B2 League Round 18: Koshigaya A. is defeated by Nagasaki

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Koshigaya A. (16-4) on the court of second ranked Nagasaki on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Nagasaki 77-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Koshigaya A.. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Nagasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) scored 23 points to lead the charge for the winners and forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) chipped in 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Nagasaki's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 19 rebounds (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field). Nagasaki (14-6) have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains second position having just two points less than leader Saga B. Koshigaya A. at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost. Nagasaki are again looking forward to face league's leader Koshigaya A. in Tokyo in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Koshigaya A. will play on the road against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very significant was Bambitious N.'s (#7) 31-point road victory against their close opponent Tokyo Z 110-79. American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St.) notched 37 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Christian James supported him with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Even 29 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by American guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) did not help to save the game for Tokyo Z. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Bambitious N. maintains seventh position with 4-16 record which they share with defeated Tokyo Z. Tokyo Z lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 17 games lost. Bambitious N. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play again at home against Bambitious N. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Fourth-ranked Ehime OV (10-11) gave a tough game to second ranked Chiba (16-5) in Matsuyama on Friday. The visitors from Chiba managed to secure only three-point victory 93-90. However their fans expected easier game. The best player for the winners was Leo Lyons who scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Ryan Kriener who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Chiba have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Chiba maintains second position with 16-5 record having just one point less than leader Saga B. Ehime OV lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 18: Chiba won against Ehime OV on the opponent's court 79-74. Fukuoka R. unfortunately lost to Saga B. in a home game 66-74. Yamagata recorded a loss to Kumamoto V. on the road 64-79. Fukushima defeated Nishinomiya S. on its own court 63-48. Aomori W. beat Kagawa FA in a road game 92-78.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists by Max Hisatake of Aomori W..

Ehime OV - Chiba 90-93

Fourth-ranked Ehime OV (10-11) gave a tough game to second ranked Chiba (16-5) in Matsuyama on Friday. The visitors from Chiba managed to secure only three-point victory 93-90. However their fans expected easier game. Chiba made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Chiba especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 56.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) who scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) chipped in 16 points and 6 assists. Four Chiba players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American-German power forward Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds and American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) added 23 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Chiba have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Chiba maintains second position with 16-5 record having just one point less than leader Saga B. Ehime OV lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 23+11reb, R.Kriener 22+10reb+3ast, Y.Toshino 16+3ast, S.Ishii 8+5reb+3ast, A.Fitzgerald 7+2reb+1ast, S.Kouno 5+6ast
Chiba: L.Lyons 21+8reb+6ast, B.Ashley 16+4reb+6ast, Y.Otsuka 15+2reb+1ast, Y.Okada 12+1ast, E.Ravenel 8+4reb+4ast, K.Sugimoto 7+2reb+4ast

Ehime OV - Chiba 74-79

Rather expected game in Matsuyama where 4th ranked Ehime OV (10-11) was defeated by second ranked Chiba (16-5) 79-74 on Saturday. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) who scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Chiba players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Yoshihiko Toshino (186-1992) who recorded 25 points and American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) added 12 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Chiba have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Chiba maintains second position with 16-5 record having just one point less than leader Saga B. Ehime OV lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 11 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: Y.Toshino 25+2reb+3ast, R.Kriener 14+4reb, E.Phelps 12+14reb+4ast, A.Fitzgerald 9+4reb+5ast, S.Kouno 9+2reb+6ast, A.Sakata 5+1ast
Chiba: E.Ravenel 21+8reb+6ast, L.Lyons 15+10reb+4ast, B.Ashley 14+6reb+1ast, K.Paras 10+2reb+1ast, D.Kobayashi 9+1reb+2ast, Y.Okada 5+1reb+2ast

Tokyo Z - Bambitious N. 79-110

Very significant was Bambitious N.'s (#7) 31-point road victory against their close opponent Tokyo Z 110-79. Bambitious N. players were unselfish on offense dishing 34 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Tokyo Z's players. American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St.) notched 37 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and American guard Christian James (194-1996, college: Oklahoma) supported him with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Four Bambitious N. players scored in double figures. Even 29 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists by American guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) did not help to save the game for Tokyo Z. His fellow American import power forward Reginald Buckner (206-1991, college: Ole Miss) added 16 points and 21 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. Bambitious N. maintains seventh position with 4-16 record which they share with defeated Tokyo Z. Tokyo Z lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 17 games lost. Bambitious N. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play again at home against Bambitious N. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: A.Spruill 29+5reb+6ast, R.Buckner 16+21reb+1ast, J.Kano 11+5reb, Y.Ide 8+1reb+2ast, M.Joho 7+2reb+3ast, O.Kotaro 5+3reb
Bambitious N.: J.Wilson 37+9reb+4ast, I.Shinpei 17+1reb+2ast, C.James 15+5reb+8ast, Y.Tomoya 12+1reb+7ast, T.Komoda 10+1reb, C.Mbodj 6+9reb+2ast

Fukuoka R. - Saga B. 66-74

Rather predictable result when first ranked Saga B. (15-5) defeated on the road 5th ranked Fukuoka R. (8-12) 74-66 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) who scored 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Jordan Glynn (200-1989, college: SF Austin) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Marvelle Harris (196-1993, college: Fresno St., agency: Slash Sports) added 18 points respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Saga B. have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 15-5 record. Fukuoka R. lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 12 games lost. They share the position with Nishinomiya S. and Fukushima. Saga B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukuoka R. will play again against the league's leader Saga B. (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: J.Glynn 18+10reb, M.Harris 18+2reb, Y.Otsuka 11+3reb+3ast, D.Gordon 8+6reb+1ast, T.Shirato 4+2reb+2ast, J.Honda 4
Saga B.: R.Garcia 24+5reb+4ast, M.McIntosh 17+6reb, C.Fieler 12+11reb+1ast, K.Atsuki 8+1ast, T.Nishikawa 5+2reb+4ast, Y.Mitsuhara 5+2reb

Nagasaki - Koshigaya A. 77-70

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Koshigaya A. (16-4) on the court of second ranked Nagasaki on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Nagasaki 77-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Koshigaya A.. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Nagasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) scored 23 points to lead the charge for the winners and forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) chipped in 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Nagasaki players scored in double figures. Nagasaki's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 19 rebounds (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field) and power forward Brekkott Chapman (206-1996, college: Weber St.) scored 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Nagasaki (14-6) have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains second position having just two points less than leader Saga B. Koshigaya A. at the other side still keeps top place with four games lost. Nagasaki are again looking forward to face league's leader Koshigaya A. in Tokyo in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Koshigaya A. will play on the road against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: I.Butts 23+19reb+1ast, M.Shun 15+2reb+1ast, B.Chapman 13+7reb+5ast, K.Hayate 8+4reb+4ast, T.Hasegawa 6+3ast, K.Makoto 5+7reb+2ast
Nagasaki: J.Gibbs 23+4reb+2ast, J.Heading 12+4reb+3ast, L.Peak 11+7reb+2ast, M.Bonds 11+12reb+4ast, E.Yamamoto 6+3reb+3ast, K.Matsumoto 3+3reb+1ast

Kumamoto V. - Yamagata 79-64

There was a minor upset when their close opponent Yamagata (9-11) was defeated on the road by third ranked Kumamoto V. (13-7) 79-64 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American guard Terrance Woodbury (201-1987, college: Georgia) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import forward Kevin Kotzur (203-1989, college: St.Mary's, TX, agency: Green Sports Management) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. Woodbury is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Panamanian center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Shunto Murakami (183-1996) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kumamoto V. maintains third position with 13-7 record having just three points less than leader Saga B. Yamagata lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with 11 games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet at home league's leader Koshigaya A. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Yamagata will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: J.Carter 16+11reb+1ast, S.Murakami 12+6reb, J.Bell 10+3reb+5ast, T.Welsh 6+9reb+1ast, D.Suzuki 6+2reb+1ast, Y.Yuya 6+1ast
Kumamoto V.: K.Kotzur 17+5reb, T.Woodbury 16+12reb+4ast, I.Hiroaki 11+5reb+3ast, R.Tawatari 10+2reb+2ast, K.Nagomu 6+2reb+6ast, R.Motomura 5+1reb+1ast

Fukushima - Nishinomiya S. 63-48

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when sixth ranked Fukushima (8-12) beat at home 5th ranked Nishinomiya S. (8-12) 63-48 on Saturday. They outrebounded Nishinomiya S. 37-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Finnish-American power forward Erik Murphy (208-1990, college: Florida) chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward DeQuan Jones (203-1990, college: Miami, FL) who recorded 12 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Trey Porter (208-1996, college: Nevada) added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Fukushima have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fukuoka R. and Nishinomiya S. Nishinomiya S. lost fourth consecutive game. Fukushima will again meet at home Nishinomiya S. (#6) in the next round. Nishinomiya S. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nishinomiya S.: D.Jones 12+6reb+1ast, R.Nakanishi 10+2reb+1ast, T.Porter 10+7reb+2ast, S.Watanabe 9+2reb+6ast, T.Yusuke 3+2reb+3ast, K.Sena 2+2reb+2ast
Fukushima: S.Kanno 14+1reb+3ast, G.Echenique 13+7reb+2ast, E.Murphy 11+8reb, T.Hasegawa 7+1reb+6ast, J.Harrellson 7+9reb+2ast, G.Cheon 6+1reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Aomori W. 78-92

There was no surprise in Takamatsu where 6th ranked Kagawa FA (7-13) was defeated by fourth ranked Aomori W. (10-10) 92-78 on Saturday. Aomori W. forced 22 Kagawa FA turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Point guard Keisuke Aita (182-1995) chipped in a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) who recorded 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Five Aomori W. and four Kagawa FA players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Aomori W. have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Loser Kagawa FA keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. Aomori W. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa FA will play again against Aomori W. (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: A.Brandt 18+6reb+5ast, I.Ryo 13+5reb, R.Adams 13+6reb, A.Alexander 12+1reb+1ast, M.Hesson 10+1reb+3ast, R.Vague 5+11reb+2ast
Aomori W.: E.Montgomery 18+3reb+3ast, K.Aita 16+3reb+10ast, M.Hisatake 15+10reb+4ast, A.Davis 13+6reb, K.Tsuneta 10+3reb, I.Yuichi 6+1reb+3ast



Tags : JEFFREY GIBBS, NAGASAKI VELCA, JAPANESE BASKETBALL