 Image search results - "bj-league" |
A long line outside Kyoto City Gymnasium on Oct. 3, 2009 before noon when gates opened for the Kyoto Hannaryz debut game in the bj-league.
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Basketball fans entering Kyoto City Gymnasium. The Hannaryz is the thirteenth and newest franchise in the bj-league pro basketball league in Japan.
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Inside the lobby of the gym are cutouts of the Hannaryz players.
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The name "Hannaryz" refers to the well-known word "hannari" (はんなり or 花なり) which in the Kyoto dialect means classy or distinguished-looking as well as cheery, bright, and colorful.
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Soon after we entered the gym, they started introducing the players.
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Hannaryz mascot named "Chin-tiger" (baby tiger).
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Chin-tiger shoots but misses.
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For their debut game, the Hannaryz played against the Shiga Lakestars. Being close neighbors, the Lakestars and the Hannaryz are destined to be eternal rivals and friends at the same time. There are more games scheduled between Shiga and Kyoto.Being close neighbors, the Lakestars and the Hannaryz are destined to be eternal rivals and friends at the same time. There are more games scheduled between Shiga and Kyoto.
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The Hannaryz booster club is called Fannaryz, promoted here by TV idol Yasuda Misako who is from Kyoto.
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Kyoto Hannaryz
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bj-league commissioner Kawachi Toshimitsu gives a few words to open the game.
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Wearing an autographed Hannaryz T-shirt, the mayor of Kyoto city also speaks.
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Pregame entertainment by the Hannaryz cheerleaders.
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Introduction of Lakestars players. Joho Masashi.
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Luke Zellar.
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Introduction of Hannaryz players.
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Introduction of Hannaryz head coach David Benoit (pronounced ""Benwa").
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Both teams start practicing on court.
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Hannaryz practicing.
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Lakestars practicing.
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First the cheerleaders wore these black T-shirts and red, harem-style pants. At first, I thought they were hula dancers.
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Upon the introduction of Lakestars players, each one greeted opposing head coach David Benoit. This is Luke Zellar.
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Introduction of starting five for Hannaryz.
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2009-2010 season opening game and Kyoto Hannaryz debut game tip-off at 2 pm on Oct. 3, 2009 at Kyoto City Gymnasium in front of 1,888 spectators.
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Kyoto Hannaryz debut game tip-off.
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Super tall Reda Rhalimi #55 with the ball as the Lakestars put up a great defense.
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Bobby Nash passing in front of 40-year-old Mahmould Abdul-Rauf.
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Josh Bostic going up against many men in white.
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No stepping back for Gary Hamilton #2.
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Hannaryz takes an early lead within the first five minutes of the game.
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Joho Masashi runs down the court.
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See all players on both teams.
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Bobby Nash #33 goes for 3 points.
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Shiga Lakestars Gary Hamilton #2
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Shiga Lakestars boosters booing a Hannaryz free throw.
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Good number of Shiga Lakestars boosters. It's easy for them see away games in Kyoto. It's easy for Kyoto fans to see away games in Shiga too.
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Lakestars captain Fujiwara Takamichi #11.
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Iwasa Jun #5 is covered.
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Chris Schlatter #4
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Gary Hamilton
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Hannaryz scores.
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An almost-full Kyoto City Gymnasium in Nishi-Kyogoku Sports Park near Nishi-Kyogoku Station on the Hankyu Line.
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During a break, the cheerleaders got out a giant slingshot to shoot a prize into the crowd.
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Hannaryz mascot and cheerleaders. Dig those zori slippers they are wearing. No cartwheels in those things.
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Man-to-man defense.
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Ogawa Shinya #5 and Takushi Naoto #1, Hannaryz captain.
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Joho Masashi #31 and Iwasa Jun #5 were former teammates with Tokyo Apache.
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Shinya takes the ball.
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Hannaryz head coach David Benoit calmly looks on as his team trails the Lakestars.
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Kawabe Taizo #11
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Reda Rhalimi really stands out.
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Mike Hall #23
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Lakestars wear a white uniform for away games. I still disagree with having a sponsor's name printed on the uniform more prominently than the Shiga Lakestars name which appears as a small logo.
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Luke Zellar #40 passing to Ogawa.
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Again, Gary's back is covered.
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Ogawa goes for a jump shot.
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Bobby Nash passes the ball.
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Kojima Yuta #3 passes to Ogawa.
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Josh Bostic
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Setoyama Kyosuke #34 on the run.
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Team huddle
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Hannaryz huddle
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Luke Zellar #40
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Joho looking for an opportunity.
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Lakestars lead 37-28 at halftime.
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Halftime entertainment by Hannaryz cheerleaders.
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Wara
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Wara going it for it, but is fouled instead.
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Fujiwara Takamichi for a free throw.
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The first of many shots of Chris Schlatter sinking in a ball.
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Free throw by Bostic.
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Reda
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All eyes on the ball.
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Going for it.
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An easy one by Mike Hall #23
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Happy high fives with the Lakestars as they start to smell victory.
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Lakestars boosters were a loud bunch.
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Lakes still leading in the 3rd period.
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Looks like the cheerleader uniforms can be called "hannari." Although I prefer shorts or skirts on cheerleaders.
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Josh and Chris
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Abdul-Rauf don't look 40.
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Mike Hall and Lakestars head coach Robert Pierce.
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Bobby Nash #33 goes for 3 points.
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Iwasa Jun is easy to spot with his skin head.
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Hannaryz cheerleaders occupy timeouts.
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Lakestars boosters.
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Tip-off
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Iwasa Jun wants the ball from Fujiwara.
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Bob Pierce
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Chris sinks in another one.
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It went in.
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Lakestars still lead at the end the 3rd period.
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Another slingshot.
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Chris taking the ball.
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Chris scoring another 2 points.
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Luke trying to block.
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Jun and Wara again.
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Joho trying to get away.
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Another successful layup by Chris.
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Joho makes many dramatic moves. I’ve seen him play a few times with the Tokyo Apache and he was a valuable and popular player there too. He was traded to Shiga at the last minute.
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Josh
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Two team captains at each other.
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Mike Hall
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Reda scores
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Mike Hall gets a Halloween face from John Clifford #44.
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Reda
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Joho was the Lakestars' crowd favorite. They were shouting his name (JOHO! JOHO!) a few times, even after the game ended.
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Final score: Hannaryz 73, Lakestars 82. I can sympathize with Kyoto losing its debut game in the bj-league. The Lakestars also lost its debut game a year ago.
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Victory huddle
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Lakestars bowing to the crowd.
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Hannaryz
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David Benoit congratulates the Lakestars for their win. However, he got his revenge the next day when the Hannaryz beat the Lakestars 85-81.
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The Lakestars shake hands with fans as they leave the court.
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The Shiga Lakestars played against Osaka Evessa on Oct. 24-25, 2009 at Moriyama Shimin Taiikukan gym, a short bus ride from Moriyama Station. Special shuttle buses ran from the station to the gym.
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Path to the gym entrance is lined with Lakestars banners.
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Outside the gm entrance is this food stand selling Bobby Nash's Locomoco (sunny-side up egg on a hamburger on a bowl of rice) and team captain Fujiwara Takamichi's curry rice.
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Moriyama gym entrance.
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Door to the Moriyama gym.
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Entrance lobby is decorated with player cutouts. We had to take off our shoes when entering the Moriyama gym. Slippers were provided.
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Official Shiga Lakestars merchandise.
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Cheerleaders perform.
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Introduction of Osaka Evessa players.
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Introduction of Shiga Lakestars players.
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Head coach Robert Pierce chats with an ardent fan in a wheelchair.
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Introduction of starting five. This is Luke Zellar.
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Tip-off at about 5 pm between the Shiga Lakestars and Osaka Evessa.
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Wara tries for one.
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Mike Hall #23 with the ball.
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View from upper level for free seating costing 1,800 yen (advance tickets).
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Luke Zellar #40 rises to the occasion.
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Fujiwara Takamichi #11, team captain. Nickname is "Wara."
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Luke Zellar #40 for a free throw.
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Many homemade banners cheering the Lakestars.
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Fujiwara Takamichi #11
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Fujiwara Takamichi #11 for a free throw.
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Kojima Yuta #03 going up.
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Osaka Evessa proved to be a strong team as the score went neck to neck throughout the game. The Lakestars managed to keep up with Evessa even after falling behind a few times.
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Gary Hamilton #2
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Evessa head coach Tennichi Kensaku (center) talks to his team during a timeout.
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Kojima Yuta #03 passing the ball.
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Fujiwara Takamichi #11
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Osaka provided an exciting game as the score kept see-sawing between the two teams.
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Ogawa Shinya #5
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Chris Schlatter #4
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Joho Masashi #31 trying the keep the ball away from the long arm of an Evessa player.
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Shiga Lakestars Joho Masashi #31
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Gary Hamilton #2
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Mike Hall #23
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Joho Masashi #31. During this game, I got a lot of good shots of Joho.
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Magnee, official mascot, and Lakestars cheerleaders.
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Horikawa Ryuichi #8 looking for someone.
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Bobby Nash #33
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Free throw game. People who sunk the ball in received a small prize.
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Lakestars trail Evessa at halftime. The Lakestars never allowed Osaka to lead by more than several points.
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Lakestars defense.
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Joho Masashi #31
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Caught in the act. Joho being fouled.
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Gary Hamilton for free throw.
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Magnee in the stands.
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Joho Masashi #31
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Joho Masashi #31 for a free throw.
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Gary passing to Bobby.
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Joho Masashi #31
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All eyes on the ball.
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Wara
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Bobby Nash goes for 3 points.
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Very close game even during the 3rd quarter.
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Wish I was on the other side of the court.
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The two head coaches watch at courtside.
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Joho Masashi #31
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Joho Masashi #31
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Shinya
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Mike Hall
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Firing up Lakestars fans.
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Wara gives the signal.
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Still tied with less than 4 min. left in the game. Very exciting. The crowd either roared each time the Lakestars scored or sighed each time they missed.
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High five between Joho and Wara.
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High five between Gary Hamilton #2 and Bobby Nash #33.
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Lakestars cheerleaders and Magnee in a corner.
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Even Magnee booed the Evessa free throw.
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Going for the rebound.
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Joho
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Lakestars cheerleaders in black.
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In a hard-fought match, the Shiga Lakestars sqeaked by Osaka Evessa 66-64. They beat Osaka the next day as well, 83-80 in another close game. With 6 wins and 2 losses so far, the Lakestars head the Western Conference.
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After you enter the gym, there are the usual Lakestars souvenir stand.
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Magnee, Shiga Lakestars' official mascot.
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Shiga Lakestars cheerleaders performing at their first home game in Shiga for the 2009-2010 season.
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A few of the cheerleaders from last season have remained, while the others are new for this season.
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Shiga Lakestars cheerleaders perform during pre-game activities.
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Introduction of Takamatsu Five Arrows players.
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Introduction of Takamatsu Five Arrows players.
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Introduction of Shiga Lakestars players.
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Shiga Lakestars pose with their escorts. They held a few children's basketball games before the main vent.
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As both teams warm up on the court, the cheerleaders teach the crowd how to cheer during the game.
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GO! GO! LAKES!!
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Lakes is the nickname for the Lakestars.
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GO! GO! LAKES!!
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Boosters behind the Lakestars bench.
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Bobby Nash fan.
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National anthem. The waving flag is an animated video image.
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Introduction of the starting five players for the Five Arrows.
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Introduction of the starting five players for the Lakestars.
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One corridor in the gym is lined with large cutouts of the Lakestars.
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Team huddle before tip-off.
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Both teams shake hands.
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Game tip-off at 5 pm between the Shiga Lakestars and Takamatsu Five Arrows.
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Bobby Nash shoots for 3 points early on.
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Gary Hamilton
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