B2 League Round 14 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Sixth defeat of league's leader Ehime OV (10-6) against second ranked Saga B. (11-5) 92-71 was the most important game of the last round. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Saga B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) contributed with 15 points for the winners. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for Ehime OV. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Saga B. have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Chiba. Ehime OV at the other side dropped to the second place with six games lost. They share the position with Nagasaki. They were replaced at the leadership position by Saga B.. Ehime OV will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Saga B. will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Ehime OV in Matsuyama.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Chiba (11-5) against seventh ranked Bambitious N. (3-13) on Saturday night. Visiting Chiba was defeated by Bambitious N. in a tough game in Nara 84-89. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Chiba. Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: Octagon Europe) had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Naoki Uto chipped in 25 points and 7 assists during the contest. Bambitious N.'s coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Bambitious N. maintains seventh position with 3-13 record, which they share with Tokyo Z. Newly promoted Chiba still keeps top place with five games lost. They share the position with Saga B.. Bambitious N. will again play against league's second-placed Chiba at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Chiba will have a break next round.
B2 League top team - Koshigaya A. (14-2) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Aomori W. (6-10) 90-64. American players dominated the game. Isaac Butts notched a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 18 points and 9 rebounds by Max Hisatake did not help to save the game for Aomori W.. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Koshigaya A. have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-2 record. Aomori W. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with ten games lost. Koshigaya A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play again against the league's leader Koshigaya A. (#1) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 14: Fukushima was beaten by Nagasaki on the road 82-68. Yamagata destroyed Tokyo Z on its own court 97-64. Nishinomiya S. managed to outperform Kagawa FA in Hyogo 79-72.
The most impressive performance of 14th round was 21 points and 7 rebounds by DeQuan Jones of Nishinomiya S..

Aomori W. - Koshigaya A. 64-90

B2 League top team - Koshigaya A. (14-2) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Aomori W. (6-10) 90-64. They outrebounded Aomori W. 42-29 including a 31-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Koshigaya A. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American players dominated the game. Center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) notched a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort and forward Justin Harper (208-1989, college: Richmond) supported him with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Koshigaya A. players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 9 rebounds by center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) did not help to save the game for Aomori W.. Power forward EJ Montgomery (208-1999, college: Kentucky) added 13 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Koshigaya A. have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 14-2 record. Aomori W. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with ten games lost. Koshigaya A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play again against the league's leader Koshigaya A. (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: M.Hisatake 18+9reb+3ast, E.Montgomery 13+8reb, I.Yuichi 11+1reb+6ast, A.Davis 6+5reb+3ast, A.Uchida 5+1reb, T.Kyonosuke 4+1ast
Koshigaya A.: S.Kikuchi 16+6reb+1ast, B.Chapman 15+3reb+1ast, M.Shun 12+1reb+6ast, I.Butts 12+12reb+1ast, J.Harper 10+9reb+5ast, K.Hayate 8+2reb+7ast

Saga B. - Ehime OV 92-71

Sixth defeat of league's leader Ehime OV (10-6) against second ranked Saga B. (11-5) 92-71 was the most important game of the last round. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Saga B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) contributed with 15 points for the winners. Five Saga B. players scored in double figures. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and American-German power forward Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa) added 16 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Ehime OV. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Saga B. have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Chiba. Ehime OV at the other side dropped to the second place with six games lost. They share the position with Nagasaki. They were replaced at the leadership position by Saga B.. Ehime OV will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Saga B. will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Ehime OV in Matsuyama.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 19+15reb+4ast, R.Kriener 16+5reb, A.Fitzgerald 11+2reb+1ast, Y.Toshino 9+2ast, H.Tobita 7+2reb+2ast, S.Ishii 3+1reb
Saga B.: R.Garcia 17+8reb+10ast, C.Fieler 15+4reb+3ast, T.Nishikawa 14+1reb+4ast, S.Taiki 13+3reb, M.McIntosh 11+8reb, Y.Nishi 5+1ast

Bambitious N. - Chiba 89-84

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Chiba (11-5) against seventh ranked Bambitious N. (3-13) on Saturday night. Visiting Chiba was defeated by Bambitious N. in a tough game in Nara 84-89. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Chiba. Chiba was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: Octagon Europe) had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international forward Naoki Uto (188-1991) chipped in 25 points and 7 assists during the contest. Bambitious N.'s coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and his fellow American import power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) scored 16 points and 6 assists. Bambitious N. maintains seventh position with 3-13 record, which they share with Tokyo Z. Newly promoted Chiba still keeps top place with five games lost. They share the position with Saga B.. Bambitious N. will again play against league's second-placed Chiba at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Chiba will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Chiba: L.Lyons 21+11reb+6ast, E.Ravenel 16+4reb+6ast, B.Ashley 13+6reb+2ast, F.Kota 8+2reb+2ast, K.Sugimoto 8+2reb+4ast, D.Kobayashi 7+1reb
Bambitious N.: N.Uto 25+4reb+7ast, C.Mbodj 22+16reb+3ast, I.Shinpei 14+2reb+1ast, T.Komoda 8+1reb+1ast, M.Komaki 8+1reb+1ast, Y.Tomoya 5+1reb+3ast

Nagasaki - Fukushima 82-68

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Nagasaki (10-6) beat at home 6th ranked Fukushima (5-11) 82-68 on Saturday. Nagasaki forced 20 Fukushima turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) notched a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and the other American import forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) supported him with 9 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Even 20 points and 6 rebounds by Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Fukushima. American forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) added 9 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Nagasaki moved-up to second place, which they share with Ehime OV. Loser Fukushima keeps the sixth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Kagawa FA. Nagasaki will again meet at home Fukushima (#6) in the next round. Fukushima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Echenique 20+6reb, E.Murphy 12+10reb+1ast, N.Hashimoto 11+1reb, T.Hasegawa 10+5reb+2ast, J.Harrellson 9+9reb+8ast, S.Kanno 3+1ast
Nagasaki: K.Matsumoto 17+4reb+1ast, L.Peak 17+4reb, M.Bonds 17+10reb+6ast, J.Heading 11+1reb+2ast, J.Gibbs 9+9reb+6ast, E.Yamamoto 6+1reb+5ast

Yamagata - Tokyo Z 97-64

Rather expected game when 7th ranked Tokyo Z (3-13) was smashed on the road by fourth ranked Yamagata (8-8) 97-64 on Saturday. Yamagata dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Tokyo Z's 28. They outrebounded Tokyo Z 39-26 including a 31-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Yamagata looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Tokyo Z's players. American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) notched 9 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and American-Panamanian center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) supported him with 19 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Yamagata players scored in double figures. Even 12 points and 9 rebounds by American power forward Reginald Buckner (206-1991, college: Ole Miss) did not help to save the game for Tokyo Z. His fellow American import center Joshua Crawford (211-1988, college: Indiana St.) added 11 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Yamagata have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Tokyo Z lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 13 games lost. They share it with Bambitious N.. Yamagata will again meet at home Tokyo Z (#7) in the next round. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: R.Buckner 12+9reb+1ast, J.Crawford 11+5reb+2ast, K.Kimura 9+1reb+3ast, O.Kotaro 8+5reb, M.Joho 7+3ast, O.Kazuma 5+1reb
Yamagata: J.Carter 19+6reb+3ast, D.Suzuki 13+2ast, S.Murakami 13+3reb+6ast, J.Bell 12+6reb+8ast, K.Takahashi 10+1reb, T.Welsh 9+16reb+4ast

Kagawa FA - Nishinomiya S. 72-79

Rather predictable result when third ranked Nishinomiya S. (8-8) won against 6th ranked Kagawa FA (5-11) in Takamatsu 79-72 on Saturday. Nishinomiya S. made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. American forward DeQuan Jones (203-1990, college: Miami, FL) notched 21 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Trey Porter (208-1996, college: Nevada) supported him with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Even 21 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists by Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) did not help to save the game for Kagawa FA. British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Nishinomiya S. maintains third position with 8-8 record having six points less than leader Saga B., which they share with Yamagata. Loser Kagawa FA keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Fukushima. Nishinomiya S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa FA will play again against Nishinomiya S. (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: A.Brandt 21+9reb+5ast, M.Hesson 14+10reb+3ast, R.Vague 7+2reb+4ast, R.Adams 7+2reb, I.Ryo 6+1reb+2ast, I.Takaya 5+1ast
Nishinomiya S.: D.Jones 21+7reb+2ast, Z.Dimec 10+8reb+1ast, T.Porter 10+11reb+2ast, S.Watanabe 9+2reb+4ast, T.Yusuke 7+3reb+4ast, R.Nakanishi 6+3reb



Tags : REYNALDO GARCIA, SAGA BALLOONERS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL