NBL D1 Round 4 (Regular Season): Rockets cruise past Riders

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in NBL D1, but even now we can clearly see the difference between stronger teams and outsiders. Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Rockets as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rockets smashed one of their biggest challengers Riders in Reading 87-66. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Riders. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Rockets forced 22 Riders turnovers. Point guard Zackery Powell (183-2000) fired 13 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. point guard Lewis Champion-Alleyne (185-1993) chipped in 19 points. Naturalized German guard Justin Hedley (192-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rockets have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Riders at the other side dropped to the fourth place with one game lost. They share the position with Essex R. and Nottingham H.. Riders will play next round against Thunder trying to get back on the winning streak. Rockets will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Rockets in Birmingham.
Undefeated Hoods (2-1) recorded its first loss in Bradford. Visitors were defeated by thirteenth ranked Dragons (1-3) 86-82. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hoods. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Justin Williams (178-1999, college: IU East) who helped to win the game recording 31 points. Rihards Sulcs contributed with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Landon Taliaferro (196-1997, college: Fairfield) replied with 25 points and 5 rebounds for Hoods. Dragons left bottom position moving up to tenth place, which they share with Thames Valley C. Hoods at the other side keep the fourth position with one game lost. They share it with Essex R. and Loughborough. Dragons will play against higher ranked Rebels (#4) in London in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Hoods will play on the road against Cavaliers in Binfield and hope to get back on the winning track.
Thunder can celebrate their first win this season after two consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Elite (0-3) 86-74 on Sunday. Worth to mention a great performance of Thomas Ward who helped to win the game recording 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. At the losing side Afrasyab Khalil responded with 21 points and 4 steals. Elite's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Thunder (1-2) left bottom position moving up to ninth place. It was Elite's third loss in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with three games lost. Thunder will meet at home higher ranked Riders (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Elite will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 4 Hemel Storm was defeated by Derby T. in a road game 104-96. Birmingham R. beat Thames Valley C. at home 103-86.



Derby T. - Hemel Storm 104-96

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Derby Trailblazers and 5th ranked Storm had identical 2-1 record. This time Derby Trailblazers used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Hemel 104-96 on Saturday night. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Derby Trailblazers looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Jonas Dieterich (193-1995) who helped to win the game recording 37 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and American guard Sam Masten (190-1999, college: Northern St.) who added 31 points and 6 assists during the contest. At the losing side German forward Hakeem Sylla (203-1993) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and guard Sam Newman (191-1996) scored 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Storm players scored in double figures. Derby Trailblazers have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Loser Storm dropped to the seventh position with two games lost. Derby Trailblazers will meet Knights (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Storm will play against BA Lions and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Derby T.: J.Dieterich 37+7reb+2ast, S.Masten 31+4reb+6ast, M.Smith 15+1reb, C.Johnson 8+8reb+13ast, R.May-Thompson 7+6reb+5ast, R.Marsden 6+8reb+4ast
Hemel Storm: B.Inger 20+7reb+1ast, S.Hakeem 18+11reb+1ast, S.Swalve 16+4reb+8ast, S.Newman 15+8reb+6ast, T.Allen 10+3reb+3ast, D.Matthew 9+3reb+1ast

Birmingham R. - Thames Valley C. 103-86

No shocking result in a game in Birmingham where top-ranked Rockets (2-0) defeated 9th ranked Cavaliers (1-3) 103-86 on Saturday. Rockets forced 21 Cavaliers turnovers and had a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Cavaliers' players. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized Nigerian swingman Samuel Toluwase (194-1985, college: Guelph) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds and guard Martyn Gayle (190-1989) who added 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists during the contest. Toluwase is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side Serbian forward Igor Stokic (201-1999, college: Dalton St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Bode Adeluola (179-1989) scored 27 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rockets moved-up to third place. Cavaliers lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with three games lost. They share it with Bradford D.. Rockets will meet league's leader Rockets in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Cavaliers will play against Hoods (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Birmingham R.: S.Toluwase 32+11reb+1ast, K.Teesdale 18+2reb+2ast, M.Gayle 16+5reb+8ast, R.Oberia 11+3reb+3ast, B.Tew 9+5reb+1ast, P.Michael 5+3reb+2ast
Thames Valley C.: B.Adeluola 27+3reb+4ast, I.Stokic 19+12reb+5ast, S.Lewis 12+6reb+1ast, S.Mergim 11+3reb+2ast, M.McLemore 8+2reb+3ast, W.Anthony 0+1reb

Reading R. - Loughborough 87-66

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Rockets as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Rockets smashed one of their biggest challengers Riders in Reading 87-66. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Riders. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Rockets forced 22 Riders turnovers. Point guard Zackery Powell (183-2000) fired 13 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Point guard Lewis Champion-Alleyne (185-1993) chipped in 19 points. Naturalized German guard Justin Hedley (192-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Elijah Bailey (190-1997, college: New Haven) added 13 points respectively for lost side. Five Rockets and four Riders players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rockets have a solid three-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Riders at the other side dropped to the fourth place with one game lost. They share the position with Essex R. and Nottingham H.. Riders will play next round against Thunder trying to get back on the winning streak. Rockets will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Rockets in Birmingham.
Top scorers:
Reading R.: L.Champion-Alleyne 19+3reb+3ast, M.Clarke 17+1reb+4ast, P.Zackery 13+9reb+4ast, E.Maynard 11+5reb+2ast, P.Finleigh 10+6reb, T.Rowe 8
Loughborough: E.Bailey 13+4reb+3ast, J.Hedley 13+10reb+4ast, H.Gamble 12+3reb+3ast, V.Ndoukou 10+5reb+1ast, G.Milo 5+8reb, O.Edward 5+4reb

Worthing T. - London E. 86-74

Thunder can celebrate their first win this season after two consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Elite (0-3) 86-74 on Sunday. Thunder forced 20 Elite turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Thomas Ward (193-1988, college: St.Michael's) who helped to win the game recording 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Daniel Johnson-Thompson (199-1998) who added 13 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Five Thunder players scored in double figures. At the losing side guard Afrasyab Khalil (183-1999) responded with 21 points and 4 steals and Ty Nsangu (-2000) scored 10 points and 8 rebounds. Elite's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Thunder (1-2) left bottom position moving up to ninth place. It was Elite's third loss in a row. Newly promoted team still closes the standings with three games lost. Thunder will meet at home higher ranked Riders (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Elite will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Worthing T.: L.Moore 13+1reb+1ast, F.John 13+4reb, D.Johnson-Thompson 13+9reb+1ast, I.Fontaine 12+6reb+3ast, T.Ward 11+7reb+6ast, H.Abdul 10+5reb+3ast
London E.: K.Afrasyab 21+2reb+2ast, N.Ty 10+8reb, G.Jordan 9+4reb+1ast, J.Eynon 9+6reb+2ast, A.Saunders 9+4reb+1ast, R.Akpofure 4+1reb

Bradford D. - Nottingham H. 86-82

Undefeated Hoods (2-1) recorded its first loss in Bradford. Visitors were defeated by thirteenth ranked Dragons (1-3) 86-82. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hoods. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Justin Williams (178-1999, college: IU East) who helped to win the game recording 31 points. Latvian forward Rihards Sulcs (190-1987) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Landon Taliaferro (196-1997, college: Fairfield) replied with 25 points and 5 rebounds and his fellow American import power forward Greg Skoric (211-2000, college: Skidmore) added 15 points and 12 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) in the effort for Hoods. Five Dragons and four Hoods players scored in double figures. Dragons left bottom position moving up to tenth place, which they share with Thames Valley C. Hoods at the other side keep the fourth position with one game lost. They share it with Essex R. and Loughborough. Dragons will play against higher ranked Rebels (#4) in London in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Hoods will play on the road against Cavaliers in Binfield and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bradford D.: J.Williams 31+4reb+3ast, B.Joe 18+1reb, M.Savery-Richards 13+3reb+2ast, R.Sulcs 12+12reb+5ast, Z.Tordoff 10+14reb+3ast, J.Misambu 2
Nottingham H.: L.Taliaferro 25+5reb, J.Campbell 16+2reb+4ast, G.Skoric 15+12reb, J.Guddemi 14+9reb+3ast, L.Maitland 7+2reb+2ast, S.Diogo 2+2reb+4ast