B2 League Round 9: Leader Nishinomiya S. loses to Tokyo Z

It's still too early stage of the Regular Season in B2 League, but even now we can clearly see the differece between stronger teams and outsiders. The round was rather attractive and full of interesting results. The round ended with defeat of the leader and favorites losing the games. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Top ranked Nishinomiya S. (7-2) recorded its second loss on the court of sixth ranked Tokyo Z on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by Tokyo Z 72-68. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nishinomiya S.. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tokyo Z made 8 blocks. The best player for the winners was American forward Kyle Casey (201-90, college: Harvard) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Nigerian-American center Nnanna Egwu (211-92, college: Illinois) chipped in 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Brad Waldow (208-91, college: St.Mary's, CA, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds. Tokyo Z have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Nishinomiya S. at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Tokyo Z will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nishinomiya S. will play at home against Koshigaya A. and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Tsukuba. Fourth ranked Ibaraki R. (4-5) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Yamagata (3-6) 87-86 in the game for the third place. It was a good game for American-Azerbaijani forward Niklas Caner-Medley (203-83, college: Maryland, agency: BeoBasket) who saved his team from a defeat with a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 9 assists. Josei Maniwa contributed with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American guard Torian Graham (196-93, college: ASU) answered with 38 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds for Yamagata. Yamagata's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Ibaraki R. moved-up to third place which they share with defeated Yamagata. Yamagata lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the third position with six games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Ibaraki R. will play against Kumamoto V. (#4) on the road in the next round. Yamagata will play against Tokyo EX and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Aomori W. (3-5) against sixth ranked Fukushima (3-4) on Wednesday night. Host Aomori W. was defeated by Fukushima in Aomori 91-74. Tshilidzi Nephawe stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Angelo Chol with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukushima moved-up to fourth place. Loser Aomori W. dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. Fukushima will meet at home FE Nagoya (#4) in the next round. Aomori W. will play against the league's leader Dragonflies and hope to secure a win.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Tokyo EX (6-1) against fourth ranked FE Nagoya (5-4) on Wednesday night. Visiting Tokyo EX was crushed by FE Nagoya in Nagoya 96-62. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Tokyo EX. Josh Hawkinson nailed a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. FE Nagoya moved-up to second place, which they share with Sendai 89ers. Newly promoted Tokyo EX keeps the second position with one game lost. FE Nagoya's next round opponent will be Fukushima (#4) on the road. Tokyo EX will play against Yamagata and hope to win that game.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Sendai. First ranked Gunma faced second-best Sendai 89ers. Guests from Gunma (7-1) defeated host Sendai 89ers (5-4) 71-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sendai 89ers. The best player for the winners was Rosco Allen who scored 24 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gunma have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-1 record. Loser Sendai 89ers keep the second position with four games lost. Gunma will face Orange Vikings (#3) in Matsuyama in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sendai 89ers will play at home against Bambitious N. and hope to win that game.

Other games of round 9 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Shinshu BW crushed Koshigaya A. in Nagano 92-63. Hiroshima D. beat Fukuoka R. at home 88-82. Kumamoto V. lost to Kagawa FA on the opponent's court 71-79. Ehime OV managed to outperform Bambitious N. in a home game 74-64.

Aomori W. - Fukushima 74-91

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Aomori W. (3-5) against sixth ranked Fukushima (3-4) on Wednesday night. Host Aomori W. was defeated by Fukushima in Aomori 91-74. Fukushima outrebounded Aomori W. 43-29 including 18 on the offensive glass. South African center Tshilidzi Nephawe (208-89, college: N.Mexico St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 20 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and American forward Shaheed Davis (206-94, college: UCF) chipped in 27 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was South Sudanese-American forward Angelo Chol (206-93, college: San Diego St.) with 21 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Toshio Kan (184-94) scored 9 points and 7 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukushima moved-up to fourth place. Loser Aomori W. dropped to the fifth position with five games lost. Fukushima will meet at home FE Nagoya (#4) in the next round. Aomori W. will play against the league's leader Dragonflies and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: S.Davis 27+9reb+1ast, T.Nephawe 19+20reb+4ast, S.Muto 16+5reb+4ast, Y.Yosuke 8, K.Kikuyama 6, D.Suzuki 5+2reb+2ast
Aomori W.: A.Chol 21+9reb, T.Sano 13+1reb, K.Monma 9+5reb+1ast, T.Kan 9+4reb+7ast, D.Shimoyama 5+1reb, L.Jackson 5+5reb+4ast

Sendai 89ers - Gunma 63-71

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Sendai. First ranked Gunma faced second-best Sendai 89ers. Guests from Gunma (7-1) defeated host Sendai 89ers (5-4) 71-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sendai 89ers. The best player for the winners was Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-93, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 24 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Nigerian forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee CC) chipped in 10 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Daniel Miller (211-91, college: Georgia Tech) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds and point guard Takeshi Shingo (175-95) added 16 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gunma have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 7-1 record. Loser Sendai 89ers keep the second position with four games lost. Gunma will face Orange Vikings (#3) in Matsuyama in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Sendai 89ers will play at home against Bambitious N. and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Gunma: R.Allen 24+8reb+8ast, M.Komaki 10+3reb, A.Kuso 10+5reb+2ast, K.Shinkawa 8+2reb, S.Fumiya 6+1reb, D.Sakamoto 5+2reb
Sendai 89ers: D.Miller 18+16reb+2ast, S.Takeshi 16+8reb+3ast, J.Tillman 9+7reb+2ast, T.Shirato 8+3reb, K.Sawabe 7+4reb+3ast, S.Izumi 3+1reb+3ast

Koshigaya A. - Shinshu BW 63-92

There was no surprise in Tokyo where 5th ranked Koshigaya A. (2-7) was crushed by third ranked Shinshu BW (6-1) 92-63 on Wednesday. Shinshu BW forced 22 Koshigaya A. turnovers and outrebounded them 36-25 including 26 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was Spanish-Dominican Orlando Sanchez (206-88, college: St.John's) who scored 22 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Naturalized American guard Louis Kurihara (188-96, college: Whittier) chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Shinshu BW players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Charles Hinkle (198-88, college: American) who recorded 20 points and Takeshi Hasegawa (196-84) added 7 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Shinshu BW. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Tokyo EX. Newly promoted Koshigaya A. keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. Shinshu BW will have a break next round. Koshigaya A. will play on the road against the league's leader Nishinomiya S. (#1) in Hyogo and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: O.Sanchez 22+8reb+5ast, L.Kurihara 14+7reb+4ast, A.McHenry 13+4reb+5ast, S.Watanabe 13+3reb+4ast, K.Mitsui 12+1reb, I.Ryo 6+1reb
Koshigaya A.: C.Hinkle 20+4reb+3ast, K.Reo 13+3reb, H.Iida 8+3reb+5ast, T.Hasegawa 7+9reb+8ast, S.Tatsuya 5+2reb+2ast, S.Tamura 5+2reb+1ast

Tokyo Z - Nishinomiya S. 72-68

Top ranked Nishinomiya S. (7-2) recorded its second loss on the court of sixth ranked Tokyo Z on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by Tokyo Z 72-68. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Nishinomiya S.. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tokyo Z made 8 blocks. The best player for the winners was American forward Kyle Casey (201-90, college: Harvard) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (went 10 for 10 at the free throw line !!!). Nigerian-American center Nnanna Egwu (211-92, college: Illinois) chipped in 15 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Brad Waldow (208-91, college: St.Mary's, CA, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds and the other American import guard Draelon Burns (194-85, college: DePaul) added 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 steals respectively. Tokyo Z have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Nishinomiya S. at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Tokyo Z will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nishinomiya S. will play at home against Koshigaya A. and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: K.Casey 22+10reb+3ast, N.Egwu 15+9reb+3ast, H.Kotaro 14+1reb+9ast, T.Masuko 12+3reb, S.Takayama 6+3reb, T.Nihira 3+1reb
Nishinomiya S.: B.Waldow 16+14reb+1ast, D.Burns 14+5reb+7ast, N.Tani 14+4reb+1ast, K.Matsuzaki 8+3reb+2ast, N.Dohara 8+5reb+2ast, K.Atsuki 6+2reb+1ast

FE Nagoya - Tokyo EX 96-62

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Tokyo EX (6-1) against fourth ranked FE Nagoya (5-4) on Wednesday night. Visiting Tokyo EX was crushed by FE Nagoya in Nagoya 96-62. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Tokyo EX. FE Nagoya made 19-of-25 charity shots (76.0 percent) during the game. FE Nagoya had a 33-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American forward Josh Hawkinson (208-95, college: WSU, agency: Wasserman) nailed a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-95, college: WKU) accounted for 16 points and 9 rebounds. American center Ryan Stephan (208-94, college: Colorado Mesa) came up with 25 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import forward Jordan Faison (201-94, college: Cal Poly Pomona) added 22 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Tokyo EX in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. FE Nagoya moved-up to second place, which they share with Sendai 89ers. Newly promoted Tokyo EX keeps the second position with one game lost. FE Nagoya's next round opponent will be Fukushima (#4) on the road. Tokyo EX will play against Yamagata and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: J.Hawkinson 19+10reb, B.Lawson 16+9reb+2ast, Y.Miyazaki 12+3reb+2ast, E.Yamamoto 9+1reb+5ast, J.Kano 9+3reb, K.Sugimoto 9+2reb+3ast
Tokyo EX: R.Stephan 25+9reb, J.Faison 22+6reb+2ast, A.Tanno 5+4reb+2ast, T.Sano 3, K.Ogura 3+1reb, D.Taguchi 2+4reb+2ast

Hiroshima D. - Fukuoka R. 88-82

No shocking result in a game in Hiroshima where first ranked Dragonflies (8-1) defeated 6th ranked Fukuoka R. (1-8) 88-82 on Wednesday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Dragonflies made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game, while Fukuoka R. only scored seven points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-90, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 31 points and 17 rebounds. American forward Thomas Kennedy (201-87, college: Detroit Mercy) chipped in 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American swingman Sean Marshall (198-85, college: Boston Coll., agency: Inception Sports) who recorded 24 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import center Nick Washburn (208-91, college: Hillsdale, agency: Duran International) added 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Four Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Dragonflies. They maintain first place with 8-1 record. Loser Fukuoka R. keeps the sixth position with eight games lost. Dragonflies will face Aomori W. (#5) on the road in the next round. Fukuoka R. will play against the league's second-placed Kagawa FA in Takamatsu and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: G.Echenique 31+17reb, T.Kennedy 23+7reb+6ast, S.Asayama 12+2reb+2ast, H.Okamoto 9+3reb+4ast, T.Furuno 8+5reb+5ast, T.Ozawa 3+2reb+2ast
Fukuoka R.: S.Marshall 24+6reb+3ast, S.Murakami 17+1reb+3ast, N.Washburn 14+10reb+5ast, T.Komoda 11+4reb+2ast, B.Aoki 10+2reb+2ast, M.Joho 6+5reb+5ast

Kagawa FA - Kumamoto V. 79-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 3rd placed Kumamoto V.'s (3-6) road loss to second ranked Kagawa FA (5-2) 71-79 on Wednesday. Kagawa FA made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was guard Terrance Woodbury (201-87, college: Georgia) who scored 38 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!). Forward Kevin Kotzur (203-89, college: St.Mary's, TX) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 19 rebounds. Woodbury is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was power forward Gavin Ware (206-93, college: Mississippi St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and center David Weaver (207-87, college: Wake Forest) added 18 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) respectively. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Kagawa FA. They maintain second place with 5-2 record having 2 victories less than leader Hiroshima D. Loser Kumamoto V. keeps the third position with six games lost. Kagawa FA will face Fukuoka R. (#6) at home in the next round. Kumamoto V. will play against Ibaraki R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: T.Woodbury 38+5reb+6ast, K.Kotzur 15+19reb+2ast, M.Abe 9+2reb, T.Kanji 5+2reb+1ast, K.Fujioka 4, T.Kodama 4+3reb+2ast
Kumamoto V.: G.Ware 23+12reb+4ast, D.Weaver 18+8reb+2ast, K.Ishikawa 9+3reb+7ast, R.Nakanishi 8+2reb+2ast, R.Motomura 6+6reb+2ast, T.Kida 5+2reb+3ast

Ehime OV - Bambitious N. 74-64

Everything could happen in Matsuyama at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Orange Vikings and 4th placed Bambitious N. had identical 2-6 record. This time Orange Vikings used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Nara 74-64 on Wednesday night. Orange Vikings had a 44-28 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American forward Chehales Tapscott (195-90, college: Portland St.) who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 16 rebounds. American-Puerto Rican center Chris Brady (208-95, college: Monmouth) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds. Four Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-90, college: Oklahoma) who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import Greg Mangano (208-89, college: Yale, agency: Octagon Europe) added 9 points and 18 rebounds respectively. Orange Vikings (3-6) moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Bambitious N. dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. Orange Vikings will face league's leader Gunma at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bambitious N. will play against the league's second-placed Sendai 89ers (#2) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: C.Tapscott 34+16reb+1ast, K.Takabatake 12+4reb+1ast, T.Iju 11+3reb+1ast, C.Brady 11+14reb+3ast, T.Kasahara 4+8reb+6ast, M.Tate 2+3reb
Bambitious N.: A.Fitzgerald 19+12reb+4ast, N.Yutaro 15+2reb+2ast, G.Mangano 9+18reb+3ast, Y.Yokoe 7+1reb+4ast, J.Honda 6+2ast, K.Taneichi 5+5reb

Ibaraki R. - Yamagata 87-86

Important game to mention about took place in Tsukuba. Fourth ranked Ibaraki R. (4-5) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Yamagata (3-6) 87-86 in the game for the third place. Ibaraki R. dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Yamagata's 34. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 29 assists. It was a good game for American-Azerbaijani forward Niklas Caner-Medley (203-83, college: Maryland, agency: BeoBasket) who saved his team from a defeat with a double-double by scoring 43 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 9 assists. Swingman Josei Maniwa (193-86) contributed with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. American guard Torian Graham (196-93, college: ASU) answered with 38 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds and Nigerian forward Chukwudiebere Maduabum (206-91) added 15 points and 13 rebounds in the effort for Yamagata. Yamagata's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Ibaraki R. moved-up to third place which they share with defeated Yamagata. Yamagata lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the third position with six games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Ibaraki R. will play against Kumamoto V. (#4) on the road in the next round. Yamagata will play against Tokyo EX and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: N.Caner-Medley 43+13reb+9ast, J.Maniwa 13+5reb+7ast, A.Hirao 8+5reb+3ast, K.Fukuzawa 8+2reb+3ast, Y.Takahashi 6+3reb+2ast, D.Sidate 5+3reb
Yamagata: T.Graham 38+6reb+3ast, C.Maduabum 15+13reb+3ast, S.Kouno 9+1reb+5ast, Y.Sekido 7+3reb, Y.Nakajima 7+4reb+2ast, R.Iwata 4+2reb+1ast



Tags : KYLE CASEY, EARTHFRIENDS TOKYO Z, JAPANESE BASKETBALL