Tokyo Apache vs. Toyama Grouses 東京アパッチ vs 富山グラウジーズ
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Ariake Coliseum (Colosseum) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, near Odaiba. One of Tokyo Apache's home courts in Tokyo. Easily accessible via Yurikamome Line (Ariake Station) and Rinkai Line (Kokusai Tenjijo Station). 有明コロシアム
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Entrance to Ariake Colosseum for the game between Tokyo Apache and Toyama Grouses on Dec. 27, 2008.
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Sign for Tokyo Apache vs. Toyama Grouses on Dec. 27, 2008.
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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.
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Uniform replica for sale.
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T-shirts for sale.
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Towels
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Join the Tokyo Apache booster club.
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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.
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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.
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Ticket prices are also inexpensive. Perhaps they should offer 500 yen tickets on special campaign days so more people will come out to watch.
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The basketball players also service the fans with autographs and handshakes before and after the game.
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Tokyo Apache team members are introduced as they go through a gauntlet of cheerleaders.
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Ariake can get quiote cold in winter though. They might turn on the heater or they might not.
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The Tokyo Apache Dance Team girls swirl around as the player passes through.
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Some practice shots.
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Tip off
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John "Helicopter" Humphrey
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Masashi Joho
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Tokyo Apache Dance Team do their stuff during time outs. They are the cheerleaders who appear on Saturday games.
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Half-time show by Tokyo Apache Dance Team.
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Darin Maki
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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.
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Jun Iwasa
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Cohey Aoki
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Cohey
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Sponsors
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Tokyo Apache Dance Team use a large towel as a prop.
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Progression of a dunk shot.
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Head coach Joe Bryant speaks to the crowd at the end of the game.
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Tokyo Apache is stunned by a defeat by the last-place team. Better luck the next day which I also attended.
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Sign for Tokyo Apache vs. Toyama Grouses on Dec. 28, 2008 at Ariake Colosseum.
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Fans entering Ariake Colosseum for the game between Tokyo Apache and Toyama Grouses on Dec. 28, 2008.
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Fans entering Ariake Colosseum for the game between Tokyo Apache and Toyama Grouses on Dec. 28, 2008.
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Autographed basketball.
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Signing autographs before the game.
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Masashi Joho signs autographs.
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Cheering section
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Kids basketball game
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A free throw game is one pregame activity.
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Pregame entertainment by Gum Q, a terrific dance troupe of kids who act as the team cheerleaders.
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Practice shots
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Tip off
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Going up against Babacar Camara.
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Gum Q
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Wow, GumQ were great performers.
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Some footwork by Masashi Joho.
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Nick Davis
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Sponsors
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Skills Challenge was held during halftime. Several contestants try to dribble through a course for shooting and passing a basketball.
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Tokyo Apache team bench.
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GumQ kids are very well trained.
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Full of pep and vitality. Great for basketball games.
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Dunk shot by John Humphrey.
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Dunk shot progression.
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Babacar Camara again as John's nemesis.
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Coach Bryant advises John.
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Cohey for a free throw.
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Team huddle
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Joho for a free throw.
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A sweet victory by the Tokyo Apache following a defeat the day before.
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Joe Bryant
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Toyama Grouses head coach Takatoshi Ishibashi, a former player for the Grouses.
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Tokyo Apache head coach Joe Bryant (Kobe's dad) is upbeat after his win as he talks to the press through an interpreter.
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