Shiga LakeStars vs. Toyama Grouses 2009.03.22
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Shiga Prefectural Cultural and Industrial Exchange Hall (Shiga Kenritsu Bunka Sangyo Koryu Kaikan) near Maibara Station. Venue of the bj-league pro basketball game between the Shiga LakeStars and Toyama Grouses on held on March 22, 2009.
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Shiga LakeStars sign on a nearby building.
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Entrance to Shiga Prefectural Cultural and Industrial Exchange Hall.
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Ticket gate inside Shiga Prefectural Cultural and Industrial Exchange Hall.
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Gauntlet of cutout players on the way to the court.
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Shiga LakeStars merchandise.
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Lobby of Shiga Prefectural Cultural and Industrial Exchange Hall.
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Inside the Shiga Prefectural Cultural and Industrial Exchange Hall prepared for the bj-league pro basketball game.
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The cheap seats were on the ends of the court which are designed badly with the railing obstructing the view.
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Pregame entertainment. A kids hiphop dance troupe from Nagahama performed.
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This was the last LakeStars game I watched for the 2008-09 season.
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Shiga LakeStars cheerleaders.
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LakeStars players introduced.
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Ryan Rourke, forward
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Bobby Nash my kohai (後輩) from University of Hawaii. They are escorted by local kids who play basketball.
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Robert Pierce, head coach.
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Cheerleaders in the stands to wake up the crowd. This was the second occasion for the LakeStars to play in Maibara.
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A fan is interviewed.
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The starting lineup is introduced. Bobby Nash.
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Game tipoff: Shiga LakeStars vs. Toyama Grouses
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DEFENSE!
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Bobby Nash #33
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Bobby Nash
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Fujiwara Takamichi, team captain
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Fujiwara Takamichi
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Shiga LakeStars cheerleaders
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Rumi
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Just when I finally became able to recognize the different faces of the cheerleaders (at first, they looked the same to me), the season ends, and they will be replaced next season.
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New LakeStars cheerleaders are already being recruited from May 2009 for the 2009-10 season.
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Brayden Billbe dunks one.
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Ryan Rourke goes for a successful layup.
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Ryan Rourke dunks it.
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Ryan Rourke
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They are cheering "YMCA."
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Hiphop kids from Nagahama perform at halftime.
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Team mascot Magnee, a catfish.
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Score near halftime. It was a close game throughout.
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Ray Schafer goes for a shot.
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Brayden Billbe
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Shiga LakeStars cheerleaders change their uniform and strut their stuff.
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They are good, they even won a cheerleading award in the bj-league.
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Ogawa Shinya, local boy from Nagahama.
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Cheering section for the Toyama Grouses, small, but still quite loud.
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Cheerleaders
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Line dance and kick
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Ray Schafer for a free throw.
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Next to me were noisy fans.
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Ogawa Shinya
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Bobby geevum!
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Bobby Nash for a free throw.
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Sorry, I can't remember the names of all the cheerleaders...
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But thanks to all the LakeStars cheerleaders for cheering and brightening up the games. Wish I could say, "Looking forward to seeing you next season," but they will be all gone and replaced by new girls.
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Brayden fan
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Ryan Rourke
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Ray going for it.
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Ray's dangly arms seem to cover half the court.
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Wara
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Head coach Robert Pierce is happy as the team leads the Grouses in last place.
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Team huddle
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All for one, and...
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Magnee
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LakeStars win 78-71.
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LakeStars chairs.
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Toyama Grouses head coach Takatoshi Ishibashi, a former player for the Grouses, takes the imminent loss calmly.
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Opposing teams shake hands at the end of the game.
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Robert Pierce interviewed.
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MVP award to Wara
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Ogawa Shinya
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High fives with the crowd.
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Ray gives a very high, high five.
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Autographs
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Bobby Nash gives autographs after the game.
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Ray's fan (maybe wife?)
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Ray's fans. And farewell to the LakeStars for 2008-09. I never saw them again this season. They won this game, but ended up in 5th place (out of 6 teams in the conference) and didn't make it to the playoffs.
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