NBL D1 Round 6: Derby Trailblazers beat Hoods in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Derby. Top-ranked Derby Trailblazers faced 4th ranked Hoods. Host Derby Trailblazers (6-0) defeated guests from Nottingham (4-2) 101-84. Derby Trailblazers dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Hoods' 40 and made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Hoods 48-35 including 16 on the offensive glass. Derby Trailblazers looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Malcolm Smith (195-1993, college: Lipscomb) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import point guard Ryan Bruggeman (183-1996, college: SMSU) chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds, 17 assists and 4 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Seth Hall (190, college: Pacific Lutheran) who recorded 23 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Derby Trailblazers have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record, which they share with Worthing T. and Hemel Storm. Hoods at the other side dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. Derby Trailblazers is looking forward to face Thunder (#3) in Worthing in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Hoods will play on the road against Warriors in Westminster and are hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
BA Lions can celebrate finally their first win this season after five consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Westminster, where they defeated Warriors (0-5) 95-79. It was a good game for Serbian forward Igor Stokic (201-1999, college: Dalton St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Taiga Forster contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Justin Hitchman (193) replied with 18 points and 7 rebounds for Warriors. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. BA Lions (1-5) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place. It was Warriors' fifth loss in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Reading R.. BA Lions will play against higher ranked Riders (#7) in Loughborough in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Warriors will play at home against Hoods (#5) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Manchester Magic (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 92-76 loss to sixth ranked Knights (4-1) in Manchester on Saturday evening. Jordan May scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners. Knights' coach used an eleven-player rotation saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was Tyrell Brown with 15 points, 5 assists and 6 steals. Knights moved-up to fourth place. Newly promoted Manchester Magic still closes the standings with six games lost. Knights will meet at home Rebels (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Manchester Magic will play against Kestrels (#10) in Solent and looks forward to get finally their first victory.

Rest of the games of round 6 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Loughborough defeated Bradford D. in a road game 71-68. Essex R. lost to undefeated Hemel Storm at home 76-111. Worthing T. won against Thames Valley C. on the opponent's court 94-87.

Westminster W. - BA London L. 79-95

BA Lions can celebrate finally their first win this season after five consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Westminster, where they defeated Warriors (0-5) 95-79. BA Lions forced 19 Warriors turnovers and outrebounded them 43-29 including 28 on the defensive glass. It was a good game for Serbian forward Igor Stokic (201-1999, college: Dalton St.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Taiga Forster contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Justin Hitchman (193) replied with 18 points and 7 rebounds and guard Dre Brown (191) added 14 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Warriors. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. BA Lions (1-5) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place. It was Warriors' fifth loss in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Reading R.. BA Lions will play against higher ranked Riders (#7) in Loughborough in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Warriors will play at home against Hoods (#5) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Westminster W.: J.Hitchman 18+7reb+2ast, B.Dre 14+5reb+2ast, S.Arif 10+5reb+1ast, S.Jacob 9+2reb+5ast, J.Johnson 6+6reb+1ast, K.Jardel 6+3reb
BA London L.: I.Stokic 23+15reb+4ast, F.Taiga 17+5reb+2ast, J.Ignas 8+6reb+4ast, G.Harry 6+1ast, K.Moziah 6+4reb+2ast, C.Nedas 5

Bradford D. - Loughborough 68-71

There was an upset in Bradford where higher ranked Dragons (3-2) were edged by ninth ranked Riders (3-3) 71-68 on Saturday. Power forward Harrison Gamble (208-1992) scored 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and naturalized German guard Justin Hedley (192-1996) chipped in 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Four Riders players scored in double figures. Riders' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was Latvian forward Rihards Sulcs (190-1987) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and guard Jordan Whelan (193-1994, college: MNU) scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Riders have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Thames Valley C. Loser Dragons dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. Riders will meet BA Lions (#11) in the next round. Dragons will play against Rockets (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bradford D.: D.Walsh 19+3reb+2ast, R.Sulcs 16+10reb+3ast, J.Whelan 14+7reb+4ast, R.Fetske 9+10reb+1ast, J.Laing 6+2reb+2ast, M.Savery-Richards 4+5reb
Loughborough: J.Bielak 18+5reb+1ast, H.Gamble 18+9reb+1ast, J.Hedley 15+7reb+5ast, D.Collins 12+6reb+2ast, C.Lane 3+1reb+1ast, D.Orija 3+3reb

Essex R. - Hemel Storm 76-111

No shocking result in a game in London where top-ranked Storm (6-0) smashed 8th ranked Rebels (2-4) 111-76 on Saturday. Storm dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Rebels' 42. They outrebounded Rebels 41-23 including a 32-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Storm looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American guard Taylor Johnson (193-1994, college: Dartmouth) scored 21 points and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) to lead the charge for the winners and German forward Hakeem Sylla (203-1993) chipped in 18 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Owen Chose (188, college: Stonehill) with 20 points and 5 assists and center Lee Hodges (213-1990) scored 15 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Storm have an impressive six-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Derby T. and Worthing T. Rebels lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the ninth place with four games lost. Storm will meet at home Cavaliers (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Rebels will play against Knights in Newcastle and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Essex R.: O.Chose 20+2reb+5ast, H.Lee 15+3reb+3ast, J.Eynon 11+4reb+5ast, D.Matthew 8+2reb, D.Johns 8+8reb+2ast, W.Ben 3+1reb
Hemel Storm: T.Johnson 21+4reb+6ast, S.Hakeem 18+10reb+1ast, S.Swalve 16+2reb+4ast, C.Acquah-Davis 13+5reb, J.Burnell 10+3ast, A.Rai 9+7reb+2ast

Thames Valley C. - Worthing T. 87-94

Very expected game in Binfield where 7th ranked Cavaliers (3-3) were defeated by top-ranked Thunder (6-0) 94-87 on Saturday. Thunder forced 20 Cavaliers turnovers. The former international forward Orlan Jackman (201-1988, college: Okla City) had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Andre Arissol (188-1997, college: Chaminade) chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Five Thunder players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was guard Victor Olarerin (188-1999) with 23 points and 5 rebounds and Jarrett Hart produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Cavaliers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Thunder have an impressive six-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Derby T. and Hemel Storm. Loser Cavaliers keep the seventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Loughborough. Thunder will meet at home league's leader Derby Trailblazers in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cavaliers will play against the league's second-placed Storm (#2) in Hemel and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Thames Valley C.: O.Victor 23+5reb+2ast, B.Adeluola 17+3reb+2ast, H.Jarrett 11+10reb+5ast, A.Rezk 9+8reb, J.Manning 9+1reb, S.Lewis 8+6reb+1ast
Worthing T.: A.Arissol 24+5reb+1ast, O.Jackman 17+14reb+2ast, R.Blain 16+6reb+1ast, H.Abdul 16+6reb, D.Moya 11+3reb+2ast, T.Ward 4+1reb

Manchester M. - Newcastle 76-92

Bottom-ranked Manchester Magic (0-6) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 92-76 loss to sixth ranked Knights (4-1) in Manchester on Saturday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Manchester Magic's 28. It was a great shooting night for Knights especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 58.8 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Knights made 8 blocks. American guard Jordan May (190, college: CS Monterey) scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward Trey Carrier (196, college: Wentworth) chipped in 23 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Knights players scored in double figures. Knights' coach used an eleven-player rotation saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was guard Tyrell Brown (180-1999) with 15 points, 5 assists and 6 steals and guard Andre Gayle-Mcintosh (194-1995) scored 10 points and 9 rebounds. Knights moved-up to fourth place. Newly promoted Manchester Magic still closes the standings with six games lost. Knights will meet at home Rebels (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Manchester Magic will play against Kestrels (#10) in Solent and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Manchester M.: T.Brown 15+4reb+5ast, A.Gayle-Mcintosh 10+9reb+3ast, T.Samuels 10+5reb+2ast, K.Ulett-Waul 8+1reb+5ast, T.Regent-Bascombe 6+7reb, L.Pouale 6+1reb+2ast
Newcastle: T.Carrier 23+6reb+1ast, J.May 23+5reb+4ast, M.Joshua 20+2reb, C.Alexander 12+7reb+4ast, Y.Themba 6+7reb+6ast, S.Jason 2+3reb+1ast

Derby T. - Nottingham H. 101-84

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Derby. Top-ranked Derby Trailblazers faced 4th ranked Hoods. Host Derby Trailblazers (6-0) defeated guests from Nottingham (4-2) 101-84. Derby Trailblazers dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Hoods' 40 and made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Hoods 48-35 including 16 on the offensive glass. Derby Trailblazers looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Malcolm Smith (195-1993, college: Lipscomb) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import point guard Ryan Bruggeman (183-1996, college: SMSU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points, 5 rebounds, 17 assists and 4 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Seth Hall (190, college: Pacific Lutheran) who recorded 23 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Johde Campbell (182-1998, college: MSU-W.Plains) added 15 points and 7 assists respectively. Five Derby Trailblazers and four Hoods players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Derby Trailblazers have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record, which they share with Worthing T. and Hemel Storm. Hoods at the other side dropped to the fifth place with two games lost. Derby Trailblazers is looking forward to face Thunder (#3) in Worthing in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Hoods will play on the road against Warriors in Westminster and are hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Nottingham H.: S.Hall 23+9reb+3ast, J.Campbell 15+4reb+7ast, J.Guddemi 14+6reb+2ast, R.Theo 12+3reb+1ast, B.Eddy 9+3reb+1ast, S.Diogo 6+4ast
Derby T.: M.Smith 23+12reb+5ast, M.Williams 19+8reb+1ast, J.Dieterich 18+5reb, R.Bruggeman 13+5reb+17ast, P.Simeon 11+9reb, J.Harrison 11+3reb+2ast