SLB Round 8 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Third defeat of league's leader Sharks (3-3) against top-ranked Lions (8-0) 85-76 was the most important game of the last round. London made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for London especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American players dominated the game. Maxwell Lewis (201-2002, college: Pepperdine) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points. point guard DeVante Jones (182-1998, college: Michigan) contributed with 12 points, 8 assists and 4 steals (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the winners. Guard LuCye Patterson (188-2001, college: Minnesota) replied with 19 points for Sheffield. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Undefeated Lions have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 8-0 record. Sheffield lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Caledonia. They were replaced at the leadership position by Surrey. Sheffield will play next round against Cheshire P. trying to make it back to the top of the standings. London will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Leicester R. at home.
The game had a very big importance for first-ranked Sharks as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Sharks defeated second-ranked Scorchers in Guildford 81-76. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 5 rebounds and Sean Bairstow who added 16 points during the contest. Sharks' coach Atiba Lyons allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Canadian forward Addison Patterson (201-2001, college: EMU) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Caledonia. Surrey at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost. Surrey will play next round against strong Bristol Flyers trying to get back on the winning streak. Sheffield will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Cheshire P. at Chester.
Leading Liverpool (3-5) recorded its fifth loss at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Cheshire Phoenix (3-4) 117-108. The winners were led by Isaiah Gray who scored that evening 18 points and 6 assists. Even 31 points and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) by Pat Robinson III did not help to save the game for Liverpool. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Despite that victory Cheshire P. went down to seventh position due to points difference. Newly promoted Liverpool still keeps top place with five games lost. Cheshire P. will meet higher ranked Sheffield (#5) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Liverpool will play against Caledonia (#6) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 8: Manchester beat Bristol Flyers on the road 78-74. Winless Leicester R. was destroyed by Newcastle E. on its own court 80-101. Manchester managed to outperform Liverpool in a road game 91-85. Caledonia recorded a loss to Newcastle E. at home 92-99.



Bristol Flyers - Manchester 74-78:
We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fourth ranked Manchester (5-4) beat one of their biggest challengers Flyers (4-4) in Bristol 78-74 on Friday. Manchester made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. The winners were led by the former international guard Luke Nelson (191-1995, college: UC Irvine) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 7 rebounds and 11 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and American guard Keon Thompson (185-2003, college: SF Austin) supported him with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Manchester's coach Matthew Otten used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Even 29 points and 5 assists by American guard Davion Bailey (193-2001, college: UIW) did not help to save the game for Bristol Flyers. Canadian guard Matteus Case (196-2001, college: William & Mary, agency: AOK Sports) added 5 points and 4 assists for the hosts. Manchester have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Flyers dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. Manchester will meet at home Cheshire P. (#7) in the next round. Bristol Flyers will play against the league's leader Surrey and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bristol Flyers: D.Bailey 29+4reb+5ast, K.Jennings 12, M.Dugalic 8+4reb, M.Diggins 6+6reb, Z.Anderson 6+5reb+1ast, Z.Triplett 5+3reb
Manchester: N.Luke 19+7reb+11ast, T.Keon 17+8reb+2ast, N.Matthew 9+3reb, S.Duke 8+4reb, M.Brandon 7+4reb, S.Ciaran 7+2reb

Leicester R. - Newcastle E. 80-101:
The game between closely ranked teams ended with one of their biggest challengers Leicester Riders' (0-7) home loss to second ranked Newcastle Eagles (6-3) 80-101 on Friday. The winners were led by American guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) who scored that evening 19 points, 5 assists and 5 steals and Canadian Cole Long (201-1997, college: Detroit) supported him with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Smith is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Newcastle Eagles players scored in double figures. Even 13 points and 7 assists by American guard JJ White (185-2003, college: Baylor) did not help to save the game for Leicester R.. His fellow American import forward Bernard Pelote (203-2002, college: WCU) added 14 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Leicester Riders' coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Newcastle E. maintains second position with 6-3 record having just four point less than leader Surrey which they share with defeated Leicester R.. Loser Leicester Riders still closes the standings with seven games lost. Newcastle E. will meet at home Bristol Flyers (#4) in the next round. Leicester R. will play against the league's leader London and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Leicester R.: B.Pelote 14+5reb, J.White 13+2reb+7ast, J.Mackey 10+2reb+3ast, T.Akinsiku 10, V.Ndoukou 8+1reb, C.Lawson 8+3reb
Newcastle E.: S.Tavis 19+3reb+5ast, B.Trevond 16+5reb+2ast, W.Joshua 15+3reb+1ast, L.Cole 13+7reb+4ast, C.Mitchell 13+3reb+2ast, T.Blondeau 11+3reb+5ast

Liverpool - Cheshire P. 108-117:
Leading Liverpool (3-5) recorded its fifth loss at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Cheshire Phoenix (3-4) 117-108. Cheshire P. made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Liverpool turnovers. Cheshire P. shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 53.6 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Liverpool's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Cheshire P. made 8 blocks. The winners were led by American guard Isaiah Gray (190-2001, college: Akron) who scored that evening 18 points and 6 assists and naturalized Scottish forward Skyler White (201-1993, college: PLNU) supported him with 15 points and 7 rebounds. White is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Even 31 points and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) by American guard Pat Robinson III (190-1999, college: Charleston, agency: Bell Basketball) did not help to save the game for Liverpool. Guard Brandon Tchouya (201-2002, college: MSUB) added 13 points and 5 assists for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Despite that victory Cheshire P. went down to seventh position due to points difference. Newly promoted Liverpool still keeps top place with five games lost. Cheshire P. will meet higher ranked Sheffield (#5) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Liverpool will play against Caledonia (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Liverpool: P.Robinson III 31+2reb+4ast, Z.Williams 15+2reb+1ast, B.Tchouya 13+4reb+5ast, J.Okonkwo 12+8reb+1ast, T.Olison 11+1ast, T.Sulaiman 10+3reb+1ast
Cheshire P.: S.Jaylen 19+1ast, G.Isaiah 18+4reb+6ast, W.Skyler 15+7reb+3ast, C.Ryker 14+6reb+5ast, H.Jarrett 14+3reb, W.Nazir 13+9ast

London L. - Sheffield S. 85-76:
Third defeat of league's leader Sharks (3-3) against top-ranked Lions (8-0) 85-76 was the most important game of the last round. London made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for London especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American players dominated the game. Maxwell Lewis (201-2002, college: Pepperdine) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points. point guard DeVante Jones (182-1998, college: Michigan) contributed with 12 points, 8 assists and 4 steals (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) for the winners. Guard LuCye Patterson (188-2001, college: Minnesota) replied with 19 points and guard Adrian Delph (191-2000, college: App State) added 15 points in the effort for Sheffield. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Lions have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 8-0 record. Sheffield lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Caledonia. They were replaced at the leadership position by Surrey. Sheffield will play next round against Cheshire P. trying to make it back to the top of the standings. London will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Leicester R. at home.
Top scorers:
Sheffield S.: P.LuCye 19+3reb+3ast, A.Delph 15+1reb+3ast, M.Jack 12+2reb, D.Clay 9+3reb+2ast, D.Gherezgher 6+1reb+1ast, P.Onwas 6+3reb
London L.: L.Maxwell 20+3reb, J.DeVante 12+1reb+8ast, K.Thomas 10+5reb+2ast, P.Ethan 10+1reb+1ast, W.Deane 9+4reb, H.Landrius 9+2reb+3ast

Liverpool - Manchester 85-91:
There was a small surprise when fourth ranked Manchester (5-4) won against on the road top-ranked Liverpool (3-5) 91-85 on Sunday. Manchester made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. The winners were led by American guard Keon Thompson (185-2003, college: SF Austin) who scored that evening 25 points and ex-international guard Luke Nelson (191-1995, college: UC Irvine) supported him with 19 points. Even 24 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists by American guard Pat Robinson III (190-1999, college: Charleston, agency: Bell Basketball) did not help to save the game for Liverpool. ex-international forward James Okonkwo (203-2003, college: Utah) added 17 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Manchester have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Newly promoted Liverpool still keeps top position with five games lost. Manchester will meet at home Cheshire P. (#7) in the next round. Liverpool will play against Caledonia (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Liverpool: P.Robinson III 24+5reb+7ast, J.Okonkwo 17+6reb, D.Lindo 15+1reb+1ast, T.Sulaiman 7+5reb+1ast, T.Olison 6+2reb+7ast, N.Stampley 5+6reb
Manchester: T.Keon 25+2reb+3ast, N.Luke 19+3reb+3ast, S.Duke 12+7reb, M.Brandon 8+3reb+1ast, B.Jonathan 7+4reb+2ast, H.Kayne 5+4reb+1ast

Caledonia G. - Newcastle E. 92-99:
Not a big story in a game when 5th ranked Gladiators (3-3) lost to second ranked Newcastle Eagles (6-3) in Glasgow 92-99 on Sunday. Newcastle E. made 26-of-33 free shots (78.8 percent) during the game, while Caledonia only scored ten points from the stripe. The winners were led by Canadian guard Blondeau Tchoukuiegno (188-1999, college: CBU) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and naturalized Australian guard Mitchell Clarke (186-1999) supported him with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Even 22 points by forward Isaac Gattorna-Hargrave (201-1999) did not help to save the game for Caledonia. American guard Al-Amir Dawes (188-2001, college: Seton Hall) added 22 points for the hosts. Five Newcastle E. and four Caledonia players scored in double figures. Newcastle E. maintains second position with 6-3 record having just four point less than leader Surrey. Loser Gladiators keeps the fifth place with three games lost. They share the position with Sheffield. Newcastle E. will meet at home Bristol Flyers (#4) in the next round. Caledonia will play against the league's leader Liverpool and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Caledonia G.: I.Gattorna-Hargrave 22+4reb+2ast, A.Dawes 22+1reb+1ast, B.Williams 18+2reb+1ast, C.Keeling 16+5reb+1ast, I.Small 8+10reb+5ast, T.Sawyer 6+3reb+2ast
Newcastle E.: C.Mitchell 20+5reb+2ast, L.Cole 20+3reb, S.Tavis 18+6ast, B.Trevond 18+9reb, T.Blondeau 16+11reb+6ast, W.Joshua 7+7reb+1ast

Surrey - Sheffield S. 76-81:
The game had a very big importance for first-ranked Sharks as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Sharks defeated second-ranked Scorchers in Guildford 81-76. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 5 rebounds and Australian swingman Sean Bairstow (203-2000, college: VCU) who added 16 points during the contest. Sharks' coach Atiba Lyons allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Canadian forward Addison Patterson (201-2001, college: EMU) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists and American forward Jalen Graham (206-2001, college: Arkansas) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 13 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Caledonia. Surrey at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost. Surrey will play next round against strong Bristol Flyers trying to get back on the winning streak. Sheffield will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Cheshire P. at Chester.
Top scorers:
Surrey: E.Reynolds II 22+3ast, C.Charles 15+9reb+1ast, A.Patterson 14+8reb+12ast, J.Graham 13+13reb+1ast, C.McGill 5+1reb, E.Kanwei 4+4reb+1ast
Sheffield S.: C.Donovan 20+5reb+2ast, D.Adrian 16+3reb+1ast, B.Sean 16+4reb+3ast, L.Patterson 13+2reb+3ast, L.William 8+10reb+3ast, J.Maceo 4+1reb+2ast