CIBACOPA Round 9 (Regular Season): Astros defeat Hermosillo

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Rayos de Hermosillo (10-2) in Guadalajara on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by second ranked Astros (9-3) 92-67. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Rayos de Hermosillo. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Astros held Hermosillo to an opponent 24.7 percent shooting from the field compared to 52.8 percent accuracy of the winners. Astros had a 37-25 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Astros made 9 blocks. It was a good game for British center Kavell Bigby-Williams (211-1995, college: LSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). American point guard Jerime Anderson (188-1989, college: UCLA) contributed with 19 points and 7 assists for the winners. American guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) answered with 15 points for Hermosillo. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Astros maintains second place with 9-3 record behind leader Hermosillo, which they share with Tijuana. Hermosillo at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Astros is looking forward to face Culiacan (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hermosillo will play against Angeles (#4) and is hoping to win this game.
An interesting game for Tijuana Zonkeys (9-3) which played road game in Ciudad de Mexico against 4th placed Angeles (7-5). Third ranked Tijuana Zonkeys had an easy win 112-76. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Angeles. American forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) stepped up and scored 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Alex Kaye Williams chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds. The best for the losing side was point guard Luis Andriassi (183-1995) with 17 points. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tijuana moved-up to second place, which they share with Astros. Newly promoted Angeles keep the fourth position with five games lost. Tijuana will play against Guaymas (#6) at home in the next round. Angeles will play against the league's leader Hermosillo and hope to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Caballeros de Culiacan managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of ten consecutive losses on Saturday night. This time they won against ninth-ranked Frayles de Guasave 107-102. American players dominated the game. AJ West nailed a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. David Sloan came up with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists for Frayles in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Culiacan (2-10) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Frayles. Culiacan will meet at home league's second-placed Astros in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Frayles will play against Mazatlan (#7) and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 9 Mazatlan beat Obregon on the road 103-88. Guaymas won against Los Mochis on its own court 92-87.
The most impressive performance of 9th round was 24 points and 7 rebounds by Markel Crawford of Guaymas.



Angeles - Tijuana 76-112

An interesting game for Tijuana Zonkeys (9-3) which played road game in Ciudad de Mexico against 4th placed Angeles (7-5). Third ranked Tijuana Zonkeys had an easy win 112-76. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Angeles. Tijuana dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Angeles' 26. They outrebounded Angeles 40-27 including a 32-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tijuana shot the lights out from three nailing 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American forward Arinze Chidom (206-1997, college: UC Riverside) stepped up and scored 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import power forward Alex Kaye Williams (203-1993) chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds. The best for the losing side was point guard Luis Andriassi (183-1995) with 17 points and American Vander Blue (196-1992, college: Marquette) scored 17 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tijuana moved-up to second place, which they share with Astros. Newly promoted Angeles keep the fourth position with five games lost. Tijuana will play against Guaymas (#6) at home in the next round. Angeles will play against the league's leader Hermosillo and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tijuana: W.Alex Kaye 19+5reb+3ast, C.Mitchell 18+2reb+2ast, A.Chidom 18+8reb+4ast, T.Criswell 16+7reb+3ast, J.Reynoso 11+3reb+4ast, J.Jeffers 7+1reb+1ast
Angeles: A.Luis 17+2reb+3ast, V.Blue 17+3reb+2ast, J.Boykins 12+4reb+5ast, W.Yoakum 10+2reb+1ast, D.Bracey 5+2reb+4ast, N.Opoku 5+3reb

Astros - Hermosillo 92-67

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Rayos de Hermosillo (10-2) in Guadalajara on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by second ranked Astros (9-3) 92-67. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Rayos de Hermosillo. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Astros held Hermosillo to an opponent 24.7 percent shooting from the field compared to 52.8 percent accuracy of the winners. Astros had a 37-25 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Astros made 9 blocks. It was a good game for British center Kavell Bigby-Williams (211-1995, college: LSU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). American point guard Jerime Anderson (188-1989, college: UCLA) contributed with 19 points and 7 assists for the winners. Four Astros players scored in double figures. American guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) answered with 15 points and the other American import guard Terrence Drisdom (196-1992, college: CPP) added 10 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Hermosillo. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Astros maintains second place with 9-3 record behind leader Hermosillo, which they share with Tijuana. Hermosillo at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Astros is looking forward to face Culiacan (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Hermosillo will play against Angeles (#4) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Astros: K.Bigby-Williams 24+13reb, J.Anderson 19+4reb+7ast, M.McKinney 11+10reb+3ast, L.Thomas 10+4reb+1ast, D.Conger 8+4reb+3ast, S.Thompson 7+3reb
Hermosillo: J.Ivey 15+4reb+1ast, T.Drisdom 10+7reb+2ast, D.Willis 10+5reb+1ast, D.Culver 9+8reb, S.Reynoso-Jimenez 8+5reb, J.Camacho 7+4reb+2ast

Obregon - Mazatlan 88-103

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Venados (5-7) beat on the road 5th ranked Halcones de Ciudad Obregon (6-6) 103-88 on Saturday. Mazatlan made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Syrian-American guard Doug Herring Jr (191-1987, college: Utica) nailed 24 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and American guard Decensae White (198-1988, college: SF State) accounted for 26 points. White is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Venados players scored in double figures. Venados' coach Fernando Rivero used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) came up with 36 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds and Venezuelan center Windi Graterol (204-1986, agency: Pro Sports) added 14 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Obregon in the defeat. Mazatlan maintains seventh place with 5-7 record. Loser Halcones de Ciudad Obregon keeps the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Guaymas. Mazatlan will meet at home bottom-ranked Frayles (#10) in the next round. Obregon will play against Los Mochis (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mazatlan: D.White 26+2reb+2ast, D.Herring Jr. 24+5reb+3ast, A.Stafford 19+7reb+1ast, R.Whitfield 17+4reb+4ast, J.Casillas 14+1reb+3ast, W.Runnels 3+6reb+2ast
Obregon: T.Farmer 36+9reb+2ast, W.Graterol 14+8reb+1ast, C.Thomas 13+3reb, C.Alberto 8+4ast, A.Parker 7+5reb+4ast, T.Nuno 6+4reb+4ast

Frayles - Culiacan 102-107

Bottom-ranked Caballeros de Culiacan managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of ten consecutive losses on Saturday night. This time they won against ninth-ranked Frayles de Guasave 107-102. Culiacan looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American players dominated the game. Center AJ West (203-1991, college: Nevada) nailed a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and guard Delano Spencer (193-1994, college: Tennessee St.) accounted for 21 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. West is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Point guard David Sloan (183-1999, college: ETSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists and power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) added 27 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Frayles in the defeat. Five Culiacan and four Frayles players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Culiacan (2-10) moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Frayles. Culiacan will meet at home league's second-placed Astros in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Frayles will play against Mazatlan (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Culiacan: A.West 25+11reb, D.Spencer 21+7reb+7ast, M.Jackson 21+8reb+5ast, N.Waddell 15+3reb+1ast, M.Tarrance 11+2reb+3ast, R.Valle 5+1ast
Frayles: T.Jones 27+14reb, D.Sloan 27+5reb+10ast, M.Henry 20+4reb+4ast, B.Jackson 12+4reb+1ast, J.Miller 8+6reb+1ast, C.Burhannon 4+1reb+2ast

Guaymas - Los Mochis 92-87

Rather expected game when 8th ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (4-8) lost on the road to sixth ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas (6-6) 92-87 on Saturday. Guaymas dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Pioneros Los Mochis' 40. Guaymas looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American players dominated also this game. Guard Markel Crawford (196-1994, college: Ole Miss) nailed 24 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and guard Tra-Deon Hollins (188-1995, college: Omaha) accounted for 11 points, 7 rebounds and 14 assists. Guard Nigel Hawkins (193, college: SF Austin) came up with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and swingman Qyidar Davis (198-1993, college: Indiana St.) added 19 points and 5 assists respectively for Los Mochis in the defeat. Five Guaymas and four Los Mochis players scored in double figures. Ostioneros de Guaymas have a solid series of four victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Obregon. Loser Pioneros Los Mochis keep the eighth position with eight games lost. Guaymas will meet higher ranked Tijuana (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Los Mochis will play against Obregon (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Guaymas: M.Crawford 24+7reb+3ast, C.Russo 18+10reb+3ast, J.Henry-Blair 14+3reb+1ast, B.Rivera 13+1reb+1ast, M.Cairo 12+4reb+1ast, T.Hollins 11+7reb+14ast
Los Mochis: Q.Davis 19+4reb+5ast, N.Hawkins 19+6reb+4ast, R.Putney 15+8reb, N.Webster-Chan 15+7reb+5ast, J.Allen 7+4reb+2ast, I.Copeland 5+6reb+2ast