After an awful 8-44 campaign in 2008-09, the Oita HeatDevils entered this season with a number of questions marks.

Fast forward to this weekend. Entering a tough series against the Shiga Lakestars, the HeatDevils faced the prospect of needing four straight wins — and a dose of good fortune — to have a shot at earning the bj-league's fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Oita (24-25) will fall short of reaching that goal, but, by all accounts, first-year coach Brian Rowsom's club, has had a successful season as it returned to respectability.