SLB Round 5 (Regular Season): Caledonia hands first loss to Sheffield

There were just five rounds played in Regular Season of SBL and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Sharks (2-1) in Glasgow on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by Gladiators (2-2) 87-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sharks. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Caledonia made 28-of-35 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Sheffield helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. Forward Isiah Small (202-1998, college: Texas St.) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds. Guard Terry Roberts (190-2000, college: Georgia) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Guard LuCye Patterson (188-2001, college: Minnesota) answered with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for Sheffield. Sharks' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Caledonia maintains first place with 2-2 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Sheffield at the other side keeps the third position with one game lost. Caledonia is looking forward to face league's second-placed Manchester on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sheffield will play against Newcastle E. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Newcastle. First ranked Manchester (2-3) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 3rd placed Newcastle Eagles (2-2) 81-78 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Newcastle Eagles. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. The former international guard Luke Nelson (191-1995, college: UC Irvine) stepped up and scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and Keon Thompson chipped in 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Canadian guard Blondeau Tchoukuiegno (188-1999, college: CBU) responded with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Manchester went down to second position due to points difference. Newcastle E. at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Manchester will play against league's leader Caledonia in Glasgow in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Newcastle E. will play on the road against Sheffield and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Scorchers (1-2) which hosted in Guildford 4th placed Leicester Riders (0-5). Third ranked Scorchers managed to get a 5-point victory 107-102. American players dominated also this game. Jalen Graham nailed a double-double by scoring 18 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side. Bernard Pelote came up with 28 points and 5 rebounds for Leicester R. in the defeat. Scorchers maintains third place with 1-2 record behind leader London L. It was Leicester R.'s fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.




Caledonia G. - Sheffield S. 87-79:
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Sharks (2-1) in Glasgow on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by Gladiators (2-2) 87-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sharks. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Caledonia made 28-of-35 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Sheffield helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. Forward Isiah Small (202-1998, college: Texas St.) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds. Guard Terry Roberts (190-2000, college: Georgia) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Four Gladiators players scored in double figures. Guard LuCye Patterson (188-2001, college: Minnesota) answered with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Dan Gherezgher (194-2004, college: NKU) added 15 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Sheffield. Sharks' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Caledonia maintains first place with 2-2 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Sheffield at the other side keeps the third position with one game lost. Caledonia is looking forward to face league's second-placed Manchester on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sheffield will play against Newcastle E. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Caledonia G.: R.Terry 17+3reb+3ast, D.Al-Amir 16+4reb+2ast, S.Isiah 15+17reb+3ast, W.Braxton 13+2reb+1ast, K.Christian 13+3reb, G.Isaac 8+6reb+3ast
Sheffield S.: P.LuCye 20+5reb+5ast, D.Gherezgher 15+6reb+3ast, A.Delph 15+3reb+1ast, M.Jack 9+1ast, D.Clay 5+4reb, P.Onwas 5+1reb+1ast

Newcastle E. - Manchester 78-81:
Important game to mention about took place in Newcastle. First ranked Manchester (2-3) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 3rd placed Newcastle Eagles (2-2) 81-78 on Friday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Newcastle Eagles. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. The former international guard Luke Nelson (191-1995, college: UC Irvine) stepped up and scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners and American guard Keon Thompson (185-2003, college: SF Austin) chipped in 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Manchester players scored in double figures. Canadian guard Blondeau Tchoukuiegno (188-1999, college: CBU) responded with 21 points and 6 rebounds and American forward Cameron Christon (198-1999, college: GSU) scored 19 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Despite that victory Manchester went down to second position due to points difference. Newcastle E. at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Manchester will play against league's leader Caledonia in Glasgow in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Newcastle E. will play on the road against Sheffield and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Manchester: S.Ciaran 14+6reb, N.Luke 13+5reb+8ast, B.Jonathan 12+3reb+1ast, T.Keon 11+7reb+4ast, M.Brandon 8+5reb+1ast, P.Chandler 8+4reb+2ast
Newcastle E.: B.Tchoukuiegno 21+6reb+3ast, C.Christon 19+4reb, T.Smith 16+2reb+4ast, C.Long 7+4reb+1ast, M.Clarke 6+1reb, A.Hamilton 5+2reb

Surrey - Leicester R. 107-102:
An interesting game for Scorchers (1-2) which hosted in Guildford 4th placed Leicester Riders (0-5). Third ranked Scorchers managed to get a 5-point victory 107-102. Surrey made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. American players dominated also this game. Forward Jalen Graham (206-2001, college: Arkansas, agency: MSG) nailed a double-double by scoring 18 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and guard Marreon Jackson (184-1998, college: Arizona St., agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 23 points and 11 assists. Forward Bernard Pelote (203-2002, college: WCU) came up with 28 points and 5 rebounds and guard JJ White (185-2003, college: Baylor, agency: MSG) added 19 points and 6 assists respectively for Leicester R. in the defeat. Five Surrey and four Leicester R. players scored in double figures. Scorchers maintains third place with 1-2 record behind leader London L. It was Leicester R.'s fifth loss in a row. They still close the standings with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Surrey: J.Marreon 23+2reb+11ast, P.Addison 20+6reb+4ast, G.Jalen 18+13reb+7ast, M.Caleb 17+6reb+1ast, C.Cayden 14+3reb, B.Zach 6+3reb+4ast
Leicester R.: B.Pelote 28+5reb+1ast, T.Todd 21+1reb+4ast, J.White 19+3reb+6ast, J.Mackey 11+3reb, D.Johnson 10+8reb+4ast, T.Hurley 9+6reb+3ast