 Most viewed - Shiga Lakestars vs. Takamatsu Five Arrows at Hikone 2009.10.31 |
The Shiga Lakestars played against Takamatsu Five Arrows again on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2009 at Hikone Shimin Taiiku Center gym, a 20-min. walk from Hikone Station. These photos were taken on Oct. 31, 2009.446 views
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If you feel down or depressed, see a basketball game to cheer you up.93 views
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Head Coach Robert Pierce high five with the crowd.91 views
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Japanese players high five with the crowd.85 views
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According to legend, one day, Ii Naotaka, the third lord of Hikone Castle, was doing falconry in Tokyo and was near a temple when he saw this cat raising its paw. He was led inside the temple where he was able to rest inside.82 views
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Hiko-nyan and Magnee fires up the crowd. Hiko-nyan is a white cat wearing a red samurai helmet modeled after the one worn by Lord Ii Naomasa, the first lord of Hikone Castle.79 views
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Magnee and cheerleaders. 77 views
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Magnee playing around.76 views
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Cheerleader on roller blades.68 views
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Like a big party.65 views
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Victorious American players high five with the crowd.63 views
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Luke Zellar on a free throw and Coach Pierce looks on.60 views
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Shinya also talked.59 views
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Luke Zellar was all alone when he sped down the court and dunked this one. Huge cheers ensued. This is what we come to see.58 views
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The game's MVP was Gary Hamilton who was awarded with a gas heater from Osaka Gas.57 views
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The Shiga Lakestars are on a roll with five home game victories in a row, putting them in 1st place in the Western Conference. Team morale must be high.57 views
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Introduction of starting five. This is Gary Hamilton #2. Unfortunately, team captain Fujiwara Takamichi got a dislocated shoulder and is on the disabled list.56 views
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Entrance lobby is decorated with player cutouts. We had to take off our shoes when entering the Hikone gym. Slippers were provided.55 views
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Special guest Hiko-nyan enters the gym and gives high fives to spectators. A most welcome guest for the Lakestars' for the first time in Hikone.55 views
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Hiko-nyan shakes hands with Shiga Lakestars Head Coach Robert Pierce as amused players look on. Note that Hiko-nyan is not related to Hello Kitty. The Japanese really love their cats. Shiga has other mascots modeled after cats.55 views
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Cheerleaders encourage people to join the Lakestars booster club.55 views
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No hot pants for this game. Looks like they wear only two outfits (out of the four I've seen so far) per game.55 views
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Coach Pierce gives a heated pep talk during a break.55 views
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Shiga Lakestar cheerleaders always do a great job when firing up the crowd, whether it's "DEFENSE!!" or "GO GO LAKES!!"55 views
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Cheerleaders perform.54 views
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Shiga Lakestars cheerleaders in their long-pants outfit with windows. Cheerleaders are also athletes in their own right.54 views
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Shinya53 views
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Dancing to Y.M.C.A. (sung by the Village People) at halftime.53 views
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During halftime, they held the free throw game for spectators. They gave a little prize to those who got the ball in.53 views
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Luke and Bobby rest up.53 views
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She's glowing.53 views
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This legendary cat connection gave birth to the idea behind Hiko-nyan. This same legend is also one theory for the origin of the ubiquitous beckoning cat you see at shops and restaurants in Japan. The beckoning cat can be called Hiko-nyan's cousin.52 views
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A major thunderstorm ensued, and the cat saved him from getting wet. Another legend says that as soon as the cat beckoned Naotaka into the temple, lightning struck the tree where he was standing. Thus, the cat saved his life.52 views
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Tip-off at about 5 pm between the Shiga Lakestars and Takamatsu Five Arrows in Hikone.52 views
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Sometimes they wear this silver dress, and sometimes a black cowboy outfit.52 views
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Joho helps up a Takamatsu player who crashed into a billboard.52 views
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The Lakestars led most of the way so it wasn't a cliffhanger game like with Osaka Evessa the weekend before.52 views
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Head Coach Bob Pierce thanks the crowd for coming and urges them to come again to support the Lakestars. (Will do.)52 views
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Posing with local kids basketball players who also served as the player escorts during the introductions.51 views
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Shiga Lakestars official mascot Magnee also welcomed Hiko-nyan to their first game in Hikone. Hiko-nyan is one of Japan's most famous and popular PR mascot characters. So popular that Hikone retained this cat as its official mascot indefinitely.51 views
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Head Coach Robert Pierce and Assistant Coach Ishibashi Takatoshi.51 views
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Joho Masashi #3151 views
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Coach Pierce reacts.51 views
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Bobby on defense.51 views
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Defense!51 views
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Chris Schlatter #4 going for 3 points.51 views
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Final score: 93-79. The Shiga Lakestars win their fifth home game in a row. However, on the next day, they lost their first home game of the season as Takamatsu took revenge and won handily 81-91.51 views
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Current standings: Shiga Lakestars lead the Western Conference with 6 wins 2 losses. (7 wins 3 losses after the weekend was over)50 views
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Official Shiga Lakestars merchandise.50 views
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Introduction of Shiga Lakestars players. This is Chris Schlatter.50 views
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Hiko-nyan gives a big hello to the crowd. Hiko-nyan was created as the official mascot for the 400th anniversary celebration of Hikone Castle held in 2007. "Hiko" refers to Hikone, and "nyan" is a baby word for cat.50 views
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Both teams shake hands.50 views
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Bobby Nash #3350 views
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Entanglement50 views
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Free throw by Takamatsu Five Arrows.50 views
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DEFENSE!50 views
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Mike Hall #2350 views
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Bobby gives a signal as he plays point guard with Fujiwara disabled and Shinya fouled out of the game.50 views
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Mike Hall50 views
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Ogawa Shinya gives Hiko-nyan a hug.49 views
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Hikone Shimin Taiiku Center gym49 views
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Free throw by Gary Hamilton #2.49 views
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The Shiga Lakestars cheerleaders wear a new outfit, a shimmering silver miniskirt. They wore it for the first time during the game with Osaka on Oct. 25, 2009.49 views
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Ogawa Shinya #549 views
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Bobby Nash #3349 views
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Kids49 views
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Gary with the ball.49 views
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Butterfingers again.49 views
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Takamatsu scores first.48 views
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Bobby Nash #33 looking to pass.48 views
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Joho Masashi #3148 views
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Shiga Lakestars cheerleaders and Magnee.48 views
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KOJIMA Yuta #0348 views
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Luke Zellar #4048 views
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Score after the 1st period. Lakestars trail by 1 point.48 views
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Takamatsu swarms Gary Hamilton.48 views
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Joho48 views
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Butterfingers48 views
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Lakestars still lead at the end of the 3rd period: 71-5948 views
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Ogawa Shinya #5, local boy from Nagahama.48 views
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Closing speeches48 views
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Entrance to the gym in Hikone. It was the first time for the Lakestars to play a home game in Hikone.47 views
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The cheerleaders perform during most timeouts, even for 20 sec.47 views
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Joho taking it down.47 views
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Score at halftime: Lakestars lead 50-43.47 views
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Mike Hall shoots.47 views
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Shinya46 views
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