Ray Parks, Nagoya reach B.League semis, Kiefer’s Shiga back in B1

Nagoya’s Ray Parks during a B.League game.–Photo from Nagoya Dolphins

MANILA, Philippines—Ray Parks and the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins are heading to the 2024 Japanese B.League semifinals after outlasting the Mikawa Seahorses, 84-75, on Sunday at Dolphins Arena.

The Dolphins moved on to face Kai Sotto’s former squad, the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

Parks played only nine limited minutes for Nagoya but still contributed five points and an assist in the process.

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It was the tandem of Takumi Saito and Scott Eatherton, who scored 23 and 19 respectively, that powered the Diamond Dolphins to the semis.

Former NBA player Jake Layman and Davante Gardner both scored 14 points but they were all for naught as Mikawa bounced out of title contention.

The Chiba Jets also joined the semifinals’ cast on Monday with a 103-93 win over Utsonomiya Brex at Nikkan Arena Tochigi.

Three players for Chiba registered double-doubles to fuel the Jets to the semis.

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Christopher Smith tallied 36 points and 11 rebounds, John Mooney registered 22 points and 10 rebounds and Yuki Togashi dropped 20 points and 12 assists for the victory.

DJ Newbil scattered a 30-piece for Brex but to no avail.

Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena and the Shiga Lakes booked their return to the B1 division after advancing to the B2 Finals.

Ravena collected 13 points, two rebounds, four assists and four steals to help the Lakes rout the Yamagata Wyverns, 97-74, on Sunday.

The win pitted Shiga against the Koshigaya Alphas in the final.

Fellow Filipino import Roosevelt Adams shone with 17 points and six rebounds in a losing effort for Yamagata.