B2 League Round 7: Chiba defeat Koshigaya A.

There were just 7 rounds played in Regular Season of B2 League and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Koshigaya A. (7-2) in Tokyo on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by Chiba (7-2) 85-80. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Koshigaya A.. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Chiba made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Koshigaya A. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 9 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) contributed with 20 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) for the winners. Power forward Brekkott Chapman (206-1996, college: Weber St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for Koshigaya A.Koshigaya A.'s coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Chiba have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Koshigaya A. Chiba is looking forward to face Yamagata (#6) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Koshigaya A. will play against Fukushima (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in Saga. First ranked Ehime OV (8-1) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 3rd placed Saga B. (5-4) 80-78 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Saga B.. It was a great evening for American-German center Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Eugene Phelps helped adding 18 points and 16 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). At the losing side Canadian forward Mikyle McIntosh (201-1994, college: Oregon) responded with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds. Saga B.'s coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Ehime OV. They maintain first place with 8-1 record. Saga B. at the other side keeps the third position with four games lost. They share it with Nishinomiya S. and Kumamoto V.. Ehime OV will play against Kumamoto V. (#4) at home in the next round. Saga B. will play against Bambitious N. in Nara and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Nishinomiya S. (5-4) against seventh ranked Kagawa FA (2-7) on Wednesday night. Visiting Nishinomiya S. was defeated by Kagawa FA in Takamatsu 92-82. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Nishinomiya S.. It was an exceptional evening for Angus Brandt who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Kagawa FA's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. DeQuan Jones came up with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Nishinomiya S. in the defeat. Kagawa FA moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Bambitious N. and Tokyo Z. Loser Nishinomiya S. keeps the third position with four games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V. and Saga B.. Kagawa FA will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nishinomiya S. will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 7 were not that significant. Tokyo Z was smashed by Aomori W. on the road 97-65. Yamagata was destroyed by Fukushima on its own court 56-92. Bambitious N. unfortunately lost to Nagasaki in a road game 82-100. Kumamoto V. managed to beat Fukuoka R. at home 87-79.
The most impressive performance of 7th round was 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists by Jordan Glynn of Fukuoka R..

Aomori W. - Tokyo Z 97-65

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Aomori W. (4-5) crushed at home 7th ranked Tokyo Z (2-7) 97-65 on Wednesday. They outrebounded Tokyo Z 46-33 including a 16-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Aomori W. looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Tokyo Z's players. American players dominated also this game. It was an exceptional evening for power forward EJ Montgomery (208-1999, college: Kentucky) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 18 rebounds. Center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) accounted for 18 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Five Aomori W. players scored in double figures. Forward Elijah Thomas (206-1996, college: Clemson, agency: MSG) came up with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (made all of his eight free throws) and forward Robert Sampson (203-1992, college: Georgia Tech) added 18 points and 15 rebounds respectively for Tokyo Z 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. Aomori W. maintains fourth place with 4-5 record, which they share with Fukuoka R. Tokyo Z lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with Kagawa FA and Bambitious N.. Aomori W. will meet at home higher ranked Nishinomiya S. (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tokyo Z will play against the league's second-placed Nagasaki and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: A.Davis 20+4reb+3ast, M.Hisatake 18+9reb+3ast, E.Montgomery 14+18reb+1ast, K.Aita 10+3reb+5ast, D.Shimoyama 10+2reb+1ast, A.Uchida 6+1reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: E.Thomas 26+8reb+5ast, R.Sampson 18+15reb+2ast, M.Joho 9, K.Kimura 7+3reb+2ast, K.Tsubasa 5+1reb+1ast, K.Hayato 0+1reb

Yamagata - Fukushima 56-92

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 5th ranked Yamagata (3-6) was smashed at home by sixth ranked Fukushima (3-6) 92-56 on Wednesday. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Yamagata's players. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 18 points for the winning side. Five Fukushima players scored in double figures. American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Yamagata 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. Fukushima moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Yamagata. Yamagata lost their fifth game in a row. Fukushima will meet league's second-placed Koshigaya A. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Yamagata will play against the league's leader Chiba and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Echenique 18+4reb+3ast, J.Harrellson 18+15reb+5ast, E.Murphy 14+7reb+2ast, N.Hashimoto 13+1reb+4ast, T.Hasegawa 12+1reb+3ast, S.Murakami 5+1reb+3ast
Yamagata: T.Welsh 17+12reb+1ast, J.Bell 14+5reb+4ast, J.Carter 8+6reb, T.Tahara 8+5reb+1ast, Y.Yuya 4+3ast, J.Maniwa 3+4reb+2ast

Koshigaya A. - Chiba 80-85

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Koshigaya A. (7-2) in Tokyo on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by Chiba (7-2) 85-80. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Koshigaya A.. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Chiba made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Koshigaya A. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 9 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) contributed with 20 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) for the winners. Power forward Brekkott Chapman (206-1996, college: Weber St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Justin Harper (208-1989, college: Richmond) added 14 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Koshigaya A.Four Koshigaya A. players scored in double figures. Koshigaya A.'s coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Chiba have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with defeated Koshigaya A. Chiba is looking forward to face Yamagata (#6) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Koshigaya A. will play against Fukushima (#5) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Chiba: B.Ashley 20+8reb+2ast, L.Lyons 20+9reb+3ast, K.Paras 14+4reb+1ast, Y.Otsuka 9+3reb, K.Sugimoto 8+5reb+6ast, D.Kobayashi 6+1reb
Koshigaya A.: B.Chapman 22+11reb+4ast, J.Harper 14+5reb+2ast, K.Hayate 11+2reb+4ast, T.Hasegawa 10+2reb+1ast, M.Shun 8+3reb+7ast, S.Kikuchi 6+4reb+2ast

Kagawa FA - Nishinomiya S. 92-82

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Nishinomiya S. (5-4) against seventh ranked Kagawa FA (2-7) on Wednesday night. Visiting Nishinomiya S. was defeated by Kagawa FA in Takamatsu 92-82. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Nishinomiya S.. Kagawa FA looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 19 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Kagawa FA players scored in double figures. Kagawa FA's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward DeQuan Jones (203-1990, college: Miami, FL) came up with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of his eight free throws) and Slovenian center Ziga Dimec (210-1993) added 17 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Nishinomiya S. in the defeat. Kagawa FA moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Bambitious N. and Tokyo Z. Loser Nishinomiya S. keeps the third position with four games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V. and Saga B.. Kagawa FA will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nishinomiya S. will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: I.Ryo 20+3reb+1ast, A.Brandt 20+14reb+4ast, M.Hesson 19+9reb+5ast, H.Kotaro 15+1reb+6ast, R.Adams 7+1reb, U.Junki 6+5reb+5ast
Nishinomiya S.: D.Jones 20+7reb+6ast, Z.Dimec 17+9reb, K.Matsuzaki 13+3reb+7ast, H.Yasuaki 9+1reb+2ast, T.Porter 8+5reb+1ast, N.Tani 7+3reb+2ast

Saga B. - Ehime OV 78-80

Important game to mention about took place in Saga. First ranked Ehime OV (8-1) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 3rd placed Saga B. (5-4) 80-78 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Saga B.. Ehime OV made 18-of-23 charity shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Saga B. was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American-German center Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) helped adding 18 points and 16 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). At the losing side Canadian forward Mikyle McIntosh (201-1994, college: Oregon) responded with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds and point guard Taiki Sumida (182-1999) scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Saga B. players scored in double figures. Saga B.'s coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Ehime OV. They maintain first place with 8-1 record. Saga B. at the other side keeps the third position with four games lost. They share it with Nishinomiya S. and Kumamoto V.. Ehime OV will play against Kumamoto V. (#4) at home in the next round. Saga B. will play against Bambitious N. in Nara and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: R.Kriener 24+10reb+3ast, E.Phelps 18+16reb+1ast, H.Tobita 10+2reb, Y.Toshino 9+3ast, S.Kouno 8+2ast, A.Fitzgerald 7+1reb
Saga B.: M.McIntosh 34+10reb+3ast, S.Taiki 17+5reb+4ast, Y.Mitsuhara 13+7reb+1ast, C.Fieler 10+7reb+3ast, T.Nishikawa 4+3ast, T.Shinnosuke 0

Nagasaki - Bambitious N. 100-82

Rather predictable result when second ranked Nagasaki (6-3) won against at home 6th ranked Bambitious N. (2-7) 100-82 on Wednesday. Nagasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) who led the winners and scored 23 points and 8 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) accounted for 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists and American guard Christian James (194-1996, college: Oklahoma) added 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Bambitious N. in the defeat. Five Nagasaki and four Bambitious N. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains second place with 6-3 record having just two points less than leader Chiba. Loser Bambitious N. keeps the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with Kagawa FA and Tokyo Z. Nagasaki will meet Tokyo Z (#7) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Bambitious N. will play against Saga B. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: M.Bonds 23+8reb+2ast, J.Heading 17+5reb+2ast, M.Karimata 13+1reb+7ast, J.Gibbs 13+6reb+5ast, D.Noguchi 12+3reb+1ast, D.Dickson 7+1reb+1ast
Bambitious N.: C.James 22+9reb+6ast, N.Uto 17+3ast, J.Wilson 14+19reb+4ast, C.Mbodj 12+7reb, S.Fujitaka 8+4reb+2ast, Y.Tomoya 6

Kumamoto V. - Fukuoka R. 87-79

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Kumamoto V. and 4th placed Fukuoka R. had identical 4-4 record. This time Kumamoto V. used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Fukuoka 87-79 on Wednesday night. Kumamoto V. shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 57.1 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Terrance Woodbury (201-1987, college: Georgia) who led the winners and scored 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) accounted for 11 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Woodbury is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American forward Jordan Glynn (200-1989, college: SF Austin) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import center Drew Gordon (206-1990, college: N.Mexico) added 10 points and 13 rebounds respectively for Fukuoka R. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kumamoto V. (5-4) moved-up to third place, which they share with Nishinomiya S. and Saga B. Loser Fukuoka R. keeps the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Kumamoto V. will meet league's leader Ehime OV in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: T.Woodbury 27+6reb+4ast, R.Tawatari 11+5ast, H.Taniguchi 9+1reb+1ast, Y.Shota 8+5reb, C.Sow 8+5reb+3ast, R.Motomura 7+2reb+1ast
Fukuoka R.: J.Glynn 19+11reb+4ast, M.Harris 19+2reb+2ast, D.Gordon 10+13reb+3ast, S.Shigetomi 9+1reb+2ast, T.Kan 7+4reb, T.Abe 5+2ast



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