SLB Round 18 (Regular Season): London lose to Surrey

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Lions (13-3) recorded its third loss in Guildford on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Scorchers (10-9) 89-80. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Lions. Surrey made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. Surrey outrebounded London 38-25 including 25 on the defensive glass. Surrey looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Ronald Polite (188-2002, college: UNCG) who scored 20 points and 9 assists. The other American import point guard Kino Lilly (183, college: Brown) chipped in 24 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Shavar Reynolds Jr (188-1998, college: Monmouth, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded 14 points and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Surrey moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Manchester and Sheffield. London at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Surrey is looking forward to face Newcastle E. (#8) on the road in the next round. London will play against Leicester R. (#7) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Chester. Fourth ranked Manchester (10-9) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging second-best Cheshire Phoenix (12-10) 99-98 on Friday evening. The game was dominated by American players. It was a good game for guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St., agency: Diamond Sports) who saved his team from a defeat with 30 points and 4 assists. PJay Smith contributed with 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Manchester's coach Matthew Otten allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Guard LaQuincy Rideau (185-1996, college: S.Florida) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists for Cheshire P.Manchester maintains fourth position with 10-9 record, which they share with Sheffield and Surrey. Cheshire P. at the other side keeps the second place with ten games lost. Manchester will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cheshire P. will play on the road against Bristol Flyers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Sheffield between Sharks and Cheshire Phoenix. Seventh ranked Sharks (10-9) got a very close home victory over second-best Cheshire Phoenix (12-10). Sharks managed to escape with a 2-point win 77-75 on Sunday evening. Mervin James scored 15 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Frankie Policelli with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Sheffield moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Manchester and Surrey. Loser Cheshire Phoenix keeps the second position with ten games lost. Sheffield will meet bottom-ranked Caledonia (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Cheshire P. will play against Bristol Flyers (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 18 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Sheffield was defeated by Bristol Flyers in a road game 77-67. Leicester R. beat Newcastle E. at home 102-100. Bottom-ranked Caledonia won against Manchester on the opponent's court 84-83.
The best stats of 18th round was 9 points and 10 rebounds by William Lee of Sheffield S..



Bristol Flyers - Sheffield S. 77-67

There was no surprise in Bristol where 7th ranked Sharks (10-9) were defeated by third ranked Flyers (11-9) 77-67 on Friday. The game was also dominated by American players. Swingman Will Yoakum (196-1998, college: Nova SE) scored 21 points and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Cameron Holden (196-2000, college: Towson) chipped in 8 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Four Flyers players scored in double figures. Flyers' coach Andreas Kapoulas used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was guard Rodney Chatman (189-1998, college: Vanderbilt, agency: Slash Sports) with 8 points and 8 assists and guard Nick Kern Jr (198, college: Penn State) scored 16 points. Bristol Flyers maintains third position with 11-9 record having just two point less than leader London L. Sheffield lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Manchester and Surrey. Bristol Flyers will meet at home league's second-placed Cheshire P. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sheffield will play against Caledonia in Glasgow and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bristol Flyers: Y.Will 21+9reb+2ast, A.Zachary 13+6reb, B.Darnell 11+7reb+1ast, A.Joe 11+2reb+4ast, B.Jonathan 9+4reb, H.Cameron 8+9reb+6ast
Sheffield S.: N.Kern Jr. 16+2reb+2ast, D.Williams 11+3reb+2ast, W.Lee 11+8reb, R.Chatman 8+4reb+8ast, M.James 7+2reb, J.Ratinho 6+4reb

Cheshire P. - Manchester 98-99

Important game to mention about took place in Chester. Fourth ranked Manchester (10-9) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging second-best Cheshire Phoenix (12-10) 99-98 on Friday evening. Manchester made 21-of-24 charity shots (87.5 percent) during the game. Manchester outrebounded Cheshire P. 47-30 including 16 on the offensive glass. The game was dominated by American players. It was a good game for guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St., agency: Diamond Sports) who saved his team from a defeat with 30 points and 4 assists. point guard PJay Smith (183, college: Furman) contributed with 19 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Manchester's coach Matthew Otten allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Guard LaQuincy Rideau (185-1996, college: S.Florida) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists and guard Pat Robinson III (190-1999, college: Charleston, agency: Bell Basketball) added 25 points and 4 assists in the effort for Cheshire P.Four Manchester and five Cheshire P. players scored in double figures. Manchester maintains fourth position with 10-9 record, which they share with Sheffield and Surrey. Cheshire P. at the other side keeps the second place with ten games lost. Manchester will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cheshire P. will play on the road against Bristol Flyers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Manchester: J.Max 30+4reb+4ast, P.Smith 19+5reb+3ast, A.Tim 14+8reb+3ast, C.Kaiyem 13+9reb+2ast, J.Jordan 7+2reb+3ast, N.Matthew 5+4reb
Cheshire P.: P.Robinson III 25+2reb+4ast, L.Rideau 18+8reb+10ast, S.White 16+5reb+2ast, J.Brenchley 12+4reb+1ast, F.Policelli 12+4reb+5ast, D.Lindo 9+2reb

Surrey - London L. 89-80

Top ranked Lions (13-3) recorded its third loss in Guildford on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Scorchers (10-9) 89-80. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Lions. Surrey made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. Surrey outrebounded London 38-25 including 25 on the defensive glass. Surrey looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Ronald Polite (188-2002, college: UNCG) who scored 20 points and 9 assists. The other American import point guard Kino Lilly (183, college: Brown) chipped in 24 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Shavar Reynolds Jr (188-1998, college: Monmouth, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded 14 points and 6 assists and the former international Deane Williams (203-1996, college: Augusta) added 14 points respectively. Four Surrey and five London players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Surrey moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Manchester and Sheffield. London at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Surrey is looking forward to face Newcastle E. (#8) on the road in the next round. London will play against Leicester R. (#7) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Surrey: L.Kino 24+1reb+3ast, L.Tyrin 22+3reb+3ast, P.Ronald 20+3reb+9ast, L.Haydn 10+9reb+1ast, S.Isiah 6+7reb+3ast, G.Michael 4+8reb
London L.: C.Brown Jr. 14+1reb+1ast, S.Reynolds Jr. 14+2reb+6ast, D.Williams 14+4reb, A.Adamu 12+1reb+4ast, E.Price 11+4reb+2ast, T.Phillip 6+2reb+6ast

Leicester R. - Newcastle E. 102-100

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Leicester Riders' (9-8) home victory over 8th ranked Newcastle Eagles (6-13) 102-100 on Sunday. Leicester R. shot 62.7 percent from the field and made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. Leicester R. outrebounded Newcastle E. 32-19 including 24 on the defensive glass. Leicester R. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The game was also dominated by American players. Guard Donald Carey (196-1999, college: Maryland) scored 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and guard Travis Evee (185, college: Rice) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was guard Maceo Jack (195-1993, college: Buffalo) with 24 points and guard Ray-Sean Taylor (185, college: SIUE) scored 19 points and 4 assists. Five Leicester R. and four Newcastle E. players scored in double figures. Defending champion maintains seventh position with 9-8 record. Newcastle E. lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 13 games lost. Leicester R. will meet league's leader London on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Newcastle E. will play against Surrey (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Leicester R.: B.RaeQuan 17+4ast, C.Donald 17+6reb+6ast, L.Marc 16+1reb+3ast, M.Nate 16+6reb+4ast, E.Travis 13+7reb+6ast, B.Flynn 10+2reb
Newcastle E.: M.Jack 24+1reb+2ast, R.Taylor 19+2reb+4ast, D.Hammond 18+2reb+2ast, C.Long 10+3reb+3ast, G.Okafor 9+3reb+4ast, T.Burden 7+1reb+5ast

Manchester - Caledonia G. 83-84

There was an upset when higher ranked Manchester (10-9) was edged at home by bottom-ranked Gladiators (4-15) 84-83 on Sunday. American forward Daniel Carr (206, college: Rockhurst) scored 12 points and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward LJ Bryan (206-1999, college: Morehead St., agency: Helping Ballers) chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Jordan Johnson (185, college: New Orleans) with 24 points and 5 assists and forward Tim Adetukasi (198-2001, college: CUI, agency: One Motive Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Five Caledonia and four Manchester players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Caledonia maintains ninth position with 4-15 record. Loser Manchester keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Sheffield and Surrey. Caledonia will meet at home higher ranked Sheffield (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Manchester will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Caledonia G.: S.Jett 17+3reb, R.Matthew 13+3ast, B.LJ 13+10reb+1ast, D.Carr 12+9reb+3ast, W.Ethan 10+6reb+6ast, M.Fraser 7+1reb
Manchester: J.Johnson 24+1reb+5ast, T.Adetukasi 13+10reb+1ast, K.Cleary 10+5reb+2ast, Z.Irvin 10+6reb+1ast, S.PJay 10+4reb+1ast, M.Nicholson 8+8reb

Sheffield S. - Cheshire P. 77-75

A very close game took place in Sheffield between Sharks and Cheshire Phoenix. Seventh ranked Sharks (10-9) got a very close home victory over second-best Cheshire Phoenix (12-10). Sharks managed to escape with a 2-point win 77-75 on Sunday evening. U.S. Virgin Islands forward Mervin James (201-2000, college: Rider) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Prentiss Nixon (183-1997, college: Iowa St., agency: GSE Worldwide) chipped in 15 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Frankie Policelli (206-2000, college: Charleston) with 16 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import guard LaQuincy Rideau (185-1996, college: S.Florida) scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Cheshire P. players scored in double figures. Sheffield moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Manchester and Surrey. Loser Cheshire Phoenix keeps the second position with ten games lost. Sheffield will meet bottom-ranked Caledonia (#9) in the next round where they are favorite. Cheshire P. will play against Bristol Flyers (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sheffield S.: N.Prentiss 15+3reb+3ast, J.Mervin 15+6reb+1ast, G.Rodney 10+2reb+3ast, O.Michael 9+6reb+1ast, L.William 9+10reb, W.Dirk 8+6reb+1ast
Cheshire P.: P.Robinson III 17+2reb+1ast, F.Policelli 16+7reb+3ast, L.Rideau 11+5reb+5ast, S.White 10+5reb+1ast, M.Diggins 8+2reb, M.Zona 6+6reb+1ast