B1 League Round 43 (Regular Season): San-en NP lose to Tochigi Brex

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of San-en NP (38-5) on the court of first ranked Tochigi Brex on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Tochigi Brex 88-86. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Tochigi Brex looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by San-en NP helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn State) fired a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Tongan-New Zealand Isaac Fotu (203-1993, college: Hawaii) chipped in 14 points. American-Nigerian swingman David Nwaba (195-1993, college: Cal Poly) produced 21 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Tochigi Brex have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 36-8 record which they share with defeated San-en NP. San-en NP at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Tochigi Brex are again looking forward to face 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.
Seventh-ranked Robots (8-36) made lots of trouble for second ranked Alvark Tokyo (32-12) in Mito. The visitors from Tokyo managed to secure only three-point victory 73-70. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 7 rebounds. Ryan Rossiter contributed with 14 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Guard Atsunobu Hirao (178-1989) answered with 20 points and 6 assists for Ibaraki R.Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Alvark Tokyo have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 32-12 record having five points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Ibaraki R. lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 36 games lost. They share it with Sendai 89ers. Alvark Tokyo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ibaraki R. will play again at home against the league's second-placed Alvark Tokyo (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Osaka E. (23-21) against eighth ranked Brave Thunders (14-30) on Saturday night. Visiting Osaka E. was defeated by Brave Thunders in a tough game in Kanagawa 92-99. It was a great evening for Sacha Killeya-Jones who led his team to a victory scoring 31 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side Ryan Luther responded with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kawasaki moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Koshigaya A. Loser Osaka E. keeps the third position with 21 games lost. Kawasaki will again meet at home higher ranked Osaka E. (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Osaka E. will have a break next round.

Other games of round 43 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
FE Nagoya was defeated by Akita NH in a road game 92-84. Gunma CT smashed Koshigaya A. at home 92-67. Sendai 89ers lost to Hiroshima D. on the opponent's court 91-106. Hokkaido L. unfortunately lost to Nagoya DD in a home game 68-76. Nagasaki was rolled over Kyoto H. on the road 68-88. Sea Horses M. was defeated by Ryukyu on its own court 67-80. Chiba Jets were beaten by Shiga L-Stars in a road game 93-89. Sunrockers Sh. won against Shimane SM at home 69-65. Saga B. unfortunately lost to Yokohama BC on the opponent's court 69-87.
The best stats of 43th round was 20 points and 12 rebounds by Yoeli Childs of Saga B..



Akita NH - FE Nagoya 92-84

Everything could happen in Akita at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Happinets and 6th ranked Fighting Eagles had identical 20-23 record. This time Happinets used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Nagoya 92-84 on Saturday night. Akita NH looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. It was a great evening for American Tanner Leissner (201-1995, college: UNH) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. French power forward Yannis Morin (208-1993, agency: Octagon Europe) helped adding 24 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side American forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import power forward Sean OMara (208-1995, college: Xavier) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. Five Akita NH and four FE Nagoya players scored in double figures. Akita NH maintains fourth place with 21-23 record, which they share with Hiroshima D. and Nagasaki. Loser Fighting Eagles keeps the sixth position with 24 games lost. Akita NH will meet at home FE Nagoya (#6) in the next round. FE Nagoya will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Akita NH: Y.Morin 24+7reb+1ast, T.Leissner 21+8reb+5ast, S.Taguchi 17+3reb+3ast, C.Mekowulu 12+6reb, K.Kumagai 10+5reb+5ast, A.Oguri 4+1reb+3ast
FE Nagoya: R.Sadohara 22+1reb+3ast, A.Henry 17+6reb+7ast, S.O'Mara 15+11reb+2ast, R.Yasuoka 14+3reb, N.Namizato 8+3reb+9ast, T.Sasayama 6+1reb+2ast

Kawasaki BT - Osaka E. 99-92

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Osaka E. (23-21) against eighth ranked Brave Thunders (14-30) on Saturday night. Visiting Osaka E. was defeated by Brave Thunders in a tough game in Kanagawa 92-99. Kawasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for British-American power forward Sacha Killeya-Jones (212-1998, college: NC State) who led his team to a victory scoring 31 points and 6 rebounds. Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-1993, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) helped adding 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side American Ryan Luther (206-1995, college: Arizona) responded with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) scored 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kawasaki moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Koshigaya A. Loser Osaka E. keeps the third position with 21 games lost. Kawasaki will again meet at home higher ranked Osaka E. (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Osaka E. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: S.Killeya-Jones 31+6reb, R.Allen 25+5reb+5ast, A.Johnson 14+8reb+3ast, M.Wright 11+7reb+4ast, R.Shinoyama 11+1reb+5ast, T.Kashiwagura 3+2ast
Osaka E.: R.Luther 20+7reb+4ast, M.Bonds 16+8reb+7ast, R.Parks 16+1reb+2ast, V.Herun 14+5reb+1ast, H.Maki 12+1reb+6ast, R.Goda 9+1reb

Gunma CT - Koshigaya A. 92-67

No shocking result in a game in Gunma where second ranked Thunders (31-13) smashed 6th ranked Alphas (14-30) 92-67 on Saturday. Gunma CT dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Alphas's 26. Gunma CT looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for German Johannes Thiemann (206-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds. American center Kaleb Tarczewski (212-1993, college: Arizona) helped adding 18 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Five Thunders players scored in double figures. At the losing side American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 14 points and naturalized American Kyle Richardson (200-1991, college: Portland St.) scored 10 points and 7 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. Gunma CT keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Ryukyu. Koshigaya A. lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the sixth place with 30 games lost. They share the position with Kawasaki. Gunma CT will meet at home Koshigaya A. (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Koshigaya A. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Gunma CT: J.Thiemann 19+7reb+2ast, K.Tarczewski 18+3reb, K.Hosokawa 13+4reb+1ast, Y.Fujii 11+3reb+4ast, T.McKinney-Jones 11+4reb+3ast, M.Parker 6+1reb+1ast
Koshigaya A.: L.Peak 14+3reb+3ast, S.Matsuyama 10+2reb+2ast, K.Richardson 10+7reb+2ast, T.Soares 8+6reb+1ast, T.Enokida 7, J.Gibbs 5+9reb+5ast

Hiroshima D. - Sendai 89ers 106-91

Rather expected game in Hiroshima where 8th ranked 89ers (8-36) were defeated by sixth ranked Dragonflies (21-23) 106-91 on Saturday. Hiroshima D. made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Dwayne Evans (201-1992, college: St.Louis, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 28 points. His fellow American import forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) helped adding 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Dragonflies players scored in double figures. At the losing side American Nathan Boothe (208-1994, college: Toledo) responded with 8 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Brazilian center Cristiano Felicio (210-1992, college: Oregon) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Hiroshima D. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Akita NH and Nagasaki. Sendai 89ers lost thirteenth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with 36 games lost. They share it with Ibaraki R.. Hiroshima D. will meet at home Sendai 89ers (#8) in the next round. Sendai 89ers will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: D.Evans 28+2reb+2ast, R.Yamazaki 21+6reb+2ast, N.Mayo 16+7reb+4ast, K.Blackshear Jr. 15+11reb+5ast, T.Nakamura 9+1reb+4ast, K.Roberts 7+2reb+1ast
Sendai 89ers: J.Yang 16+1reb+1ast, C.Felicio 16+6reb, S.Watanabe 16+3reb+2ast, H.Araya 12+1reb, N.Boothe 8+10reb+6ast, S.Kidd 8+7reb+4ast

Hokkaido L. - Nagoya DD 68-76

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Dolphins' (25-19) road victory over 5th ranked Hokkaido L. (16-28) 76-68 on Saturday. Nagoya DD dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Hokkaido L.'s 30. It was a great evening for American forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 8 rebounds. The former international swingman Keita Imamura (191-1996) helped adding 18 points and 6 assists. At the losing side American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds and point guard Shuto Terazono (172-1994) scored 14 points and 4 assists. Four Hokkaido L. players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Dolphins have a solid series of three victories in a row. Nagoya DD maintains fourth place with 25-19 record. Loser Hokkaido L. keeps the fifth position with 28 games lost. Nagoya DD will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hokkaido L. will play against Nagoya DD (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nagoya DD: Z.Cheatham 24+8reb+1ast, K.Imamura 18+4reb+6ast, S.Eatherton 10+8reb+1ast, T.Nakahigashi 9+2reb+2ast, L.Maye 7+10reb, I.Murphy 4+3reb
Hokkaido L.: D.Ramos 14+2reb+2ast, S.Terazono 14+3reb+4ast, R.Kriener 10+4reb+2ast, T.Welsh 10+15reb+2ast, K.Sekino 6+2ast, K.Hoshino 5+3ast

Ibaraki R. - Alvark Tokyo 70-73

Seventh-ranked Robots (8-36) made lots of trouble for second ranked Alvark Tokyo (32-12) in Mito. The visitors from Tokyo managed to secure only three-point victory 73-70. However their fans expected much easier game. Alvark Tokyo players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 7 rebounds. The former international forward Ryan Rossiter (206-1989, college: Siena) contributed with 14 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Guard Atsunobu Hirao (178-1989) answered with 20 points and 6 assists and American center Jehyve Floyd (203-1997, college: Holy Cross) added 10 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Ibaraki R.Five Ibaraki R. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Alvark Tokyo have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 32-12 record having five points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Ibaraki R. lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 36 games lost. They share it with Sendai 89ers. Alvark Tokyo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ibaraki R. will play again at home against the league's second-placed Alvark Tokyo (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Alvark Tokyo: S.Saiz 19+7reb+1ast, R.Rossiter 14+8reb+1ast, K.Toews 12+3reb+5ast, L.Meindl 9+2reb+4ast, S.Okura 7+1reb+1ast, S.Ando 7+1reb+3ast
Ibaraki R.: A.Hirao 20+1reb+6ast, K.Nakamura 19+2reb+1ast, E.Jacobsen 11+6reb+2ast, J.Floyd 10+11reb+5ast, H.Komasawa 10+2reb+3ast, R.Jingaoka 0

Kyoto H. - Nagasaki 88-68

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Kyoto H. and 6th ranked Nagasaki had identical 21-22 record. This time Kyoto H. used a home court advantage and outplayed the opponent from Nagasaki 88-68 on Saturday night. Kyoto H. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Nagasaki's 34. Kyoto H. had a 29-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American center Charles Jackson (208-1993, college: Tenn Tech) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 10 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). The former international guard Yuta Okada (189-1998) helped adding 19 points and 6 assists. Four Kyoto H. players scored in double figures. At the losing side American Jarrell Brantley (201-1996, college: Charleston) responded with 15 points and 4 assists and the other American import power forward Tanner Groves (208-1999, college: Oklahoma) scored 7 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kyoto H. maintains fourth place with 22-22 record which they share with defeated Nagasaki. Loser Nagasaki dropped to the fourth position with 23 games lost. They share it with Akita NH and Hiroshima D.. Kyoto H. will again meet at home Nagasaki (#6) in the next round. Nagasaki will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: C.Jackson 26+10reb+1ast, Y.Okada 19+4reb+6ast, A.Caloiaro 15+9reb+3ast, S.Maeta 13+3reb+4ast, H.Kawashima 5+4reb+6ast, J.Heath 4+3reb+2ast
Nagasaki: J.Brantley 15+3reb+4ast, Y.Baba 13+2reb+1ast, M.Smith 10+3ast, H.Yamaguchi 7+2reb+1ast, T.Groves 7+9reb+3ast, A.Edu 6+9reb+3ast

Sea Horses M. - Ryukyu GK 67-80

Everything went according to plan in Kariya where first ranked Golden Kings (31-13) won against 3rd placed SeaHorses (29-15) 80-67 on Saturday. Ryukyu outrebounded Sea Horses M. 53-30 including a 18-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Ryukyu looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American power forward Jack Cooley (206-1991, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 21 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Victor Law (201-1995, college: Northwestern, agency: Pensack Sports) helped adding 9 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Golden Kings players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international forward Yudai Nishida (190-1999) responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds and American power forward Davante Gardner (203-1991, college: Marquette) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Golden Kings have a solid series of three victories in a row. Ryukyu maintains first place with 31-13 record, which they share with Gunma CT. Loser SeaHorses keeps the third position with 15 games lost. They share it with Chiba Jets. Ryukyu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sea Horses M. will play against the league's leader Ryukyu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: K.Aluma 14+4reb+1ast, H.Arakawa 13+3reb, R.Kishimoto 13+1reb+6ast, J.Cooley 13+21reb+3ast, V.Law 9+11reb+4ast, M.Waki 7+2reb
Sea Horses M.: Y.Nishida 16+5reb+3ast, D.Gardner 14+5reb+3ast, Z.Auguste 10+7reb, R.Sumino 9+4reb+1ast, K.Ishii 6+2reb+2ast, Y.Suda 5+1reb

Shiga L-Stars - Chiba Jets 93-89

There was an upset in Shiga where 3rd placed Jets (29-15) were defeated by eighth ranked Lakestars (5-38) 93-89 on Saturday. Shiga L-Stars dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Jets' 24. Shiga L-Stars shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 52.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for Australian forward Brock Motum (208-1990, college: WSU, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 31 points and 5 rebounds. American Markeith Cummings (198-1988, college: KSU) helped adding 25 points. Four Lakestars players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Christopher Smith (193-1994, college: Utah St.) responded with 35 points (!!!) and 5 assists and the other American import forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds. Jets' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Shiga L-Stars maintains eighth place with 5-38 record. Loser Jets keep the third position with 15 games lost. They share it with Sea Horses M.. Shiga L-Stars will meet at home higher ranked Chiba Jets (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Chiba Jets will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shiga L-Stars: B.Motum 31+5reb+2ast, M.Cummings 25+3reb+2ast, J.Ducree 13+4reb+2ast, T.Okada 10+1reb+3ast, A.Yu 6+6reb+5ast, D.Nomoto 5+3reb+6ast
Chiba Jets: C.Smith 35+4reb+5ast, Y.Togashi 18+3reb+6ast, J.Mooney 13+14reb+1ast, R.Kanechika 6+2reb+1ast, N.Tashiro 6+2reb, D.Hogg 5+6reb+2ast

Sunrockers Sh. - Shimane SM 69-65

There was a small surprise in Tokyo where fourth ranked SunRockers (24-20) defeated much higher ranked Magic (28-16) 69-65 on Saturday. It was a great evening for Kazakhstan-American point guard Anthony Clemmons (187-1994, college: Iowa) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 6 rebounds. The former international point guard Leo Vendrame (183-1993) helped adding 19 points and 4 assists. Four SunRockers players scored in double figures. At the losing side Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) responded with 21 points and 5 rebounds and the former international guard Seiya Ando (181-1992) scored 18 points and 7 assists. Despite that victory Sunrockers Sh. went down to fifth position due to points difference. Loser Magic keeps the second place with 16 games lost. Sunrockers Sh. will meet at home league's second-placed Shimane SM in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shimane SM will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sunrockers Sh.: L.Vendrame 19+4reb+4ast, A.Clemmons 18+6reb+3ast, J.Hawkinson 10+8reb+4ast, R.Travis 10+9reb+1ast, D.Tanaka 7+1reb+3ast, K.Jones 5+3reb
Shimane SM: N.Kay 21+5reb+2ast, S.Ando 18+1reb+7ast, S.Tsuyama 8+2ast, J.McAdoo 7+14reb+1ast, L.Evans 6+8reb+5ast, A.Murphy 3+2reb+2ast

Tochigi Brex - San-en NP 88-86

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of San-en NP (38-5) on the court of first ranked Tochigi Brex on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Tochigi Brex 88-86. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Tochigi Brex looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by San-en NP helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn State) fired a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Tongan-New Zealand Isaac Fotu (203-1993, college: Hawaii) chipped in 14 points. American-Nigerian swingman David Nwaba (195-1993, college: Cal Poly) produced 21 points and 9 rebounds and American forward Yante Maten (201-1996, college: Georgia) added 13 points and 13 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Tochigi Brex and five San-en NP players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Tochigi Brex have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain first place with 36-8 record which they share with defeated San-en NP. San-en NP at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Tochigi Brex are again looking forward to face 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:
Tochigi Brex: D.Newbill 25+11reb+6ast, I.Fotu 14+4reb+3ast, G.Jerrett 13+2reb, S.Takashima 11+3reb+1ast, G.Edwards 8+5reb+1ast, M.Hiejima 5+3reb+5ast
San-en NP: D.Nwaba 21+9reb, K.Tsuya 14+1reb+1ast, Y.Maten 13+13reb+2ast, R.Sasaki 12+5reb+10ast, H.Yoshii 12+4reb+1ast, D.Dudzinski 8+4reb+1ast

Yokohama BC - Saga B. 87-69

There was a minor upset in Yokohama where their close opponent Ballooners (13-31) were defeated by seventh ranked B-Corsairs (18-26) 87-69 on Saturday. Yokohama BC looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. It was a great evening for French power forward Damien Inglis (206-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. American Gary Clark (198-1994, college: Cincinnati) helped adding 20 points and 7 rebounds. At the losing side American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import power forward Allen Durham (198-1988, college: Grace Christian) scored 12 points and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Yokohama BC maintains seventh place with 18-26 record which they share with defeated Saga B.. Loser Ballooners keeps the seventh position with 31 games lost. Yokohama BC will meet at home Saga B. (#7) in the next round. Saga B. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: G.Clark 20+7reb+2ast, D.Inglis 16+8reb+6ast, K.King 11+3reb, M.Kotsar 9+11reb+4ast, H.Matsuzaki 8, K.Sudo 6+1reb+6ast
Saga B.: Y.Childs 20+12reb+3ast, A.Durham 12+4reb+4ast, R.Inoue 10+3reb+2ast, K.Kanamaru 8+3reb+1ast, T.Sumida 8+3reb+3ast, A.Aihara 4+3reb+3ast