SLB Round 7 (Regular Season): Manchester edges Leicester R. by two points

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in SBL, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 7 in the SBL took place in Leicester. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 3rd placed Leicester Riders (0-6) to first ranked Manchester (3-4) 89-87 on Friday evening. The former international guard Luke Nelson (191-1995, college: UC Irvine) fired 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American guard Keon Thompson (185-2003, college: SF Austin) chipped in 22 points and 6 assists. American center Deante Johnson (203-2000, college: CSU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) produced 21 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Manchester maintains first place with 3-4 record. Leicester R. at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Manchester are looking forward to face league's leader Liverpool at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Leicester R. will play against the league's second-placed Newcastle E. (#2) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Important game to mention about took place in Liverpool. First ranked Liverpool (3-3) saved a 3-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Newcastle Eagles (4-3) 77-74 in the game for the first place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Newcastle Eagles. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Pat Robinson III (190-1999, college: Charleston, agency: Bell Basketball) who helped to win the game recording 21 points. Tevin Olison contributed with 18 points for the winners. Liverpool's coach Roy Rogers used entire bench in such tough game. Guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) answered with 19 points and 5 assists for Newcastle E.Newly promoted Liverpool maintains first place with 3-3 record. Newcastle E. at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with Bristol Flyers. Liverpool will play against league's leader Manchester on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Newcastle E. will play against Caledonia in Glasgow and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Cheshire Phoenix (2-4) against fourth ranked Scorchers (2-3) on Sunday night. Host Cheshire Phoenix was defeated by Scorchers in Chester 107-91. It was a great evening for Erik Reynolds II who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 5 assists. At the losing side Jaylen Searles responded with 15 points and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Surrey moved-up to third place. Loser Cheshire Phoenix dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. Surrey will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cheshire P. will play against the league's leader Liverpool (#1) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 7 Surrey was crushed by Newcastle E. in a road game 82-55. London beat Bristol Flyers at home 82-76.
The best stats of 7th round was 17 points by Jalen Graham of Surrey.



Leicester R. - Manchester 87-89:
The most exciting game of round 7 in the SBL took place in Leicester. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 3rd placed Leicester Riders (0-6) to first ranked Manchester (3-4) 89-87 on Friday evening. The former international guard Luke Nelson (191-1995, college: UC Irvine) fired 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American guard Keon Thompson (185-2003, college: SF Austin) chipped in 22 points and 6 assists. American center Deante Johnson (203-2000, college: CSU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) produced 21 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import guard JJ White (185-2003, college: Baylor) added 16 points and 8 assists respectively for lost side. Five Leicester R. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Manchester maintains first place with 3-4 record. Leicester R. at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Manchester are looking forward to face league's leader Liverpool at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Leicester R. will play against the league's second-placed Newcastle E. (#2) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Leicester R.: D.Johnson 21+6reb+3ast, J.White 16+2reb+8ast, T.Todd 15+4reb+2ast, B.Pelote 13+2reb+2ast, T.Hurley 12+7reb+2ast, C.Lawson 3+2reb
Manchester: T.Keon 22+2reb+6ast, N.Luke 19+7reb+7ast, P.Chandler 12+7reb, S.Duke 8+6reb, B.Jonathan 7+2reb, H.Kayne 7+4reb+2ast

Newcastle E. - Surrey 82-55:
There was no surprise when 4th placed Scorchers (2-3) were crushed on the road by second ranked Newcastle Eagles (4-3) 82-55 on Friday. Newcastle E. made 18-of-19 free shots (94.7 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Newcastle E. made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for naturalized Australian guard Mitchell Clarke (186-1999) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of his seven free throws). Canadian Cole Long (201-1997, college: Detroit) helped adding 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. Four Newcastle Eagles players scored in double figures. At the losing side naturalized American guard Cayden Charles (190-2004, college: St.Bonaventure) responded with 14 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Jalen Graham (206-2001, college: Arkansas) scored 8 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. Newcastle E. maintains second place with 4-3 record having just one victory less than leader Manchester, which they share with Bristol Flyers. Loser Scorchers dropped to the third position with three games lost. Newcastle E. will meet Caledonia (#4) in the next round. Surrey will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Surrey: C.Charles 14+7reb, J.Graham 8+7reb+3ast, A.Patterson 7+4reb+3ast, E.Kanwei 7+4reb, T.Ogedengbe 6+1ast, C.McGill 5+5reb+1ast
Newcastle E.: T.Blondeau 18+3reb+4ast, C.Mitchell 17+6reb+6ast, L.Cole 15+10reb+1ast, B.Trevond 12+5reb+1ast, W.Joshua 5+4reb+2ast, H.Adam 5+8reb

London L. - Bristol Flyers 82-76:
No shocking result in a game in London where leader Lions (7-0) defeated 3rd placed Flyers (4-3) 82-76 on Saturday. London dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Flyers' 24. It was a great shooting night for London especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for the former international Deane Williams (203-1996, college: Augusta) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). American Maxwell Lewis (201-2002, college: Pepperdine) helped adding 15 points. Lions' coach Tautvydas Sabonis let to play all 12 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American guard Davion Bailey (193-2001, college: UIW) responded with 30 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and Canadian guard Matteus Case (196-2001, college: William & Mary, agency: AOK Sports) scored 19 points. Lions have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 7-0 record. Loser Flyers dropped to the second position with three games lost. They share it with Newcastle E.. London will meet at home league's second-placed Sheffield in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bristol Flyers will play against the league's leader Manchester and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bristol Flyers: D.Bailey 30+1reb+3ast, M.Case 19+1reb+2ast, K.Jennings 12+2reb+1ast, M.Diggins 8+3reb, M.Delpeche 4+4reb+1ast, Z.Anderson 2+3reb+1ast
London L.: W.Deane 17+2reb+1ast, L.Maxwell 15+2reb+2ast, P.Ethan 10+5reb+3ast, S.Joel 9+8reb+1ast, J.DeVante 9+1reb+3ast, O.Joshua 5+3reb

Liverpool - Newcastle E. 77-74:
Important game to mention about took place in Liverpool. First ranked Liverpool (3-3) saved a 3-point victory at home edging their biggest opponent Newcastle Eagles (4-3) 77-74 in the game for the first place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Newcastle Eagles. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Liverpool outrebounded Newcastle E. 49-28 including a 17-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Pat Robinson III (190-1999, college: Charleston, agency: Bell Basketball) who helped to win the game recording 21 points. Guard Tevin Olison (194-1998, college: YSU) contributed with 18 points for the winners. Four Liverpool players scored in double figures. Liverpool's coach Roy Rogers used entire bench in such tough game. Guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) answered with 19 points and 5 assists and power forward Trevond Barnes (206-1997, college: Hampton, agency: One Motive Sports) added 21 points in the effort for Newcastle E.Newly promoted Liverpool maintains first place with 3-3 record. Newcastle E. at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with Bristol Flyers. Liverpool will play against league's leader Manchester on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Newcastle E. will play against Caledonia in Glasgow and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Newcastle E.: T.Barnes 21+4reb+1ast, T.Smith 19+3reb+5ast, J.Ward-Hibbert 12+5reb, A.Hamilton 6+2reb+1ast, B.Tchoukuiegno 6+5reb+6ast, C.Long 5+6reb+2ast
Liverpool: R.Pat 21+3reb+2ast, O.Tevin 18+3reb+2ast, S.Tevin 13+3reb+4ast, O.James 10+8reb+3ast, S.Tomiwa 6+14reb+2ast, W.Zay 4+4reb

Cheshire P. - Surrey 91-107:
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Cheshire Phoenix (2-4) against fourth ranked Scorchers (2-3) on Sunday night. Host Cheshire Phoenix was defeated by Scorchers in Chester 107-91. Surrey made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Cheshire P. turnovers. Surrey looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Erik Reynolds II (188-2002, college: St.Joseph's, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 5 assists. Naturalized American guard Cayden Charles (190-2004, college: St.Bonaventure) helped adding 10 points and 13 rebounds. At the losing side American guard Jaylen Searles (203-2002, college: Nicholls) responded with 15 points and 4 assists and the other American import forward Ryker Cisarik (206-2002, college: Nova SE) scored 13 points. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Surrey moved-up to third place. Loser Cheshire Phoenix dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. Surrey will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cheshire P. will play against the league's leader Liverpool (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Cheshire P.: J.Searles 15+4reb+4ast, J.Hinds 14+2reb, R.Cisarik 13+4reb+2ast, J.Emanuel 11+5reb+2ast, R.Stewart 11+2reb, I.Gray 10+3reb+4ast
Surrey: P.Addison 20+3reb+1ast, R.Erik 18+3reb+5ast, G.Jalen 17+4reb+3ast, M.Caleb 16+3reb+2ast, B.Zach 11+2reb+3ast, C.Cayden 10+13reb+3ast