LSB Round 16 (Regular Season): Leones are defeated by Real Esteli

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in LSB. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Leones (10-3) on the court of fourth ranked Real Esteli on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by Real Esteli 85-80. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Leones. Real Esteli dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Leones' 40. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Real Esteli made 10 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Puerto Rican Christopher Gaston (201-1989, college: Fordham) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and the former international swingman Jared Ruiz (188-1992) who added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Josmel Martinez (198-1999, college: Broward CC) responded with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Real Esteli maintains fourth position with 9-4 record. Leones at the other side still keep top place with three games lost. Real Esteli are looking forward to face Indigenas (#8) in Matagalpa in the next round. Leones will play against Tigres (#9) and are hoping to win this game.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Jinotega. Their close opponent host Brumas (10-4) lost to third ranked Caribbean Coast (10-4) 83-70. The winners were led by Puerto Rican power forward Owens Perez (206-1992) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 18 rebounds and Jorge Gonzalez supported him with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 12 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists by American Timothy Simmons (195-1992, college: DBU) did not help to save the game for Brumas. Caribbean Coast have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Brumas. Caribbean Coast's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Managua to the arena Jaguares.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Jinotega. Third ranked host Brumas (10-4) defeated 4th ranked Real Esteli (9-4) 85-78. Marvin Cairo fired a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Brumas' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Jared Ruiz produced 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Brumas moved-up to second place, which they share with Caribbean Coast. Loser Real Esteli keeps the fourth position with four games lost. Brumas will meet bottom-ranked Rivas (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Real Esteli will play against Indigenas (#8) in Matagalpa and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 16: Rivas lost to Tigres on the opponent's court 73-83. Caribbean Coast outscored Indigenas in a home game 90-62. UNI Basket recorded a loss to Leon on the road 93-79. Rivas was defeated by Jaguares on its own court 64-69.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 11 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists by Carlos Lopez-Sosa of Jaguares.



Tigres - Rivas 83-73

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 9th ranked Rivas (2-11) were defeated on the road by tenth ranked Tigres (2-10) 83-73 on Friday. Tigres forced 22 Rivas turnovers. Strangely Rivas outrebounded Tigres 43-30 including a 32-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. Puerto Rican guard Jose Perez (188-1999) fired 20 points and 8 assists for the winners. American power forward Lorenzo Martinez (203-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. Martinez is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Brad Soldevila produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds and American Rashad Jackson (191, college: Portland) added 17 points and 12 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Tigres and four Rivas players scored in double figures. Tigres moved-up to ninth place. Rivas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 11 games lost. Tigres will meet at home higher ranked Leon (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Rivas will play against Brumas (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rivas: S.Brad 18+16reb+2ast, R.Jackson 17+12reb+2ast, U.Luis 14+2reb+2ast, K.Rivera 12+7reb+2ast, C.Kurlam 6+2reb+3ast, I.Kender 3+1reb
Tigres: P.Jose 20+2reb+8ast, C.Emmanuel 15+4reb+2ast, R.Dwight 14+3reb+6ast, L.Mauricio 13+5reb+1ast, L.Martinez 11+12reb+2ast, R.Hector 5+4reb

Brumas - Caribbean Coast 70-83

The game between Top Four teams took place in Jinotega. Their close opponent host Brumas (10-4) lost to third ranked Caribbean Coast (10-4) 83-70. Caribbean Coast players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. The winners were led by Puerto Rican power forward Owens Perez (206-1992) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 18 rebounds and swingman Jorge Gonzalez (198-1995) supported him with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 12 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists by American Timothy Simmons (195-1992, college: DBU) did not help to save the game for Brumas. Cuban center Marvin Cairo (203-1991) added 17 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. Caribbean Coast have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Brumas. Caribbean Coast's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Managua to the arena Jaguares.
Top scorers:
Brumas: A.Kevin 17+4reb+2ast, M.Cairo 17+5reb+2ast, T.Simmons 12+9reb+6ast, D.Cacho 6+12reb+1ast, A.Martinez 5, M.Rafael 5+2reb
Caribbean Coast: G.Jorge 23+5reb+6ast, O.Perez 22+18reb+3ast, L.Lopez 16+3reb+10ast, W.Andy 7+5reb, P.Neyton 5+2reb+1ast, A.Kenny 5+2reb+3ast

Brumas - Real Esteli 85-78

The game between Top Four teams took place in Jinotega. Third ranked host Brumas (10-4) defeated 4th ranked Real Esteli (9-4) 85-78. Cuban center Marvin Cairo (203-1991) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American power forward Amir Warnock (206-1995, college: KWC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Four Brumas players scored in double figures. Brumas' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international swingman Jared Ruiz (188-1992) produced 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Christopher Blake (195-1988, college: Detroit) added 24 points respectively for lost side. Brumas moved-up to second place, which they share with Caribbean Coast. Loser Real Esteli keeps the fourth position with four games lost. Brumas will meet bottom-ranked Rivas (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Real Esteli will play against Indigenas (#8) in Matagalpa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Real Esteli: C.Blake 24+3reb+2ast, J.Ruiz 21+5reb+4ast, C.Gaston 15+8reb+2ast, J.Campbell 8+5reb+2ast, S.Hodgson 5+2ast, B.Lopez 3+8reb
Brumas: M.Cairo 24+11reb+5ast, A.Warnock 18+10reb+2ast, T.Simmons 16+2reb+6ast, A.Kevin 14+6reb+2ast, H.Juan 8+2reb+3ast, A.Martinez 3

Caribbean Coast - Indigenas 90-62

Very predictable result in Managua where third ranked Caribbean Coast (10-4) smashed 8th ranked Indigenas (3-10) 90-62 on Tuesday. Caribbean Coast dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Indigenas' 32. They outrebounded Indigenas 47-22 including a 38-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. Caribbean Coast looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Puerto Rican power forward Owens Perez (206-1992) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Swingman Jorge Gonzalez (198-1995) chipped in 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Four Caribbean Coast players scored in double figures. American guard Tylan Dean (185-1999, college: Rogers St.) produced 17 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals and his fellow American import guard Chris Moten-Jackson (190-1989, college: LA Pierce JC) added 21 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Caribbean Coast have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Brumas. Loser Indigenas keep the eighth position with ten games lost. Caribbean Coast's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Managua to the arena Jaguares.
Top scorers:
Indigenas: C.Moten-Jackson 21+2reb+4ast, T.Dean 17+6reb+8ast, Z.Owens 8+2reb+3ast, M.Franklin 6+4reb+1ast, H.Francisco 4, B.Castillo 2+3reb
Caribbean Coast: G.Jorge 23+5reb+4ast, L.Lopez 16+6ast, O.Perez 15+15reb+2ast, B.Elaijah 11+3reb+4ast, A.Troy 8+6reb+3ast, A.Kenny 5+3reb+2ast

Leon - UNI Basket 93-79

Not a big story in a game when 7th ranked UNI Basket (4-10) was defeated on the road by fifth ranked Leon (9-5) 93-79 on Tuesday. Leon outrebounded UNI Basket 47-27 including a 19-3 advantage in defensive rebounds. Dominican Xavier de la Rosa (196-1991) fired a double-double by scoring 30 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Dominican center Jose Familia (201-1998) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Leon's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American-Puerto Rican guard Robert Nieves (186-1999, college: Graceland) produced 26 points and 5 steals and American forward Jayson Brower (195-1996, college: John Jay) added 19 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Leon maintains fifth position with 9-5 record. UNI Basket lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with ten games lost. Leon will meet Tigres (#9) in the next round. UNI Basket will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
UNI Basket: R.Nieves 26+2reb+3ast, J.Brower 19+8reb+3ast, G.Carlos 11+2reb, W.Brandon 10+3reb+4ast, T.Morman 9+10reb+1ast, G.Josafat 4+2reb+4ast
Leon: X.de la Rosa 30+11reb+3ast, J.Familia 22+12reb+5ast, P.Martinez 10+2reb+3ast, S.Deikel 10+12reb+1ast, C.Lesther 7+3reb+2ast, E.Kelvin 5+3reb+2ast

Real Esteli - Leones 85-80

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Leones (10-3) on the court of fourth ranked Real Esteli on Tuesday night. Visitors were defeated by Real Esteli 85-80. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Leones. Real Esteli dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Leones' 40. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Real Esteli made 10 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Puerto Rican Christopher Gaston (201-1989, college: Fordham) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and the former international swingman Jared Ruiz (188-1992) who added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side the former international forward Josmel Martinez (198-1999, college: Broward CC) responded with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and American guard Kaleb Hunter (193-1998, college: UNCG) scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Five Real Esteli and four Leones players scored in double figures. Real Esteli maintains fourth position with 9-4 record. Leones at the other side still keep top place with three games lost. Real Esteli are looking forward to face Indigenas (#8) in Matagalpa in the next round. Leones will play against Tigres (#9) and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Leones: J.Martinez 29+9reb+6ast, K.Hunter 20+8reb+8ast, M.Garcia 12+4reb+1ast, C.Webster 10+10reb+4ast, B.Lavernia 3+5reb+3ast, R.Elkin 3+1reb
Real Esteli: C.Gaston 16+8reb+5ast, J.Ruiz 15+8reb+5ast, C.Blake 14+2reb+5ast, B.Lopez 12+12reb+1ast, I.Palermo 11+2reb+4ast, G.Francisco 9+2reb+3ast

Rivas - Jaguares 64-69

Everything went according to plan when sixth ranked Jaguares (8-6) beat on the road bottom-ranked Rivas (2-11) 69-64 on Tuesday. Jaguares looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Rivas' players. Puerto Rican power forward Carlos Lopez-Sosa (209-1990, college: UNLV) fired a double-double by scoring 11 points, 21 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Guard Kaleb Myers (-2004) chipped in 22 points. Jaguares' coach used entire bench in such tough game. Brad Soldevila produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and American Rashad Jackson (191, college: Portland) added 9 points and 13 rebounds respectively for lost side. Jaguares maintains sixth position with 8-6 record. Rivas lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with 11 games lost. Jaguares' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Managua Caribbean Coast.
Top scorers:
Rivas: S.Brad 15+14reb+2ast, U.Luis 11+7reb+1ast, C.Kurlam 11+4reb, I.Kender 10+4reb+2ast, R.Jackson 9+13reb, C.Jason 8+6reb+3ast
Jaguares: M.Kaleb 22+4reb+2ast, C.Lopez-Sosa 11+21reb+4ast, P.Farrell 7+4reb+3ast, G.Deybi 7+5reb, T.Watson 6+12reb+3ast, D.Tenorio 4+1reb