B2 League Round 47: #1 Sendai 89ers are defeated by Fukushima

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. There was no lack of interesting games this round. The round ended with defeat of the leader, derby games and favorites losing the games. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Sendai 89ers (35-12) on the court of fifth ranked Fukushima on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Fukushima 74-69. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Sendai 89ers. It was a great evening for American forward Shaheed Davis (206-94, college: UCF) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. South African center Tshilidzi Nephawe (208-89, college: N.Mexico St.) helped adding 11 points and 8 rebounds. American Eric Jacobsen (208-94, college: ASU) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Fukushima maintains fifth place with 16-29 record. Sendai 89ers at the other side still keep top position with 12 games lost. Fukushima are looking forward to face Yamagata (#6) at home in the next round. Sendai 89ers will play against Aomori W. (#4) and are hoping to win this game.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Tokyo: Tokyo Z (#6) and Koshigaya A. (#5). Koshigaya A. was crushed at home by 25 points 63-88 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was an exceptional evening for American power forward Ishmael Lane (203-97, college: Northwestern St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals. Kotaro Hisaoka accounted for 21 points and 5 assists. Hotaru Yokotsuka (179-90) came up with 23 points for Koshigaya A. in the defeat. Koshigaya A.'s coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Tokyo Z maintains sixth place with 12-35 record, which they share with Fukuoka R. Newly promoted Koshigaya A. keeps the fifth position with 32 games lost. Tokyo Z will play against higher ranked FE Nagoya (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Koshigaya A. will play against the league's leader Shinshu BW in Nagano and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Tokyo. 4th placed host Tokyo EX (19-26) was smashed by third ranked FE Nagoya (25-22) 112-78. The best player for the winners was Chris Otule who had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 17 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field). FE Nagoya's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aiki Tanno produced 18 points and 6 assists for the hosts. FE Nagoya have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 25-22 record having ten points less than leader Shinshu BW. Newly promoted Tokyo EX keeps the fourth position with 26 games lost. FE Nagoya will meet at home Tokyo Z (#6) in the next round. Tokyo EX will play against the league's second-placed Nishinomiya S. in Hyogo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Aomori. 4th placed host Aomori W. (21-25) was smashed by second ranked Gunma (33-13) 104-85. Garrett Stutz orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gunma have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain second place with 33-13 record having just three points less than leader Shinshu BW. Aomori W. lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 25 games lost. Gunma's next round opponent will be Ibaraki R. (#3) in Mito, which may be the game of the day. Aomori W. will play on the road against the league's leader Sendai 89ers and hope to win that game.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Takamatsu. Second ranked host Kagawa FA (27-18) defeated 3rd placed Orange Vikings (24-23) 100-91. It was a great evening for Robert Loe who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Kagawa FA maintains second place with 27-18 record having ten points less than leader Shinshu BW. Loser Orange Vikings keep the third position with 23 games lost. Kagawa FA will face Kumamoto V. (#4) on the road in the next round. Orange Vikings will play against Bambitious N. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 47: Ibaraki R. won against Yamagata on the opponent's court 86-73. Bambitious N. managed to outperform Fukuoka R. in a home game 95-82. Kumamoto V. was rolled over Hiroshima D. on the road 111-63. Shinshu BW defeated Nishinomiya S. on its own court 78-72.

Koshigaya A. - Tokyo Z 63-88

Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Tokyo: Tokyo Z (#6) and Koshigaya A. (#5). Koshigaya A. was crushed at home by 25 points 63-88 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Tokyo Z forced 19 Koshigaya A. turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for American power forward Ishmael Lane (203-97, college: Northwestern St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals. Point guard Kotaro Hisaoka (180-97) accounted for 21 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. Hotaru Yokotsuka (179-90) came up with 23 points and American center Andrew Naymick (209-85, college: Michigan St.) added 10 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Koshigaya A. in the defeat. Koshigaya A.'s coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Tokyo Z maintains sixth place with 12-35 record, which they share with Fukuoka R. Newly promoted Koshigaya A. keeps the fifth position with 32 games lost. Tokyo Z will play against higher ranked FE Nagoya (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Koshigaya A. will play against the league's leader Shinshu BW in Nagano and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: H.Kotaro 21+5ast, I.Lane 17+19reb+5ast, T.Masuko 15+1reb+7ast, T.Kashiwagura 11+2reb+1ast, T.Shinya 9+2reb, N.Egwu 9+14reb+1ast
Koshigaya A.: H.Yokotsuka 23+3reb+3ast, R.Narumi 10+2reb+4ast, A.Naymick 10+12reb+1ast, S.Tamura 9+3reb+2ast, K.Barone 7+9reb+6ast, S.Tatsuya 3+1reb+3ast

Yamagata - Ibaraki R. 73-86

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Yamagata (9-38) was defeated at home by third ranked Ibaraki R. (26-21) 86-73 on Sunday. Ibaraki R. outrebounded Yamagata 41-29 including 27 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for American power forward Alex Jones (206-87, college: Seattle) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 39 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds (on 19-of-25 shooting from the field). His fellow American import center Will Creekmore (205-89, college: Missouri St.) helped adding 15 points and 10 rebounds. American forward Michael Bell (206-82, college: FAU) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds and Hungarian forward Gyorgy Goloman (211-96, college: UCLA) scored 16 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Ibaraki R. maintains third place with 26-21 record having nine points less than leader Shinshu BW. Loser Yamagata keeps the sixth position with 38 games lost. Ibaraki R. will face league's second-placed Gunma at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Yamagata will play against Fukushima (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: A.Jones 39+17reb+1ast, D.Kobayashi 15+5reb+2ast, W.Creekmore 15+10reb+3ast, K.Ninomiya 6+2ast, Y.Takahashi 3, A.Hirao 2+1reb+7ast
Yamagata: M.Bell 19+13reb+3ast, G.Goloman 16+3reb+3ast, M.Izawa 10+4reb, S.Kouno 9+2reb+5ast, T.Kurihara 8+1reb+2ast, Y.Nakajima 6+4reb+4ast

Fukushima - Sendai 89ers 74-69

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Sendai 89ers (35-12) on the court of fifth ranked Fukushima on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Fukushima 74-69. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Sendai 89ers. It was a great evening for American forward Shaheed Davis (206-94, college: UCF) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. South African center Tshilidzi Nephawe (208-89, college: N.Mexico St.) helped adding 11 points and 8 rebounds. American Eric Jacobsen (208-94, college: ASU) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds and the other American import forward Jerome Tillman (201-87, college: Ohio, agency: Inception Sports) scored 20 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Fukushima maintains fifth place with 16-29 record. Sendai 89ers at the other side still keep top position with 12 games lost. Fukushima are looking forward to face Yamagata (#6) at home in the next round. Sendai 89ers will play against Aomori W. (#4) and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: S.Davis 15+15reb+5ast, T.Nephawe 11+8reb+1ast, S.Murakami 11+2reb+3ast, Y.Kanbara 9+2reb+3ast, D.Suzuki 7+3reb+4ast, Y.Yosuke 7+1reb
Sendai 89ers: E.Jacobsen 26+15reb+2ast, J.Tillman 20+9reb+2ast, T.Shirato 13+3reb+2ast, K.Sawabe 8+3reb+3ast, S.Kinjo 2+1reb+5ast, W.Shota 0+1reb

Tokyo EX - FE Nagoya 78-112

The game between Top Four teams took place in Tokyo. 4th placed host Tokyo EX (19-26) was smashed by third ranked FE Nagoya (25-22) 112-78. FE Nagoya dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Tokyo EX's 26. They outrebounded Tokyo EX 52-26 including a 19-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. FE Nagoya looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. The best player for the winners was American-Nigerian center Chris Otule (211-90, college: Marquette, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 17 rebounds (on 13-of-16 shooting from the field). American forward Josh Hawkinson (208-95, college: WSU, agency: Wasserman) chipped in a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. FE Nagoya's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Point guard Aiki Tanno (172-95) produced 18 points and 6 assists and power forward Hironori Higuchi (191-90) added 16 points respectively for the hosts. Four FE Nagoya and five Tokyo EX players scored in double figures. FE Nagoya have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 25-22 record having ten points less than leader Shinshu BW. Newly promoted Tokyo EX keeps the fourth position with 26 games lost. FE Nagoya will meet at home Tokyo Z (#6) in the next round. Tokyo EX will play against the league's second-placed Nishinomiya S. in Hyogo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: C.Otule 26+17reb+1ast, J.Hawkinson 19+12reb+3ast, M.Shun 13+1reb+2ast, J.Kano 11+1reb, K.Sugimoto 11+6reb+12ast, H.Tobita 8+2reb+3ast
Tokyo EX: A.Tanno 18+3reb+6ast, H.Higuchi 16+2reb+3ast, Y.Saito 15+5reb, D.Uematsu 11+3reb+3ast, K.Ogura 10+4reb, N.Jazz 4+4reb+2ast

Aomori W. - Gunma 85-104

The game between Top Four teams took place in Aomori. 4th placed host Aomori W. (21-25) was smashed by second ranked Gunma (33-13) 104-85. Gunma players were unselfish on offense dishing 30 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Aomori W. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American center Garrett Stutz (214-90, college: Wichita St.) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. Nigerian forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee CC) contributed with 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Four Gunma players scored in double figures. American Marcus Dove (206-85, college: Oklahoma St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) and the other American import swingman Lakeem Jackson (195-90, college: S.Carolina, agency: SDJ Sports) added 23 points and 7 assists in the effort for Aomori W.Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gunma have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain second place with 33-13 record having just three points less than leader Shinshu BW. Aomori W. lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 25 games lost. Gunma's next round opponent will be Ibaraki R. (#3) in Mito, which may be the game of the day. Aomori W. will play on the road against the league's leader Sendai 89ers and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Gunma: G.Stutz 25+18reb+5ast, A.Kuso 22+6reb+1ast, S.Fumiya 17+1reb+3ast, N.Natsuki 10, N.Reiya 10+2reb+7ast, M.Obuchi 7+2reb+7ast
Aomori W.: M.Dove 27+11reb+2ast, L.Jackson 23+4reb+7ast, Y.Otsuka 9+1reb+4ast, J.Nozato 9+1reb, T.Kan 8+4reb+6ast, T.Sano 5

Bambitious N. - Fukuoka R. 95-82

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Bambitious N.'s (18-29) home victory over 6th ranked Fukuoka R. (12-35) 95-82 on Sunday. Bambitious N. made 26-of-33 free shots (78.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Fukuoka R. was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American Greg Mangano (208-89, college: Yale, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-90, college: Oklahoma) helped adding 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Bambitious N. players scored in double figures. American swingman Sean Marshall (198-85, college: Boston Coll., agency: Inception Sports) responded with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists and Spanish center David Doblas (208-81) scored 25 points and 6 rebounds. Fukuoka R.'s coach Iurgi Caminos rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Bambitious N. maintains fifth place with 18-29 record. Loser Fukuoka R. keeps the sixth position with 35 games lost. Bambitious N. will face higher ranked Orange Vikings (#3) in Matsuyama in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will play on the road against the league's leader Dragonflies in Hiroshima and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: G.Mangano 31+11reb+2ast, A.Fitzgerald 28+9reb+4ast, J.Honda 11+5reb+1ast, Y.Ide 11+2reb+4ast, N.Yutaro 8+6reb+7ast, K.Matsumoto 6+1reb+3ast
Fukuoka R.: S.Marshall 26+9reb+6ast, D.Doblas 25+6reb, M.Joho 11+1reb+4ast, S.Kanou 7+2reb+3ast, T.Komoda 6+5reb+1ast, B.Aoki 4+2reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Ehime OV 100-91

The game between Top Four teams took place in Takamatsu. Second ranked host Kagawa FA (27-18) defeated 3rd placed Orange Vikings (24-23) 100-91. They outrebounded Orange Vikings 38-27 including 28 on the defensive glass. Kagawa FA looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for New Zealand forward Robert Loe (211-91, college: St.Louis) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Scootie Randall (198-90, college: Temple) helped adding 22 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American-Irish forward Brian Voelkel (196-92, college: Vermont) responded with a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and 4 steals and American forward Chehales Tapscott (195-90, college: Portland St.) scored 22 points and 7 rebounds. Four Kagawa FA and five Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. Kagawa FA maintains second place with 27-18 record having ten points less than leader Shinshu BW. Loser Orange Vikings keep the third position with 23 games lost. Kagawa FA will face Kumamoto V. (#4) on the road in the next round. Orange Vikings will play against Bambitious N. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: T.Kodama 24+2reb+7ast, R.Loe 23+17reb+4ast, S.Randall 22+11reb+7ast, T.Kanji 16+4ast, K.Fujioka 8+3reb+3ast, T.Yokoo 5+3reb
Ehime OV: C.Tapscott 22+7reb+2ast, B.Voelkel 19+10reb+13ast, T.Iju 14+3reb+2ast, T.Toshino 12+2reb+4ast, M.Tate 11, T.Kasahara 6+1reb

Hiroshima D. - Kumamoto V. 111-63

Not a big story in a game in Hiroshima where 4th placed Kumamoto V. (19-28) was rolled over by first ranked Dragonflies (40-7) 111-63 on Sunday. Dragonflies shot 60.3 percent from the field. Dragonflies outrebounded Kumamoto V. 37-25 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists comparing to just 20 passes made by Kumamoto V.'s players. It was a great evening for American forward Thomas Kennedy (201-87, college: Detroit Mercy) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-90, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) helped adding 18 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). The former international power forward Ryota Nakanishi (199-88) responded with 19 points and American power forward Gavin Ware (206-93, college: Mississippi St.) scored 10 points and 8 rebounds. 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 tenth consecutive win for Dragonflies. They maintain first place with 40-7 record. Loser Kumamoto V. keeps the fourth position with 28 games lost. Dragonflies will face Fukuoka R. (#6) at home in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Kumamoto V. will play against the league's second-placed Kagawa FA and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: S.Tanaka 25+2reb+4ast, T.Kennedy 24+10reb+4ast, G.Echenique 18+16reb+4ast, M.Naoto 8+3reb, H.Okamoto 8+2ast, S.Asayama 8+1reb+4ast
Kumamoto V.: R.Nakanishi 19+3reb+2ast, D.Weaver 12+3reb+1ast, G.Ware 10+8reb+2ast, S.Ryusei 7+2ast, O.Yugo 6+2reb+1ast, T.Kida 5+1reb

Shinshu BW - Nishinomiya S. 78-72

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked Shinshu BW's (38-7) home victory over second-ranked Nishinomiya S. (29-18) 78-72 on Sunday. It was a great evening for American Anthony McHenry (202-83, college: Georgia Tech) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Guard Tatsuya Nishiyama (171-88) helped adding 23 points and 4 assists. Shinshu BW's coach used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. American center Brad Waldow (208-91, college: St.Mary's, CA, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import guard Draelon Burns (194-85, college: DePaul) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Four Nishinomiya S. players scored in double figures. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Shinshu BW. They maintain first place with 38-7 record. Loser Nishinomiya S. keeps the second position with 18 games lost. Shinshu BW will face Koshigaya A. (#5) in Tokyo in the next round. Nishinomiya S. will play at home against Tokyo EX and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: T.Nishiyama 23+4reb+4ast, A.McHenry 20+9reb+5ast, Y.Osaki 9+5reb+7ast, W.Marshall 8+4reb+1ast, T.Sato 6+2reb, H.Hiroaki 4+3reb
Nishinomiya S.: B.Waldow 22+13reb+5ast, N.Dohara 17+1reb+3ast, N.Tani 16+2reb, D.Burns 10+10reb+9ast, K.Matsuzaki 3+1reb+1ast, S.Koya 2+1reb



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