EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 4/30/2008
Copyright 1997-2007 EurobasketMen News
****************************************************** Group C:
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) 118 - Orthodox (JOR) 98 (Qs: 32-20, 64-45, 95-68 & 118-98)
# Best performance:
- Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut:
Ahmad Ismail (201-F-76) (35 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast)
Fadi El Khatib (197-F-79, agency: Pro Management Agency) (23 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl)
Ace Custis (202-F-74, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Virginia Tech) (13 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast)
- Orthodox:
Rob Anderson (196-G/F-79, college: George Mason) (26 pts, 5 ast, 2 stl)
Kelly Wise (208-F-80, college: Memphis) (24 pts, 16 reb)
Ayman Idais (205-C-78, agency: Court Side) (14 pts, 17 reb, 3 stl)
Al Manama (BHR) 99 - Al Kahraba Electricity (IRQ) 68 (Qs: 25-14, 47-31, 64-56 & 99-68)
# Best performance:
- Al Manama:
Albert Mouring (191-G-79, college: Connecticut) (29 pts)
Faraj Abdulla (203-C/F-75) (20 pts, 12 reb)
- Al Kahraba:
Ahmad Monshed (25 pts, 7 reb)
Malek Falah (15 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl)
* Group D:
Al Kuwait SC (KUW) 97 - Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut (LEB) 92 (Qs: 15-26, 49-53, 76-69 & 97-92)
# Best performance:
- Al Kuwait SC:
Andre Pitts (185-G-73, college: Huston-Tillotson) (25 pts, 7 ast, 2 stl)
Ira Clark (203-F/C-75, college: Texas) (23 pts, 12 reb)
Ahmad Al Mutairi (187-G-80) (18 pts)
Hiram Fuller (206-F-81, agency: Octagon, college: Fresno St.) (17 pts, 8 reb)
- Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut:
Alpha Bangura (197-F/G-80, college: St.John's) (35 pts, 4 ast)
Sabah Khoury (196-G-82) (22 pts, 5 ast, 3 stl)
Rony Fahed (182-G-81, agency: Pro Management Agency) (16 pts, 3 ast)
# Second round groups:
- Group E:
Zain (JOR) '1st of Group A'
Maghreb de Fes (MOR) '2nd of Group B'
Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) '1st of Group C'
Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut (LEB) '2nd of Group D'
- Group F:
An Nasr (UAE) '2nd of Group A'
Al Nasr (LEB) '1st of Group B'
Orthodox (JOR) '2nd of Group C'
Al Kuwait SC (KUW) '1st of Group D'
# Second round sechedule (Amman Time, +3 GMT):
- Tuesday 29/4:
16:30 An Nasr - Kuwait SC
18:30 Zain - Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut
20:30 Al Nasr - Orthodox
- Wednesday 30/4:
16:30 Al Kuwait SC - Al Nasr
18:30 Maghreb de Fes - Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut
20:30 Orthodox - An Nasr
- Thursday 1/5:
16:30 An Nasr - Al Nasr
18:30 Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut - Zain
20:30 Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut - Maghreb de Fes
- Friday 2/5:
16:30 Zain - Maghreb de Fes
18:30 Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut - Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut
20:30 Orthodox - Al Kuwait SC
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Division A:
BT Power Liefmans Wevelgem vs. Sint-Jan Antwerp 70-72
Thanks to a last basket by Ward Lemaire (196-F-80), Sint-Jan qualifies for the Division II Play-Off Finals for the second time in a row (last year against Ghent).
Sint-Jan will go to Fleurus on Friday and will host CEPF in Hoboken for the honorific title (no Division II team will join Division I next season) four days later.
Score at the half: 34-37.
Wevelgem: Robeyst 12; S. Naudts 6; Van de Keere 21; Flanders 18; Vandenberghe 3; Guillemyn 10.
Sint-Jan: Gorremans 4; Van Rillaer 12; Lemaire 7; Van Schil 15; T. Van de Vondel 16; Dekkers 4; Verrept 5; Ceyssens 9.
Falco Ghent vs. Bent Schoenen Waregem 97-84
Quarter by quarter score evolution: 27-25, 55-51, 79-65 and 97-84.
Falco: Vanderkimpen 9; T. Foucart 12; Breca 7; De Schepper 29; J. Van de Vondel 9; Selhorst 5; Seghers 4; Brysse 6; Huyghe 16.
Waregem: Van Vooren 5; De Leersnijder 5; Steinbach 15; Colpaert 6; Verdickt 8; De Wilde 14; Cleymans 13; Fiers 18.
Division B:
BBC Boom vs. CEP Fleurus 59-64
The men of Coach Fulvio Bastianini will play for the Division II title and will host Sint-Jan in Bonsecours on Friday, May 2nd at 20:30 for the first leg of the Play-Off Finals. The second leg (return game) will take place in Hoboken next Tuesday. The champion will be the winner in aggregate after both legs.
Quarter by quarter score evolution: 18-16, 33-25, 46-50 and 59-64.
Boom: Van Wert 3; Bayer 11; Lambreghts 15; Salden 19; Leten 4; Van den Eynde 7.
Fleurus: Vanesse 4; Tison 2; Moris 15; Jadin 13; Rozewicz 18; Buja 1; Semijejero 4; Pourtoit 7.
BBC Kangoeroes vs. Xenia Tours Sint-Truiden 20-0
The Canaries of Sint-Truiden did not show up.
Division C:
BC Ninane vs. Royal Alsec Nivelles 73-71
This close loss by Nivelles means the last rank in Group C for the visitors.
Jaga Radiators Hasselt vs. De West-Hoek Zwevezele 87-76
Thanks to this win, Hasselt finishes first in Group C.
Quarter by quarter score evolution: 24-15, 39-34, 66-59 and 87-76.
Hasselt: Geysen 14; Hendrix 14; Sterk 10; Van Poelgeest 12; Koonings 4; Vanhove 24; Maes 3; Gijbels 3.
Best scorers for Zwevezele: Bobb 21; Tandt 15 and Bourdeaux 18.
Standings
Division A
Sint-Jan Antwerp 5-1
Wevelgem 4-2
Falco Ghent 2-4
Waregem 1-5
Division B
CEP Fleurus 5-1
BBC Boom 4-2
Kangoeroes Willebroek 3-3
Xenia Sint-Truiden 0-6
Division C
JR Hasselt 5-1
BC Ninane 5-1
West Hoek Zwevezele 1-5
RA Nivelles 1-5
Results:
Zrinjski Mik Company - Bosna ASA BH Telecom 54:84
Siroki Prima Pivo - Igokea Partizan 82:75
Slavija - Borac Nektar (Wednesday April 30TH)
Grude - Sloboda Dita (Wednesday April 30TH)
Standings:
1. Bosna ASA BHT 6-0 488:385 +103 12 pts.
2. Siroki Prima Pivo 5-1 497:449 +48 11 pts.
3. Igokea Partizan 4-2 517:472 +45 10 pts.
4. Sloboda Dita 3-2 351:378 -27 8 pts.
5. Zrinjski MC 2-4 481:527 -46 8 pts.
6. Slavija 2-3 402:425 -23 7 pts.
7. Borac Nektar 0-5 354:386 -32 5 pts.
8. Grude 0-5 363:431 -68 5 pts.
Siroki Prima pivo - Igokea Partizan 82:75
(14:22, 24:20, 26:18, 18:15)
Siroki Brijeg, SD Pecara; Att.: 1.200; Ref.: Zurapovic, Jovanic i Drmic
SIROKI PRIMA PIVO: Bubalo, Grays 14, Stemberger 20, Dijan, Zupic 10, Sola 13, Spralja 9, Naletilic, Susak, Fajardo 8, Bethel 4, Ezugwu 4
Coach: Ivan Velic
IGOKEA PARTIZAN: Tosic 4, Patterson 5, Bocka 16, Stazic 8, Djurica, Vucurovic 7, Cup, Wright, Lydeka 6, Stefanovic 16, Kovacevic 4, Allen 9
Coach: Zoran Sretenovic
Zrinjski Mik Company - Bosna ASA BHT 54:84
(11:22, 15:26, 9:17, 19:19)
Mostar, SD Bijeli brijeg; Att.: 800; Ref.: Obradovic, Sobot, Nozinovic
ZRINJSKI MC: Filipovic 7, Bisko, Norac 9, Petric 2, Dzidic 2, Simovic, Brecic 10, Vuckovi 7, Buhac, Sarenac 9, Planinic 4, Grbavac 4
Coach: Nedjeljko Zelenika
BOSNA ASA BHT: Jefferson 7, Sehovic 10, Tomovic 9, Panic 10, Bavcic 10, Djurasovic, Zimic 1, Bailey 6, Hajric 5, Pasalic 3, Jackson 6, Williams 17
Coach: Jurij Zdovc
D1 Standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A2 Standings | ||||||||||||||||
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Lukoil Academic continue their series of victories in Bulgarian championship and after 105-77 over Rilski sportist qualified for the semifinals of playoffs 2008. In Arena Samokov Students had troubles in the first half of the game as they led by only 5 points at the half time break (48-43).
The players of coach Petko Delev led by 4-2 after one minute of play but that was the only time in the game they had advantage on the scoreboard. 9 consecutive points by the visitors and they took the lead for good in the middle of the first quarter (11-4). At the end of the first 10 minutes thanks to the basket by Todor Stoykov visitors had their biggest lead of the quarter 9 points (23-14).
The home team mostly because of Miko Golubovic and Aleksandar Gruev cut the lead to only 2 points (37-39) 2:54 minutes before the break.
Second half started with two consecutive 3-pointers by Nenad Canak and Todor Stoykov which put the lead in double figures for the visiting team. 10-0 run in the second half of the third quarter decided the game in Lukoil favor, who led by 20 points in minute 27 (72-52).
In the last quarter the players from Rilski sportist didnt put lot of efforts in defense, Lukoil Academic closed the game and moved ahead.
Its good to notice very good performance by Gruev, who managed 28 points and season high 7 three pointers from 9 attempts. He ended with the best efficiency in the game 29.
Center Miko Golubovic had fifth double double of the season with 17 points and 11 boards.
For the visitors Pero Antic scored 22 (4/4 behind the arc) while Willie Deane and Larry OBannon ended with 20 apiece.
Rilski sportist had rebounds edge (28-25) but also turn the ball over twice more than their opponents (26-13).
Rilski sportiest ended their season while Lukoil Academic will play in the semifinals of the playoffs versus the winner of Spartak Pleven and Cherno more Varna.
Semfinals will start on May 5th.
FULL STATS FORM THE GAME RILSKI SPORTIST LUKOIL ACADEMIC
Levski beat Yambol for second time in three days and qualified for the Semifinals in Playoffs 2008. This time the team of coach Julian Aladjov won away by the score 89-80. Despite the great support of the home crowd in Yambol they couldnt manage to win and push the series to third decisive game in the series. With the loss Yambol ended the season at the seventh place. They led in the score for 36 minutes but that fact didnt help.
The host team started the game very well and few fast breaks took the early lead. Great in those minutes was their point guard Stanislav Govedarov who managed 11 points in the first quarter plus organized the attack of his team very well.
In the beginning of second quarter though he received very doubtful fourth foul and right after that and technical fifth as well. Yambol left without their leading scorer and best guard. Despite that they were very motivated, played well in defense and kept the score in their favor. At the break Yambol were up by seven points, 46-39 but everybody was expecting tough 20 second half minutes.
In the third quarter Yambol even led by 14 points. Both ukrainian players Kirylo Skumatov and Vadim Reka played well and had control under the basket. Good minutes for his team had Ivan Marchev as well. At the end of third quarter after several mistakes of the home team Levski took advantage of it and cut the distance to only 6.
In the beginning of the last 10 minutes Stoyo Cholakov was fouled out and that put in real trouble the home team. Without him and Govedarov Yambol had big problems getting the ball in the opposite court. Levski turn the tempo little, started to play zone defense and after 13-0 run tied the score up at 75 apiece. Skumatov left the floor for 5 personal fouls and that really decided the outcome of the game in the visitors way.
Reka was the best scorer for Yambol with 17 points and he also grabbed 13 rebounds. Skumatov ended with 16.
Stanislav Slaveykov played great for the visiting team with double double performance 20 points and 13 rebounds. Youngsters Hristo Zahariev and Asen Velikov scored 12 points apiece.
This coming Monday Levski will play versus Balkan in the first semifinal game of this year playoffs.
FULL STATS FROM THE GAME YAMBOL - LEVSKI
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A1 Standings | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Josip Glavinic (193-G-82) and Mario Lucic (202-C-80) signed for BiH-D1 team Capljina till the end of current season. They have just finished their season in Croatian Play-Out League with Dubrovnik. Glavinic played 23 games for Dubrovnik this season and averaged 15.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 5.2apg, 1.7spg, Lucic played also 23 games and averaged 17.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2apg, 1.3spg.
According to some 'behind the scene' news which are not official yet, there will be some tremendous changes in the rosters of the top three teams of the Cyprus league, according to the same sources, AEL is very close to sign one of the top Cypriot guards, Grigoris Pantouris (190-G/F-82), the experienced guard just finished his current contract with the team of Apoel and he now looks very positive in reallocating him self back to his town, within he next couple of weeks the official announcement will take place. In regards to the same sources, the ex champions will not keep their head coach Charles Barton and they are looking towards the Greek market, they are looking for a Greek Coach who is well known not only in Greece but in Cyprus league too.
Furthermore, the Limassol team has already renewed the contracts of Alexis Liatsos (200-F-80, college: Ohio) while Giorgos Palalas (185-G-81) had already sign a contract last year (2 years contract), Konstantinos Perentos (198-F-83) will be the next player to renew his contracts as the management of the team wants the Cypriot forward.
In regards to Keravnos Strovolou, there are some rumours that the successful captain of the Strovolos team will not continue his career in Strovolos. Giorgos Anastasiadis (194-G/F-77) has offers from both Cyprus and foreign teams and is seriously consider doing the big shift after nine consecutive years in the team of Keravnos Strovolou, besides this season was not one of his best in regards to the general attitude of the coaching team towards his value as a player, the experience guard saw him self in many cases to be in the bench without any particular reason, only after Patric Lee's accident his role became more and more serious in the team with the cherry in the pie being his performance in the play offs series and especially in the most crucial ones against Apoel. For Strovolos team, there is a big question mark in regards to the Greek Coach, Vasilis Fragias, the Greek coach received a financal offer from Keravnos Strovolou but didnt answer yet, like last season, the experienced coach will answer in a due time, besides everyone knows that he will remain in Strovolos and that he will sign with Keravnos, after all.
Last but not least, the management will keep the American Jarrett Hart (194-G-80, college: Kansas St.) as he considers to be among the key players this season and together with Bryant Smith (196-G/F-77, college: Auburn) and Aleksandar Damjanovic (206-C/F-73) which they consider to be nearly members of Keravnos Strovolou for the coming seazon
D2 Standings | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| First Macedonian League Stats Leaders |
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| Points Per Game |
| 1. Jarrid Frye (Amak SP) 19.77 2. Dime Tasovski (Strumica 2005) 19.30 3. Muhamed Thaci (MZT FON Univerzitet Skopje)18.60 |
| Rebounds Per Game |
| 1. Damir Latovic (Strumica 2005) 8.86 2. Muhamed Thaci (MZT FON Univerzitet Skopje) 6.90 3. Sasko Vasilev (Karpos Sokoli 2000) 6.53 |
| Assists Per Game |
| 1. Dimitar Mirakovski (Fersped Rabotnicki) 5.83 2. Jane Petrovski (MZT Skopje) 5.14 3. Milan Miljkovic (Swisslion Pelister) 4.93 |
| Steals Per Game |
| 1. Jarrid Frye (Amak SP) 2.27, 2. Milan Miljkovic (Swisslion Pelister) 2.00, 3. Dimitar Mirakovski (Fersped Rabotnicki) 1.72. |
| Blocks Per Game |
| 1. Toni Simic (Fersped Rabotnicki) 1.30, 2. Srdjan Stankovic (Swisslion Pelister) 1.04, 3. Filip Kralevski (Vardar Osiguruvanje) 0.93. |
| 2FGP |
| 1. Gjorgji Talevski (Swisslion Pelister) 69.67, 2. Dime Tasovski (Strumica 2005) 67.57, 3. Pero Blazevski (Vardar Osiguruvanje) 65.81. |
| 3FGP |
| 1. Goran Veselinovski (Fersped Rabotnicki) 45.29 % 2. Pero Blazevski (Vardar Osiguruvanje) 45.07 % 3. Ognen Stojanovski (Fersped Rabotnicki) 43.17% |
| Free Throws |
| 1. Pero Blazevski (Vardar Osiguruvanje) 78.96, 2. Muhamed Thaci (MZT FON Univerzitet Skopje) 72.40, 3. Dimitar Mirakovski (Fersped Rabotnicki) 70.48. |
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Player of the Year: Zack Wright (188-G-85, agency: Weller Sports - Entertainment, college: Cent.Missouri St.) - Braunschweig
Guard of the Year: Zack Wright - Braunschweig
Forward of the Year: Torvoris Baker (201-F-83) - Herten
Center of the Year: Andreas Hornig (212-C-80) - Kirchheim
Newcomer of the Year (domestic player): Elias Harris (202-F-89) - Speyer
Most Improved Player of the Year (domestic player): Christian Standhardinger (201-F-89) - Ehingen
Bosman Player of the Year: Thomas Dreesen (201-F-88) - Herten
Import Player of the Year: Zack Wright - Braunschweig
Domestic Player of the Year: David McCray (188-G-86) - Kirchheim
Defensive Player of the Year: Ethan Shaw (203-F-83, college: Detroit Mercy) - Essen
Coach of the Year: Igor Krizanovic - Essen
1st Team (5 players both imports and domestic players):
Zack Wright - Braunschweig
Tim Burnette (188-G-82) - Kirchheim
Terry Horton (191-F-81) - Iserlohn
Torvoris Baker - Herten
Andreas Hornig - Kirchheim
2nd Team (5 players both imports and domestic players):
Brandon Lincoln (193-G-83, college: Oregon) - Essen
Bryant McAllister (191-G-84, agency: 540 Sports, college: Duquesne) - Muenchen
David Bunts (189-G-79, college: Pacific) - Bielefeld
Thomas Dreesen - Herten
Ethan Shaw - Essen
All-Domestic Players Team (5 players):
David McCray - Kirchheim
Nikita Khartchenkov (201-F-87, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) - Braunschweig
Christian Standhardinger - Ehingen
Elias Harris - Speyer
Andreas Hornig - Kirchheim
All-Imports Team (5 players):
Zack Wright - Braunschweig
Tim Burnette - Kirchheim
Terry Horton - Iserlohn
Torvoris Baker - Herten
Ethan Shaw - Essen
All-Bosmans Team (5 players):
Greg Miller (193-G-77, agency: Rasmussen Services, college: Delaware) - Crailsheim
Duke Tshomba (196-G/F-78, college: Wichita St.) - Iserlohn
Thomas Dreesen - Herten
Colin O'Reilly (197-F-84, college: Post) - Freiburg
Mihajlo Pesic (206-F/C-81, agency: Court Side) - Ansbach/Freiburg
All-Defensive Team (5 players):
Zack Wright - Braunschweig
David McCray - Kirchheim
Chad McKenzie (200-F-84, agency: Worldwide Hoops, college: Louisiana Tech) - Muenchen
Ethan Shaw - Essen
Andreas Hornig - Kirchheim
All-Newcomers Team (5 domestic players):
Maurice Stuckey (187-G-90) - Ehingen
Julian Krieger (188-G-83) - Speyer
Christian Imberi (193-G-82, college: Jamestown) - Ansbach
Sebastian Harke (203-F/C-81) - Iserlohn
Elias Harris - Speyer
(selected and voted on by the authors of Eurobasket Germany)
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Player of the Year: Rocky Trice (191-F-84) - Cuxhaven
Guard of the Year: Rocky Trice - Cuxhaven
Forward of the Year: Monta McGhee (202-F-79) - Cuxhaven
Center of the Year: Mark Kelley (204-F/C-84) - Langen
Most Improved Player of the Year (domestic player): Per Guenther (187-G-88, agency: Rasmussen Services) - Hagen
Bosman Player of the Year: Tomas Grepl (192-G-77) - MBC
Import Player of the Year: Rocky Trice - Cuxhaven
Domestic Player of the Year: Per Guenther - Hagen
Defensive Player of the Year: Rocky Trice - Cuxhaven
Coach of the Year: Andreas Wagner- Noerdlingen
1st Team (5 players both imports and domestic players):
Osvaldo Jeanty (183-G-84) - Noerdlingen
Rocky Trice - Cuxhaven
Monta McGhee - Cuxhaven
Chris Oliver (198-F-85) - Kaiserslautern
Mark Kelley - Langen
2nd Team (5 players both imports and domestic players):
Per Guenther - Hagen
Jean Francois (197-F-80, agency: AMI, college: Georgia Southern) - Cuxhaven
Omari Westley (201-F-82, agency: Profibasketball.de, college: Cleveland St.) - Noerdlingen
Ty Shaw (202-F/C-79, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Albertson) - Noerdlingen
Peter Huber-Saffer (208-C-80, agency: Court Side) - Heidelberg
All-Domestic Players Team (5 players):
Per Guenther - Hagen
Christian Grosse (180-G-84, agency: Rasmussen Services) - Rhoendorf
Sebastian Adeberg (198-F-84) - Heidelberg
Johannes Lischka 
(203-F/C-87) - Lich
Peter Huber-Saffer - Heidelberg
All-Imports Team (5 players):
Osvaldo Jeanty - Noerdlingen
Rocky Trice - Cuxhaven
Monta McGhee - Cuxhaven
Chris Oliver - Kaiserslautern
Mark Kelley - Langen
All-Bosmans Team (5 players):
Muamer Taletovic (190-G-75) - Karlsruhe
Tomas Grepl - MBC
Stefan Svitek (203-F-77) - Karlsruhe
Avi Kazarnovski (209-C-80, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) - Noerdlingen
Stuart Robbins (209-C-76, college: Wabash Valley CC) - Kaiserslautern
All-Defensive Team (5 players):
Kelvin Parker (183-G-82, college: NW Missouri St.) - Rhoendorf
Rocky Trice - Cuxhaven
Omari Westley - Noerdlingen
Ty Shaw - Noerdlingen
Mark Kelley - Langen
(selected and voted on by the authors of Eurobasket Germany)
(215-F/C-89) - KoelnCosta Cafe Marousi: Billy Keys (188-G-77, college: N.Mexico St.) will join forces with Costa Cafe Marousi, the experienced American guard after his wonderful season in Larissa have been selected by Head Coach Soulis Markopoulos to become the second American memebr of the team from the North Suburb areas of
AEK
It became unofficially - official as even his current head coach of Partizan Belgrade, Mr. Dusko Vujosevic announced it earlier on last week, and the Montenegrin center Nikola Pekovic (210-C-86) will join forces with the Green team of Zeljko Obradovic , Panathinaikos. This announcement took place just some hours after the final game of Adriatic league between Partizan and Hemofarm, in which game Nikola Pekovic was the MVP and the top scorer with 22 points and 10 rebounds. The talented center is definitely a big addition for the Green team as this season failed to repeat last seasons triumph simply due to lack of power in the paint, the specific player will give what the team needs.
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Round 23 MVP: Oded Shaashoua (187-G-82, agency: Ronsport).
First team
Oded Shaashoua, Oded was great at the game against Galil, he finish the game with 27 points, 4 Rebounds, and 7 assists.
Steve Burtt(185-G-84, agency: CAA Sports, college: Iona), Steve showing at his last games that he is the rescuer of Ashklon, he scored 25 points in just 29 minutes, And drew 7 fouls.
P.J. Tucker (196-F-85, agency: CAA Sports, college: Texas) (196-F-85, agency: CAA Sports, college: Texas), Holon defeat Ramat Gan 120-74 and one of the responsibles for that is P.J.. Tucker scored 26 points in just 22 minutes took 9 rebounds (4 of them at the offense) drew 6 fouls, and aslo dishing 2 Assists.
Brandon Kurtz (208-C-78, agency: SportsTalent, college: Tulsa), Brandon scored 16 points, took 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 assits, and blocked 2 shots
Jamie Arnold (203-F-75, agency: Avi Zilberman, college: Wichita St.), Jamie scored 18 points, took 9 rebounds, draw 8 fouls and blocked one shoot.
Second team
Adam Hall (196-F/G-80, college: Virginia), Adam scored 20 points, took 11 rebounds, with 3 steals
Tunji Awojobi (201-F-73, college: Boston U.), Tunji scored 17 points, took 6 rebounds, drew 6 fouls, 2 assits and blocked one shoot in 26 minutes.
Jason Williams(196-G/F-83, college: UTEP), Jason scored 20 points, took 10 rebounds, and drew 6 fouls.
David Bluthenthal (201-F-80, college: USC), David scored 20 points and 4 rebounds.
Jerome Beasley(208-F-80, college: N.Dakota), Jerome scored 18 points took 3 rebounds and drew 5 fouls
Eastern Wildcard
April, 20, 2008
TOKYO MARKS WILDCARD VICTORY IN HISTORIC YOYOGI GAME
Tokyo Apache 103-88 Niigata
In a game that marks the first-time a BJ team has ever played in the Yoyogi Annex National Gymnasium, the hometown Apache belted the Niigata Albirex before a near-capacity crowd of 2,511.
Niigata owned Tokyo in its regular season series, but faced a Apache team that had been one of the hottest teams in the East for last month or so.
Forward Dameion Baker led the scoring for the Apache with 24 points, which had 5 players score in double figures. Niigata's Andre Smith (24 points) and Rodney Webb (20 points) paced the way for the Albirex, but didn't get much help from its Japanese players and saw All-Star forward Matt Garrison struggle as he finished with 6 points.
Tokyo now faces Sendai on May 3 at Ariake Coliseum to crown this year's Eastern Conference Championship.
Tokyo's John Humphrey looks to slither
through Niigata's Andre Smith
Photo: www.apache5.com
Western Wildcard
April 20, 2008
LIGHTNING SHOCKS WESTERN FAVORITE
Fukuoka 112-94 Takamatsu
The Lightning gods (Rizin means Lighting god) continue to shock the world as they came into the Wildcard games as heavy dogs.
The Rizing Fukuoka basketball team, winners of now seven straight games shocked the Takamatsu Five Arrows in the first round of the BJ League playoffs.
Fukuoka, an expansion franchise was behind the Oita Heatdevils in the standings for much of the year to turned the switch on at the end of the year to be the hottest team in the league.
April's Monthly MVP award winner Michael Gardener served as the generator of Fukuoka's energy, and sparked the offense with 38 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. All-Star forward Josh Peppers backed Gardener with 26 points.
On the other end, Takamatsu struggled to hit shots early on and could not find enough bullets to counter the Rizing. The Arrows were led by All-Stars Reggie Warren and Yu Okada with 27 points and 17 points respectively.
Fukuoka will now face one of their biggest tests versus the two-time defending champion, Osaka Evessa on Saturday.
Michael Gardener leads Fukuoka
to unprecedented territory.
Photo: www.rizing-fukuoka.com
The Osaka Evessa have seen it all in the BJ. They went through the perfect fantasy of being one of the charter members and winning the inaugural bj league championship home to Osaka.
And during that season, guard Matt Lottich was named best 5, and forward Lynn Washington was crowned MVP.
In year two, Osaka steamrolled past every team during the regular season, but faced stiff competition versus Oita in the Semi-Finals and then-expansion team Takamatsu. Again, Osaka owned the trophies they took home another piece of hardware back to Shinsaibashi and individual awards went to Lynn Washington (best 5), and David Palmer (MVP) respectively.
Now, we enter today. Osaka is still good, but they haven't really done it in such a dominant fashion. The Evessa started the season slowly as they faced stiffer competition and loss early games. And at the same time, their Anchor, Washington was sidelined with a broken leg. However, the Evessa got together as Head Coach Kensaku Tennichi found the right combination on the floor and saw its Japanese players mature and become leaders for the two-time defending champions. Things haven't been easy, but the Evessa have proven why they are deserving of being champions of the past.
But now, they face their biggest challenge yet-- To establish a dynasty and solidify themselves as legends some years from now.
...However...
There will be three new teams before them at Ariake Coliseum to make things alittle more difficult for them.
From the east, Sendai and Tokyo returns to the BJ League Playoffs to not only become champions of their conference, but to dethrone the kings before they come a basketball deity.
Sendai is coming off a tough season where they competed for a playoff spot, but lost touch during the closing month of the season. And now they are back stronger than ever as the added Bobby St. Preux, and Nick DeWitz, and Patrick Whearty to become a bigger, strong, and athletic team. In short, they are fundamental basketball on steroids.
On the hand, Tokyo had rise from the ashes as they are now 27-17, compared to a dismal last place finish last season. And in order to accomplish this, Coach Joe 'Jellybean' Bryant had to virutally revamp his Japanese players and assign new and effective roles for all players. John Humphrey is now like Bryant's son Kobe, where he is still the focal point on offense, but starting to look for his teammates. And Nick Davis comes from Niigata to Anchor the middle and collects anything that comes off the rim.
However, before Osaka faces either of them, they have to face the hottest team in the league--the Rizing Fukuoka.
Fukuoka was an after thought during the first part of the season as they faced growing pains by default of being an expansion team. However, they caught lightning as they won 7 straight games where they had to win all of its remaining games to surpass the OIta Heatdevils and have re-energized its teams with the addition of last year's finals hero Kaz Nakamura, and forward Michael Parker. It also doesn't hurt that Michael Garnder have found his touch again and they are inspired as ever to cause some miracles.
Who will take home the hardware? Will Osaka force the issue and claim its fame? Will Cinderella have a happy ending?
We will all find out at Ariake this weekend.
BJ FINALS BREAKDOWN:
Eastern Conference Finals:
Tokyo Apache vs. Sendai 89ers
The destiny of these two teams may not only hinge on its respective coaches, but also on the shoulder of these players.
Notes: Regular seaon match-up is at a deadlock 3-3 record. Prototypical match-up of size versus speed. Another is ball-control offense verus explosive basketball.
This also serves a rematch for the inaugural season's third place game.
Keys for Sendai: The 89ers must control the tempo and point guard HIkaru Kusaka will be handed the responsibility of doing so. At the sametime, Sendai must continue to move the basketball, which is strong suit. They are big, but if they don't move their feet and the ball, Tokyo can clog the lanes and render sendai ineffective.
Key players will be Nick DeWitz and Ryan Blackwell. Blackwell is a key as he will more times than often have to traffic the offense from the paint. DeWitz is their primary offensive source and if he is off, Sendai might as well head home early.
Keys for Tokyo: Tokyo's primary priority should be focus on defense and rebound. And in order to rebound, Nick Davis MUST not get in any iota of foul trouble.
It is easy to assume that Tokyo will play a couple of trick defenses to compensate for their size, and its effectiveness will dictate if the Apache can get into their typical running game. If Tokyo gets running and Cohey Aoki and Johh Humphrey finds their rhythm, they will give give the 89ers fits.
Western Conference Finals:
Rizing Fukuoka vs. Osaka Evessa
Will Osaka use Fukuoka as a stepping stool to celebrate again or will Neumann find an answer to dethrone the defending champs?
Notes: A battle of the hottest team versus the team that basically owns them in the regular season. Both teams like to play basketball at a break-neck pace. However, the winner of this game will most likely be the one that actually slows the tempo at times and makes the fewest mistakes.
Keys for Osaka: The first thing is not to rely heavily on Lynn Washington until it becomes necessary. And the play alot of players. Coach Tennichi tends to only play a few players during important games, but if Fukuoka presses as they normally do, the Evessa are going to drain themselves. One of the key players will be Kazuya Hatano, which has proven to be the answer when looking for mismatches. And if Mikey Marshall goes off, there's not much any team can do as Osaka will reign supreme in any above-the-rim battle.
Keys for Fukuoka: To Mix defenses and take good shots. Fukuoka tends to press alot, but Osaka has numerous players that can handle the ball and they are athletic enough to play above the press with passes and alleyoops. Coach Neumann is know for making adjustments and this is where he will have to do alot of coaching: whether it's calling the appropriate time at the right time or show different schemes. One concern is how Fukuoka will match-up. If Parker guards Osaka's Marshall, he will most likely have to do alot more work on defense than offense. If Fukuoka can defend, rebound, and actually slow down the pace at times, they have a great shot.
Latvian Basketball League
1/4 finals
SK Valmiera - VEF Riga 79-82 (19-21; 24-14; 17-19; 19-28), series 0-2
Bankevics 20, Nash 19+6st, Amolins 11, Cavars 11+6as; Jeromanovs 22, Kolesnikov 20, Sheleketo 12+7reb
Liepaja Lauvas - ASK Riga 80-81 (24-14; 15-19; 19-23; 22-25), series 0-2
Ctskovskis 18, Stalbergs 17, Cipruss 11+7reb; Dwayne Broyles (196-F/G-82) 25, Jahovics 17+7reb, Pavic 12+7reb, Millage 11
Barons/LMT - BK Zemgale 89-70 (29-19; 18-19; 24-15; 18-17), series 1-0
Batista 19, Berzins 17+12reb, Hlebowicki 17+6reb, Jefferson 11+7as, Skele 11; Berkis 23, Bambis 12+7reb
In the 1st final four game of the 2nd division, the well experienced Mark Kozah (190-F-73) lead his team (Kahraba Zouk) to win v/s CS Antonins in an exciting over time game. In the 2nd half, Kahraba Zouk's players (Rabih Francis and Roy Malkoun) managed to stop CS Antonins point guard and leader Anis Feghali but not Georges Khaled who showed a good level in 3rd and 4th quarters.
The 2nd series between ENB and Tebnine starts tonight at 20h00 at Sports city complex.
Criollos de Caguas won a very important game against Ponce. Caguas, with this victory, is sure to be one of the best six teams and Criollos will play the Super 6 BSN. MVP of the game was Marlyn Bryant, great game for him with 23 points.
The other game was Mayaguez against Guayama, Mayaguez won easily 82-74 and we do not have to forget that Los Indios played without Angel Caballero, the cuban, one of the best players of the team.
BSN BOXSCORES
CAGUAS-PONCE= 85-83
C= Bryant 23, Redhage 22, Melendez 18, Ramos 12, Rosas 10, Alamo 0, Garcia 0, J. Garcia 0, Konecny 0, Ortiz 0
P= Pagan 26, Colon 14, Jones 10, Frejie 10, Heywood 9, Orta 6, Aubry 4 (10 rebs), Rosario 4, Padilla 0
MAYAGUEZ-GUAYAMA= 82-74
M= Smith 18, Jimenez 12, White 12, Caraballo 9, Zayas 9, Crispin 6, Lopez 6, Venzen 5, Erazo 5, Acevedo 0, Rosa 0
G= Liriano 22, Lopez 17, Solano 14, Parillion 9, Oliver 4, Rivera 3, Melendez 2, Aponte 0, Herrera 0, M. Rivera 0, N. Rivera 0
BORICUAS ABROAD
In Poland, Turow played and won the first game of the Polish Semifinals against Slask Wroclaw. The result was 67-56. For Andres Rodriguez 7 points (2/2 2pts, 1/4 3pts) in 29 minutes with 6 assists.
In NBA, Orlando qualified for the second round of the NBA Play-offs, they won 4-1 against Toronto, in the last game Orlando won 102-92 but Carlos Arroyo did not play.
A. Fontana
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