SLB Round 28 (Regular Season): London lose to Cheshire P.

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in ABA. Coincidentally all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Lions (24-6) recorded its sixth loss in London on Friday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Cheshire Phoenix (18-12) 95-92. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Lions. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 26 personal fouls committed by London helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Pat Robinson III (190-1999, college: Charleston) fired 28 points and 5 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Frankie Policelli (206-2000, college: Charleston) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. The former international guard Tarik Phillip (191-1993, college: WVU) produced 18 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Lions' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Cheshire P. maintains second position with 18-12 record having just 48 point less than leader London L., which they share with Manchester. London at the other side still keeps top place with six games lost. Cheshire P. is looking forward to face Caledonia (#9) in Glasgow in the next round and are hoping to win another game. London will play on the road against Manchester (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Seventh-ranked Leicester Riders (12-16) made lots of trouble for third ranked Manchester (18-12). The visitors from Manchester managed to secure only three-point victory 101-98. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jordan Johnson (185, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. PJay Smith contributed with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Manchester's coach Matthew Otten allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) replied with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds for Leicester R.Manchester moved-up to second place, which they share with Cheshire P. Defending champion Leicester R. keeps the seventh position with 16 games lost. Manchester will play against league's leader London at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Leicester R. will play against Sheffield (#4) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Newcastle between Sharks and Newcastle Eagles. Fourth ranked Sharks (16-13) got a very close victory on the road over 8th ranked Newcastle Eagles (12-18). Sharks managed to escape with a 3-point win 85-82 on Friday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Nick Kern Jr who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. At the losing side Ray-Sean Taylor responded with 24 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. Sheffield maintains fourth position with 16-13 record. Loser Newcastle Eagles keeps the eighth place with 18 games lost. Sheffield will meet at home Leicester R. (#7) in the next round. Newcastle E. will have a break next round.

In the last game of round 28 Caledonia defeated Surrey in Glasgow 120-117.
The best stats of 28th round was 32 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists by Tyrin Lawrence of Surrey.



Leicester R. - Manchester 98-101

Seventh-ranked Leicester Riders (12-16) made lots of trouble for third ranked Manchester (18-12). The visitors from Manchester managed to secure only three-point victory 101-98. However their fans expected much easier game. Manchester shot the lights out from three nailing 16 long-distance shots on high 51.6 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jordan Johnson (185, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. The other American import point guard PJay Smith (183, college: Furman) contributed with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Manchester's coach Matthew Otten allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) replied with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Travis Evee (185, college: Rice) added 19 points and 7 assists in the effort for Leicester R.Four Manchester and five Leicester R. players scored in double figures. Manchester moved-up to second place, which they share with Cheshire P. Defending champion Leicester R. keeps the seventh position with 16 games lost. Manchester will play against league's leader London at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Leicester R. will play against Sheffield (#4) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Leicester R.: F.Boardman-Raffett 27+10reb+3ast, K.Johnson 20+2reb+5ast, T.Evee 19+1reb+7ast, V.Ndoukou 13+2reb+1ast, A.Menzies 11+4reb+3ast, A.Michael 4+6reb
Manchester: J.Jordan 26+5reb+7ast, D.Mitchell 17+7reb+2ast, J.Max 17+1reb+6ast, P.Smith 15+5reb+6ast, I.Zak 8+4reb, N.Matthew 7+8reb+2ast

London L. - Cheshire P. 92-95

Top ranked Lions (24-6) recorded its sixth loss in London on Friday night. Hosts were edged by second ranked Cheshire Phoenix (18-12) 95-92. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Lions. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. 26 personal fouls committed by London helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Pat Robinson III (190-1999, college: Charleston) fired 28 points and 5 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Frankie Policelli (206-2000, college: Charleston) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. The former international guard Tarik Phillip (191-1993, college: WVU) produced 18 points and 5 rebounds and American Joel Scott (201-2001, college: Colorado St., agency: Pensack Sports) added 15 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four London players scored in double figures. Lions' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Cheshire P. maintains second position with 18-12 record having just 48 point less than leader London L., which they share with Manchester. London at the other side still keeps top place with six games lost. Cheshire P. is looking forward to face Caledonia (#9) in Glasgow in the next round and are hoping to win another game. London will play on the road against Manchester (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
London L.: T.Phillip 18+5reb+2ast, C.Brown Jr. 17+2reb+2ast, J.Scott 15+7reb+1ast, A.Rai 10+7reb+5ast, D.Williams 9+4reb, E.Price 8+5reb
Cheshire P.: R.Pat 28+3reb+5ast, P.Frankie 18+8reb, W.Skyler 9+5reb, C.Tobias 9+7reb, L.Damiri 7+4reb+2ast, D.Michael 7+4reb+4ast

Newcastle E. - Sheffield S. 82-85

A very close game took place in Newcastle between Sharks and Newcastle Eagles. Fourth ranked Sharks (16-13) got a very close victory on the road over 8th ranked Newcastle Eagles (12-18). Sharks managed to escape with a 3-point win 85-82 on Friday evening. Sheffield looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Nick Kern Jr (198, college: Penn State) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import guard Dirk Williams (195-1994, college: UAB) who added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Ray-Sean Taylor (185, college: SIUE) responded with 24 points, 7 assists and 4 steals and Canadian Cole Long (201-1997, college: Detroit) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. Sheffield maintains fourth position with 16-13 record. Loser Newcastle Eagles keeps the eighth place with 18 games lost. Sheffield will meet at home Leicester R. (#7) in the next round. Newcastle E. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Newcastle E.: R.Taylor 24+2reb+7ast, C.Long 12+7reb+1ast, G.Okafor 11+4reb+1ast, J.Ward-Hibbert 9+3reb, D.Hammond 8+3reb, M.Clarke 7+5reb+2ast
Sheffield S.: K.Nick 24+11reb+1ast, W.Dirk 18+6reb+4ast, F.Alihodzic 13+4reb+1ast, G.Rodney 9+1ast, N.Prentiss 7+3reb+8ast, D.Troy 5+4reb+2ast

Surrey - Caledonia G. 117-120

There was a minor upset in Guildford where 6th ranked Scorchers (13-17) were edged by ninth ranked Gladiators (7-23) 120-117 on Friday. Caledonia dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Scorchers's 48. Caledonia looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Ria'N Holland (183-1994, college: Mercer) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 7 assists and forward Jett Speelman (201-1994, college: Denison, agency: Helping Ballers) who added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Holland is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side guard Tyrin Lawrence (193, college: Georgia) responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists and point guard Kino Lilly (183, college: Brown) scored 29 points and 7 assists. Five Caledonia and four Surrey players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Caledonia maintains ninth position with 7-23 record. Loser Scorchers keeps the sixth place with 17 games lost. Caledonia will meet league's second-placed Cheshire P. in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Surrey will play against Bristol Flyers (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Surrey: T.Lawrence 32+12reb+9ast, K.Lilly 29+4reb+7ast, C.Nedas 16+3reb+1ast, R.Polite 10+1reb+2ast, A.Lawrence 10+5reb+6ast, T.Ogedengbe 8+4reb+2ast
Caledonia G.: R.Matthew 21+1reb+2ast, H.Ria'N 21+1reb+7ast, D.Malcolm 16+7reb+1ast, S.Jett 16+8reb+4ast, W.Ethan 12+4reb+6ast, F.Toto 11+2reb+1ast