SLB Round 25 (Regular Season): Manchester is upset by Surrey

The Regular Season in ABA is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 5 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked Manchester (16-11) and sixth ranked Scorchers (12-15) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Manchester was defeated by Scorchers in Guildford 94-77. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Manchester. Surrey made 25-of-27 free shots (92.6 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. Guard Ronald Polite (188-2002, college: UNCG) fired 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. point guard Kino Lilly (183, college: Brown) chipped in 22 points and 6 assists (made all of his seven free throws). Scorchers' coach Lloyd Gardner used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St.) produced 22 points for lost side. Surrey moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Bristol Flyers. Manchester at the other side keeps the third position with 11 games lost. Surrey is looking forward to face Leicester R. (#7) on the road in the next round. Manchester will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Chester. First ranked Lions faced their biggest opponent Cheshire Phoenix. Guests from London (22-5) smashed host Cheshire Phoenix (17-12) 99-79. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Cheshire Phoenix. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Guyanese Kameron McGusty (197-1997, college: Miami, FL) who helped to win the game recording 16 points. Tarik Phillip contributed with 16 points for the winners. Lions' coach Tautvydas Sabonis used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Jaxon Brenchley (196, college: Denver) answered with 20 points for Cheshire P.Lions have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. London maintains first place with 22-5 record. Cheshire P. at the other side keeps the second position with 12 games lost. London will play against Bristol Flyers (#5) on the road in the next round. Cheshire P. will play against Newcastle E. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Leader Lions delivered the twenty second victory on Friday night. This time they beat 9th ranked Gladiators (6-21) 81-68 in London. Tarik Phillip stepped up and scored 11 points and 7 assists for the winners. At the losing side LJ Bryan responded with 10 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Lions. London maintains first place with 22-5 record. Loser Gladiators keeps the ninth position with 21 games lost. London will meet Bristol Flyers (#5) on the road in the next round. Caledonia will play against Sheffield (#4) and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 25 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Leicester R. was crushed by Sheffield in a road game 93-68. Leicester R. beat Bristol Flyers at home 85-78. Newcastle E. destroyed Caledonia on the opponent's court 96-67.



Sheffield S. - Leicester R. 93-68

There was no surprise in Sheffield where 7th ranked Leicester Riders (11-14) were crushed by fourth ranked Sharks (14-12) 93-68 on Friday. Sheffield looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Leicester R.'s players. American guard Nick Kern Jr (198, college: Penn State) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and his fellow American import guard Rodney Chatman (189-1998, college: Vanderbilt, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 14 points and 6 assists. Five Sharks players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Nate Martin (203, college: Marshall) responded with 15 points and 7 rebounds and naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) scored 14 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. Sheffield maintains fourth place with 14-12 record. Leicester R. lost their fifth game in a row. Defending champion keeps the seventh position with 14 games lost. Sheffield will meet at home Caledonia (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Leicester R. will play against Surrey and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sheffield S.: K.Nick 16+10reb+6ast, W.Dirk 16+2reb+3ast, F.Alihodzic 15+3reb+2ast, C.Rodney 14+3reb+6ast, N.Prentiss 10+2reb+4ast, D.Troy 9+5reb
Leicester R.: N.Martin 15+7reb+1ast, F.Boardman-Raffett 14+7reb+2ast, T.Sulaiman 11+8reb+2ast, K.Johnson 8+1reb+2ast, V.Ndoukou 5, M.Joiner 5+2reb+2ast

Surrey - Manchester 94-77

The game between third ranked Manchester (16-11) and sixth ranked Scorchers (12-15) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Manchester was defeated by Scorchers in Guildford 94-77. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Manchester. Surrey made 25-of-27 free shots (92.6 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. Guard Ronald Polite (188-2002, college: UNCG) fired 24 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. point guard Kino Lilly (183, college: Brown) chipped in 22 points and 6 assists (made all of his seven free throws). Four Scorchers players scored in double figures. Scorchers' coach Lloyd Gardner used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St.) produced 22 points and guard Jordan Johnson (185, college: New Orleans) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Surrey moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Bristol Flyers. Manchester at the other side keeps the third position with 11 games lost. Surrey is looking forward to face Leicester R. (#7) on the road in the next round. Manchester will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Surrey: P.Ronald 24+7reb+7ast, L.Kino 22+2reb+6ast, S.Isiah 19+9reb+1ast, L.Tyrin 15+2reb+1ast, G.Michael 6+14reb+1ast, O.Tayo 2+1reb
Manchester: M.Jones 22+3reb+1ast, J.Johnson 13+4reb+4ast, Z.Irvin 13+5reb, S.PJay 9+3reb+8ast, D.Shelton 6+8reb+1ast, T.Adetukasi 5+5reb

Leicester R. - Bristol Flyers 85-78

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Leicester Riders (11-14) defeated at home 5th ranked Flyers (12-15) 85-78 on Sunday. American Kedrian Johnson (190-1999, college: WVU) stepped up and scored 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) chipped in 24 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side American forward Zachary Anderson (201-2002, college: GMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) responded with 22 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import center Owen McCormack (203-2001, college: Lipscomb) scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Four Bristol Flyers players scored in double figures. Flyers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending champion maintains seventh place with 11-14 record. Bristol Flyers lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Surrey. Leicester R. will meet at home higher ranked Surrey (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Bristol Flyers will play against the league's leader London having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Leicester R.: J.Kedrian 24+6reb+7ast, B.Flynn 24+6reb+3ast, E.Travis 10+3reb+3ast, S.Tomiwa 8+6reb+2ast, M.Nate 8+7reb+3ast, M.Aaron 6+4reb
Bristol Flyers: Z.Anderson 22+7reb+2ast, O.McCormack 13+7reb+2ast, W.Yoakum 13+4reb+1ast, C.Christon 11+1reb+1ast, C.Holden 10+5reb+6ast, J.Anderson 6+3reb+6ast

Caledonia G. - Newcastle E. 67-96

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 9th ranked Gladiators' (6-21) home loss to eighth ranked Newcastle Eagles (11-16) 67-96 on Sunday. Newcastle E. dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Gladiators's 34. Newcastle E. forced 21 Caledonia turnovers. American-Nigerian forward Gus Okafor (201-1999, college: Wichita St.) stepped up and scored 26 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and American guard Ray-Sean Taylor (185, college: SIUE) chipped in 20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Four Newcastle Eagles players scored in double figures. At the losing side American point guard Ria'N Holland (183-1994, college: Mercer) responded with 11 points and 8 rebounds and naturalized Scottish forward Fraser Malcolm (198-1996, college: BHSU) scored 15 points. Gladiators' coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Newcastle E. maintains eighth place with 11-16 record. Loser Gladiators keeps the ninth position with 21 games lost. Newcastle E. will meet at home league's second-placed Cheshire P. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Caledonia will play against Sheffield (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Newcastle E.: O.Gus 26+8reb+1ast, T.Ray-Sean 20+9reb+5ast, B.Terrell 13+1reb+5ast, C.Mitchell 11+3reb+1ast, W.Joshua 10+5reb, H.Deion 9+7reb+2ast
Caledonia G.: F.Malcolm 15+3reb, R.Holland 11+8reb+3ast, J.Speelman 9+4reb+2ast, M.Ragsdale 9+2reb+2ast, M.Delpeche 6+5reb, E.Wright 6+6reb+5ast

Cheshire P. - London L. 79-99

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Chester. First ranked Lions faced their biggest opponent Cheshire Phoenix. Guests from London (22-5) smashed host Cheshire Phoenix (17-12) 99-79. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Cheshire Phoenix. Cheshire P. was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Guyanese Kameron McGusty (197-1997, college: Miami, FL) who helped to win the game recording 16 points. The former international guard Tarik Phillip (191-1993, college: WVU) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Five Lions players scored in double figures. Lions' coach Tautvydas Sabonis used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Jaxon Brenchley (196, college: Denver) answered with 20 points and the other American import forward Frankie Policelli (206-2000, college: Charleston) added 14 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Cheshire P.Lions have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. London maintains first place with 22-5 record. Cheshire P. at the other side keeps the second position with 12 games lost. London will play against Bristol Flyers (#5) on the road in the next round. Cheshire P. will play against Newcastle E. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
London L.: M.Kameron 16+3reb+1ast, P.Tarik 16+2reb+2ast, R.Shavar 14, R.Aaryn 12+4reb+3ast, S.Joel 10+6reb+1ast, S.Morayo 9+3reb+1ast
Cheshire P.: J.Brenchley 20+4reb+2ast, F.Policelli 14+10reb+1ast, T.Cameron 13+7reb+2ast, S.White 7+7reb, M.Zona 6+3reb, D.Lindo 6+3reb

London L. - Caledonia G. 81-68

Leader Lions delivered the twenty second victory on Friday night. This time they beat 9th ranked Gladiators (6-21) 81-68 in London. They dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Gladiators's 34. The former international guard Tarik Phillip (191-1993, college: WVU) stepped up and scored 11 points and 7 assists for the winners and American-Guyanese Kameron McGusty (197-1997, college: Miami, FL) chipped in 10 points and 5 rebounds. Four Lions players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward LJ Bryan (206-1999, college: Morehead St., agency: Helping Ballers) responded with 10 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import guard Ethan Wright (190-2000, college: Colorado) scored 12 points. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Lions. London maintains first place with 22-5 record. Loser Gladiators keeps the ninth position with 21 games lost. London will meet Bristol Flyers (#5) on the road in the next round. Caledonia will play against Sheffield (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
London L.: S.Joel 13+3reb+1ast, R.Shavar 11+2ast, P.Tarik 11+2reb+7ast, M.Kameron 10+5reb+3ast, R.Aaryn 9+6reb, P.Ethan 6+3reb+1ast
Caledonia G.: J.Speelman 13+1reb+1ast, E.Wright 12+4reb+1ast, L.Bryan 10+9reb+1ast, D.Carr 6+3reb+1ast, R.Holland 6+4reb+2ast, D.Jones Jr. 6+1reb+7ast