B.League: Ray Parks, Matthew Wright shine in bounce back wins

FILE – Nagoya Diamond Dolphins’ Ray Parks during their match against Levanga Hokkaido in the Japan B League. Photo from Nagoya Dolphins Twitter

MANILA, Philippines – Matthew Wright and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. bring back their respective teams’ winning ways in separate matches on Sunday in the 2022-23 Japan B League.

Wright dropped 22 points to end the Kyoto Hannaryz’ two-game skid with an 81-76 victory over the Shibuya SunRockers, 81-76, at the Kyoto City Gymnasium.

The Filipino-Canadian guard shot 2-of-6 from the three-point line and dished out nine assists with three rebounds and a steal as Hannaryz improved to 11-17. Kyoto bounced back from a 94-88 loss to the visiting team on Saturday.

Cheick Diallo also scored 22 points and grabbed 17 boards, while Jarrod Uthoff had 14 points, nine boards, and four dimes to back up Wright.

Parks posted 17 points including a three-point play as the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins cruised past the Utsunomiya Brex, 70-67, at the Brex Arena.

When Yusuke Endo drilled a go-ahead triple to give Utsunomiya a 67-65 lead with a minute remaining, the Filipino-American guard responded with an important jumper and free throws after being fouled by Josh Scott for a 68-67 edge.

Scott Eatherton sealed Nagoya’s victory with a fadeaway jumper with less than 30 ticks to go as the Dolphins redeemed themselves from a heartbreaking 80-79 defeat to Brex less than 24 hours ago.

Parks also contributed five rebounds, four assists, and two steals to cap a 17-point outing, while Eatherton posted 24 points, 13 boards, and two blocks as Nagoya won three of its last four games with a 20-8 record.

Meanwhile, Kiefer Ravena had another solid game but Shiga Lakes suffered its 11th straight defeat at the hands of Akita Nothern Happinets, 99-87, at the Shiga Daihatsu Arena.

Ravena finished with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists, sparking Shiga’s late rally that cut a 23-point deficit to a 12-point game but it wasn’t enough as Stanton Kidd completed Akita’s weekend sweep with 21 markers.

Kai Toews also scored 18 points on top of eight assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Kelvin Martin added 17 points, 12 boards, five dimes, and three steals just for the Lakes to drop a 4-24 card.

Levanga Hokkaido (7-21) suffered its fourth straight loss, falling to Osaka Evessa in overtime, 110-108, with Dwight Ramos missing his 17th straight game with an ankle injury.

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