SLB Round 24 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Seventh-ranked Leicester Riders (10-13) made lots of trouble for third ranked Manchester (16-10) on Sunday. Manchester managed to secure only three-point victory 89-86. However their fans expected much easier game. Manchester made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard PJay Smith (183, college: Furman) who scored 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St.) chipped in 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Manchester's coach Matthew Otten used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) who recorded 35 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. Manchester have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 16-10 record having just 42 point less than leader London L. Leicester R. lost fourth consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the seventh place with 13 games lost. Manchester are looking forward to face Surrey (#6) in Guildford in the next round. Leicester R. will play at home against Bristol Flyers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Sheffield. Fourth ranked Sharks (13-12) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Scorchers (11-15) 99-96 on Sunday evening. It was a good game for American guard Nick Kern Jr. (198, college: Penn State) who led his team to a victory with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Fahro Alihodzic contributed with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American guard Tyrin Lawrence (193, college: Georgia) replied with 22 points and 6 rebounds for Surrey. Scorchers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sheffield maintains fourth position with 13-12 record. Surrey at the other side keeps the sixth place with 15 games lost. Sheffield will play against Leicester R. (#7) at home in the next round. Surrey will play against Manchester and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in London. First ranked Lions faced 4th ranked Sharks. Host Lions (20-5) smashed guests from Sheffield (13-12) 87-67. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of Shavar Reynolds Jr who helped to win the game recording 14 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Lions' coach Tautvydas Sabonis used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Rodney Chatman with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Lions have an impressive five-game winning streak. London maintains first position with 20-5 record. Loser Sharks keeps the fourth place with 12 games lost. London will meet 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 Leicester R. and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 24 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Bristol Flyers were crushed by London in a road game 77-57. Newcastle E. was smashed by Manchester at home 93-120. Bristol Flyers were destroyed by Cheshire P. on the opponent's court 116-73.
The best stats of 24th round was 23 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals by LaQuincy Rideau of Cheshire P..



London L. - Sheffield S. 87-67

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in London. First ranked Lions faced 4th ranked Sharks. Host Lions (20-5) smashed guests from Sheffield (13-12) 87-67. London looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Shavar Reynolds Jr (188-1998, college: Monmouth, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 14 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists and guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) who added 17 points during the contest. Five Lions players scored in double figures. Lions' coach Tautvydas Sabonis used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was guard Rodney Chatman (189-1998, college: Vanderbilt, agency: Slash Sports) with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and guard Dirk Williams (195-1994, college: UAB) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Lions have an impressive five-game winning streak. London maintains first position with 20-5 record. Loser Sharks keeps the fourth place with 12 games lost. London will meet 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 Leicester R. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
London L.: B.Chaundee 17+3reb+2ast, R.Shavar 14+6reb+8ast, P.Tarik 12+1ast, W.Deane 11+3reb+3ast, R.Aaryn 10+9reb+2ast, P.Ethan 8+5reb
Sheffield S.: D.Williams 15+6reb+2ast, R.Chatman 14+5reb+7ast, A.Fahro 11+4reb+3ast, N.Kern Jr. 8+2reb+1ast, J.Ratinho 7+3reb+1ast, P.Nixon 5+5reb+4ast

London L. - Bristol Flyers 77-57

There was no surprise in London where 5th ranked Flyers (12-14) were crushed by first ranked Lions (20-5) 77-57 on Friday. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Aaryn Rai (198-1998, college: Dartmouth) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds and the former international guard Tarik Phillip (191-1993, college: WVU) who added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Four Lions players scored in double figures. Lions' coach Tautvydas Sabonis allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was guard Jonathan Brown (190-2000, college: Cumberlands) with 18 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Cameron Christon (198-1999, college: GSU) scored 11 points. Lions have an impressive five-game winning streak. London maintains first position with 20-5 record. Bristol Flyers lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 14 games lost. London will meet league's second-placed Cheshire P. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bristol Flyers will play against Leicester R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
London L.: P.Tarik 15+6reb+5ast, R.Aaryn 15+13reb+2ast, R.Shavar 14+2ast, W.Deane 11+4reb, P.Ethan 9+4reb, S.Joel 6+8reb+2ast
Bristol Flyers: J.Brown 18+8reb+1ast, C.Christon 11+2reb+1ast, W.Yoakum 6+3reb+1ast, D.Brodie 6+2reb, C.Holden 4+4reb+3ast, Z.Anderson 4+1reb+2ast

Newcastle E. - Manchester 93-120

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Manchester (16-10) smashed on the road 8th ranked Newcastle Eagles (10-16) 120-93 on Friday. Manchester dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Newcastle Eagles's 42. Manchester outrebounded Newcastle E. 45-29 including a 33-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Manchester looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The game was also dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St.) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and guard Jordan Johnson (185, college: New Orleans) who added 18 points and 9 assists during the contest. Manchester's coach Matthew Otten felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was guard Ray-Sean Taylor (185, college: SIUE) with 19 points and 5 assists and point guard Terrell Burden (178, college: KSU) scored 20 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Manchester have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 16-10 record having just 42 point less than leader London L. Loser Newcastle Eagles keeps the eighth place with 16 games lost. Manchester will meet Surrey (#6) in the next round. Newcastle E. will play against Caledonia in Glasgow and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Manchester: J.Max 26+4reb+3ast, P.Smith 23+5reb+3ast, J.Jordan 18+4reb+9ast, C.Kyle 17+2reb+2ast, I.Zak 11+5reb+2ast, A.Tim 11+7reb+6ast
Newcastle E.: T.Burden 20+3reb+3ast, R.Taylor 19+4reb+5ast, M.Jack 16+5reb+1ast, G.Okafor 14+4reb, D.Hammond 14+4reb+1ast, C.Long 9+3reb+1ast

Manchester - Leicester R. 89-86

Seventh-ranked Leicester Riders (10-13) made lots of trouble for third ranked Manchester (16-10) on Sunday. Manchester managed to secure only three-point victory 89-86. However their fans expected much easier game. Manchester made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American point guard PJay Smith (183, college: Furman) who scored 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import guard Max Jones (193-2002, college: Kansas St.) chipped in 26 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Manchester's coach Matthew Otten used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was naturalized French guard Flynn Boardman-Raffett (196-2002, college: Memorial) who recorded 35 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and American guard Travis Evee (185, college: Rice) added 16 points and 8 assists respectively. Manchester have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 16-10 record having just 42 point less than leader London L. Leicester R. lost fourth consecutive game. Defending champion keeps the seventh place with 13 games lost. Manchester are looking forward to face Surrey (#6) in Guildford in the next round. Leicester R. will play at home against Bristol Flyers and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Manchester: P.Smith 27+7reb+6ast, J.Max 26+9reb+4ast, A.Tim 13+2reb, N.Matthew 6+7reb+1ast, I.Zak 6+6reb+2ast, C.Kyle 5
Leicester R.: F.Boardman-Raffett 35+5reb+3ast, T.Evee 16+3reb+8ast, A.Menzies 14+7reb+1ast, N.Martin 8+8reb+2ast, V.Ndoukou 6+1reb, T.Sulaiman 4+6reb+1ast

Sheffield S. - Surrey 99-96

Important game to mention about took place in Sheffield. Fourth ranked Sharks (13-12) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 6th ranked Scorchers (11-15) 99-96 on Sunday evening. Sheffield dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Scorchers's 44 and made 18-of-21 charity shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Sheffield players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a good game for American guard Nick Kern Jr. (198, college: Penn State) who led his team to a victory with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international center Fahro Alihodzic (208-1989, college: UAB) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American guard Tyrin Lawrence (193, college: Georgia) replied with 22 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Ronald Polite (188-2002, college: UNCG) added 22 points and 5 assists in the effort for Surrey. Four Sheffield and five Surrey players scored in double figures. Scorchers' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sheffield maintains fourth position with 13-12 record. Surrey at the other side keeps the sixth place with 15 games lost. Sheffield will play against Leicester R. (#7) at home in the next round. Surrey will play against Manchester and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Sheffield S.: K.Nick 29+9reb+4ast, F.Alihodzic 21+10reb+3ast, W.Dirk 19+5reb+5ast, N.Prentiss 18+5reb+2ast, C.Rodney 7+3reb+3ast, R.Jordan 5+2reb+2ast
Surrey: R.Polite 22+3reb+5ast, T.Lawrence 22+6reb+3ast, K.Lilly 17+1reb+4ast, I.Small 13+9reb+5ast, T.Ogedengbe 11+4reb+2ast, M.Graham 6+3reb+1ast

Cheshire P. - Bristol Flyers 116-73

Rather expected game in Chester where 5th ranked Flyers (12-14) were rolled over by third ranked Cheshire Phoenix (17-11) 116-73 on Sunday. Cheshire P. forced 22 Bristol Flyers turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was also dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard LaQuincy Rideau (185-1996, college: S.Florida) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 23 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 4 steals and guard Pat Robinson III (190-1999, college: Charleston) who added 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Five Cheshire Phoenix players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was swingman Will Yoakum (196-1998, college: Nova SE) with 17 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and center Owen McCormack (203-2001, college: Lipscomb) scored 11 points and 8 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. Cheshire Phoenix have a solid three-game winning streak. Cheshire P. moved-up to second place. Bristol Flyers lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 14 games lost. Cheshire P. will meet at home league's leader London in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bristol Flyers will play against Leicester R. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cheshire P.: R.LaQuincy 23+8reb+10ast, R.Pat 19+5reb+6ast, P.Frankie 17+6reb, W.Skyler 16+1reb, C.Tobias 14+2reb, B.Jaxon 10+5reb+3ast
Bristol Flyers: W.Yoakum 17+6reb+1ast, C.Christon 13+3reb+2ast, O.McCormack 11+8reb+1ast, Z.Anderson 8+5reb+1ast, C.Holden 7+8reb+2ast, D.Brodie 7+3reb+1ast