CIBACOPA Round 14 (Regular Season): Leader Astros lose to Tijuana

CIBACOPA is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 14 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Astros (15-4) recorded its fourth loss on the court of second ranked Tijuana Zonkeys on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Tijuana Zonkeys 92-86. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Tijuana made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Astros turnovers. Tijuana looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Joshua Webster (190-1997, college: Missouri St.) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 assists. Brazilian center Joao Franca (215-1998) chipped in 17 points and 13 rebounds. British center Kavell Bigby-Williams (211-1995, college: LSU) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. Astros' coach Jorge Elorduy rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tijuana maintains second position with 14-4 record behind leader Astros. Astros at the other side still keep top place with four games lost. Tijuana are looking forward to face Obregon (#5) in Ciudad Obregon in the next round. Astros will play on the road against Hermosillo (#4) and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Mazatlan. Eighth ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas (7-11) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Venados (8-10) 98-95 on Saturday evening. American guard Markel Crawford (196-1994, college: Ole Miss) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 6 assists. Marvin Cairo contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American guard Jeff Ledbetter (191-1988, college: Idaho, agency: Slash Sports) replied with 28 points and 7 assists for Mazatlan. Guaymas moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Los Mochis. Mazatlan at the other side dropped to the sixth position with ten games lost. Guaymas will play against bottom-ranked Culiacan (#10) on the road in the next round. Mazatlan will play against Angeles (#3) in Ciudad de Mexico and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hermosillo. First ranked Astros faced 4th ranked Rayos de Hermosillo. Guests from Guadalajara (15-4) smashed host Rayos de Hermosillo (12-7) 102-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rayos de Hermosillo. Kavell Bigby-Williams scored 18 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. Tyrrel Tate responded with 20 points and 4 assists. 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 first position with 15-4 record. Loser Rayos de Hermosillo keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Astros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hermosillo will play again against the league's leader Astros (#1) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 14 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Frayles were defeated by Angeles in Ciudad de Mexico 82-72. Los Mochis were beaten by Hermosillo at home 93-101. Bottom-ranked Culiacan was destroyed by Obregon on the opponent's court 119-87.



Angeles - Frayles 82-72

There was no surprise in Ciudad de Mexico where 9th ranked Frayles de Guasave (4-14) was defeated by third ranked Angeles (13-5) 82-72 on Saturday. The game was dominated by American players. Vander Blue (196-1992, college: Marquette) scored 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and point guard DaQuan Bracey (180-1997, college: La Tech) chipped in 14 points during the contest. Power forward Torren Jones (206-1994, college: William Penn) responded with 13 points and 9 rebounds and swingman Mario Kegler (201-1997, college: Baylor) scored 11 points and 9 rebounds. Angeles have an impressive six-game winning streak. Newly promoted Angeles maintains third position with 13-5 record having just three points less than leader Astros. Loser Frayles de Guasave keep the ninth place with 14 games lost. Angeles will meet at home Mazatlan (#6) in the next round. Frayles will play against Los Mochis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Frayles: T.Jones 13+9reb, T.Prince 12+4reb+4ast, J.Quintero 11+1reb, M.Kegler 11+9reb+1ast, M.Henry 9+2ast, D.Sloan 7+3reb+3ast
Angeles: V.Blue 21+9reb+4ast, D.Bracey 14+4reb+3ast, D.Morgan 12+5reb+1ast, W.Yoakum 11+2reb, R.Olalde 7+5reb+1ast, M.Vital 6+8reb+2ast

Mazatlan - Guaymas 95-98

Important game to mention about took place in Mazatlan. Eighth ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas (7-11) saved a 3-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Venados (8-10) 98-95 on Saturday evening. Mazatlan was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. American guard Markel Crawford (196-1994, college: Ole Miss) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 6 assists. Cuban center Marvin Cairo (203-1991) contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American guard Jeff Ledbetter (191-1988, college: Idaho, agency: Slash Sports) replied with 28 points and 7 assists and Syrian-American guard Doug Herring Jr (191-1987, college: Utica) added 13 points and 10 assists in the effort for Mazatlan. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Guaymas moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Los Mochis. Mazatlan at the other side dropped to the sixth position with ten games lost. Guaymas will play against bottom-ranked Culiacan (#10) on the road in the next round. Mazatlan will play against Angeles (#3) in Ciudad de Mexico and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Mazatlan: J.Ledbetter 28+2reb+7ast, W.Runnels 17+3reb+3ast, R.Whitfield 14+3reb, D.Herring Jr. 13+3reb+10ast, T.Thompson 7+4reb, M.Ruan 6+3reb
Guaymas: M.Crawford 23+4reb+6ast, J.Henry-Blair 18+2reb+3ast, M.Cairo 15+7reb+1ast, B.Rivera 14+1reb, E.Winchester 12+3reb, C.Russo 9+3reb

Tijuana - Astros 92-86

Top ranked Astros (15-4) recorded its fourth loss on the court of second ranked Tijuana Zonkeys on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Tijuana Zonkeys 92-86. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Tijuana made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Astros turnovers. Tijuana looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Joshua Webster (190-1997, college: Missouri St.) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 assists. Brazilian center Joao Franca (215-1998) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. Five Tijuana Zonkeys players scored in double figures. British center Kavell Bigby-Williams (211-1995, college: LSU) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds and American guard Michael Bryson (193-1994, college: UCSB) added 17 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Astros' coach Jorge Elorduy rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tijuana maintains second position with 14-4 record behind leader Astros. Astros at the other side still keep top place with four games lost. Tijuana are looking forward to face Obregon (#5) in Ciudad Obregon in the next round. Astros will play on the road against Hermosillo (#4) and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Astros: K.Bigby-Williams 24+11reb, M.Bryson 17+6reb+2ast, D.Conger 12+7reb+1ast, M.Andriassi 10+2reb+1ast, M.McKinney 8+5reb+3ast, J.Anderson 6+3reb+7ast
Tijuana: J.Webster 22+3reb+12ast, J.Franca 17+13reb, J.Reynoso 16+2reb+2ast, J.Jeffers 11+1reb+3ast, T.Criswell 11+6reb+2ast, A.Chidom 8+4reb

Los Mochis - Hermosillo 93-101

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Rayos de Hermosillo (12-7) defeated on the road 7th ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (7-11) 101-93 on Saturday. Hermosillo made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. Hermosillo outrebounded Los Mochis 39-28 including 32 on the defensive glass. American guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international forward Jorge Camacho (203-1989, college: EKU) chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. American power forward Raphiael Putney (207-1990, college: UMass) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and his fellow American import Jordan Allen (193-1998, college: Lynn) scored 22 points. Four Hermosillo and five Los Mochis players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Hermosillo maintains fourth position with 12-7 record. Loser Pioneros Los Mochis keep the seventh place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Guaymas. Hermosillo will meet at home league's leader Astros in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Los Mochis will play against Frayles (#9) in Guasave and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Los Mochis: J.Allen 22+3reb+2ast, R.Putney 21+10reb+1ast, N.Webster-Chan 16+2reb+4ast, Q.Davis 13+3reb+1ast, M.Gabriel 11+1ast, M.Garrick 4+2reb+5ast
Hermosillo: J.Ivey 24+9reb+7ast, T.Tate 19+1ast, J.Camacho 16+8reb+4ast, J.Wheeler 14+2reb, T.Drisdom 9+4reb+1ast, D.Culver 8+7reb+2ast

Obregon - Culiacan 119-87

Very expected game when 10th ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (2-16) was rolled over on the road by fifth ranked Halcones de Ciudad Obregon (9-9) 119-87 on Saturday. Obregon shot 67.6 percent from the field. Obregon outrebounded Culiacan 39-23 including a 31-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Obregon shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 62.5 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Culiacan's players. The game was dominated by American players. Forward Tony Farmer (201-1994, college: Lee JC) scored 29 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and point guard Adonte Parker (186-1989, college: Dayton) chipped in 13 points and 7 assists during the contest. Parker is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Halcones de Ciudad Obregon players scored in double figures. Halcones de Ciudad Obregon's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Mascio McCadney (190-1998, college: MSU-Northern) responded with 25 points and swingman Carson Newsome (199-1998, college: Graceland) scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Obregon maintains fifth position with 9-9 record. Culiacan lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Obregon will meet at home league's second-placed Tijuana in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Culiacan will play against Guaymas (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Culiacan: M.McCadney 25+2reb+2ast, N.Waddell 19+4reb+1ast, C.Newsome 16+5reb+4ast, M.White 9+2reb+4ast, M.Jackson 7, A.Roberto 5+1reb+1ast
Obregon: T.Farmer 29+5reb+4ast, T.Efianayi 21+1reb+2ast, C.Thomas 15+6ast, A.Parker 13+4reb+7ast, C.Alberto 10+2ast, T.Nuno 9+5reb+2ast

Hermosillo - Astros 76-102

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hermosillo. First ranked Astros faced 4th ranked Rayos de Hermosillo. Guests from Guadalajara (15-4) smashed host Rayos de Hermosillo (12-7) 102-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rayos de Hermosillo. Astros made 24-of-27 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Hermosillo 41-27 including a 32-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Astros looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. British center Kavell Bigby-Williams (211-1995, college: LSU) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American-Filipino guard Mikh McKinney (184-1992, college: Sacramento St.) chipped in 17 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) during the contest. Canadian forward Tyrrel Tate (196-1992, college: Fayetteville St.) responded with 20 points and 4 assists and American guard Jimond Ivey (196-1996, college: Akron) scored 12 points and 6 assists. Five Astros and four Hermosillo players scored in double figures. 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 first position with 15-4 record. Loser Rayos de Hermosillo keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. Astros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Hermosillo will play again against the league's leader Astros (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hermosillo: T.Tate 20+3reb+4ast, D.Willis 13+2reb, T.Drisdom 12+1reb+2ast, J.Ivey 12+4reb+6ast, D.Giddens 6+2reb+2ast, J.Camacho 6+7reb+1ast
Astros: K.Bigby-Williams 18+6reb+1ast, M.McKinney 17+3reb+3ast, D.Conger 14+5reb+2ast, J.De La Serna 13+8reb+2ast, M.Andriassi 12+3reb+5ast, S.Thompson 11+6reb