LNBP Round 20 (Regular Season): Soles keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Soles as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Soles defeated 3rd ranked Diablos in Mexicali 82-78. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Diablos. Soles looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was forward Connor Zinaich (201-1997, college: Nova SE) who had a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. Power forward Justin Moss (203-1993, college: Buffalo) chipped in 19 points. Soles' coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Guard Daishon Smith (185-1995, college: ULM) produced 21 points and 5 assists for the guests. Soles (17-2) have an impressive six-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Astros. Diablos at the other side keep the third place with five games lost. Diablos will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Soles will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Diablos at home.
Another exciting game was between seventh ranked Halc.Xalapa and 4th ranked Mineros where host Halc.Xalapa (9-10) won against Mineros (13-6) 80-72. Argentinian-Italian point guard Fernando Zurbriggen (185-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points and 7 rebounds. Jose Israel-Gutierrez contributed with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American-Argentinian guard Romeao Ferguson (196-1997, college: Lipscomb) replied with 13 points and 6 rebounds for Mineros. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Halc.Xalapa have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 9-10 record. Mineros at the other side keep the fourth place with six games lost. They share the position with Fuerza Regia. Halc.Xalapa will again play against higher ranked Mineros (#5) in Zacatecas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Mineros will have a break next round.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Ciudad Victoria, where higher ranked Dorados (11-8) lost to tenth ranked Correcaminos (8-11) in a road game 77-87 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Dorados. The game was also dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of Riley Brahin who helped to win the game recording 13 points and 9 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Kenny Hasbrouck responded with 22 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Correcaminos have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Panteras. Loser Dorados keep the sixth position with eight games lost. Correcaminos will again meet at home higher ranked Dorados (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Dorados will have a break next round.

Rest of the games of round 20 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Freseros were defeated by El Calor in Cancun 91-83. Abejas were smashed by Fuerza Regia at home 66-100. Gambusinos were destroyed by Astros on the opponent's court 100-76. Panteras managed to outperform Santos in a home game 87-83.
The best stats of 20th round was 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists by Jaire Grayer of Santos.



Correcaminos - Dorados 87-77

We should mention about the upset which took place in Ciudad Victoria, where higher ranked Dorados (11-8) lost to tenth ranked Correcaminos (8-11) in a road game 77-87 on Wednesday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Dorados. Correcaminos made 25-of-29 free shots (86.2 percent) during the game. Correcaminos had a 34-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. The game was also dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of center Riley Brahin (211, college: UFTL) who helped to win the game recording 13 points and 9 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and guard Troy Cracknell (193-1999, college: Augusta, agency: Interperformances) who added 20 points (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) during the contest. Five Correcaminos players scored in double figures. Guard Kenny Hasbrouck (191-1986, college: Siena, agency: Interperformances) responded with 22 points and Akia Pruitt (203-1997, college: UNCP) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Correcaminos have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Panteras. Loser Dorados keep the sixth position with eight games lost. Correcaminos will again meet at home higher ranked Dorados (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Dorados will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Correcaminos: T.Cracknell 20+3reb, T.Johnson 15+5reb+1ast, D.Daniels 14+6reb+2ast, R.Brahin 13+9reb+3ast, V.Blue 12+8reb+1ast, C.Garcia 9+8reb+1ast
Dorados: K.Hasbrouck 22+2reb+3ast, A.Pruitt 13+5reb+1ast, M.Myers 13+6reb, T.Johnson 8+2reb+1ast, C.Mitchell 7+6reb, S.Branch 5+4reb+1ast

El Calor - Freseros 91-83

There was no surprise in Cancun where 13th ranked Freseras (3-16) were defeated by eleventh ranked El Calor (7-12) 91-83 on Wednesday. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Anthony Barber (188-1994, college: NC State) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 4 assists and center Gerard DeVaughn (205-1988, college: Stillman) who added 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. DeVaughn is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Swingman JP Moorman II (201-1998, college: UC Riverside, agency: Players Group) responded with 19 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Brandon Boyd (180-1997, college: CBU) scored 22 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. El Calor moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Gambusinos. Freseros lost twelfth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 16 games lost. El Calor will meet at home Freseros (#13) in the next round. Freseros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
El Calor: A.Barber 18+3reb+4ast, M.Landis 14+1reb+3ast, J.Ivey 13+6reb+2ast, G.DeVaughn 11+7reb+4ast, M.Fernandez 11+1reb+2ast, J.Avila 9+4reb+1ast
Freseros: B.Boyd 22+1reb+4ast, J.Moorman II 19+7reb+3ast, M.Lukic 11+1reb+3ast, D.Brodie 10+7reb+1ast, H.Butler 9+6reb+3ast, X.Green 7+3reb

Halc.Xalapa - Mineros 80-72

Another exciting game was between seventh ranked Halc.Xalapa and 4th ranked Mineros where host Halc.Xalapa (9-10) won against Mineros (13-6) 80-72. Argentinian-Italian point guard Fernando Zurbriggen (185-1997) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points and 7 rebounds. International center Jose Israel-Gutierrez (206-1993) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American-Argentinian guard Romeao Ferguson (196-1997, college: Lipscomb) replied with 13 points and 6 rebounds and Argentinian point guard Joaquin Valinotti (185-1998) added 14 points and 4 assists in the effort for Mineros. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Halc.Xalapa have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 9-10 record. Mineros at the other side keep the fourth place with six games lost. They share the position with Fuerza Regia. Halc.Xalapa will again play against higher ranked Mineros (#5) in Zacatecas in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Mineros will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Halc.Xalapa: F.Zurbriggen 16+7reb+3ast, J.Israel-Gutierrez 12+10reb+2ast, T.McFadden 11+1reb+3ast, J.Paige 8+1reb+4ast, R.Mahalbasic 8+9reb, G.Giron 6+4reb
Mineros: J.Valinotti 14+2reb+4ast, R.Ferguson 13+6reb+3ast, K.Horton 11+8reb, D.McClanahan 9+1reb+1ast, T.Miller 8+6reb+1ast, M.Bulic 6+5reb+3ast

Abejas - Fuerza Regia 66-100

No shocking result in a game in Guanajuato where fifth ranked Fuerza Regia (13-6) smashed 12th ranked Abejas (4-15) 100-66 on Wednesday. Fuerza Regia dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Abejas' 34. Fuerza Regia forced 21 Abejas turnovers and outrebounded them 45-29 including 18 on the offensive glass. Fuerza Regia looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Abejas' players. Worth to mention a great performance of Kosovan-American Scott Bamforth (188-1989, college: Weber St.) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Lewis Sullivan (201-1995, college: UAB, agency: BIG) who added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Puerto Rican Jorge Torres (196-2000) responded with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American power forward Makhi Mitchell (206-2000, college: Arkansas) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Five Fuerza Regia and four Abejas 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. Fuerza Regia moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Mineros. Abejas lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 15 games lost. Fuerza Regia will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Abejas will play again against Fuerza Regia (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fuerza Regia: S.Bamforth 22+5reb+1ast, L.Sullivan 12+7reb+5ast, W.Langston 12+4reb+4ast, B.Paul 11+3reb+2ast, S.Shorter 10+2reb+6ast, A.Holmes 8+1reb+2ast
Abejas: J.Rivera 15+2reb, M.Mitchell 12+10reb+2ast, J.Kosakowski 12+1reb, J.Torres 11+9reb+5ast, S.Keith 8+1reb+1ast, J.Contreras 4+5reb+1ast

Soles - Diablos 82-78

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Soles as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Soles defeated 3rd ranked Diablos in Mexicali 82-78. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Diablos. Soles looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was forward Connor Zinaich (201-1997, college: Nova SE) who had a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. Power forward Justin Moss (203-1993, college: Buffalo) chipped in 19 points. Soles' coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Guard Daishon Smith (185-1995, college: ULM) produced 21 points and 5 assists and point guard Dontrell Brite (175-1994, college: Mount Olive) added 17 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Soles (17-2) have an impressive six-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Astros. Diablos at the other side keep the third place with five games lost. Diablos will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Soles will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Diablos at home.
Top scorers:
Soles: J.Moss 19+4reb+1ast, M.Warren 14+3reb+1ast, L.Martinez 11+3reb+2ast, C.Zinaich 11+12reb+3ast, D.Sims 10+1reb+1ast, J.Webster 9+1reb+10ast
Diablos: D.Smith 21+3reb+5ast, D.Brite 17+2reb+2ast, L.Gonzalez 14+4reb+1ast, A.Anderson 12+8reb, T.Leimanis 6+2reb+4ast, M.Dime 3+5reb

Astros - Gambusinos 100-76

Very expected game in Guadalajara where 9th ranked Gambusinos (7-12) were rolled over by second ranked Astros (17-2) 100-76 on Wednesday. Astros outrebounded Gambusinos 37-24 including 26 on the defensive glass. Astros looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Chavaughn Lewis (195-1993, college: Marist) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Armani Chaney (178-1997, college: Tennessee St.) who added 15 points during the contest. Chaney is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Astros players scored in double figures. Guard Bryon Allen (192-1992, college: GMU) responded with 21 points and forward Josh Cunningham (203-1996, college: Dayton, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 10 points and 7 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. Astros have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Soles. Gambusinos lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with El Calor. Astros will again meet at home Gambusinos (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Gambusinos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Astros: C.Lewis 18+6reb+2ast, A.Chaney 15+3reb+3ast, M.Andriassi 11+1reb+3ast, D.Upson 10+5reb+2ast, D.Willis 9+2reb+2ast, R.Mendoza 9+7reb+5ast
Gambusinos: B.Allen 21+1ast, M.Bryson 14+3reb+1ast, J.Cunningham 10+7reb+2ast, J.Narcis 8+5reb, L.Doria 8+4reb+2ast, K.Feagin 7+1reb+8ast

Panteras - Santos 87-83

Very predictable result in Aguascalientes where ninth ranked Panteras (8-11) beat bottom-ranked Santos (2-17) 87-83 on Wednesday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Panteras made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Argentinian-American Erik Thomas (195-1995, college: New Orleans) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and American guard Terrell Brown (185-1998, college: NM State) who added 20 points during the contest. American guard Jaire Grayer (196-1996, college: TCU) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import guard Gary Ricks (185-1991, college: Drake) scored 16 points and 7 assists. Four Panteras and five Santos players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Panteras moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Correcaminos. Santos lost fifth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. Panteras will again meet at home bottom-ranked Santos (#14) in the next round where they are favorite. Santos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Panteras: E.Thomas 20+9reb+6ast, T.Brown 20+4reb+1ast, T.White 17+3reb+3ast, S.Lemon 11+1ast, J.Martin 10+1reb+5ast, V.Shahid 5+1reb+1ast
Santos: G.Ricks 16+1reb+7ast, A.Matias 15+5reb+2ast, J.Grayer 15+12reb+4ast, J.Haley Jr. 12+2reb+2ast, L.Ferreiras 11+8reb+2ast, M.Bell 6+7reb+1ast