SLB Round 30 (Regular Season): Leicester R. defeat Sheffield in the closest game of the week

The Regular Season in SLB just ended. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 30 in the SLB took place in Leicester. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of one of their biggest challengers Sharks (16-16) to fifth ranked Leicester Riders (15-17) 87-85 on Tuesday evening. Naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) scored 30 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Xavier Bledson (198-1999, college: Indiana St.) chipped in 15 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Nick Kern Jr (198, college: Penn State) with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Leicester Riders have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fifth position with 15-17 record, which they share with Bristol Flyers. Sheffield lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 16 games lost.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Sheffield. One of their biggest challengers host Sharks (16-16) lost to third ranked Manchester (19-13) 82-74. American guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St.) notched 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and Jordan Johnson supported him with 14 points and 6 assists. Even 19 points by the former international center Fahro Alihodzic (208-1989, college: UAB) did not help to save the game for Sheffield. Manchester maintains third position with 19-13 record having seven points less than leader US Pilots. Sheffield lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 16 games lost.
SLB top team - Lions (26-6) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Scorchers (14-18) in Guildford 86-62. The best player for the winners was Aaryn Rai who scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Kino Lilly who recorded 14 points and 6 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. London maintains first position with 26-6 record. Surrey at the other side keeps the seventh place with 18 games lost.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 30: Bristol Flyers won against Caledonia on the opponent's court 91-82. Newcastle E. lost to defending champion Leicester R. in a home game 86-94. Newcastle E. was rolled over Bristol Flyers on the road 75-94. Cheshire P. crushed Leicester R. on its own court 98-77.



Caledonia G. - Bristol Flyers 82-91

Rather expected game in Glasgow where 9th ranked Gladiators (7-25) were defeated by sixth ranked Flyers (15-17) 91-82 on Friday. Bristol Flyers looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Cameron Holden (196-2000, college: Towson) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 7 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals. Forward Zachary Anderson (201-2002, college: GMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) chipped in 25 points and 5 assists. Four Flyers players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Dwaine Jones Jr. (196-2001, college: Charleston, agency: Helping Ballers) who recorded 8 points and 12 assists and forward Jett Speelman (201-1994, college: Denison, agency: Helping Ballers) added 14 points respectively. Gladiators' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Bristol Flyers moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Leicester R. Caledonia at the other side keeps the ninth position with 25 games lost.
Top scorers:
Bristol Flyers: A.Zachary 25+1reb+5ast, H.Cameron 15+7reb+13ast, B.Darnell 11+6reb+3ast, B.Jonathan 10+1reb, Y.Will 10+2reb, M.Owen 9+4reb+4ast
Caledonia G.: M.Ragsdale 15+2reb, L.Bryan 14+2reb, J.Speelman 14+4reb+1ast, D.Jones Jr. 8+3reb+12ast, F.Malcolm 8+1reb, M.Delpeche 8+7reb+1ast

Newcastle E. - Leicester R. 86-94

Rather predictable result when fifth ranked Leicester Riders (15-17) defeated on the road 8th ranked Newcastle Eagles (12-20) 94-86 on Friday. Leicester R. made 32-of-39 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. Leicester R. outrebounded Newcastle E. 56-44 including a 44-28 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American guard Travis Evee (185, college: Rice) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import Kedrian Johnson (190-1999, college: WVU) chipped in 31 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Ray-Sean Taylor (185, college: SIUE) who recorded 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and American-Nigerian forward Gus Okafor (201-1999, college: Wichita St.) added 21 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Four Newcastle E. players scored in double figures. Leicester Riders have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fifth position with 15-17 record, which they share with Bristol Flyers. Newcastle E. lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 20 games lost.
Top scorers:
Leicester R.: J.Kedrian 31+7reb+1ast, E.Travis 24+10reb+6ast, B.Xavier 16+4reb+4ast, N.Victor 8+6reb+3ast, B.Flynn 6+5reb+1ast, J.Michael 5+8reb
Newcastle E.: G.Okafor 21+8reb+2ast, R.Taylor 20+7reb+7ast, C.Long 14+10reb+1ast, J.Ward-Hibbert 14+3reb, M.Clarke 9+10reb+4ast, D.Hammond 8+4reb+2ast

Surrey - London L. 62-86

SLB top team - Lions (26-6) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Scorchers (14-18) in Guildford 86-62. London dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Scorchers's 28. London outrebounded Surrey 46-24 including a 32-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. London looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was forward Aaryn Rai (198-1998, college: Dartmouth) who scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. The former international forward Ethan Price (208-2001, college: WSU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Four Lions players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Kino Lilly (183, college: Brown) who recorded 14 points and 6 assists and his fellow American import guard Tyrin Lawrence (193, college: Georgia) added 15 points and 4 steals respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. London maintains first position with 26-6 record. Surrey at the other side keeps the seventh place with 18 games lost.
Top scorers:
London L.: B.Chaundee 15+2reb+1ast, R.Aaryn 12+9reb+3ast, P.Ethan 11+10reb+3ast, M.Kameron 10+2reb+6ast, S.Ciaran 9+1reb, W.Deane 9+3reb+1ast
Surrey: T.Lawrence 15+2reb+1ast, K.Lilly 14+3reb+6ast, C.Nedas 11+4reb, T.Ogedengbe 7+1reb+1ast, M.Graham 4+9reb+2ast, H.Ling 4+3reb+1ast

Bristol Flyers - Newcastle E. 94-75

Not a big story in a game in Bristol where 8th ranked Newcastle Eagles (12-20) were rolled over by sixth ranked Flyers (15-17) 94-75 on Sunday. Bristol Flyers dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Newcastle Eagles's 30. Bristol Flyers outrebounded Newcastle E. 51-22 including a 38-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Bristol Flyers looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Newcastle E.'s players. The best player for the winners was American swingman Will Yoakum (196-1998, college: Nova SE) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 15 rebounds. The other American import forward Zachary Anderson (201-2002, college: GMU, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) chipped in 19 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was naturalized Australian guard Mitchell Clarke (186-1999) who recorded 23 points and naturalized DR Congolese forward Sauver Kande (193-2002) added 21 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Bristol Flyers moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Leicester R. Newcastle E. lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 20 games lost.
Top scorers:
Bristol Flyers: Y.Will 25+15reb+2ast, A.Zachary 19+8reb+3ast, C.Cameron 17+3reb+1ast, B.Jonathan 11+2reb+6ast, H.Cameron 7+5reb+9ast, D.Marcus 6+4reb
Newcastle E.: M.Clarke 23+3reb+2ast, K.Sauver 21+2reb, G.Okafor 13+7reb, E.Kanwei 10+5reb+2ast, T.Burden 8+2reb+5ast, C.Long 0+1reb+1ast

Sheffield S. - Manchester 74-82

The game between Top Four teams took place in Sheffield. One of their biggest challengers host Sharks (16-16) lost to third ranked Manchester (19-13) 82-74. Manchester made 20-of-23 charity shots (87.0 percent) during the game. American guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St.) notched 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and the other American import guard Jordan Johnson (185, college: New Orleans) supported him with 14 points and 6 assists. Four Manchester players scored in double figures. Even 19 points by the former international center Fahro Alihodzic (208-1989, college: UAB) did not help to save the game for Sheffield. American guard Dirk Williams (195-1994, college: UAB) added 11 points and 6 assists. Manchester maintains third position with 19-13 record having seven points less than leader US Pilots. Sheffield lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 16 games lost.
Top scorers:
Manchester: J.Max 20+6reb+5ast, P.Smith 15+2reb+2ast, J.Jordan 14+1reb+6ast, A.Tim 11+6reb+2ast, I.Zak 7+6reb+1ast, S.Duke 5+6reb+1ast
Sheffield S.: A.Fahro 19+3reb, J.Ratinho 13+2reb+1ast, D.Williams 11+3reb+6ast, P.Nixon 10+2reb+1ast, T.D'Amico 9+4reb+4ast, N.Kern Jr. 6+6reb+3ast

Cheshire P. - Leicester R. 98-77

Everything went according to plan in Chester where second ranked Cheshire Phoenix (20-12) outscored 5th ranked Leicester Riders (15-17) 98-77 on Sunday. Cheshire P. outrebounded Leicester R. 53-33 including a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Cheshire P. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Frankie Policelli (206-2000, college: Charleston) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds. Naturalized American forward Skyler White (201-1993, college: PLNU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks. White is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Cheshire Phoenix's coach Ben Thomas felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was German Michael Akinsiku who recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Xavier Bledson (198-1999, college: Indiana St.) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Cheshire Phoenix have a solid three-game winning streak. Cheshire P. maintains second position with 20-12 record having six points less than leader US Pilots. Defending champion Leicester R. keeps the fifth place with 17 games lost. They share the position with Bristol Flyers.
Top scorers:
Cheshire P.: R.LaQuincy 18+4reb+7ast, W.Skyler 18+11reb+3ast, P.Frankie 16+14reb+2ast, C.Tobias 15+4reb+3ast, Z.Matthew 10+3reb+2ast, R.Pat 10+3reb+2ast
Leicester R.: X.Bledson 16+5reb+1ast, A.Michael 13+10reb+1ast, M.Joiner 12+5reb+3ast, K.Johnson 11+3reb+1ast, T.Evee 10+2reb+7ast, V.Ndoukou 7+3reb

Leicester R. - Sheffield S. 87-85

The most exciting game of round 30 in the SLB took place in Leicester. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of one of their biggest challengers Sharks (16-16) to fifth ranked Leicester Riders (15-17) 87-85 on Tuesday evening. Naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) scored 30 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American guard Xavier Bledson (198-1999, college: Indiana St.) chipped in 15 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Nick Kern Jr (198, college: Penn State) with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import point guard Prentiss Nixon (183-1997, college: Iowa St., agency: GSE Worldwide) scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Leicester Riders have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains fifth position with 15-17 record, which they share with Bristol Flyers. Sheffield lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 16 games lost.
Top scorers:
Leicester R.: B.Flynn 30+6reb+2ast, B.Xavier 15+3reb+3ast, E.Travis 13+3reb+4ast, J.Kedrian 13+1reb+4ast, M.Aaron 6+7reb, J.Michael 4
Sheffield S.: N.Kern Jr. 22+7reb+4ast, P.Nixon 16+5reb+5ast, D.Williams 12+2reb+3ast, A.Fahro 11+6reb+2ast, R.Chatman 8+1ast, T.D'Amico 7+3reb