B2 League Round 17: Dragonflies defeat Ibaraki R. in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Fourth-ranked Ibaraki R. (6-11) gave a tough game to first ranked Dragonflies (15-2) in Tsukuba on Sunday. The visitors from Hiroshima managed to secure only two-point victory 80-78. However their fans expected easier game. American power forward Jamari Traylor (203-92, college: Kansas) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-90, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 22 points and 13 rebounds. Nigerian forward Daniel Ochefu (211-93, college: Villanova) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Dragonflies have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 15-2 record. Ibaraki R. at the other side keeps the fourth position with 11 games lost. Dragonflies will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ibaraki R. will play on the road against FE Nagoya (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Kagawa FA (10-5) against sixth ranked Yamagata (4-13) on Sunday night. Visiting Kagawa FA was defeated by Yamagata in a tough game in Yamagata 86-90. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Torian Graham (196-93, college: ASU) nailed 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds for the winning side and Stephen Hurt accounted for 17 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Terrance Woodbury (201-87, college: Georgia) came up with 40 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Kagawa FA in the defeat. Yamagata moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fukuoka R. and Bambitious N. Kagawa FA at the other side keeps the second position with five games lost. Yamagata will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa FA will play at home against Tokyo EX and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Kumamoto V. (8-9) against fifth ranked Tokyo Z (5-12) on Monday night. Visiting Kumamoto V. was crushed by Tokyo Z in Tokyo 85-66. The best player for the winners was Takumi Masuko who scored 19 points and 7 assists. Tokyo Z's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kaito Ishikawa produced 15 points and 8 assists for the guests. Tokyo Z maintains fifth place with 5-12 record. Loser Kumamoto V. keeps the third position with nine games lost. Tokyo Z will meet Aomori W. (#5) on the road in the next round. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Tokyo EX (11-4) against sixth ranked Bambitious N. (4-13) on Tuesday night. Host Tokyo EX was defeated by Bambitious N. in a tough game in Tokyo 89-98. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tokyo EX. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Greg Mangano orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks. Bambitious N. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fukuoka R. and Yamagata. Newly promoted Tokyo EX keeps the third position with four games lost. Bambitious N.'s next round opponent will be higher ranked Fukushima (#3) at home and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tokyo EX will play against the league's second-placed Kagawa FA in Takamatsu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. 3rd placed host Fukushima (7-8) lost to second ranked Nishinomiya S. (13-4) 89-71. Brad Waldow stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Nishinomiya S.'s coach Mathias Fischer allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Nishinomiya S. maintains second place with 13-4 record having just two points less than leader Gunma. Loser Fukushima keeps the third position with eight games lost. Nishinomiya S. will face Fukuoka R. (#6) at home in the next round. Fukushima will play against Bambitious N. in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 17: Koshigaya A. lost to Sendai 89ers on the opponent's court 73-77. Fukuoka R. was outscored by Shinshu BW in a home game 68-105. Bambitious N. recorded a loss to Tokyo EX on the road 93-85. Tokyo Z was defeated by Kumamoto V. on its own court 63-78.

Sendai 89ers - Koshigaya A. 77-73

Very expected game when 6th ranked Koshigaya A. (3-14) was defeated on the road by second ranked Sendai 89ers (12-5) 77-73 on Sunday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Sendai 89ers made 25-of-28 free shots (89.3 percent) during the game. Strangely Koshigaya A. outrebounded Sendai 89ers 45-27 including a 22-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Koshigaya A. was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. American center Daniel Miller (211-91, college: Georgia Tech) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds for the winners and Keita Sawabe (184-95) chipped in 15 points and 6 assists. Five Sendai 89ers players scored in double figures. American power forward Alex Stepheson (208-87, college: USC) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 24 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import power forward Alex Jones (206-87, college: Seattle) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds. Koshigaya A.'s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the third consecutive win for Sendai 89ers. They maintain second place with 12-5 record having just three points less than leader Gunma. Koshigaya A. lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the sixth position with 14 games lost. Sendai 89ers will face league's leader Shinshu BW in Nagano in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Koshigaya A. will play at home against Orange Vikings (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: A.Stepheson 23+24reb+5ast, A.Jones 13+14reb, S.Tatsuya 12+1reb+3ast, K.Reo 9+1reb+1ast, H.Iida 6+2ast, S.Tamura 5+2reb+1ast
Sendai 89ers: S.Takeshi 15+2reb+3ast, K.Sawabe 15+3reb+6ast, D.Miller 13+15reb+2ast, T.Shirato 12+1reb+1ast, M.Kataoka 12+2reb+1ast, J.Tillman 5+3reb+3ast

Fukushima - Nishinomiya S. 71-89

The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. 3rd placed host Fukushima (7-8) lost to second ranked Nishinomiya S. (13-4) 89-71. Nishinomiya S. dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Fukushima's 36. They outrebounded Fukushima 39-27 including a 29-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Nishinomiya S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Fukushima's players. American center Brad Waldow (208-91, college: St.Mary's, CA, agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and center Jin Liu (202-90) chipped in 19 points and 12 rebounds. Four Nishinomiya S. players scored in double figures. Nishinomiya S.'s coach Mathias Fischer allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Shaheed Davis (206-94, college: UCF) responded with 31 points and 9 rebounds and guard Dai Suzuki (183-90) scored 14 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Nishinomiya S. maintains second place with 13-4 record having just two points less than leader Gunma. Loser Fukushima keeps the third position with eight games lost. Nishinomiya S. will face Fukuoka R. (#6) at home in the next round. Fukushima will play against Bambitious N. in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: S.Davis 31+9reb+3ast, D.Suzuki 14+2reb+5ast, Y.Kanbara 10+4reb+2ast, H.Kikuchi 4+4reb+2ast, S.Muto 4+6reb+1ast, Y.Yosuke 3
Nishinomiya S.: B.Waldow 26+12reb+1ast, J.Liu 19+12reb+2ast, N.Tani 14+1reb+5ast, J.Taniguchi 12+2reb+4ast, K.Atsuki 8+4reb+4ast, K.Matsuzaki 3+1reb+4ast

Fukuoka R. - Shinshu BW 68-105

Rather predictable result when second ranked Shinshu BW (13-2) smashed on the road 5th ranked Fukuoka R. (4-13) 105-68 on Sunday. Shinshu BW shot 60.7 percent from the field and made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Shinshu BW had a 33-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Fukuoka R.'s players. American center Wayne Marshall (211-86, college: Temple) stepped up and scored 22 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) for the winners and naturalized American guard Louis Kurihara (188-96, college: Whittier) chipped in 18 points. American power forward Kevinn Pinkney (207-83, college: Nevada, agency: SDJ Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import swingman Sean Marshall (198-85, college: Boston Coll., agency: Inception Sports) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. Five Shinshu BW and four Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Shinshu BW. They keep a position of league leader. Loser Fukuoka R. keeps the fifth place with 13 games lost. Shinshu BW will face league's second-placed Sendai 89ers at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukuoka R. will play against the league's second-placed Nishinomiya S. in Hyogo and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: S.Kanou 14+2reb+1ast, S.Marshall 13+5reb+3ast, S.Murakami 11+2ast, K.Pinkney 11+12reb, S.Ishitani 6+3ast, K.Tsutsumi 5+1reb+2ast
Shinshu BW: W.Marshall 22+9reb+3ast, L.Kurihara 18+3reb+3ast, T.Nishiyama 13+2reb+3ast, A.McHenry 12+4reb+7ast, Y.Inoue 10+6reb, K.Mitsui 9+2reb+1ast

Yamagata - Kagawa FA 90-86

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Kagawa FA (10-5) against sixth ranked Yamagata (4-13) on Sunday night. Visiting Kagawa FA was defeated by Yamagata in a tough game in Yamagata 86-90. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Torian Graham (196-93, college: ASU) nailed 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds for the winning side and forward Stephen Hurt (211-93, college: Kansas St.) accounted for 17 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Terrance Woodbury (201-87, college: Georgia) came up with 40 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Kevin Kotzur (203-89, college: St.Mary's, TX) added 18 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Kagawa FA in the defeat. Yamagata moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fukuoka R. and Bambitious N. Kagawa FA at the other side keeps the second position with five games lost. Yamagata will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa FA will play at home against Tokyo EX and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: T.Woodbury 40+6reb+4ast, K.Kotzur 18+20reb+5ast, T.Kodama 9+5reb+5ast, T.Tsukuba 8+2reb+2ast, M.Abe 7+1reb, Y.Yashiro 2+1ast
Yamagata: T.Graham 33+8reb+2ast, S.Hurt 17+13reb+7ast, S.Kouno 10+4ast, R.Iwata 9, Y.Wada 9+2reb+1ast, M.Okamoto 4+3ast

Ibaraki R. - Hiroshima D. 78-80

Fourth-ranked Ibaraki R. (6-11) gave a tough game to first ranked Dragonflies (15-2) in Tsukuba on Sunday. The visitors from Hiroshima managed to secure only two-point victory 80-78. However their fans expected easier game. American power forward Jamari Traylor (203-92, college: Kansas) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-90, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 22 points and 13 rebounds. Nigerian forward Daniel Ochefu (211-93, college: Villanova) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Daisuke Kobayashi (188-87) scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Dragonflies have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain first place with 15-2 record. Ibaraki R. at the other side keeps the fourth position with 11 games lost. Dragonflies will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ibaraki R. will play on the road against FE Nagoya (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: K.Fukuzawa 24+1reb+2ast, D.Kobayashi 17+7reb+5ast, D.Ochefu 14+11reb+5ast, J.Maniwa 11+4reb+5ast, A.Hirao 8+3reb+4ast, D.Sidate 4+2reb+2ast
Hiroshima D.: J.Traylor 25+12reb+7ast, G.Echenique 22+13reb+2ast, T.Ozawa 12+2reb+2ast, S.Asayama 10+3reb+1ast, H.Okamoto 6+2ast, A.Yamada 4+3ast

Tokyo Z - Kumamoto V. 85-66

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Kumamoto V. (8-9) against fifth ranked Tokyo Z (5-12) on Monday night. Visiting Kumamoto V. was crushed by Tokyo Z in Tokyo 85-66. Tokyo Z dominated down low during the game scoring 40 of its points in the paint compared to Kumamoto V.'s 16. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was guard Takumi Masuko (186-91) who scored 19 points and 7 assists. Nigerian-American center Nnanna Egwu (211-92, college: Illinois) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 12 rebounds. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. Tokyo Z's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Kaito Ishikawa (188-90) produced 15 points and 8 assists and forward Ryosuke Motomura (184-96) added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the guests. Tokyo Z maintains fifth place with 5-12 record. Loser Kumamoto V. keeps the third position with nine games lost. Tokyo Z will meet Aomori W. (#5) on the road in the next round. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: K.Ishikawa 15+2reb+8ast, T.Kida 13+1reb+1ast, R.Motomura 13+5reb+5ast, D.Weaver 9+3reb, R.Nakanishi 8+8reb+2ast, G.Ware 5+11reb
Tokyo Z: T.Masuko 19+3reb+7ast, H.Kotaro 15+5reb+7ast, N.Egwu 14+12reb+3ast, T.Kashiwagura 14+3reb+3ast, T.Nihira 13+6reb, K.Casey 9+10reb+2ast

Tokyo EX - Bambitious N. 93-85

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Bambitious N. (4-13) was defeated on the road by third ranked Tokyo EX (11-4) 93-85 on Monday. Tokyo EX looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Center Ryan Stephan (208-94, college: Colorado Mesa) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 19 rebounds for the winners and forward Jordan Faison (201-94, college: Cal Poly Pomona) chipped in 33 points (!!!), 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-90, college: Oklahoma) responded with a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 15 rebounds and Greg Mangano (208-89, college: Yale, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 17 rebounds. Newly promoted Tokyo EX maintains third place with 11-4 record having six points less than leader Gunma. Bambitious N. lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with 13 games lost. Tokyo EX will face league's second-placed Kagawa FA in Takamatsu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bambitious N. will play at home against Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: A.Fitzgerald 35+15reb+1ast, G.Mangano 20+17reb+2ast, Y.Yokoe 10+3reb+9ast, K.Matsumoto 7+1reb+1ast, J.Honda 7+3ast, N.Yutaro 4+1reb+2ast
Tokyo EX: R.Stephan 34+19reb+3ast, J.Faison 33+10reb+4ast, S.Miyata 9+3reb+5ast, D.Uematsu 5, D.Taguchi 4+3reb+7ast, A.Tanno 4+1reb+5ast

Tokyo Z - Kumamoto V. 63-78

Everything went according to plan when third ranked Kumamoto V. (8-9) beat on the road 5th ranked Tokyo Z (5-12) 78-63 on Tuesday. Kumamoto V. shot 21 for 28 from the free-throw line, while Tokyo Z only scored three points from the stripe. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Tokyo Z was plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. American-Guinean forward Robert Jones (201-84, college: Washington) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners and guard Kaito Ishikawa (188-90) chipped in 17 points and 15 assists. Four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. American forward Kyle Casey (201-90, college: Harvard) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists and Nigerian-American center Nnanna Egwu (211-92, college: Illinois) scored 7 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Tokyo Z's coach rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 8-9 record having seven points less than leader Gunma. Loser Tokyo Z keeps the fifth position with 12 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round. Tokyo Z will play on the road against Aomori W. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: K.Casey 13+19reb+4ast, H.Kotaro 11+1reb+4ast, T.Masuko 10+1reb+1ast, T.Kashiwagura 9, N.Egwu 7+5reb+4ast, T.Nihira 5
Kumamoto V.: R.Jones 23+11reb+2ast, K.Ishikawa 17+4reb+15ast, D.Weaver 16+8reb+1ast, T.Kida 11+4reb+2ast, S.Kobayashi 6+2reb+1ast, R.Motomura 3+1reb

Tokyo EX - Bambitious N. 89-98

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Tokyo EX (11-4) against sixth ranked Bambitious N. (4-13) on Tuesday night. Host Tokyo EX was defeated by Bambitious N. in a tough game in Tokyo 89-98. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tokyo EX. Bambitious N. made 26-of-29 charity shots (89.7 percent) during the game, while Tokyo EX only scored ten points from the stripe. Bambitious N. players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. They brought some defensive toughness making 8 blocks. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Greg Mangano (208-89, college: Yale, agency: Octagon Europe) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks. Power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-90, college: Oklahoma) contributed with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) for the winners. Four Bambitious N. players scored in double figures. Center Ryan Stephan (208-94, college: Colorado Mesa) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Jordan Faison (201-94, college: Cal Poly Pomona) added 23 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Tokyo EX. Bambitious N. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fukuoka R. and Yamagata. Newly promoted Tokyo EX keeps the third position with four games lost. Bambitious N.'s next round opponent will be higher ranked Fukushima (#3) at home and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tokyo EX will play against the league's second-placed Kagawa FA in Takamatsu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo EX: R.Stephan 25+14reb+4ast, J.Faison 23+14reb+4ast, A.Tanno 19+5reb, D.Taguchi 7+3reb+3ast, D.Uematsu 6+2reb+3ast, T.Sano 4+3reb
Bambitious N.: G.Mangano 28+17reb+4ast, A.Fitzgerald 24+12reb+2ast, J.Honda 15+3reb+3ast, Y.Yokoe 12+3reb+9ast, N.Yutaro 9+2reb+2ast, K.Matsumoto 4



Tags : JAMARI TRAYLOR, HIROSHIMA DRAGONFLIES, JAPANESE BASKETBALL