B2 League Round 28: Nishinomiya S. beat Fukushima by one after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

Fifth-ranked Fukushima (9-17) was very close to win a game against second ranked Nishinomiya S. (18-10) in Hyogo on Sunday. Nishinomiya S. managed to secure only one-point victory 90-89. However their fans expected easier game. Nishinomiya S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Brad Waldow (208-91, college: St.Mary's, CA, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). The other American import guard Draelon Burns (194-85, college: DePaul) contributed with 8 points and 10 assists for the winners. American forward Shaheed Davis (206-94, college: UCF) replied with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for Fukushima. Nishinomiya S. maintains second position with 18-10 record behind leader Shinshu BW. Fukushima at the other side keeps the fifth place with 17 games lost. Nishinomiya S. are looking forward to face Fukuoka R. (#6) on the road in the next round. Fukushima will have a break next round.
An interesting game for Sendai 89ers (19-9) which played road game in Nagoya against 3rd ranked FE Nagoya (15-13). Second ranked Sendai 89ers managed to get a 11-point victory 73-62. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jerome Tillman (201-87, college: Ohio, agency: Inception Sports) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 7 rebounds and Keita Sawabe who added 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Josh Hawkinson (208-95, college: WSU, agency: Wasserman) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds. FE Nagoya's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sendai 89ers have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. FE Nagoya at the other side keeps the third place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Ehime OV and Ibaraki R.. Sendai 89ers will play against Yamagata (#6) at home in the next round where they are favorite. FE Nagoya will play against the league's leader Shinshu BW in Nagano and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Ibaraki R. (15-13) which hosted in Tsukuba their close opponent Orange Vikings (15-13). Third ranked Ibaraki R. had an easy win 91-71. The winners were led by Atsunobu Hirao who scored that evening 21 points and 8 assists. Even a double-double of 17 points, 22 rebounds and 6 assists by Brian Voelkel did not help to save the game for Orange Vikings. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ibaraki R. have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 15-13 record having four points less than leader Shinshu BW, which they share with FE Nagoya and Ehime OV. Ibaraki R. will meet at home Tokyo EX (#4) in the next round. Orange Vikings will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
B2 League top team - Shinshu BW (21-5) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed fifth ranked Kumamoto V. (10-18) 105-60. Wayne Marshall fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Shinshu BW have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 21-5 record. Kumamoto V. lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 18 games lost. Shinshu BW's next round opponent will be FE Nagoya (#3) at home, which may be the game of the day. Kumamoto V. will play against Tokyo Z and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Yamagata was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Aomori W. (11-16) played at the court of 6th ranked Yamagata (7-21). Aomori W. defeated Yamagata 83-70 on Sunday. It was a very good performance for Lakeem Jackson who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists. Aomori W.'s coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Aomori W. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 11-16 record. Yamagata lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 21 games lost. Aomori W. will face higher ranked Orange Vikings (#3) in Matsuyama in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Yamagata will play on the road against the league's leader Sendai 89ers and hope to win that game.

In the last game of round 28 Bambitious N. beat Tokyo Z on the road 105-91.

Kumamoto V. - Shinshu BW 60-105

B2 League top team - Shinshu BW (21-5) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed fifth ranked Kumamoto V. (10-18) 105-60. They outrebounded Kumamoto V. 44-23 including a 32-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Shinshu BW shot the lights out from three nailing 19 long-distance shots on high 57.6 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Kumamoto V.'s players. American center Wayne Marshall (211-86, college: Temple) fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Naturalized American guard Louis Kurihara (188-96, college: Whittier) chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Shinshu BW players scored in double figures. American power forward Gavin Ware (206-93, college: Mississippi St.) produced 16 points and his fellow American import forward Jahmar Thorpe (198-84, college: Houston) added 10 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost 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. Shinshu BW have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 21-5 record. Kumamoto V. lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 18 games lost. Shinshu BW's next round opponent will be FE Nagoya (#3) at home, which may be the game of the day. Kumamoto V. will play against Tokyo Z and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: G.Ware 16+4reb+3ast, J.Thorpe 10+8reb+1ast, D.Terashita 9+6reb, T.Kida 9+2ast, M.Sato 6+2reb+1ast, O.Yugo 4+1reb+4ast
Shinshu BW: W.Marshall 17+10reb+2ast, L.Kurihara 15+6reb+4ast, Y.Osaki 15+4ast, I.Ryo 12+4reb, T.Nishiyama 11+3reb+1ast, T.Sato 10+6reb

FE Nagoya - Sendai 89ers 62-73

An interesting game for Sendai 89ers (19-9) which played road game in Nagoya against 3rd ranked FE Nagoya (15-13). Second ranked Sendai 89ers managed to get a 11-point victory 73-62. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jerome Tillman (201-87, college: Ohio, agency: Inception Sports) who helped to win the game recording 27 points and 7 rebounds and Keita Sawabe (184-95) who added 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Josh Hawkinson (208-95, college: WSU, agency: Wasserman) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds and guard Kei Sugimoto (182-92) scored 11 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. FE Nagoya's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sendai 89ers have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader. FE Nagoya at the other side keeps the third place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Ehime OV and Ibaraki R.. Sendai 89ers will play against Yamagata (#6) at home in the next round where they are favorite. FE Nagoya will play against the league's leader Shinshu BW in Nagano and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: J.Hawkinson 17+16reb+2ast, K.Sakamoto 12+3reb, K.Sugimoto 11+2reb+5ast, E.Yamamoto 6+2reb, J.Kano 5+2reb, Y.Ito 5+1ast
Sendai 89ers: J.Tillman 27+7reb+2ast, K.Sawabe 13+6reb+1ast, D.Miller 8+6reb+6ast, A.Shota 6+2reb+1ast, T.Shirato 6+1reb+1ast, M.Kataoka 6+2reb+2ast

Yamagata - Aomori W. 70-83

The game in Yamagata was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Aomori W. (11-16) played at the court of 6th ranked Yamagata (7-21). Aomori W. defeated Yamagata 83-70 on Sunday. Aomori W. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was a very good performance for American swingman Lakeem Jackson (195-90, college: S.Carolina, agency: SDJ Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists. Guard Mie Birishibe (190-96) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) for the winners. Five Aomori W. players scored in double figures. Aomori W.'s coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Jason Carter (206-92, college: Texas Southern, agency: Haylett Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds and guard Hiroki Furuhashi (185-92) added 23 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Yamagata. Aomori W. have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 11-16 record. Yamagata lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 21 games lost. Aomori W. will face higher ranked Orange Vikings (#3) in Matsuyama in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Yamagata will play on the road against the league's leader Sendai 89ers and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: H.Furuhashi 23+5reb+2ast, J.Carter 18+14reb+1ast, S.Kouno 14+1reb+5ast, S.Uesugi 6+2reb, Y.Nakajima 3+4reb+5ast, A.Hikaru 2+1reb
Aomori W.: L.Jackson 21+14reb+8ast, D.Shimoyama 18+2reb, B.Mie 17+5reb, K.Monma 11+6reb+3ast, A.Chol 10+6reb+3ast, T.Kan 4+5reb+7ast

Nishinomiya S. - Fukushima 90-89

Fifth-ranked Fukushima (9-17) was very close to win a game against second ranked Nishinomiya S. (18-10) in Hyogo on Sunday. Nishinomiya S. managed to secure only one-point victory 90-89. However their fans expected easier game. Nishinomiya S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Brad Waldow (208-91, college: St.Mary's, CA, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). The other American import guard Draelon Burns (194-85, college: DePaul) contributed with 8 points and 10 assists for the winners. American forward Shaheed Davis (206-94, college: UCF) replied with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and American-Jamaican forward Staphon Blair (206-93, college: UCF) added 19 points and 19 rebounds in the effort for Fukushima. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Nishinomiya S. maintains second position with 18-10 record behind leader Shinshu BW. Fukushima at the other side keeps the fifth place with 17 games lost. Nishinomiya S. are looking forward to face Fukuoka R. (#6) on the road in the next round. Fukushima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: S.Davis 26+8reb+7ast, Y.Kanbara 20+2reb+4ast, S.Blair 19+19reb+2ast, S.Murakami 10+1reb+4ast, Y.Yosuke 7+2ast, D.Suzuki 3+5ast
Nishinomiya S.: B.Waldow 33+11reb+3ast, N.Dohara 14+4reb+3ast, K.Atsuki 11+3reb+2ast, N.Tani 11+3reb+3ast, D.Burns 8+4reb+10ast, H.Yasuaki 7

Tokyo Z - Bambitious N. 91-105

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Bambitious N.'s (12-16) road victory over 5th ranked Tokyo Z (8-20) 105-91 on Sunday. Bambitious N. made 28-of-34 free shots (82.4 percent) during the game, while Tokyo Z only scored nine points from the stripe. Bambitious N. looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Tokyo Z was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch. Quite impressive performance for American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-90, college: Oklahoma) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 29 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Jumpei Honda (190-88) contributed with 23 points and 5 assists for the winners. Four Bambitious N. players scored in double figures. American forward Kyle Casey (201-90, college: Harvard) replied with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists and point guard Kotaro Hisaoka (180-97) added 18 points and 4 assists in the effort for Tokyo Z. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Bambitious N. maintains fourth position with 12-16 record. Tokyo Z lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 20 games lost. Bambitious N. will face Koshigaya A. (#6) in Tokyo in the next round. Tokyo Z will play on the road against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: K.Casey 23+15reb+8ast, H.Kotaro 18+2reb+4ast, T.Masuko 14+1reb+5ast, Y.Ohara 9, K.Tsuguto 6+1reb+2ast, T.Nihira 5+3reb
Bambitious N.: A.Fitzgerald 29+12reb+2ast, J.Honda 23+4reb+5ast, Y.Ide 18+4reb+3ast, K.Matsumoto 10+3reb, K.Taneichi 10+6reb+1ast, N.Yutaro 9+6reb+10ast

Ibaraki R. - Ehime OV 91-71

An interesting game for Ibaraki R. (15-13) which hosted in Tsukuba their close opponent Orange Vikings (15-13). Third ranked Ibaraki R. had an easy win 91-71. Ibaraki R. looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The winners were led by guard Atsunobu Hirao (178-89) who scored that evening 21 points and 8 assists and Nigerian forward Daniel Ochefu (211-93, college: Villanova) supported him with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Five Ibaraki R. players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points, 22 rebounds and 6 assists by American-Irish forward Brian Voelkel (196-92, college: Vermont) did not help to save the game for Orange Vikings. American forward Chehales Tapscott (195-90, college: Portland St.) added 23 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ibaraki R. have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 15-13 record having four points less than leader Shinshu BW, which they share with FE Nagoya and Ehime OV. Ibaraki R. will meet at home Tokyo EX (#4) in the next round. Orange Vikings will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: C.Tapscott 23+6reb+2ast, B.Voelkel 17+22reb+6ast, T.Toshino 16+1reb+2ast, T.Iju 7+1reb+5ast, M.Tate 3+3reb, T.Kasahara 3
Ibaraki R.: A.Hirao 21+1reb+8ast, J.Maniwa 18+6reb+1ast, D.Ochefu 16+7reb+4ast, A.Jones 11+9reb+6ast, T.Keita 10+5reb+4ast, K.Fukuzawa 9+1reb+3ast



Tags : BRAD WALDOW, NISHINOMIYA STORKS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL