B2 League Round 24: Koshigaya A. lose to Chiba in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Chiba. First ranked host Chiba (21-5) defeated second-best Koshigaya A. (20-6) 94-88. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Koshigaya A.. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It was a great shooting night for Chiba especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. 24 personal fouls committed by Koshigaya A. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) who helped to win the game recording 31 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) who added 18 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chiba have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first position with 21-5 record, which they share with Saga B. Koshigaya A. at the other side keeps the second place with six games lost. Chiba is looking forward to face Fukuoka R. (#5) on the road in the next round. Koshigaya A.'s supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Tokyo Z.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. Third ranked host Fukushima (13-13) smashed one of their biggest challengers Yamagata (11-15) 76-49. The winners were led by Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds and Josh Harrellson supported him with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Fukushima's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 24 points and 19 rebounds by American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Yamagata. Fukushima have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 13-13 record having eight points less than leader Chiba, which they share with Ehime OV. Yamagata at the other side keeps the fourth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Nishinomiya S. and Aomori W.. Fukushima will play against Kagawa FA (#6) in Takamatsu in the next round. Yamagata will play on the road against Bambitious N. in Nara and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Matsuyama. 3rd ranked host Ehime OV (13-13) lost to first ranked Saga B. (21-5) 84-67. The best player for the winners was Reynaldo Garcia who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Saga B.'s coach used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. At the other side the best for losing team was Eugene Phelps who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Saga B. have an impressive 14-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 21-5 record, which they share with Chiba. Loser Ehime OV keeps the third place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Fukushima. Saga B. will meet Aomori W. (#6) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Ehime OV will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 24: Aomori W. won against Tokyo Z on the opponent's court 76-68. Nishinomiya S. managed to outperform Kagawa FA in a home game 92-78. Nagasaki managed to beat Bambitious N. on the road 107-94. Fukuoka R. was defeated by Kumamoto V. on its own court 66-80.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 38 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 5 assists by Marvelle Harris of Fukuoka R..

Chiba - Koshigaya A. 94-88

The game between Top Four teams took place in Chiba. First ranked host Chiba (21-5) defeated second-best Koshigaya A. (20-6) 94-88. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Koshigaya A.. It was a key game for the top position in the league. It was a great shooting night for Chiba especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.9 percentage. 24 personal fouls committed by Koshigaya A. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) who helped to win the game recording 31 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) who added 18 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) and guard Hayate Komasawa (188-1998) scored 11 points and 9 assists. Four Koshigaya A. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chiba have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first position with 21-5 record, which they share with Saga B. Koshigaya A. at the other side keeps the second place with six games lost. Chiba is looking forward to face Fukuoka R. (#5) on the road in the next round. Koshigaya A.'s supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Tokyo Z.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: I.Butts 19+8reb+4ast, J.Harper 16+2reb+2ast, S.Kikuchi 13+2reb+1ast, K.Hayate 11+1reb+9ast, M.Shun 8+3reb+4ast, B.Chapman 8+5reb+1ast
Chiba: E.Ravenel 31+8reb+4ast, B.Ashley 18+5reb, Y.Otsuka 9+4reb+2ast, T.Kida 8+2reb+3ast, K.Sugimoto 8+1reb+2ast, L.Lyons 8+6reb+5ast

Fukushima - Yamagata 76-49

The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. Third ranked host Fukushima (13-13) smashed one of their biggest challengers Yamagata (11-15) 76-49. They outrebounded Yamagata 51-38 including a 43-32 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukushima players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. The winners were led by Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) supported him with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Fukushima's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 24 points and 19 rebounds by American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Yamagata. Point guard Takanori Tahara (181-1994) added 6 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Fukushima have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 13-13 record having eight points less than leader Chiba, which they share with Ehime OV. Yamagata at the other side keeps the fourth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Nishinomiya S. and Aomori W.. Fukushima will play against Kagawa FA (#6) in Takamatsu in the next round. Yamagata will play on the road against Bambitious N. in Nara and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: T.Welsh 24+19reb, S.Rui 7+1reb+2ast, T.Tahara 6+7reb+8ast, R.Yanagawa 5+1reb+2ast, S.Yusuke 4+2reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 3+4reb+1ast
Fukushima: G.Echenique 25+10reb+1ast, J.Harrellson 13+16reb, T.Hasegawa 10+1reb+2ast, Y.Tsubasa 7+2reb+1ast, S.Murakami 6+2reb+3ast, N.Hashimoto 4+1reb+1ast

Tokyo Z - Aomori W. 68-76

Rather expected game when 7th ranked Tokyo Z (5-21) was defeated at home by fifth ranked Aomori W. (11-15) 76-68 on Wednesday. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds. Forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St.) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was power forward Reginald Buckner (206-1991, college: Ole Miss) who recorded 18 points and 7 rebounds and guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Aomori W. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Nishinomiya S. and Yamagata. Tokyo Z lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 21 games lost. Aomori W. will meet at home league's leader Saga B. in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Tokyo Z's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Koshigaya A..
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: R.Buckner 18+7reb, K.Tsubasa 12+4reb+5ast, A.Spruill 12+8reb+2ast, J.Kano 11+3reb+1ast, J.Weatherspoon 8+8reb+4ast, Y.Ide 4+1reb+2ast
Aomori W.: A.Davis 17+5reb+1ast, E.Montgomery 12+8reb, M.Hisatake 12+15reb+3ast, A.Uchida 10+2reb, K.Tsuneta 8+2reb+3ast, K.Aita 7+1reb+3ast

Nishinomiya S. - Kagawa FA 92-78

There was a small surprise in Hyogo where sixth ranked Nishinomiya S. (11-15) defeated their close opponent Kagawa FA (8-18) 92-78 on Wednesday. Nishinomiya S. dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Kagawa FA's 46. Nishinomiya S. forced 19 Kagawa FA turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Trey Porter (208-1996, college: Nevada) who scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all six shots). Slovenian center Ziga Dimec (210-1993) chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Nishinomiya S. players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Kyle Richardson (200-1991, college: Portland St.) who recorded 34 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds and American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) added 17 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Nishinomiya S. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Aomori W. and Yamagata. Kagawa FA lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 18 games lost. Nishinomiya S. will meet league's second-placed Nagasaki on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Kagawa FA will play against Fukushima (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: K.Richardson 34+9reb+3ast, R.Adams 17+6reb+1ast, R.Vague 12+7reb+5ast, I.Ryo 5, U.Junki 4+1reb+2ast, H.Kotaro 4+1ast
Nishinomiya S.: T.Porter 16+7reb+4ast, Z.Dimec 16+6reb, R.Nakanishi 14+3reb+2ast, S.Watanabe 10+2reb+5ast, N.Dohara 8+1reb+2ast, K.Sena 7+1ast

Bambitious N. - Nagasaki 94-107

Not a big story in a game in Nara where 7th ranked Bambitious N. (6-20) was defeated by second ranked Nagasaki (18-8) 107-94 on Wednesday. Nagasaki made 25-of-27 free shots (92.6 percent) during the game. Nagasaki outrebounded Bambitious N. 34-20 including 24 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 20 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. The other American import forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) chipped in 24 points and 7 assists. Four Nagasaki players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Christian James (194-1996, college: Oklahoma) who recorded 20 points and 8 assists (perfect from the field making all six shots) and the former international forward Naoki Uto (188-1991) added 14 points and 7 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Nagasaki have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains second position with 18-8 record having just three points less than leader Chiba. Bambitious N. lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 20 games lost. Nagasaki will meet at home Nishinomiya S. (#4) in the next round. Bambitious N. will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: C.James 20+3reb+8ast, N.Uto 14+7ast, S.Fujitaka 13+1reb, T.Komoda 11, C.Mbodj 9+5reb+2ast, F.Naoyuki 8+3reb+4ast
Nagasaki: M.Bonds 28+20reb+4ast, J.Gibbs 24+4reb+7ast, T.Kanji 13+1reb+2ast, M.Karimata 10+1reb+2ast, J.Heading 9+4ast, E.Yamamoto 8+1reb+2ast

Ehime OV - Saga B. 67-84

The game between Top Four teams took place in Matsuyama. 3rd ranked host Ehime OV (13-13) lost to first ranked Saga B. (21-5) 84-67. Saga B. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Ehime OV's 26. The best player for the winners was Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Canadian forward Mikyle McIntosh (201-1994, college: Oregon) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. Five Saga B. players scored in double figures. Saga B.'s coach used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and American-German power forward Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa) added 15 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Saga B. have an impressive 14-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 21-5 record, which they share with Chiba. Loser Ehime OV keeps the third place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Fukushima. Saga B. will meet Aomori W. (#6) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Ehime OV will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 17+11reb+1ast, R.Kriener 15+10reb+1ast, S.Ishii 8+1reb+2ast, S.Kouno 7+1reb+1ast, A.Fitzgerald 6+4reb+3ast, A.Sakata 5+3reb
Saga B.: R.Garcia 26+11reb+9ast, M.McIntosh 14+6reb+3ast, T.Nishikawa 12+1reb+2ast, Y.Mitsuhara 11+4reb, C.Fieler 11+5reb+3ast, S.Taiki 5+1reb+3ast

Fukuoka R. - Kumamoto V. 66-80

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Kumamoto V.'s (14-12) road victory over 5th ranked Fukuoka R. (10-16) 80-66 on Wednesday. They outrebounded Fukuoka R. 38-26 including 27 on the defensive glass. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-1995, college: WKU) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Guard Hiroki Taniguchi (187-1992) chipped in 16 points. Four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Marvelle Harris (196-1993, college: Fresno St., agency: Slash Sports) who recorded 38 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 5 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) and his fellow American import forward Jordan Glynn (200-1989, college: SF Austin) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Kumamoto V. moved-up to third place. Loser Fukuoka R. keeps the fifth position with 16 games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet at home Ehime OV (#4) in the next round. Fukuoka R. will play against the league's leader Chiba and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: M.Harris 38+6reb+5ast, J.Glynn 13+8reb+2ast, Y.Nagayoshi 6+4reb+3ast, J.Honda 5+2reb, Y.Otsuka 2+3ast, D.Gordon 2+4reb
Kumamoto V.: B.Lawson 18+11reb+2ast, H.Taniguchi 16+3reb+1ast, C.Sow 11+5reb+1ast, K.Kotzur 11+3reb+1ast, K.Nagomu 9+2reb+3ast, R.Tawatari 6+1reb+4ast



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