B2 League Round 23: Ehime OV lose to Nishinomiya S.

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked Ehime OV (13-12) and sixth ranked Nishinomiya S. (10-15) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Ehime OV was defeated by Nishinomiya S. in a tough game in Hyogo 70-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Ehime OV. American forward Trey Porter (208-1996, college: Nevada) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. point guard Noriaki Dohara (178-1989) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Nishinomiya S.'s coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) answered with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for Ehime OV. Nishinomiya S. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fukuoka R. and Aomori W. Ehime OV at the other side keeps the third position with 12 games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V.. Nishinomiya S. is looking forward to face Kagawa FA (#6) in Takamatsu in the next round. Ehime OV will play at home against the league's leader Saga B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Saga B. (20-5) which hosted in Saga 4th placed Kumamoto V. (13-12). First ranked Saga B. had an easy win 79-57. It was a great evening for American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. Reynaldo Garcia helped adding 22 points and 5 rebounds. American forward Kevin Kotzur (203-1989, college: St.Mary's, TX, agency: Green Sports Management) responded with 12 points and 9 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. Saga B. have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 20-5 record, which they share with Koshigaya A. and Chiba. Kumamoto V. lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the third position with 12 games lost. They share it with Ehime OV. Saga B. will play against Ehime OV (#3) in Matsuyama in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Kumamoto V. will play on the road against Fukuoka R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
B2 League top team - Chiba (20-5) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed sixth ranked Kagawa FA (8-17) in Takamatsu 100-66. It was a quality performance for Brandon Ashley who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Chiba's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Akihisa Kosaka came up with 13 points and 7 rebounds for Kagawa FA in the defeat. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Chiba. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first place with 20-5 record, which they share with Koshigaya A. and Saga B. Kagawa FA lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 17 games lost. Chiba will meet at home league's second-placed Koshigaya A. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Kagawa FA will play against Nishinomiya S. (#6) in Hyogo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 23: Bambitious N. was beaten by Fukushima on the road 85-77. Yamagata lost to Fukuoka R. on its own court 67-71. Tokyo Z unfortunately lost to Nagasaki in a road game 82-93. Koshigaya A. managed to beat Aomori W. at home 94-82.
The most impressive performance of 23th round was 16 points and 13 rebounds by Isaac Butts of Koshigaya A..

Kagawa FA - Chiba 66-100

B2 League top team - Chiba (20-5) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed sixth ranked Kagawa FA (8-17) in Takamatsu 100-66. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Kagawa FA's 34. They outrebounded Kagawa FA 48-22 including a 16-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 35 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Kagawa FA's players. It was a quality performance for American Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 32 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. His fellow American import power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) accounted for 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Four Chiba players scored in double figures. Chiba's coach felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Akihisa Kosaka (197-1992) came up with 13 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Alexander Aihara (184-2000) added 14 points and 4 assists respectively for Kagawa FA in the defeat. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Chiba. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first place with 20-5 record, which they share with Koshigaya A. and Saga B. Kagawa FA lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 17 games lost. Chiba will meet at home league's second-placed Koshigaya A. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Kagawa FA will play against Nishinomiya S. (#6) in Hyogo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba: B.Ashley 32+12reb+3ast, E.Ravenel 19+8reb+4ast, K.Paras 14+1reb+1ast, T.Kida 12+4reb+5ast, Y.Osaki 8+2reb+2ast, M.Tsuruta 7+6reb
Kagawa FA: A.Alexander 14+2reb+4ast, A.Kosaka 13+7reb+2ast, T.Kodama 10+2reb+7ast, T.Tsukuba 7+5reb+1ast, I.Takaya 6+1reb+1ast, U.Junki 6+3reb+1ast

Fukushima - Bambitious N. 85-77

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Fukushima (12-13) beat at home 7th ranked Bambitious N. (6-19) 85-77 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds. American forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) accounted for 14 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. American guard Christian James (194-1996, college: Oklahoma) came up with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals and Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: Octagon Europe) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Bambitious N. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Fukushima. They maintain third place with 12-13 record having eight points less than leader Chiba. Loser Bambitious N. keeps the seventh position with 19 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home Yamagata (#4) in the next round. Bambitious N. will play against the league's second-placed Nagasaki and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Echenique 25+10reb+1ast, J.Harrellson 14+15reb+5ast, N.Hashimoto 14+1reb+1ast, S.Kanno 13+1ast, S.Murakami 6+2reb+3ast, E.Murphy 4+8reb+1ast
Bambitious N.: C.James 24+9reb+4ast, C.Mbodj 13+6reb+2ast, N.Uto 12+3reb+2ast, J.Wilson 11+7reb+2ast, I.Shinpei 9+1reb, M.Komaki 3+1ast

Yamagata - Fukuoka R. 67-71

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 4th placed Yamagata (11-14) lost at home to fifth ranked Fukuoka R. (10-15) 71-67 on Sunday. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for point guard Marvelle Harris (196-1993, college: Fresno St., agency: Slash Sports) who led the winners and scored 26 points and 4 assists. Forward Jordan Glynn (200-1989, college: SF Austin) accounted for 22 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. Center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 28 rebounds and James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 20 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Yamagata in the defeat. Yamagata's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Fukuoka R. maintains fifth place with 10-15 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. and Aomori W. Loser Yamagata keeps the fourth position with 14 games lost. Fukuoka R. will meet at home higher ranked Kumamoto V. (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Yamagata will play against Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: M.Harris 26+3reb+4ast, J.Glynn 22+9reb+2ast, J.Honda 7+3reb, T.Abe 7+2reb+4ast, Y.Nagayoshi 4+2ast, T.Shirato 3+2reb+1ast
Yamagata: J.Bell 20+5reb+1ast, T.Welsh 17+28reb+1ast, D.Suzuki 8+3reb+1ast, S.Murakami 8+2ast, T.Tahara 7+4ast, Y.Yuya 4+2ast

Saga B. - Kumamoto V. 79-57

An interesting game for Saga B. (20-5) which hosted in Saga 4th placed Kumamoto V. (13-12). First ranked Saga B. had an easy win 79-57. Kumamoto V. was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) helped adding 22 points and 5 rebounds. American forward Kevin Kotzur (203-1989, college: St.Mary's, TX, agency: Green Sports Management) responded with 12 points and 9 rebounds and forward Ryosuke Motomura (184-1996) scored 11 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. Saga B. have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 20-5 record, which they share with Koshigaya A. and Chiba. Kumamoto V. lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the third position with 12 games lost. They share it with Ehime OV. Saga B. will play against Ehime OV (#3) in Matsuyama in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Kumamoto V. will play on the road against Fukuoka R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saga B.: R.Garcia 22+5reb+2ast, C.Fieler 17+13reb+2ast, M.McIntosh 12+5reb+1ast, S.Taiki 8+1reb+5ast, Y.Mitsuhara 7+3reb+1ast, T.Nishikawa 6+1reb+3ast
Kumamoto V.: K.Kotzur 12+9reb, R.Motomura 11+8reb+1ast, H.Taniguchi 8+1reb, I.Hiroaki 6+4reb+3ast, K.Nagomu 6+1reb+1ast, C.Sow 4+2reb

Nagasaki - Tokyo Z 93-82

Very predictable result when second ranked Nagasaki (17-8) won against at home 7th ranked Tokyo Z (5-20) 93-82 on Sunday. Nagasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. Forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) accounted for 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side. Four Nagasaki players scored in double figures. Power forward Reginald Buckner (206-1991, college: Ole Miss) came up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 21 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) and guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) added 19 points respectively for Tokyo Z in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains second place with 17-8 record having just three points less than leader Chiba. Loser Tokyo Z keeps the seventh position with 20 games lost. Nagasaki will meet Bambitious N. (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Tokyo Z will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: M.Bonds 25+9reb+6ast, L.Peak 19+2reb+2ast, J.Gibbs 16+16reb+8ast, J.Heading 10+1reb, T.Kanji 7+1ast, K.Ryota 6+1reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: R.Buckner 25+21reb+1ast, A.Spruill 19+3reb+2ast, K.Kimura 14+3reb+2ast, J.Kano 8+2reb+2ast, O.Kazuma 8+6ast, O.Kotaro 5+4reb+1ast

Nishinomiya S. - Ehime OV 75-70

The game between third ranked Ehime OV (13-12) and sixth ranked Nishinomiya S. (10-15) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Ehime OV was defeated by Nishinomiya S. in a tough game in Hyogo 70-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Ehime OV. American forward Trey Porter (208-1996, college: Nevada) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. Point guard Noriaki Dohara (178-1989) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Four Nishinomiya S. players scored in double figures. Nishinomiya S.'s coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) answered with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) added 20 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Ehime OV. Nishinomiya S. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fukuoka R. and Aomori W. Ehime OV at the other side keeps the third position with 12 games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V.. Nishinomiya S. is looking forward to face Kagawa FA (#6) in Takamatsu in the next round. Ehime OV will play at home against the league's leader Saga B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nishinomiya S.: N.Dohara 17+3reb+2ast, T.Porter 14+19reb+4ast, Z.Dimec 14+2reb+2ast, R.Nakanishi 11+1ast, T.Yusuke 8+3ast, K.Ryuya 5+3reb
Ehime OV: A.Fitzgerald 20+10reb, E.Phelps 18+17reb+3ast, Y.Toshino 9+2ast, A.Sakata 8+1reb, S.Ishii 7+1reb+2ast, R.Kriener 6+4reb+1ast

Koshigaya A. - Aomori W. 94-82

Not a big story in a game when 5th ranked Aomori W. (10-15) lost to second ranked Koshigaya A. (20-5) in Tokyo 82-94 on Sunday. Koshigaya A. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Aomori W.'s 32 and made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Koshigaya A. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for point guard Shun Matsuyama (175-1996) who led the winners and scored 26 points and 7 assists. American center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) accounted for 16 points and 13 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side. American power forward EJ Montgomery (208-1999, college: Kentucky) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and guard Kohei Tsuneta (186-1999) added 19 points and 5 assists respectively for Aomori W. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Koshigaya A.. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Saga B. and Chiba. Aomori W. lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the fifth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Fukuoka R. and Nishinomiya S.. Koshigaya A. will meet league's leader Chiba on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Aomori W. will play against Tokyo Z (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: M.Shun 26+1reb+7ast, J.Harper 17+3reb+6ast, I.Butts 16+13reb+2ast, S.Kikuchi 13+4reb+2ast, T.Hasegawa 6+2reb+2ast, B.Chapman 6+2reb
Aomori W.: K.Tsuneta 19+1reb+5ast, E.Montgomery 16+10reb+1ast, A.Davis 15+4reb+3ast, K.Aita 11+2reb+5ast, I.Yuichi 10+1reb+5ast, M.Hisatake 8+6reb+4ast



Tags : TREY PORTER, NISHINOMIYA STORKS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL