NBL D1 Round 4 (Regular Season): #1 Birmingham R. is defeated by Thames Valley C.

After 4 rounds played we can already see who rules in the NBL D1 and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was the first loss of Rockets (3-1) in Binfield on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by eighth ranked Cavaliers (2-2) 84-73. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Rockets. Worth to mention a great performance of Portuguese-Angolan guard Edmir Lucas (191-1993) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and the former international guard Justin Robinson (188-1987, college: Rider) who added 18 points and 4 assists (made all of his eight free throws) during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Orlan Jackman (201-1988, college: Okla City) responded with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Thames Valley C. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Nottingham H. and Milton Keynes. Birmingham R. at the other side dropped to the third position with one game lost. They share it with Derby T.. Thames Valley C. is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Worthing T. (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Birmingham R. will play against Essex R. (#10) and is hoping to win this game.
Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-3) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their third consecutive match to tenth ranked Hoods (2-2) 85-84. The winners were led by American power forward Greg Skoric (211-2000, college: Skidmore) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and Kayne King supported him with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Hoods' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international guard Kofi Josephs (198-1991, college: Fort Lewis, agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Bradford D.. Nottingham H. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Thames Valley C. and Milton Keynes. Bradford D. at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. Nottingham H. will play against Newcastle (#11) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Bradford D. will play against Derby T. and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Bottom-ranked Thunder (0-4) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to third ranked Rockets (4-1) 85-78 on Sunday evening. Ty Nsangu fired a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. Rockets' coach Samit Nuruzade used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Elijah Maynard produced 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Rockets have a solid three-game winning streak. Reading moved-up to second place. Loser Thunder still closes the standings with four games lost. Reading will meet at home Bristol H. (#5) in the next round. Worthing T. will play against Thames Valley C. (#6) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 4: Reading won against Newcastle on the opponent's court 95-81. Bristol H. managed to outperform Milton Keynes in a home game 90-83. Hemel Storm managed to beat Loughborough on the road 85-75. Essex R. was defeated by Derby T. on its own court 82-85.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points by Justin Hopkins of Reading R..



Newcastle - Reading R. 81-95

Very expected game in Newcastle where 10th ranked Knights (1-3) were defeated by third ranked Rockets (4-1) 95-81 on Saturday. Reading made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. American forward Justin Hopkins (196-1998, college: Texas Southern, agency: Players Group) fired 24 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Guard Elias Poorman (193-2000, college: Midland CC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. American forward Ronald Blain (196-1997, college: HPU, agency: Worldwide SM) produced 26 points and 8 assists and naturalized Canadian Corey Johnson (196-1996, college: Harvard) added 14 points and 13 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rockets have a solid three-game winning streak. Reading moved-up to second place. Loser Knights keeps the tenth position with three games lost. They share it with Essex R.. Reading will meet at home Bristol H. (#5) in the next round. Newcastle will play against Nottingham H. (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Reading R.: J.Hopkins 24+5reb+1ast, S.Chamberlain 18+3reb, E.Poorman 11+11reb+2ast, M.Clarke 10+5reb+8ast, R.Pinnock 9+5reb+2ast, L.Champion-Alleyne 8+3reb+3ast
Newcastle: R.Blain 26+4reb+8ast, L.Rooney 16+4reb+3ast, C.Johnson 14+13reb+1ast, S.Kande 11+1reb, T.Riley 8+3reb+7ast, S.Angus 3+3reb

Bristol H. - Milton Keynes 90-83

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Bristol where sixth ranked Hurricanes (2-1) defeated 5th ranked Breakers (2-2) 90-83 on Saturday. Naturalized Albanian guard Elvisi Dusha (188-1994) fired 25 points and 7 assists for the winners (made all of his seven free throws). Lithuanian power forward Vilmantas Dilys (207-1987) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds. American forward Adrian Scarborough (193-2000, college: Catawba) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and forward Kai Walker (196-2000) added 15 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Milton Keynes players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Bristol H. moved-up to fifth place. Milton Keynes at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. They share it with Thames Valley C. and Nottingham H.. Bristol H. will meet league's second-placed Reading on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Milton Keynes will play against Loughborough (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bristol H.: E.Dusha 25+3reb+7ast, D.Ubiaro 20+4reb+1ast, V.Dilys 17+7reb+2ast, I.Williams 7+2reb, J.Akodo 7+3reb, P.Mayindombe 6+1reb+2ast
Milton Keynes: N.Robinson 18+3reb+3ast, A.Scarborough 16+11reb+3ast, K.Walker 15+9reb+2ast, K.Johnson 15+2reb+7ast, C.Tawiah 11+4reb, B.Freckleton 4+1ast

Loughborough - Hemel Storm 75-85

Not a big story in a game in Loughborough where 7th ranked Riders (1-2) were defeated by top-ranked Storm (4-0) 85-75 on Saturday. Hemel Storm had a 29-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. American guard TraMichael Moton (185, college: GSU) fired 31 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. The other American import power forward Darien Nelson-Henry (211-1994, college: Pennsylvania) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Naturalized German guard Justin Hedley (192-1996) produced 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (made all of his seven free throws) and American swingman Michael Joiner (200-1981, college: FSU) added 17 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) respectively for lost side. Five Loughborough players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Storm have a solid four-game winning streak. Hemel Storm keeps a position of league leader. Loser Riders dropped to the ninth place with two games lost. Hemel Storm will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Loughborough will play against Milton Keynes (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hemel Storm: T.Moton 31+8reb+3ast, D.Nelson-Henry 17+10reb+4ast, M.Disu 14+3reb+1ast, M.Ellis 9+7reb+1ast, S.Newman 4+5reb+7ast, J.Chater 3
Loughborough: M.Joiner 17+5reb+3ast, J.Hedley 16+8reb+5ast, S.Wylie 13+1reb+1ast, E.Onyia 12+4reb+2ast, V.Ndoukou 11+7reb+5ast, P.Karras 6+1reb

Bradford D. - Nottingham H. 84-85

Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-3) is still winless. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their third consecutive match to tenth ranked Hoods (2-2) 85-84. Nottingham H. forced 21 Bradford D. turnovers. The winners were led by American power forward Greg Skoric (211-2000, college: Skidmore) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds and guard Kayne King (182-1996) supported him with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Five Hoods players scored in double figures. Hoods' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Even 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by the former international guard Kofi Josephs (198-1991, college: Fort Lewis, agency: Players Group) did not help to save the game for Bradford D.. Guard Andre Gayle-Mcintosh (194-1995) added 13 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Nottingham H. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Thames Valley C. and Milton Keynes. Bradford D. at the other side still closes the standings with three games lost. Nottingham H. will play against Newcastle (#11) at home in the next round where they are favorite. Bradford D. will play against Derby T. and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Nottingham H.: L.Maitland 19+3reb+3ast, S.Akano 16+5reb+4ast, K.King 16+10reb+3ast, G.Skoric 16+12reb+2ast, E.Bailey 10+7reb, T.Walker 3+1reb
Bradford D.: K.Josephs 26+6reb+4ast, J.Whelan 14+4reb+2ast, A.Gayle-Mcintosh 13+8reb+1ast, J.Laidler 12+4reb, R.Sulcs 7+8reb+6ast, A.Lycoudis 6+5reb+6ast

Thames Valley C. - Birmingham R. 84-73

The most surprising game was the first loss of Rockets (3-1) in Binfield on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by eighth ranked Cavaliers (2-2) 84-73. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Rockets. Worth to mention a great performance of Portuguese-Angolan guard Edmir Lucas (191-1993) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and the former international guard Justin Robinson (188-1987, college: Rider) who added 18 points and 4 assists (made all of his eight free throws) during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Orlan Jackman (201-1988, college: Okla City) responded with 21 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Zackery Powell (183-2000) scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Thames Valley C. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Nottingham H. and Milton Keynes. Birmingham R. at the other side dropped to the third position with one game lost. They share it with Derby T.. Thames Valley C. is looking forward to face bottom-ranked Worthing T. (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Birmingham R. will play against Essex R. (#10) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Thames Valley C.: E.Lucas 22+2reb+1ast, J.Robinson 18+3reb+4ast, D.Adekunle 13+4reb+1ast, S.Lewis 8+4reb, A.Saunders 7+7reb+2ast, A.Roberts 5+5reb+3ast
Birmingham R.: O.Jackman 21+9reb+1ast, Z.Powell 13+5reb+5ast, M.Gayle 10+2reb, L.Noel 8+4reb+2ast, L.Okosieme 6+6reb+1ast, S.Toluwase 5+4reb+1ast

Essex R. - Derby T. 82-85

Everything went according to plan in London where fifth ranked Derby Trailblazers (3-1) edged 9th ranked Rebels (1-3) 85-82 on Sunday. Derby T. shot 26 for 41 from the free-throw line, while Essex R. only scored seven points from the stripe. They outrebounded Essex R. 54-40 including 17 on the offensive glass. Swingman Leighton Elliott-Sewell (198-1999, college: Stony Brook) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points and 18 rebounds for the winners. Forward Raheem May-Thompson (200-1991, college: Stonehill) chipped in 20 points and 8 rebounds. Naturalized Ghanian guard Luke Busumbru (191-1997) produced 18 points and 7 assists and the former international forward Joseph Hart (194-1993) added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Derby Trailblazers have a solid three-game winning streak. Derby T. moved-up to third place, which they share with Birmingham R. Loser Rebels dropped to the tenth position with three games lost. They share it with Newcastle. Derby T. will meet at home Bradford D. (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Essex R. will play against Birmingham R. and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Derby T.: L.Elliott-Sewell 21+18reb+1ast, R.May-Thompson 20+8reb+2ast, J.Dieterich 19+5reb, D.Simental 13+2reb+2ast, S.Walker Jr. 10+4reb+1ast, J.Harrison 2+1reb+5ast
Essex R.: L.Busumbru 18+4reb+7ast, J.Hart 14+7reb+4ast, E.Kanwei 13+10reb, C.Nelson 13+2reb+6ast, D.Johnson-Thompson 10+6reb, B.Winter 7+7reb+3ast

Reading R. - Worthing T. 85-78

Bottom-ranked Thunder (0-4) is still winless. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they lost on the road their fourth consecutive match to third ranked Rockets (4-1) 85-78 on Sunday evening. Reading dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Thunder's 20 and made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. Reading forced 23 Worthing T. turnovers and outrebounded them 37-24 including 22 on the defensive glass. Reading looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Ty Nsangu (-2000) fired a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winners. American forward Justin Hopkins (196-1998, college: Texas Southern, agency: Players Group) chipped in 21 points. Four Rockets players scored in double figures. Rockets' coach Samit Nuruzade used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Elijah Maynard (193-1996, college: WAU) produced 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Johnathan Lashley (201-1995) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Rockets have a solid three-game winning streak. Reading moved-up to second place. Loser Thunder still closes the standings with four games lost. Reading will meet at home Bristol H. (#5) in the next round. Worthing T. will play against Thames Valley C. (#6) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Reading R.: T.Nsangu 22+10reb, J.Hopkins 21+4reb+3ast, L.Champion-Alleyne 11+3reb+5ast, M.Clarke 11+6reb+10ast, S.Chamberlain 9+2reb+2ast, V.Olarerin 5+2reb
Worthing T.: E.Maynard 22+5reb+4ast, M.Boakye-Yiadom 16+1ast, J.Lashley 13+6reb, L.Moore 7+3ast, K.Hunter 5+1reb+2ast, B.Adeluola 5+1reb+3ast