Round 16 (Regular Season): Niagara edges Montreal by two points

Host teams show no mercy winning all games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fourth-ranked Alliance (7-10) made lots of trouble for first ranked River Lions (12-5) in Niagara on Friday. River Lions managed to secure only two-point victory 91-89. However their fans expected easier game. Niagara looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Guard Khalil Ahmad (191-1996, college: CS Fullerton, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 29 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Ronald Curry (193-1993, college: JMU) chipped in 19 points. Guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) produced 19 points, 5 assists and 4 steals for lost side. Alliance's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. River Lions have an impressive five-game winning streak. Niagara maintains first position with 12-5 record, which they share with Calgary. Montreal lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Winnipeg. Niagara is looking forward to face Brampton (#5) in Hamilton in the next round. Montreal will play at home against Scarborough and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Blackjacks (8-9) against fourth ranked Alliance (7-10) on Wednesday night. Visiting Blackjacks were defeated by Alliance in a tough game in Montreal 79-87. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Quincy Guerrier contributed with 16 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Alliance's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard JaVonte Smart (193-1999, college: LSU) replied with 24 points and 6 assists for Ottawa. Montreal maintains fourth position with 7-10 record, which they share with Winnipeg. Ottawa at the other side keeps the second place with nine games lost. They share the position with Scarborough. Montreal will play against higher ranked Scarborough (#3) in Toronto in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Ottawa will play at home against Saskatchewan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Shooting Stars (8-9) against fifth ranked Honey Badgers (4-15) on Friday night. Visiting Shooting Stars were defeated by Honey Badgers in a tough game in Hamilton 89-96. Worth to mention a great performance of Koby McEwen who helped to win the game recording 29 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!). At the losing side Terquavion Smith responded with 27 points and 9 assists. Brampton maintains fifth position with 4-15 record. Loser Shooting Stars keeps the second place with nine games lost. They share the position with Ottawa. Brampton will meet at home league's leader Niagara in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Scarborough will play against Montreal and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 16 Edmonton was defeated by Vancouver in Langley 111-99. Ottawa beat Brampton at home 91-77.



Vancouver - Edmonton 111-99

There was no surprise in Langley where 3rd ranked Stingers (11-7) were defeated by first ranked Bandits (15-4) 111-99 on Sunday. Vancouver had a 35-23 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Duane Notice (188-1994, college: S.Carolina, agency: Inception Sports) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 4 assists and American point guard Corey Davis (186-1997, college: Houston) who added 20 points and 8 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Sean East II (190-1999, college: Missouri) responded with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and his fellow American import forward Nick Hornsby (201-1995, college: Sacramento St.) scored 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Vancouver and four Edmonton players scored in double figures. Stingers' coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Bandits have a solid four-game winning streak. Vancouver maintains first position with 15-4 record. Loser Stingers keeps the third place with seven games lost. Vancouver will meet league's second-placed Calgary on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Edmonton will play against Winnipeg and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Vancouver: D.Notice 23+4reb+4ast, C.Davis 20+1reb+8ast, M.Creek 19+8reb+2ast, J.Karnik 15+4reb, Z.Copeland 12+8reb+4ast, K.Mangas 7+2reb+2ast
Edmonton: S.East II 20+7reb+6ast, S.Lindsey 19+2reb+2ast, N.Hornsby 19+5reb+4ast, M.Nuga 10+1reb, C.Smith 10+2reb+1ast, K.Ambrose-Hylton 9+18reb

Ottawa - Brampton 91-77

No shocking result in a game in Ottawa where second ranked Blackjacks (8-9) defeated 5th ranked Honey Badgers (4-15) 91-77 on Monday. Ottawa made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Ottawa outrebounded Brampton 50-38 including 38 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Isaih Moore (208-2000, college: Fresno St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 18 rebounds and the other American import guard JaVonte Smart (193-1999, college: LSU) who added 28 points and 6 assists during the contest. At the losing side Canadian-Vincentian guard Koby McEwen (193-1997, college: Weber St.) responded with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (190-1996, college: MSU) scored 17 points and 5 assists. Four Ottawa and five Brampton players scored in double figures. Ottawa maintains second position with 8-9 record having nine points less than leader Niagara, which they share with Scarborough. Brampton lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 15 games lost. Ottawa will meet at home Saskatchewan (#5) in the next round. Brampton will play against the league's leader Niagara and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ottawa: J.Smart 28+4reb+6ast, I.Moore 22+18reb+2ast, K.Veinot 12+6reb+3ast, J.Jackson 11+7reb+3ast, D.Adel 6+4reb+3ast, C.Rohlehr 6+8reb
Brampton: K.McEwen 17+6reb+4ast, Q.Weatherspoon 17+3reb+5ast, D.Muenkat 14+8reb+1ast, A.Kelly 10+4reb, P.Oduro 10+5reb+2ast, A.Sow 5+1reb+2ast

Montreal - Ottawa 87-79

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Blackjacks (8-9) against fourth ranked Alliance (7-10) on Wednesday night. Visiting Blackjacks were defeated by Alliance in a tough game in Montreal 79-87. Montreal outrebounded Ottawa 46-33 including 33 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Ivorian-Canadian forward Quincy Guerrier (203-1999, college: Illinois) contributed with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Smith is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Alliance's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American guard JaVonte Smart (193-1999, college: LSU) replied with 24 points and 6 assists and his fellow American import forward Isaih Moore (208-2000, college: Fresno St.) added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Ottawa. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Montreal maintains fourth position with 7-10 record, which they share with Winnipeg. Ottawa at the other side keeps the second place with nine games lost. They share the position with Scarborough. Montreal will play against higher ranked Scarborough (#3) in Toronto in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Ottawa will play at home against Saskatchewan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Montreal: T.Smith 26+4reb+5ast, Q.Guerrier 16+15reb, K.Osawe 15+10reb+2ast, T.Dunn-Martin 10+1reb+7ast, A.Kappos 5+5reb, A.Mohamed 5+3reb+1ast
Ottawa: J.Smart 24+6ast, I.Moore 15+11reb+2ast, D.Adel 13+2reb+3ast, J.Jackson 12+15reb, T.Tate 7, S.Daniel 3+1ast

Niagara - Montreal 91-89

Fourth-ranked Alliance (7-10) made lots of trouble for first ranked River Lions (12-5) in Niagara on Friday. River Lions managed to secure only two-point victory 91-89. However their fans expected easier game. Niagara looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Guard Khalil Ahmad (191-1996, college: CS Fullerton, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 29 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Guard Ronald Curry (193-1993, college: JMU) chipped in 19 points. Guard Tavis Smith (191-1999, college: Belm.Abbey) produced 19 points, 5 assists and 4 steals and power forward Michael Diggins (205-1998, college: UIC, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) added 17 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Alliance's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. River Lions have an impressive five-game winning streak. Niagara maintains first position with 12-5 record, which they share with Calgary. Montreal lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with ten games lost. They share the position with Winnipeg. Niagara is looking forward to face Brampton (#5) in Hamilton in the next round. Montreal will play at home against Scarborough and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Niagara: K.Ahmad 29+5reb+5ast, R.Curry 19+4reb+3ast, N.Cayo 10+6reb+5ast, E.Ekiyor 8+3reb+2ast, A.Hill 6+1reb+2ast, G.Payen-Boucard 6+3reb+5ast
Montreal: T.Smith 19+3reb+5ast, M.Diggins 17+5reb+2ast, B.Porter 11+6reb, T.Dunn-Martin 8+3reb+3ast, Q.Guerrier 8+4reb+1ast, A.Mohamed 8+7reb+1ast

Brampton - Scarborough 96-89

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Shooting Stars (8-9) against fifth ranked Honey Badgers (4-15) on Friday night. Visiting Shooting Stars were defeated by Honey Badgers in a tough game in Hamilton 89-96. Brampton made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Canadian-Vincentian guard Koby McEwen (193-1997, college: Weber St.) who helped to win the game recording 29 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and American guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (190-1996, college: MSU) who added 27 points and 4 assists during the contest. Four Honey Badgers players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Terquavion Smith (193-2002, college: NC State) responded with 27 points and 9 assists and his fellow American import point guard Anthony Barber (188-1994, college: NC State) scored 18 points and 6 assists. Brampton maintains fifth position with 4-15 record. Loser Shooting Stars keeps the second place with nine games lost. They share the position with Ottawa. Brampton will meet at home league's leader Niagara in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Scarborough will play against Montreal and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Brampton: K.McEwen 29+4reb+2ast, Q.Weatherspoon 27+3reb+4ast, P.Oduro 17+10reb+6ast, Y.Obeng-Mensah 12+9reb+1ast, A.Sow 4+3reb+4ast, B.Williams 4+2reb+4ast
Scarborough: T.Smith 27+4reb+9ast, A.Barber 18+3reb+6ast, A.Walker 12+5reb+2ast, K.Miller 9+3reb, A.Best 7+2reb+2ast, K.Young 7+7reb+3ast