NBL D1 Round 8: Hoods lose to Thunder in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Nottingham. 4th ranked host Hoods (5-3) were smashed by top-ranked Thunder (8-0) 115-91. Thunder dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Hoods' 46. Thunder forced 21 Hoods turnovers and outrebounded them 40-29 including 29 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Ronald Blain (196-1997, college: HPU) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 6 rebounds and forward Hafeez Abdul (201-1995, college: MSUB) who added 19 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. point guard Johde Campbell (182-1998, college: MSU-W.Plains) responded with 27 points and 6 assists. Undefeated Thunder have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Hoods at the other side dropped to the fifth place with three games lost. Thunder are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Warriors (#14) in Westminster in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Hoods will play at home against the league's second-placed Storm (#2) and are hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Bottom-ranked Warriors (0-7) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to sixth ranked Riders (4-3) 95-92. The winners were led by guard Lane Campbell (188-2004) who scored that evening 25 points and 5 rebounds and Justin Hedley supported him with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Riders' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by forward Jonathan Johnson (191) did not help to save the game for Warriors. Riders have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 4-3 record. Newly promoted Warriors still closes the standings with seven games lost. Riders will play against Rockets (#10) in Reading in the next round. Warriors will play at home against the league's leader Thunder (#1) and hope to get finally their first victory.
A very close game took place in London between Rebels and Kestrels. Eighth ranked Rebels (4-4) got a very close home victory over 10th ranked Kestrels (1-5). Rebels managed to escape with a 2-point win 82-80 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was Rory Winter who scored 20 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Elias Poorman produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the guests. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rebels moved-up to seventh place. Kestrels lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with five games lost. Rebels will meet Dragons (#8) in the next round. Kestrels will play against Cavaliers (#9) and hope to win that game.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 8: Newcastle destroyed Thames Valley C. on the opponent's court 95-72. Manchester M. managed to outperform Bradford D. in a home game 76-62. BA London L. recorded a loss to Reading R. on the road 94-86.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 28 points and 8 rebounds by Troy Cracknell of Reading R..

Essex R. - Solent K. 82-80

A very close game took place in London between Rebels and Kestrels. Eighth ranked Rebels (4-4) got a very close home victory over 10th ranked Kestrels (1-5). Rebels managed to escape with a 2-point win 82-80 on Saturday evening. Strangely Kestrels outrebounded Rebels 43-28 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was guard Rory Winter (187-1998) who scored 20 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Center Lee Hodges (213-1990) chipped in 16 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Elias Poorman (193-2000, college: Midland CC) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and American forward Ricky Madison (201-1997, college: High Point) added 25 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Kestrels players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Rebels moved-up to seventh place. Kestrels lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth position with five games lost. Rebels will meet Dragons (#8) in the next round. Kestrels will play against Cavaliers (#9) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Essex R.: R.Winter 20+4reb+2ast, H.Lee 16+8reb+2ast, O.Chose 10+2reb, W.Ben 8+1reb+3ast, D.Johns 8+2reb, M.Riccardo 6+5reb+3ast
Solent K.: R.Madison 25+6reb+1ast, E.Poorman 17+13reb+5ast, J.Bessard 15+5reb, G.Durand 10+4reb, W.Kai 8+8reb+2ast, A.Samuel 3+2reb

Westminster W. - Loughborough 92-95

Bottom-ranked Warriors (0-7) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to sixth ranked Riders (4-3) 95-92. Riders outrebounded Warriors 46-33 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. The winners were led by guard Lane Campbell (188-2004) who scored that evening 25 points and 5 rebounds and naturalized German guard Justin Hedley (192-1996) supported him with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Riders' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by forward Jonathan Johnson (191) did not help to save the game for Warriors. Forward Justin Hitchman (193) added 18 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Riders have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 4-3 record. Newly promoted Warriors still closes the standings with seven games lost. Riders will play against Rockets (#10) in Reading in the next round. Warriors will play at home against the league's leader Thunder (#1) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Loughborough: C.Lane 25+5reb, J.Hedley 18+7reb+3ast, M.Sigmund-Gordon 16+10reb+2ast, H.Gamble 14+10reb+3ast, J.Bielak 11+4reb+1ast, D.Orija 6
Westminster W.: J.Hitchman 18+7reb+1ast, J.Johnson 16+8reb+2ast, B.Dre 15+4reb+4ast, S.Arif 13+4reb, S.Jacob 10+2reb+4ast, D.Chuck 8+1reb+4ast

Nottingham H. - Worthing T. 91-115

The game between Top Four teams took place in Nottingham. 4th ranked host Hoods (5-3) were smashed by top-ranked Thunder (8-0) 115-91. Thunder dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Hoods' 46. Thunder forced 21 Hoods turnovers and outrebounded them 40-29 including 29 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Ronald Blain (196-1997, college: HPU) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 6 rebounds and forward Hafeez Abdul (201-1995, college: MSUB) who added 19 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Five Thunder players scored in double figures. Point guard Johde Campbell (182-1998, college: MSU-W.Plains) responded with 27 points and 6 assists and American guard Seth Hall (190, college: Pacific Lutheran) scored 21 points and 7 rebounds. Thunder have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. Hoods at the other side dropped to the fifth place with three games lost. Thunder are looking forward to face bottom-ranked Warriors (#14) in Westminster in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Hoods will play at home against the league's second-placed Storm (#2) and are hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
Top scorers:
Worthing T.: V.Eze 25+5reb, R.Blain 25+6reb+3ast, D.Moya 22+5ast, H.Abdul 19+12reb+3ast, O.Jackman 10+11reb+6ast, T.Ward 9+2reb
Nottingham H.: J.Campbell 27+3reb+6ast, S.Hall 21+7reb+3ast, J.Guddemi 17+6reb, B.Eddy 8+3reb+3ast, S.Diogo 7+1reb+3ast, R.Theo 7+1reb

Thames Valley C. - Newcastle 72-95

Very expected game in Binfield where 9th ranked Cavaliers (3-5) were crushed by fifth ranked Knights (5-2) 95-72 on Saturday. Knights shot the lights out from three sinking 16 long-distance shots on high 76.2 percentage. The best player for the winners was American guard Jordan May (190, college: CS Monterey) who scored 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import forward Trey Carrier (196, college: Wentworth) chipped in 16 points. Knights' coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Victor Olarerin (188-1999) produced 22 points and 5 steals and American guard AJ Roberts (195-1990, college: Union, TN) added 17 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Knights moved-up to fourth place. Cavaliers lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with five games lost. Knights will meet at home higher ranked Derby Trailblazers (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Cavaliers will play against Kestrels (#12) in Solent and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Newcastle: J.May 25+5reb+5ast, T.Carrier 16+1reb+1ast, G.Jamie 12+2reb, T.George 9+7reb, O.Clingain 8+1reb+1ast, C.Alexander 7+6reb+1ast
Thames Valley C.: O.Victor 22+4reb+3ast, A.Roberts 17+9reb+2ast, T.McIndoe 9+4reb, B.Adeluola 9+1reb+2ast, A.Saunders 6+6reb+2ast, H.Jarrett 4+2reb+2ast

Manchester M. - Bradford D. 76-62

There was a surprise result when thirteenth ranked Manchester Magic (2-6) defeated at home higher ranked Dragons (3-4) 76-62 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was guard Andre Gayle-Mcintosh (194-1995) who scored 14 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Tyme Regent-Bascombe (195-1994) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Manchester Magic's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Jordan Whelan (193-1994, college: MNU) produced 23 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and guard Micah Savery-Richards (190-1999, college: Lewis & Clark) added 15 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Manchester Magic moved-up to eleventh place. Dragons lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with four games lost. Manchester Magic will meet BA Lions (#13) in the next round. Dragons will play against Rebels (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Manchester M.: T.Regent-Bascombe 14+7reb, A.Gayle-Mcintosh 14+9reb+3ast, G.Matthew 9+1reb+1ast, K.Ulett-Waul 9+1reb+4ast, T.Brown 9+4reb+2ast, L.Pouale 7+3reb
Bradford D.: J.Whelan 23+7reb+8ast, M.Savery-Richards 15+8reb+1ast, R.Sulcs 8+8reb+2ast, R.Fetske 6+3reb+1ast, E.Jabari 5+2reb+4ast, R.Ethan 5+2reb

Reading R. - BA London L. 94-86

Everything could happen in Reading at the game between two tied teams. Both twelfth ranked Rockets and 13th ranked BA Lions had identical 1-5 record. This time Rockets used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Gillingham 94-86 on Sunday night. Rockets made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Troy Cracknell (193, college: Augusta, agency: Interperformances) who scored 28 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Point guard Lewis Champion-Alleyne (185-1993) chipped in 15 points. Lithuanian forward Nedas Cholevinskas (196-2005) produced 21 points and 6 rebounds and Serbian forward Igor Stokic (201-1999, college: Dalton St.) added 16 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the guests. 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. Rockets (2-5) moved-up to tenth place. Loser BA Lions keep the thirteenth position with six games lost. Rockets will meet higher ranked Riders (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. BA Lions will play against Manchester Magic (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Reading R.: T.Cracknell 28+8reb+3ast, L.Champion-Alleyne 15+2reb+3ast, P.Finleigh 12+6reb, J.Jenkins 12+1reb+2ast, R.Pinnock 9+2reb+7ast, B.Dixon 7+2reb+2ast
BA London L.: C.Nedas 21+6reb+3ast, I.Stokic 16+10reb+1ast, K.Moziah 11+2reb+1ast, U.Cem 10+5reb, F.Taiga 8+2reb+4ast, S.Jamari 5+1reb