B2 League Round 27 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most interesting game of round 27 in the B2 League was a home defeat of their close opponent Ehime OV (13-17) to fourth ranked Aomori W. (14-16) 91-86 in the game for the fourth place. Aomori W. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points. His fellow American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St.) helped adding 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. The best for the losing side was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Aomori W. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 14-16 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Ehime OV lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very significant was Aomori W.'s (#4) 81-69 road victory against their close opponent Ehime OV. It was an exceptional evening for point guard Keisuke Aita (182-1995) who led the winners and scored 23 points and 5 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Alex Davis accounted for 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds for Ehime OV in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aomori W. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 14-16 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Ehime OV lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Third-ranked Fukushima (15-15) gave a tough game to first ranked Saga B. (24-6) on Saturday. Saga B. managed to secure only one-point victory 79-78. However their fans expected easier game. The best player for the winners was Chase Fieler who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Josh Harrellson who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Saga B. maintains first place with 24-6 record, which they share with Koshigaya A. Fukushima at the other side keeps the third position with 15 games lost. Saga B. will again meet at home Fukushima (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fukushima will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 27: Tokyo Z lost to Chiba on the opponent's court 73-86. Kumamoto V. managed to outperform Bambitious N. in a home game 73-64. Nishinomiya S. managed to beat Yamagata on the road 92-76. Kagawa FA was defeated by Fukuoka R. on its own court 73-87. Nagasaki was beaten by Koshigaya A. in Tokyo 84-76. Chiba destroyed Tokyo Z at home 96-65.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists by Leo Lyons of Chiba.

Chiba - Tokyo Z 86-73

Very expected game when 7th ranked Tokyo Z (5-25) was defeated on the road by first ranked Chiba (25-5) 86-73 on Friday. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) chipped in 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Chiba players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was power forward Ishmael Lane (203-1997, college: NSU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 19 rebounds and guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) added 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Chiba have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first place with 25-5 record. Tokyo Z lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 25 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Chiba: B.Ashley 26+14reb+3ast, E.Ravenel 19+8reb+3ast, L.Lyons 14+7reb+2ast, Y.Otsuka 11+3reb+2ast, K.Sugimoto 7+5reb+11ast, F.Kota 5
Tokyo Z: I.Lane 35+19reb, A.Spruill 20+7reb+4ast, K.Tsubasa 6+2reb+5ast, O.Kazuma 3+2reb, J.Kano 3+1reb+3ast, Y.Ide 2+1ast

Ehime OV - Aomori W. 86-91

The most interesting game of round 27 in the B2 League was a home defeat of their close opponent Ehime OV (13-17) to fourth ranked Aomori W. (14-16) 91-86 in the game for the fourth place. Aomori W. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points. His fellow American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St.) helped adding 14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks. The best for the losing side was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Takumi Furuno (179-1993) scored 19 points and 8 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Aomori W. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 14-16 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Ehime OV lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: M.Hisatake 21+4reb+1ast, A.Davis 14+5reb+7ast, K.Aita 12+1reb+2ast, E.Montgomery 10+8reb+1ast, H.Mone 9+4reb+2ast, K.Tsuneta 8+1reb+2ast
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 20+10reb+5ast, R.Kriener 19+6reb+2ast, T.Furuno 19+2reb+8ast, Y.Toshino 11+5reb+9ast, A.Fitzgerald 7+5reb+2ast, S.Kouno 5+1ast

Ehime OV - Aomori W. 69-81

Very significant was Aomori W.'s (#4) 81-69 road victory against their close opponent Ehime OV. Aomori W. players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for point guard Keisuke Aita (182-1995) who led the winners and scored 23 points and 5 assists (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). American forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St.) accounted for 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Aomori W. players scored in double figures. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 15 rebounds and American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Ehime OV in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aomori W. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 14-16 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Ehime OV lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: K.Aita 23+1reb+5ast, A.Davis 16+6reb+5ast, E.Montgomery 14+7reb, M.Hisatake 13+2reb+6ast, H.Mone 7+3reb+1ast, I.Yuichi 5+6ast
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 24+15reb+1ast, A.Fitzgerald 13+5reb+2ast, T.Riki 8, A.Sakata 7+3reb+2ast, S.Ishii 6, R.Kriener 5+6reb+1ast

Saga B. - Fukushima 79-78

Third-ranked Fukushima (15-15) gave a tough game to first ranked Saga B. (24-6) on Saturday. Saga B. managed to secure only one-point victory 79-78. However their fans expected easier game. The best player for the winners was American Chase Fieler (202-1992, college: FGCU) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) chipped in 19 points and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) added 22 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Saga B. maintains first place with 24-6 record, which they share with Koshigaya A. Fukushima at the other side keeps the third position with 15 games lost. Saga B. will again meet at home Fukushima (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fukushima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saga B.: C.Fieler 20+13reb+3ast, R.Garcia 19+4reb+5ast, M.McIntosh 11+2reb+1ast, T.Nishikawa 7+1reb+1ast, Y.Yamashita 7+2reb, S.Taiki 7+3reb+2ast
Fukushima: G.Echenique 22+8reb, J.Harrellson 17+13reb+5ast, T.Hasegawa 15+1reb+4ast, N.Hashimoto 8+3reb+1ast, E.Murphy 7+5reb+1ast, S.Kanno 3+2reb+1ast

Kumamoto V. - Bambitious N. 73-64

Rather predictable result when third ranked Kumamoto V. (17-13) defeated at home 7th ranked Bambitious N. (8-22) 73-64 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American guard Terrance Woodbury (201-1987, college: Georgia) who scored 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import center Jamel McLean (202-1988, college: Xavier) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. Woodbury is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St.) added 9 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kumamoto V. have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 17-13 record having seven points less than leader Chiba. Loser Bambitious N. keeps the seventh position with 22 games lost. Kumamoto V. will again meet at home Bambitious N. (#7) in the next round. Bambitious N. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: J.McLean 20+10reb, T.Woodbury 17+9reb+5ast, N.Ren 11+2ast, K.Nagomu 7+1reb, B.Lawson 7+10reb+4ast, R.Motomura 6+4reb
Bambitious N.: C.Mbodj 15+10reb+2ast, N.Uto 13+2reb+1ast, C.James 13+2reb+3ast, J.Wilson 9+7reb+2ast, Y.Tomoya 4+4reb+1ast, I.Shinpei 3+1ast

Yamagata - Nishinomiya S. 76-92

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 6th ranked Yamagata's (12-18) home loss to fifth ranked Nishinomiya S. (14-16) 76-92 on Saturday. Nishinomiya S. made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was Slovenian center Ziga Dimec (210-1993) who scored 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!). American forward Trey Porter (208-1996, college: Nevada) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds. Four Nishinomiya S. players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) who recorded 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!) and the other American import James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Nishinomiya S. have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Aomori W. Yamagata lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 18 games lost. Nishinomiya S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play again against Nishinomiya S. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nishinomiya S.: Z.Dimec 23+9reb+5ast, T.Porter 17+9reb+2ast, D.Jones 14+6reb+1ast, S.Watanabe 11+1reb+3ast, K.Sena 7+1reb+1ast, N.Dohara 7+2reb+3ast
Yamagata: T.Welsh 22+8reb+4ast, J.Bell 16+7reb+4ast, Y.Yuya 11+1reb+1ast, S.Murakami 8+1reb+3ast, D.Suzuki 8+1reb+1ast, J.Carter 6+4reb+2ast

Kagawa FA - Fukuoka R. 73-87

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Fukuoka R.'s (11-19) road victory over 6th ranked Kagawa FA (9-21) 87-73 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American point guard Marvelle Harris (196-1993, college: Fresno St., agency: Slash Sports) who scored 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import forward Jordan Glynn (200-1989, college: SF Austin) chipped in 18 points. At the other side the best for losing team was British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) added 10 points and 13 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukuoka R. maintains fifth place with 11-19 record. Kagawa FA lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 21 games lost. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa FA will play again against Fukuoka R. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: M.Harris 23+7reb+4ast, J.Glynn 18+4reb+3ast, S.Shigetomi 15+3reb+4ast, Y.Otsuka 8+5reb+4ast, T.Shirato 7+1reb+1ast, Y.Nagayoshi 7+5reb+2ast
Kagawa FA: M.Hesson 23+6reb+5ast, I.Ryo 12, R.Vague 10+13reb+1ast, T.Kodama 9+1reb+5ast, K.Richardson 7+9reb, H.Kotaro 5+6ast

Koshigaya A. - Nagasaki 84-76

There was a minor upset in Tokyo where their close opponent Nagasaki (19-11) was defeated by second ranked Koshigaya A. (24-6) 84-76 on Saturday. Koshigaya A. dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Nagasaki's 26. They outrebounded Nagasaki 58-34 including a 20-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Koshigaya A. made 7 blocks. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Justin Harper (208-1989, college: Richmond) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds. Power forward Brekkott Chapman (206-1996, college: Weber St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds. Four Koshigaya A. players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) who recorded 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) added 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Koshigaya A. have a solid series of four victories in a row. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Saga B. Nagasaki lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the second place with 11 games lost. Koshigaya A. will again meet at home league's second-placed Nagasaki in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nagasaki will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: J.Harper 24+14reb+1ast, M.Shun 14+3reb+1ast, K.Makoto 12+5reb+2ast, K.Hayate 10+4reb+1ast, B.Chapman 10+14reb+3ast, I.Butts 6+11reb+1ast
Nagasaki: J.Gibbs 23+9reb+5ast, M.Bonds 18+8reb+4ast, T.King 8+1reb, D.Noguchi 8+1reb, M.Karimata 8+8reb+3ast, J.Heading 4+5reb+2ast

Chiba - Tokyo Z 96-65

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Chiba (25-5) outleveled at home 7th ranked Tokyo Z (5-25) 96-65 on Saturday. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Tokyo Z's 38. They outrebounded Tokyo Z 46-26 including 18 on the offensive glass. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Tokyo Z's players. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) chipped in 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Chiba players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) who recorded 21 points and power forward Ishmael Lane (203-1997, college: NSU) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Chiba have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first place with 25-5 record. Tokyo Z lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 25 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Chiba: L.Lyons 22+12reb+4ast, B.Ashley 19+7reb+4ast, E.Ravenel 16+9reb+2ast, Y.Otsuka 10+2reb+1ast, T.Kida 9+6reb+2ast, K.Sugimoto 5+2reb+3ast
Tokyo Z: A.Spruill 21+2reb+2ast, I.Lane 12+7reb+3ast, O.Kazuma 8+2reb+3ast, K.Tsubasa 6+1reb+1ast, M.Joho 5+3reb, Y.Ide 5+2reb



Tags : MAX HISATAKE, AOMORI WATTS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL