B1 League Round 41 (Regular Season): Shimane SM defeat Ryukyu

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (28-13) in Okinawa on Wednesday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Magic (27-14) 87-84. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. American forward James McAdoo (206-1993, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds. Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) contributed with 20 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Alex Kirk (211-1991, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds for Ryukyu. Golden Kings' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Shimane SM maintains second place with 27-14 record having eight points less than leader Tochigi Brex, which they share with Chiba Jets. Ryukyu at the other side still keeps top position with 13 games lost. They share it with Sea Horses M.. Shimane SM is looking forward to face Nagoya DD (#5) at home in the next round. Ryukyu will play against Kyoto H. (#4) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Yokohama. Seventh ranked B-Corsairs (17-24) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 3rd placed SeaHorses (28-13) 86-85 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of SeaHorses. American Gary Clark (198-1994, college: Cincinnati) stepped up and scored 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and Kiefer Ravena chipped in 15 points and 6 assists. Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 18 rebounds. SeaHorses' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Yokohama BC maintains seventh place with 17-24 record. Sea Horses M. at the other side still keeps top position with 13 games lost. They share it with Ryukyu. Yokohama BC will play against league's second-placed Alvark Tokyo on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sea Horses M. will play against Akita NH and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Seventh-ranked Robots (8-33) used its home court advantage to challenge fifth ranked Dragonflies (19-22) in Mito on Wednesday. The visitors from Hiroshima managed to secure only two-point victory 86-84. However their fans expected easier game. American players dominated the game. Dwayne Evans nailed 26 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Eric Jacobsen came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for Ibaraki R. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Hiroshima D. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Ibaraki R. lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 33 games lost. They share it with Sendai 89ers. Hiroshima D. will meet higher ranked Osaka E. (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ibaraki R. will play against the league's leader Tochigi Brex (#1) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 41: Saga B. was beaten by Chiba Jets on the road 85-71. Gunma CT lost to Tochigi Brex on its own court 77-83. Shiga L-Stars were outscored by Hokkaido L. in Sapporo 78-116. Koshigaya A. managed to beat Akita NH at home 93-80. Alvark Tokyo was defeated by FE Nagoya on the opponent's court 80-68. San-en NP beat Nagoya DD in a home game 95-87. Nagasaki won against Osaka E. on the road 83-70. Sendai 89ers unfortunately lost to Kyoto H. on its own court 78-89. Kawasaki recorded a loss to Sunrockers Sh. in Tokyo 66-83.



Chiba Jets - Saga B. 85-71

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Jets (27-14) beat 7th ranked Ballooners (11-30) in Chiba 85-71 on Wednesday. American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side and the former international point guard Yuki Togashi (170-1993) accounted for 15 points and 10 assists. Four Jets players scored in double figures. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import power forward Allen Durham (198-1988, college: Grace Christian) added 7 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Saga B. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chiba Jets moved-up to second place, which they share with Shimane SM. Saga B. lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 30 games lost. Chiba Jets will meet league's second-placed Gunma CT on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Saga B. will play against Shiga L-Stars (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba Jets: C.Smith 20+4reb+2ast, Y.Watanabe 17+4reb, Y.Togashi 15+2reb+10ast, J.Mooney 15+12reb+3ast, R.Segawa 8+4reb+2ast, N.Tashiro 5+1reb
Saga B.: Y.Childs 20+11reb+2ast, R.Garcia 12+2reb, K.Kanamaru 9+3reb, A.Durham 7+6reb+6ast, M.Lamine 6+6reb, R.Inoue 6+1reb+1ast

Gunma CT - Tochigi Brex 77-83

The game between closely ranked teams ended with second-ranked Thunders' (29-12) home loss to first ranked Tochigi Brex (34-7) in Gunma 77-83 on Wednesday. Tochigi Brex looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn State) nailed 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and Tongan-New Zealand Isaac Fotu (203-1993, college: Hawaii) accounted for 18 points and 8 rebounds. Four Tochigi Brex players scored in double figures. Tochigi Brex's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. German Johannes Thiemann (206-1994) came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds and American guard Trey McKinney-Jones (198-1990, college: Miami, FL) added 22 points and 8 assists respectively for Gunma CT in the defeat. Tochigi Brex maintains first place with 34-7 record. Loser Thunders keeps the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Alvark Tokyo. Tochigi Brex will meet at home Ibaraki R. (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Gunma CT will play against Chiba Jets (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tochigi Brex: D.Newbill 22+5reb+7ast, I.Fotu 18+8reb+2ast, G.Jerrett 11+7reb+5ast, M.Hiejima 10+4reb+5ast, S.Takashima 6, G.Edwards 4+5reb
Gunma CT: J.Thiemann 23+11reb+3ast, T.McKinney-Jones 22+3reb+8ast, K.Flippin 12+3reb+4ast, Y.Fujii 7+1ast, M.Parker 4+5reb+1ast, A.Hachimura 3+2reb

Hokkaido L. - Shiga L-Stars 116-78

Rather predictable result when fifth ranked Hokkaido L. (15-26) rolled over 8th ranked Lakestars (4-36) in Sapporo 116-78 on Wednesday. Hokkaido L. shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 56.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Filipino guard Dwight Ramos (193-1998, college: CPP) nailed 30 points for the winning side and American-German power forward Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 29 points. Four Hokkaido L. players scored in double figures. Australian forward Brock Motum (208-1990, college: WSU, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 27 points and 7 rebounds and American Markeith Cummings (198-1988, college: KSU) added 13 points respectively for Shiga L-Stars 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. Hokkaido L. maintains fifth place with 15-26 record. Newly promoted Shiga L-Stars keep the eighth position with 36 games lost. Hokkaido L. will meet Sendai 89ers (#8) on the road in the next round. Shiga L-Stars will play against Saga B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: D.Ramos 30+4reb+3ast, R.Kriener 29+4reb+1ast, T.Welsh 14+10reb+1ast, R.Shimatani 12+11ast, T.Nakano 7, S.Terazono 5+2reb+5ast
Shiga L-Stars: B.Motum 27+7reb+1ast, M.Cummings 13+4reb+2ast, T.Okada 9+1reb, J.Ducree 7+2reb+1ast, H.Hasegawa 7+2reb, D.Nomoto 5+1reb+10ast

Ibaraki R. - Hiroshima D. 84-86

Seventh-ranked Robots (8-33) used its home court advantage to challenge fifth ranked Dragonflies (19-22) in Mito on Wednesday. The visitors from Hiroshima managed to secure only two-point victory 86-84. However their fans expected easier game. Hiroshima D. made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. American players dominated the game. Forward Dwayne Evans (201-1992, college: St.Louis, agency: Pensack Sports) nailed 26 points and 4 assists for the winning side and forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) accounted for 12 points and 13 rebounds. Eric Jacobsen (208-1994, college: Arizona St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Robert Franks (205-1996, college: WSU) added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Ibaraki R. in the defeat. Four Ibaraki R. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Hiroshima D. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Ibaraki R. lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 33 games lost. They share it with Sendai 89ers. Hiroshima D. will meet higher ranked Osaka E. (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ibaraki R. will play against the league's leader Tochigi Brex (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: D.Evans 26+3reb+4ast, K.Blackshear Jr. 12+13reb+2ast, N.Mayo 11+6reb+3ast, R.Yamazaki 9+1reb+1ast, R.Watanabe 8+5reb, R.Terashima 6
Ibaraki R.: E.Jacobsen 15+11reb+4ast, A.Hirao 15+2reb+4ast, H.Komasawa 12+2reb+1ast, R.Franks 12+7reb+5ast, K.Nakamura 8+1reb+2ast, K.Tsurumaki 5+3reb+2ast

Koshigaya A. - Akita NH 93-80

There was a minor upset when 4th placed Happinets (19-22) lost to sixth ranked Alphas (14-27) in Tokyo 80-93 on Wednesday. Koshigaya A. made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. Koshigaya A. outrebounded Akita NH 40-26 including 29 on the defensive glass. Brazilian-American center Tim Soares (211-1997, college: Master's) nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and naturalized American Kyle Richardson (200-1991, college: Portland St.) accounted for 19 points and 14 rebounds. Taiwanese forward Mohammad Gadiaga (188-1998) came up with 20 points and American Tanner Leissner (201-1995, college: UNH) added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Akita NH in the defeat. 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. Newly promoted Koshigaya A. maintains sixth place with 14-27 record. Loser Happinets keeps the fourth position with 22 games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Koshigaya A. will meet Nagasaki (#6) on the road in the next round. Akita NH will play against Sea Horses M. in Kariya and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: L.Peak 23+5reb+2ast, T.Soares 22+17reb+6ast, K.Richardson 19+14reb+1ast, S.Matsuyama 14+2reb+4ast, R.Sasakura 6+2reb+3ast, S.Kitagawa 6
Akita NH: M.Gadiaga 20+3reb+3ast, S.Taguchi 14+2reb+1ast, C.Mekowulu 13+4reb, T.Leissner 12+6reb+4ast, Y.Morin 7+6reb+2ast, A.Oguri 5+1reb+5ast

FE Nagoya - Alvark Tokyo 80-68

There was a surprise result when sixth ranked Fighting Eagles (19-22) defeated second-ranked Alvark Tokyo (29-12) in Nagoya 80-68 on Wednesday. FE Nagoya outrebounded Alvark Tokyo 39-28 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import power forward Sean OMara (208-1995, college: Xavier) accounted for 16 points and 12 rebounds. Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) came up with 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Brazilian Leonardo Meindl (201-1993) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Alvark Tokyo in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. FE Nagoya moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Alvark Tokyo keeps the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Gunma CT. FE Nagoya will meet at home Sunrockers Sh. (#4) in the next round. Alvark Tokyo will play against Yokohama BC and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: A.Henry 21+11reb+6ast, S.O'Mara 16+12reb+2ast, H.Nakamura 12+1reb+1ast, R.Sadohara 9+1reb+1ast, F.Olujobi 8+2reb, N.Namizato 8+1reb+1ast
Alvark Tokyo: S.Saiz 16+6reb+1ast, L.Meindl 13+8reb+1ast, R.Rossiter 12+3reb+2ast, K.Toews 9+1reb+7ast, T.Osakabe 6+1reb+3ast, Z.Baranski 4+4reb+1ast

San-en NP - Nagoya DD 95-87

There was no surprise when 5th ranked Dolphins (22-19) lost to first ranked San-en NP (36-4) in Hamamatsu 87-95 on Wednesday. San-en NP looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American-Nigerian swingman David Nwaba (195-1993, college: Cal Poly) nailed 30 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and American forward Yante Maten (201-1996, college: Georgia) accounted for 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Nwaba is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four San-en NP players scored in double figures. The former international swingman Keita Imamura (191-1996) came up with 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and American power forward Scott Eatherton (208-1991, college: Northeastern) added 19 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Nagoya DD in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. San-en NP have an impressive series of twenty one victories in a row. They maintain first place with 36-4 record. Loser Dolphins keeps the fifth position with 19 games lost. San-en NP will meet Kawasaki (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Nagoya DD will play against the league's second-placed Shimane SM and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
San-en NP: D.Nwaba 30+5reb+2ast, Y.Maten 12+8reb+4ast, D.Dudzinski 11+7reb+2ast, H.Wakugawa 10+1reb+2ast, S.Oura 10+3reb+7ast, T.Yu 8+4reb+2ast
Nagoya DD: K.Imamura 29+5reb+4ast, S.Eatherton 19+10reb+6ast, L.Maye 8+5reb+1ast, T.Nakahigashi 8+7reb+1ast, T.Kato 7+1ast, Z.Cheatham 7+6reb

Osaka E. - Nagasaki 70-83

There was a small surprise when sixth ranked Nagasaki (19-22) beat on the road 3rd placed Osaka E. (21-20) 83-70 on Wednesday. Nagasaki forced 24 Osaka E. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American Mark Smith (193-1999, college: Kansas St.) nailed 25 points and 6 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import Jarrell Brantley (201-1996, college: Charleston) accounted for 18 points and 4 assists. American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and Ukrainian center Volodymyr Herun (208-1994, college: Portland) added 17 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Osaka E. in the defeat. Osaka E.'s coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Nagasaki have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Osaka E. keeps the third position with 20 games lost. They share it with Kyoto H.. Nagasaki will meet at home Koshigaya A. (#6) in the next round. Osaka E. will play against Hiroshima D. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: M.Smith 25+3reb+6ast, J.Brantley 18+4reb+4ast, Y.Baba 12+8reb+6ast, M.Karimata 9+4reb+1ast, A.Edu 6+5reb+1ast, T.Groves 6+2reb+1ast
Osaka E.: M.Bonds 19+11reb, V.Herun 17+9reb+1ast, H.Maki 8+2reb+7ast, R.Luther 8+5reb+1ast, D.Tsuchiya 6+1reb+2ast, F.Iio 5+2reb

Ryukyu GK - Shimane SM 84-87

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (28-13) in Okinawa on Wednesday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Magic (27-14) 87-84. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. American forward James McAdoo (206-1993, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds. Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) contributed with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. The former international center Alex Kirk (211-1991, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds and American power forward Jack Cooley (206-1991, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) added 19 points and 13 rebounds in the effort for Ryukyu. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Golden Kings' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Shimane SM maintains second place with 27-14 record having eight points less than leader Tochigi Brex, which they share with Chiba Jets. Ryukyu at the other side still keeps top position with 13 games lost. They share it with Sea Horses M.. Shimane SM is looking forward to face Nagoya DD (#5) at home in the next round. Ryukyu will play against Kyoto H. (#4) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Shimane SM: N.Kay 20+12reb+2ast, J.McAdoo 18+17reb+2ast, S.Ando 14+4reb+9ast, S.Tsuyama 13+1reb+1ast, A.Murphy 12+2reb+1ast, H.Kitagawa 5+1ast
Ryukyu GK: A.Kirk 25+12reb+2ast, J.Cooley 19+13reb, R.Kishimoto 16+5reb+4ast, K.Aluma 13+3reb+3ast, V.Law 11+3reb+3ast, T.Ito 0+1ast

Sendai 89ers - Kyoto H. 78-89

Very expected game when 8th ranked 89ers (8-33) lost to fourth ranked Kyoto H. (21-20) in Sendai 78-89 on Wednesday. Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and the former international guard Yuta Okada (189-1998) accounted for 22 points and 7 assists. Four Kyoto H. players scored in double figures. Brazilian center Cristiano Felicio (210-1992, college: Oregon) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and guard Hirohide Araya (189-1998) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively for Sendai 89ers in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kyoto H. moved-up to third place, which they share with Osaka E. Sendai 89ers lost tenth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with 33 games lost. They share it with Ibaraki R.. Kyoto H. will meet at home league's leader Ryukyu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sendai 89ers will play against Hokkaido L. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: Y.Okada 22+1reb+7ast, A.Caloiaro 19+10reb+1ast, C.Jackson 17+7reb+1ast, J.Heath 10+6reb, T.Furukawa 6+1reb+2ast, S.Maeta 5+6reb
Sendai 89ers: C.Felicio 17+11reb+2ast, H.Araya 13+4reb+4ast, A.Tajima 11+2ast, S.Kidd 9+5reb+2ast, N.Boothe 8+4reb+2ast, S.Watanabe 7+2ast

Sunrockers Sh. - Kawasaki BT 83-66

Rather predictable result when fourth ranked SunRockers (23-18) won against 8th ranked Brave Thunders (13-28) in Tokyo 83-66 on Wednesday. American forward Kevin Jones (203-1989, college: WVU) nailed 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and Kazakhstan-American point guard Anthony Clemmons (187-1994, college: Iowa) accounted for 17 points and 6 rebounds. Four SunRockers players scored in double figures. Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-1993, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with 19 points and 6 rebounds and American Alize Johnson (206-1996, college: Missouri St.) added 15 points respectively for Kawasaki in the defeat. Brave Thunders' coach let to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Sunrockers Sh. maintains fourth place with 23-18 record. Loser Brave Thunders keeps the eighth position with 28 games lost. Sunrockers Sh. will meet FE Nagoya (#6) on the road in the next round. Kawasaki will play against the league's leader San-en NP and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sunrockers Sh.: A.Clemmons 17+6reb+2ast, K.Jones 15+8reb+2ast, L.Vendrame 14+4reb+2ast, J.Hawkinson 11+6reb+6ast, T.Murphy Jr. 9+5reb+2ast, R.Travis 8+4reb
Kawasaki BT: R.Allen 19+6reb+3ast, A.Johnson 15+4reb+2ast, S.Killeya-Jones 8+9reb+1ast, J.Yamauchi 7+2reb, R.Nozaki 7+2reb+3ast, K.Kobari 4+1reb+2ast

Yokohama BC - Sea Horses M. 86-85

Important game to mention about took place in Yokohama. Seventh ranked B-Corsairs (17-24) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 3rd placed SeaHorses (28-13) 86-85 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of SeaHorses. Yokohama BC players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. American Gary Clark (198-1994, college: Cincinnati) stepped up and scored 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and Filipino guard Kiefer Ravena (183-1993) chipped in 15 points and 6 assists. Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 18 rebounds and American power forward Davante Gardner (203-1991, college: Marquette) scored 18 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. SeaHorses' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Yokohama BC maintains seventh place with 17-24 record. Sea Horses M. at the other side still keeps top position with 13 games lost. They share it with Ryukyu. Yokohama BC will play against league's second-placed Alvark Tokyo on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Sea Horses M. will play against Akita NH and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: G.Clark 22+6reb+2ast, K.Ravena 15+3reb+6ast, K.Morii 13+2reb+5ast, D.Inglis 12+4reb+2ast, K.Sudo 12+3reb+2ast, M.Kotsar 9+4reb+4ast
Sea Horses M.: D.Gardner 18+3reb+2ast, Z.Auguste 14+18reb+2ast, Y.Suda 12, R.Sumino 12, Y.Nishida 10+4reb+3ast, Y.Kubota 5+7ast