Image search results - "game" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "game"

Entrance to Ariake Colosseum for the game between Tokyo Apache and Toyama Grouses on Dec. 27, 2008.

Sign for Tokyo Apache vs. Toyama Grouses on Dec. 27, 2008.

Division standings as of Dec. 21, 2008. Tokyo Apache in 1st place, and Grouses in last place among the six teams in the Eastern conference of the bj-league.

Uniform replica for sale.

T-shirts for sale.

Towels

Join the Tokyo Apache booster club.

Pregame entertainment by the Tokyo Apache Dance Team (equivalent to cheerleaders). Unfortunately, pro basketball is still a minor sport in Japan. Few people klnow about the bj-league and the teams. Many people in Tokyo have never heard of Tokyo Apache.

It's a shame because it's quite entertaining to watch bj-league basketball games. They are geared for entertainment before and during the game.

Ticket prices are also inexpensive. Perhaps they should offer 500 yen tickets on special campaign days so more people will come out to watch.

The basketball players also service the fans with autographs and handshakes before and after the game.

Tokyo Apache team members are introduced as they go through a gauntlet of cheerleaders.

Ariake can get quiote cold in winter though. They might turn on the heater or they might not.

The Tokyo Apache Dance Team girls swirl around as the player passes through.

Some practice shots.

Tip off

John "Helicopter" Humphrey

Masashi Joho

Tokyo Apache Dance Team do their stuff during time outs. They are the cheerleaders who appear on Saturday games.

Half-time show by Tokyo Apache Dance Team.

Darin Maki

A foul by Babacar Camara led to a brief scuffle between him and John Humphrey. After some deliberation by the referees, both were expelled from the game.

Jun Iwasa

Cohey Aoki

Cohey

Sponsors

Skills Challenge was held during halftime. Several contestants try to dribble through a course for shooting and passing a basketball.

Tokyo Apache team bench.

GumQ kids are very well trained.

Full of pep and vitality. Great for basketball games.

Dunk shot by John Humphrey.

Dunk shot progression.

Babacar Camara again as John's nemesis.

Coach Bryant advises John.

Cohey for a free throw.

Team huddle

Joho for a free throw.

A sweet victory by the Tokyo Apache following a defeat the day before.

Joe Bryant

Toyama Grouses head coach Takatoshi Ishibashi, a former player for the Grouses.

Tokyo Apache head coach Joe Bryant (Kobe's dad) is upbeat after his win as he talks to the press through an interpreter.

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.

Basketball fans entering Kyoto City Gymnasium. The Hannaryz is the thirteenth and newest franchise in the bj-league pro basketball league in Japan.

Inside the lobby of the gym are cutouts of the Hannaryz players.

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.

Soon after we entered the gym, they started introducing the players.

Hannaryz mascot named "Chin-tiger" (baby tiger).

Chin-tiger shoots but misses.

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.

The Hannaryz booster club is called Fannaryz, promoted here by TV idol Yasuda Misako who is from Kyoto.

Kyoto Hannaryz

bj-league commissioner Kawachi Toshimitsu gives a few words to open the game.

Wearing an autographed Hannaryz T-shirt, the mayor of Kyoto city also speaks.

Pregame entertainment by the Hannaryz cheerleaders.

Introduction of Lakestars players. Joho Masashi.

Luke Zellar.

Introduction of Hannaryz players.

Introduction of Hannaryz head coach David Benoit (pronounced ""Benwa").

Both teams start practicing on court.

Hannaryz practicing.

Lakestars practicing.

First the cheerleaders wore these black T-shirts and red, harem-style pants. At first, I thought they were hula dancers.

Upon the introduction of Lakestars players, each one greeted opposing head coach David Benoit. This is Luke Zellar.

Introduction of starting five for Hannaryz.

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.

Kyoto Hannaryz debut game tip-off.

Super tall Reda Rhalimi #55 with the ball as the Lakestars put up a great defense.

Bobby Nash passing in front of 40-year-old Mahmould Abdul-Rauf.

Josh Bostic going up against many men in white.

No stepping back for Gary Hamilton #2.

Hannaryz takes an early lead within the first five minutes of the game.

Joho Masashi runs down the court.

See all players on both teams.

Bobby Nash #33 goes for 3 points.

Shiga Lakestars Gary Hamilton #2

Shiga Lakestars boosters booing a Hannaryz free throw.

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.

Lakestars captain Fujiwara Takamichi #11.

Iwasa Jun #5 is covered.

Chris Schlatter #4

Gary Hamilton

Hannaryz scores.

An almost-full Kyoto City Gymnasium in Nishi-Kyogoku Sports Park near Nishi-Kyogoku Station on the Hankyu Line.

During a break, the cheerleaders got out a giant slingshot to shoot a prize into the crowd.

Hannaryz mascot and cheerleaders. Dig those zori slippers they are wearing. No cartwheels in those things.

Man-to-man defense.

Ogawa Shinya #5 and Takushi Naoto #1, Hannaryz captain.

Joho Masashi #31 and Iwasa Jun #5 were former teammates with Tokyo Apache.

Shinya takes the ball.

Hannaryz head coach David Benoit calmly looks on as his team trails the Lakestars.

Kawabe Taizo #11

Reda Rhalimi really stands out.

Mike Hall #23

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.