+4reb+4ast, M.Bonds 14+4reb, H.Maki 6+4reb+1ast, V.Gerun 5+6reb+2ast, J.Takeuchi 4+3reb

Nagasaki - Chiba Jets 75-79

Rather predictable result when first ranked Jets (8-1) defeated on the road 4th placed Nagasaki (5-4) 79-75 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds. His fellow American import forward DJ Hogg (203-1996, college: Texas A&M) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American Mark Smith (193-1999, college: Kansas St.) who recorded 29 points and 6 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) and international Yudai Baba (196-1995) added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Four Nagasaki players scored in double figures. Nagasaki's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Jets have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Chiba Jets maintains first place with 8-1 record, which they share with Alvark Tokyo and Shimane SM. Loser Nagasaki dropped to the third position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Chiba Jets will meet Akita NH (#4) on the road in the next round. Nagasaki will play against Nagoya DD and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: M.Smith 29+6reb+2ast, Y.Baba 17+5reb+4ast, A.Edu 10+11reb+1ast, J.Brantley 10+3reb+2ast, J.Floyd 7+7reb, H.Yamaguchi 2+3reb+2ast
Chiba Jets: Y.Togashi 19+3reb+4ast, D.Hogg 18+5reb+6ast, J.Mooney 17+17reb+1ast, R.Kanechika 9+1ast, S.Hara 5+3reb+1ast, C.Smith 4+2reb+2ast