Strong Start Propels Reigning B.League Champion Dragonflies to 1st Victory of Season

A fine line often separates the difference between a win or a loss ― or just a handful of plays that prove influential. And a determined effort from the opening tipoff, as demonstrated by the reigning B.League champion Hiroshima Dragonflies against the Sunrockers Shibuya on Sunday afternoon, October 20, can be the biggest difference.

The Dragonflies, playing with a palpable sense of urgency after five straight losses to open the 2024-25 season, seized control in the first quarter.

It was the exact opposite of what occurred in the series opener on Saturday night at Aoyama Gakuin Memorial Hall. In that game, the Sunrockers jumped out to a 27-15 lead after one quarter en route to a 79-63 triumph.

A day later, Hiroshima held a 27-15 advantage entering the second period. Shibuya was in catch-up mode over the next 30 minutes, never fully recovered and was handed a 74-69 defeat.

Dragonflies coach Shogo Asayama's club shot the ball extremely well in the first 10 minutes of the rematch, making 12 of 18 shots from the floor. That aspect of the game went a long way in determining the final outcome.

The Sunrockers slipped to 3-3 in the ultra-competitive Central Conference, which Shibuya coach Luka Pavicevic has called the toughest conference in the B.League.

"I'd like to congratulate Hiroshima on achieving the first victory," Pavicevic commented.

"I think it was the gap [in points] that decided the game. We really wanted this game, the second win in the weekend toward our quest, so that we can possibly qualify for the playoffs [and] so every win is needed if we want a chance."

Balanced Scoring Carries the Dragonflies

Veteran forward Nick Mayo paced the Dragonflies with 18 points on 7-for-10 shootings. Teammates Takuto Nakamura (16 points) and Kerry Blackshear Jr and Dwayne Evans (11 points apiece) also scored in double digits while Ryu Watanabe chipped in with six.

After a hot-shooting first quarter ignited the Dragonflies, they continued to make 2-point attempts at a high percentage throughout the game. They finished the game at 58.3% on 2-point shots (21 of 36).

Hiroshima jumped out to its largest lead of the game (60-38) on a Keijiro Mitani driving bank shot with 1:45 remaining in the third quarter.

Fourth-Quarter Comeback Falls Short 

Entering the fourth quarter, Shibuya faced a 64-44 deficit.

The Sunrockers sliced the margin to 64-53 and were on their way to outscoring the visitors 25-10 in the final period.

Guard Anthony Clemons, who led the Sunrockers with 23 points, six assists and four steals, initiated the team's comeback attempt with 13 fourth-quarter points.

Shibuya pulled to within 7-67 on a Clemons layup with 18.5 seconds remaining. But it was too little, too late for the Sunrockers, who trailed for nearly 37 out of the game's 40 minutes.

After Shibuya made a deliberate foul to stop the clock, Evans drained two free throws to push Hiroshima's lead back to five with 17 seconds left.

The Sunrockers, who committed 17 turnovers, were unable to get closer than three the rest of the way.

Josh Hawkinson had 13 points, captain Leo Vendrame scored 12, Reid Travis added 11 and Kevin Jones poured in 10.

A Winning Effort to Build On

For Hiroshima, and for any team without a win, getting that first victory is an important first step each season in pursuit of success.

After the Dragonflies' Sunday triumph, Asayama noted that his team's effort at both ends of the floor paid off.

"I think the players and staff worked as one and were able to fight in good form," an upbeat Asayama told reporters at Aoyama Gakuin Memorial Hall. "In particular, there were parts of the game where we were heavy on offense, but we were able to get to a perfect game by the third quarter. Of course, there were things we regretted throughout the game, but I think we were able to embody what we wanted to do on defense today."

Asayama added, "In previous games, we have had trouble connecting defense to offense, but in today's game, I think we were able to see a little of what we want to do this season. I am really happy that we were able to win."

Nakamura, who had a tone-setting 13 points in the first half, was pleased with the team's overall performance.

"We got off to a good start and were able to do what we wanted to do until the [fourth quarter]," Nakamura told reporters. "However, the Sunrockers Shibuya caught up with us in the closing stages of the game. We will reflect on this and make the most of it (adjustments) in the future." 

Like Asayama, Nakamura was also relieved that the team ended its losing streak.

"At the beginning of the season, we had the support of many people in Hiroshima, but it was difficult to win," he said. "Today, we were able to win, thanks to the support of so many people." 

Lessons in Defeat for the Sunrockers

Pavicevic pointed to inspiration and motivation as pivotal elements of Hiroshima's performance that carried his opponent to victory.

The coach said his team was "disbalanced" for a big chunk of the game. 

Looking ahead, he added, "I'd like us to get better from this game and I'd like us to be competitive in the next round of games."

In looking back on the outcome of Sunday's game, Clemons, a University of Iowa alum who joined the Sunrockers in 2023, acknowledged he was disappointed with his team's performance.

"To be honest, it was frustrating because the game seemed to be decided in the first quarter," Clemons commented. 

That said, he was determined to deliver a spirited performance in hopes of leading his team to victory.

"When a team is losing, someone has to be aggressive, so I went out to score myself," said Clemons, who made 8 of 13 shots from the floor. "That was necessary for both the team and myself. I think it is my job to play for the win anyway."

As the Sunrockers incorporate several new players into the regular rotation, it's taking time to develop team chemistry, according to Clemons.

"We are doing a lot of work right now to create a sense of team unity," Clemons said. He added, "We have not reached the level of the strong team at the end of last season."

Shibuya won 12 of its final 15 games to finish 35-25 overall and fell just short of its goal of reaching the playoffs.

Clemons believes the Sunrockers can become one of the B.League's top teams this season.

"I think each one of us has great potential, and if we can build on it, we will be in a good direction," he told reporters.

A Look Ahead

The Dragonflies play host to the Ibaraki Robots (2-4) on Wednesday, October 23. Shibuya is also back in action on the same midweek night and will play a road game against the Kawasaki Brave Thunders (2-4).

There's a full slate of games on tap on Wednesday, with all 24 B.League first-division teams in action.

Check out the full standings on the league website.

Top Scoring Performance of the New B.League Season

Nagasaki Velca newcomer Mark Smith had the highest-scoring effort during the first three weeks of the 2024-25 B.League campaign.

On October 19, Smith had a 43-point, six-assist outing against the Gunma Crane Thunders in the Velca's 78-72 road win. He sank 6 of 9 3-pointers in the series opener and also made 9 of 10 free throws. The dynamic point guard shot 14 of 21 overall. 

He had 15 points in the third quarter when Nagasaki outscored Gunma 23-4 to take a 60-52 lead into the final stanza.

The well-traveled backcourt leader attended the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri and Kansas State before launching his pro career in 2022 in Germany.

In three games this season, Smith is averaging 25.0 points. 

San-en's Yoshii Leads the B.League in 3-Point Shooting Accuracy

Veteran small forward Hirotaka Yoshii of the San-en NeoPhoenix is No 1 in the B.League in 3-point shooting percentage. Yoshii has knocked down 10 of 14 3s (73.3%) in the opening three weeks of the season.

Yoshii, who represented Japan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and at the 2024 Paris Olympics, sank all four of his 3-point shots and finished with 20 points in the NeoPhoenix's 85-72 away victory over the SeaHorses Mikawa on October 12.

On October 20, Yoshii helped San-en salvage a series split with the mighty Alvark Tokyo (5-1), draining 3 of 4 from beyond the 3-point arc in a 17-point, nine-rebound performance that helped lift the NeoPhoenix (4-2) to a 90-82 home victory.

RELATED:

• Yokohama B-Corsairs are Focused on Building a Strong Foundation
• Chiba Sweeps B.League Rival Utsunomiya in Season-Opening Series
• Gunma Overpowers Defending B.League Champion Hiroshima in the Season Opener

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.