B1 League Round 51 (Regular Season): Osaka E. defeat Alvark Tokyo in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 51 in the B1 League took place in Tokyo. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-best Alvark Tokyo (36-15) to third ranked Osaka E. (27-24) 68-66 on Saturday evening. It was a great evening for Ukrainian center Volodymyr Herun (208-1994, college: Portland) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 7 rebounds. American-Filipino guard Ray Parks (193-1993, agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 16 points and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Osaka E. have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 27-24 record having fifteen points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Alvark Tokyo at the other side keeps the second position with 15 games lost. Osaka E. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Alvark Tokyo will play again at home against Osaka E. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Chiba. Fourth ranked SunRockers (28-23) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging second-best Jets (33-18) 70-68 on Saturday evening. It was an exceptional evening for international forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) who led the winners and scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Reid Travis accounted for 17 points and 7 rebounds. American forward DJ Hogg (203-1996, college: Texas A&M) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for Chiba Jets in the defeat. Jets' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sunrockers Sh. maintains fourth place with 28-23 record, which they share with Nagoya DD. Chiba Jets at the other side keep the second position with 18 games lost. They share it with Sea Horses M. and Gunma CT. Sunrockers Sh. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chiba Jets will play at home against Sunrockers Sh. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked SeaHorses (33-18) against sixth ranked Nagasaki (23-28) on Saturday night. Host SeaHorses were defeated by Nagasaki in a tough game in Kariya 86-91. The best player for the winners was Jarrell Brantley who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Jake Layman who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds. Nagasaki maintains sixth place with 23-28 record, which they share with Yokohama BC. Loser SeaHorses dropped to the second position with 18 games lost. They share it with Chiba Jets and Gunma CT. Nagasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sea Horses M. will play again against Nagasaki and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 51: Yokohama BC destroyed Akita NH on the opponent's court 79-52. Nagoya DD managed to outperform Koshigaya A. in a home game 87-74. San-en NP managed to beat Gunma CT on the road 83-78. Hiroshima D. defeated Shiga L-Stars on its own court 83-74. Ibaraki R. was beaten by FE Nagoya in a road game 82-66. Ryukyu destroyed Sendai 89ers at home 96-61. Hokkaido L. outscored Saga B. on the opponent's court 98-78. Shimane SM recorded a loss to Kawasaki in a home game 91-96. Kyoto H. was defeated by Tochigi Brex on the road 99-87.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 26 points and 11 rebounds by Grant Jerrett of Tochigi Brex.



Akita NH - Yokohama BC 52-79

There was a minor upset in Akita where 4th placed Happinets (24-27) were crushed by seventh ranked B-Corsairs (23-28) 79-52 on Saturday. Yokohama BC looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was French power forward Damien Inglis (206-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 20 points and 9 rebounds. Estonian center Maik-Kalev Kotsar (210-1996, college: S.Carolina, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 13 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was French power forward Yannis Morin (208-1993, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded 9 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international point guard Ko Kumagai (173-1996, agency: Schafer Sports) added 6 points and 4 assists respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Yokohama BC moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Nagasaki. Loser Happinets keeps the fourth position with 27 games lost. They share it with Hiroshima D.. Yokohama BC will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Akita NH will play against Yokohama BC (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yokohama BC: D.Inglis 20+9reb+2ast, M.Kotsar 13+8reb+5ast, G.Clark 11+4reb+1ast, H.Matsuzaki 8+2reb+4ast, K.Ravena 7+4reb+9ast, T.Oba 5+1reb
Akita NH: Y.Morin 9+8reb+5ast, T.Leissner 6+4reb, C.Mekowulu 6+4reb, K.Kumagai 6+2reb+4ast, S.Taguchi 5+1reb, T.Motoda 5+1reb

Alvark Tokyo - Osaka E. 66-68

The most exciting game of round 51 in the B1 League took place in Tokyo. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of second-best Alvark Tokyo (36-15) to third ranked Osaka E. (27-24) 68-66 on Saturday evening. It was a great evening for Ukrainian center Volodymyr Herun (208-1994, college: Portland) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 7 rebounds. American-Filipino guard Ray Parks (193-1993, agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 16 points and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was Spanish Sebastian Saiz (205-1994, college: Ole Miss) with 12 points and 9 rebounds and American center Steve Zack (211-1992, college: La Salle) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!). Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Osaka E. have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 27-24 record having fifteen points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Alvark Tokyo at the other side keeps the second position with 15 games lost. Osaka E. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Alvark Tokyo will play again at home against Osaka E. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Osaka E.: V.Herun 17+7reb, R.Parks 16+1reb+4ast, T.Suzuki 9+3reb+2ast, H.Maki 8+2reb+4ast, M.Bonds 8+5reb+3ast, R.Luther 7+3reb
Alvark Tokyo: S.Zack 15+5reb+2ast, S.Saiz 12+9reb+2ast, L.Meindl 11+1reb+5ast, T.Osakabe 8+4reb+1ast, R.Rossiter 6+6reb+3ast, S.Ando 5+1reb

Chiba Jets - Sunrockers Sh. 68-70

Important game to mention about took place in Chiba. Fourth ranked SunRockers (28-23) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging second-best Jets (33-18) 70-68 on Saturday evening. It was an exceptional evening for international forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) who led the winners and scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. American forward Reid Travis (203-1995, college: Kentucky, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 17 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side. American forward DJ Hogg (203-1996, college: Texas A&M) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) added 6 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Chiba Jets in the defeat. Jets' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sunrockers Sh. maintains fourth place with 28-23 record, which they share with Nagoya DD. Chiba Jets at the other side keep the second position with 18 games lost. They share it with Sea Horses M. and Gunma CT. Sunrockers Sh. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chiba Jets will play at home against Sunrockers Sh. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sunrockers Sh.: J.Hawkinson 20+6reb+3ast, R.Travis 17+7reb+2ast, D.Tanaka 14+3reb+3ast, A.Clemmons 9+7reb+7ast, K.Jones 5+2reb+3ast, L.Vendrame 3+3reb+1ast
Chiba Jets: D.Hogg 24+11reb+4ast, R.Segawa 11+1reb+3ast, C.Smith 10+2reb+1ast, F.Nishimura 9, J.Mooney 6+12reb+5ast, S.Hara 5+3reb

Nagoya DD - Koshigaya A. 87-74

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Dolphins' (28-23) home victory over 6th ranked Alphas (16-35) 87-74 on Saturday. Nagoya DD looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) who scored 27 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Dolphins players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was naturalized American Kyle Richardson (200-1991, college: Portland St.) who recorded 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Jeff Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) added 9 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Dolphins have a solid series of three victories in a row. Nagoya DD moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Sunrockers Sh. Newly promoted Koshigaya A. keeps the sixth position with 35 games lost. Nagoya DD will meet at home Koshigaya A. (#6) in the next round. Koshigaya A. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nagoya DD: Z.Cheatham 27+8reb+5ast, L.Maye 14+10reb+4ast, K.Imamura 11+4reb+5ast, T.Saito 10+1reb+2ast, I.Murphy 6+2reb+2ast, S.Sakamoto 5+1reb+2ast
Koshigaya A.: K.Richardson 23+8reb+4ast, T.Soares 12+7reb+2ast, L.Peak 10+2reb+8ast, J.Gibbs 9+11reb+2ast, S.Kitagawa 7+2reb+3ast, K.Sugawara 7+1reb+1ast

Gunma CT - San-en NP 78-83

The game between closely ranked teams ended with second-best Thunders' (33-18) home loss to first ranked San-en NP (43-7) 78-83 on Saturday. San-en NP looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American-Nigerian swingman David Nwaba (195-1993, college: Cal Poly) who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. The former international point guard Ryusei Sasaki (180-1996) chipped in 14 points and 8 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 guard Trey McKinney-Jones (198-1990, college: Miami, FL) who recorded 27 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international Kazuki Hosokawa (187-1997) added 15 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Four Gunma CT players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. San-en NP have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 43-7 record. Loser Thunders keeps the second position with 18 games lost. They share it with Sea Horses M. and Chiba Jets. San-en NP will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gunma CT will play again against the league's leader San-en NP and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
San-en NP: D.Nwaba 24+7reb+2ast, R.Sasaki 14+4reb+8ast, H.Yoshii 14+3reb, Y.Maten 9+7reb+3ast, D.Dudzinski 8+5reb+1ast, S.Oura 7+3ast
Gunma CT: T.McKinney-Jones 27+6reb+5ast, K.Hosokawa 15+7reb, Y.Fujii 15+3reb+3ast, K.Flippin 11+1reb+2ast, N.Tsuji 8+2ast, M.Parker 2+4reb

Hiroshima D. - Shiga L-Stars 83-74

Everything went according to plan in Hiroshima where fifth ranked Dragonflies (24-27) beat 8th ranked Lakestars (7-43) 83-74 on Saturday. Hiroshima D. made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Shiga L-Stars turnovers. Strangely Shiga L-Stars outrebounded Hiroshima D. 41-24 including 16 on the offensive glass. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Forward Nick Mayo (206-1997, college: EKU, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was power forward Julien Ducree (206-1997, college: Utah Tech) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and Markeith Cummings (198-1988, college: KSU) added 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Five Hiroshima D. and four Shiga L-Stars players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hiroshima D. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Akita NH. Shiga L-Stars lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the eighth position with 43 games lost. Hiroshima D. will meet at home Shiga L-Stars (#8) in the next round. Shiga L-Stars will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: R.Terashima 17+2ast, K.Blackshear Jr. 17+12reb+4ast, N.Mayo 14+5reb+4ast, K.Mitani 11+1reb+1ast, R.Yamazaki 10+2reb, T.Nakamura 6+2ast
Shiga L-Stars: J.Ducree 20+12reb+1ast, M.Cummings 18+7reb+4ast, D.Nomoto 15+4reb+2ast, H.Hasegawa 12+8reb+2ast, K.Tsuneta 6+1reb+1ast, T.Okada 3+3reb+2ast

FE Nagoya - Ibaraki R. 82-66

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Robots' (10-41) road loss to sixth ranked Fighting Eagles (25-26) 66-82 on Saturday. FE Nagoya forced 21 Ibaraki R. turnovers and outrebounded them 40-25 including 25 on the defensive glass. FE Nagoya looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) who scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Power forward Sean OMara (208-1995, college: Xavier) chipped in 9 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Fighting Eagles players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Eric Jacobsen (208-1994, college: Arizona St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Robert Franks (205-1996, college: WSU) added 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fighting Eagles have a solid series of four victories in a row. FE Nagoya maintains sixth place with 25-26 record. Loser Robots keeps the seventh position with 41 games lost. FE Nagoya will meet at home Ibaraki R. (#7) in the next round. Ibaraki R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: R.Sadohara 15+6reb+4ast, F.Olujobi 15+4reb+2ast, R.Yasuoka 14+4reb+1ast, A.Henry 14+5reb+9ast, S.O'Mara 9+14reb+5ast, N.Namizato 8+4reb+1ast
Ibaraki R.: E.Jacobsen 16+10reb+4ast, J.Floyd 10+3reb+1ast, K.Nakamura 9+2reb+3ast, R.Franks 8+7reb+4ast, H.Komasawa 7+1reb+2ast, Z.Endo 6

Ryukyu GK - Sendai 89ers 96-61

No shocking result in a game in Okinawa where first ranked Golden Kings (38-13) outleveled 8th ranked 89ers (9-42) 96-61 on Saturday. Ryukyu looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Victor Law (201-1995, college: Northwestern, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international guard Ryuichi Kishimoto (176-1990) chipped in 13 points. Four Golden Kings players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Stanton Kidd (202-1992, college: Colorado St.) who recorded 16 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import Nathan Boothe (208-1994, college: Toledo) added 9 points respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Golden Kings have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. Ryukyu maintains first place with 38-13 record. Sendai 89ers lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 42 games lost. Ryukyu will meet at home Sendai 89ers (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sendai 89ers will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: K.Aluma 15+4ast, R.Kishimoto 13+4reb+2ast, V.Law 12+6reb+4ast, H.Arakawa 11+1reb+2ast, M.Waki 10+4reb+2ast, A.Kirk 9+1ast
Sendai 89ers: S.Kidd 16+8reb+3ast, Y.Aoki 9+2ast, N.Boothe 9+3reb+3ast, C.Felicio 7+3reb+1ast, H.Araya 6+4reb+1ast, M.Kataoka 5+1reb

Saga B. - Hokkaido L. 78-98

Rather expected game in Saga where 7th ranked Ballooners (17-34) were crushed by fifth ranked Hokkaido L. (19-32) 98-78 on Saturday. Hokkaido L. outrebounded Saga B. 40-29 including 30 on the defensive glass. Hokkaido L. looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 6 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists. American-German power forward Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Hokkaido L. players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who recorded 25 points and 7 rebounds and Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) added 12 points and 4 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hokkaido L. maintains fifth place with 19-32 record. Loser Ballooners keeps the seventh position with 34 games lost. Hokkaido L. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Saga B. will play again against Hokkaido L. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: S.Terazono 18+1reb+5ast, D.Ramos 18+2reb+4ast, R.Kriener 14+10reb+4ast, K.Morizane 14, T.Allen 13+3reb, R.Shimatani 10+4ast
Saga B.: Y.Childs 25+7reb+1ast, R.Garcia 12+4reb+4ast, J.Harrellson 9+5reb+2ast, K.Kanamaru 9+1ast, T.Sumida 8+3reb+4ast, A.Durham 7+3reb+4ast

Sea Horses M. - Nagasaki 86-91

Very important is a home loss of third ranked SeaHorses (33-18) against sixth ranked Nagasaki (23-28) on Saturday night. Host SeaHorses were defeated by Nagasaki in a tough game in Kariya 86-91. Nagasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American Jarrell Brantley (201-1996, college: Charleston) who scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. The former international swingman Hayato Yamaguchi (195-1998) chipped in 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Nagasaki players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Jake Layman (206-1994, college: Maryland) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and the former international forward Yudai Nishida (190-1999) added 30 points respectively. Nagasaki maintains sixth place with 23-28 record, which they share with Yokohama BC. Loser SeaHorses dropped to the second position with 18 games lost. They share it with Chiba Jets and Gunma CT. Nagasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Sea Horses M. will play again against Nagasaki and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: J.Brantley 24+7reb+3ast, H.Yamaguchi 20+5reb+5ast, M.Smith 16+7reb+6ast, A.Edu 13+8reb+2ast, T.Groves 7+4reb+2ast, M.Morikawa 6
Sea Horses M.: Y.Nishida 30+2ast, J.Layman 23+10reb, D.Gardner 10+7reb+4ast, Y.Suda 8+1reb+1ast, Z.Auguste 6+10reb+2ast, S.Nagano 3+2reb+5ast

Shimane SM - Kawasaki BT 91-96

There was a surprise result in Shimane where eighth ranked Brave Thunders (15-36) defeated second-best Magic (32-19) 96-91 on Saturday. Kawasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was British-American power forward Sacha Killeya-Jones (212-1998, college: NC State) who scored 20 points and 8 rebounds. American Alize Johnson (206-1996, college: Missouri St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was point guard Shota Tsuyama (180-1996) who recorded 25 points and 5 assists and Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) respectively. Five Kawasaki and four Shimane SM players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Kawasaki maintains eighth place with 15-36 record. Loser Magic keeps the second position with 19 games lost. Kawasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shimane SM will play against Kawasaki and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: S.Killeya-Jones 20+8reb+3ast, R.Shinoyama 18+2reb+3ast, R.Allen 13+6reb+2ast, A.Johnson 12+11reb+5ast, M.Wright 11, R.Nozaki 5+1reb+1ast
Shimane SM: S.Tsuyama 25+3reb+5ast, N.Kay 18+6reb+5ast, L.Evans 14+5reb+1ast, S.Ando 12+2reb+8ast, A.Murphy 8+2reb+4ast, J.McAdoo 7+7reb+4ast

Tochigi Brex - Kyoto H. 99-87

Not a big story in a game when 4th placed Kyoto H. (26-25) was defeated on the road by first ranked Tochigi Brex (42-9) 99-87 on Saturday. Tochigi Brex looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Grant Jerrett (208-1993, college: Arizona) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn State) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 9 rebounds and 12 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) who recorded 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American center Charles Jackson (208-1993, college: Tenn Tech) added 12 points and 8 rebounds 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. Tochigi Brex have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain first place with 42-9 record. Loser Kyoto H. keeps the fourth position with 25 games lost. Tochigi Brex will again meet at home Kyoto H. (#4) in the next round. Kyoto H. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tochigi Brex: G.Jerrett 26+11reb+1ast, Y.Endo 19+2ast, D.Newbill 14+9reb+12ast, I.Fotu 13+3reb+1ast, G.Edwards 9+5reb, M.Hiejima 9+2reb+5ast
Kyoto H.: A.Caloiaro 20+9reb+5ast, C.Jackson 12+8reb+2ast, T.Furukawa 12+2reb+1ast, S.Maeta 11+2reb+4ast, K.Mizuno 9+3reb+3ast, Y.Okada 9+1ast