B2 League Round 30: Chiba is defeated by Ehime OV

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Chiba (25-7) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by fourth ranked Ehime OV (14-18) 79-76. Point guard Takumi Furuno (179-1993) scored 23 points and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Ehime OV's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 17 rebounds and 8 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Ehime OV maintains fourth position with 14-18 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Newly promoted Chiba dropped to the second place with seven games lost. Ehime OV will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chiba will play again at home against Ehime OV and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Seventh-ranked Kagawa FA (9-23) gave a tough game to second ranked Koshigaya A. (26-6) in Takamatsu. The visitors from Tokyo managed to secure only one-point victory 72-71. However their fans expected much easier game. American forward Justin Harper (208-1989, college: Richmond) notched 22 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and Isaac Butts supported him with 11 points and 18 rebounds. Even a double-double of 29 points and 13 rebounds by British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Kagawa FA. Kagawa FA's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Koshigaya A. have an impressive six-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Saga B. Kagawa FA at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Bambitious N.. Koshigaya A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa FA will play again at home against the league's leader Koshigaya A. (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. Their close opponent host Fukushima (16-16) lost to third ranked Kumamoto V. (18-14) 82-75. The best player for the winners was Terrance Woodbury who scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Gregory Echenique who recorded 29 points and 7 rebounds (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!). Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kumamoto V. maintains third position with 18-14 record having eight points less than leader Saga B. which they share with defeated Fukushima. Loser Fukushima keeps the third place with 16 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play again against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 30: Fukuoka R. lost to Aomori W. on the opponent's court 75-81. Yamagata unfortunately lost to Saga B. in a home game 64-81. Tokyo Z managed to beat Nishinomiya S. on the road 76-72. Bambitious N. was defeated by Nagasaki on its own court 94-101.

Aomori W. - Fukuoka R. 81-75

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 5th ranked Fukuoka R.'s (12-20) road loss to fourth ranked Aomori W. (15-17) 75-81 on Saturday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Aomori W. made 7 blocks. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St.) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds. Center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) chipped in 9 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Jordan Glynn (200-1989, college: SF Austin) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Marvelle Harris (196-1993, college: Fresno St., agency: Slash Sports) added 23 points respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aomori W. maintains fourth position with 15-17 record. Loser Fukuoka R. keeps the fifth place with 20 games lost. Aomori W. will again meet at home Fukuoka R. (#5) in the next round. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: M.Harris 23+1reb+2ast, J.Glynn 16+10reb+3ast, D.Gordon 9+14reb+2ast, Y.Nagayoshi 6+1reb+2ast, S.Shigetomi 6+1ast, Y.Otsuka 5+1reb+6ast
Aomori W.: A.Davis 22+13reb+3ast, K.Aita 17+1reb+3ast, M.Hisatake 9+10reb+2ast, I.Yuichi 9+1reb+4ast, H.Mone 6+2reb+1ast, E.Montgomery 6+4reb+1ast

Yamagata - Saga B. 64-81

Very predictable result when first ranked Saga B. (26-6) defeated on the road 6th ranked Yamagata (13-19) 81-64 on Saturday. Saga B. dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Yamagata's 20. The best player for the winners was Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) who scored 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Canadian forward Mikyle McIntosh (201-1994, college: Oregon) chipped in 23 points and 5 rebounds. Saga B.'s coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded 16 points and 7 rebounds and American-Panamanian center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) added 11 points and 13 rebounds respectively. Four Yamagata players scored in double figures. Saga B. have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 26-6 record, which they share with Koshigaya A. Loser Yamagata keeps the sixth place with 19 games lost. Saga B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play again against the league's leader Saga B. (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: T.Welsh 16+9reb+1ast, J.Bell 16+7reb+3ast, J.Carter 11+13reb+2ast, D.Suzuki 10+2reb, K.Takahashi 4, S.Murakami 2+4ast
Saga B.: M.McIntosh 23+5reb, R.Garcia 22+5reb+4ast, C.Fieler 11+10reb+2ast, S.Taiki 7+1reb+1ast, T.Nishikawa 7+2reb+1ast, Y.Mitsuhara 5+4reb

Fukushima - Kumamoto V. 75-82

The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. Their close opponent host Fukushima (16-16) lost to third ranked Kumamoto V. (18-14) 82-75. Kumamoto V. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Fukushima's 40. The best player for the winners was American guard Terrance Woodbury (201-1987, college: Georgia) who scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. The other American import center Jamel McLean (202-1988, college: Xavier) chipped in 15 points. 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 Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who recorded 29 points and 7 rebounds (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) and American forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kumamoto V. maintains third position with 18-14 record having eight points less than leader Saga B. which they share with defeated Fukushima. Loser Fukushima keeps the third place with 16 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play again against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Echenique 29+7reb, J.Harrellson 13+5reb+1ast, T.Hasegawa 9+3reb+2ast, S.Murakami 7+1reb+4ast, N.Hashimoto 5, E.Murphy 5+1reb+2ast
Kumamoto V.: T.Woodbury 24+9reb+7ast, J.McLean 15+3reb+1ast, C.Sow 14+4reb, B.Lawson 8+6reb, I.Hiroaki 6+5reb+6ast, R.Tawatari 5+3reb+2ast

Chiba - Ehime OV 76-79

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Chiba (25-7) at the home court on Saturday night. Hosts were edged by fourth ranked Ehime OV (14-18) 79-76. Point guard Takumi Furuno (179-1993) scored 23 points and 8 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Ehime OV's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American forward Leo Lyons (206-1987, college: Missouri) with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 17 rebounds and 8 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and guard Kei Sugimoto (182-1992) scored 14 points and 6 assists. Ehime OV maintains fourth position with 14-18 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Newly promoted Chiba dropped to the second place with seven games lost. Ehime OV will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chiba will play again at home against Ehime OV and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba: L.Lyons 20+17reb+8ast, Y.Otsuka 16+1reb+1ast, K.Sugimoto 14+3reb+6ast, K.Kotzur 9+8reb+4ast, F.Kota 7+1reb+3ast, K.Paras 6
Ehime OV: T.Furuno 23+3reb+8ast, A.Fitzgerald 19+9reb, Y.Toshino 12+4reb+4ast, R.Kriener 8+10reb+2ast, S.Ishii 7+1reb+2ast, E.Phelps 6+3reb+2ast

Nishinomiya S. - Tokyo Z 72-76

There was a minor upset in Hyogo where 5th ranked Nishinomiya S. (14-18) was defeated by seventh ranked Tokyo Z (6-26) 76-72 on Saturday. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was power forward Ishmael Lane (203-1997, college: NSU) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Guard Addison Spruill (195-1993, college: UNCW) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Trey Porter (208-1996, college: Nevada) who recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks and forward DeQuan Jones (203-1990, college: Miami, FL) added 19 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tokyo Z maintains seventh position with 6-26 record. Loser Nishinomiya S. dropped to the fourth place with 18 games lost. They share the position with Ehime OV. Tokyo Z will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nishinomiya S. will play again against Tokyo Z (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nishinomiya S.: T.Porter 22+17reb+3ast, D.Jones 19+11reb+1ast, K.Sena 7+1reb, Z.Dimec 7+9reb+1ast, K.Ryuya 5+1reb+1ast, N.Dohara 4+2reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: I.Lane 17+13reb+4ast, Y.Ide 16+4reb+1ast, A.Spruill 11+9reb+3ast, M.Joho 10+5reb, K.Kimura 8+1reb+2ast, J.Kano 7+3reb+1ast

Bambitious N. - Nagasaki 94-101

Everything went according to plan in Nara where second ranked Nagasaki (21-11) beat 6th ranked Bambitious N. (9-23) 101-94 on Saturday. They outrebounded Bambitious N. 40-29 including 28 on the defensive glass. Nagasaki looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 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 32 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. The other American import forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Nagasaki players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati) who recorded 25 points and 9 rebounds and American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St.) added 21 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains second position with 21-11 record having five points less than leader Saga B. Loser Bambitious N. keeps the sixth place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Kagawa FA. Nagasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bambitious N. will play again against the league's second-placed Nagasaki (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: C.Mbodj 25+9reb+2ast, J.Wilson 21+6reb, C.James 17+3reb+4ast, T.Komoda 8+1ast, N.Uto 7+9reb+6ast, Y.Tomoya 5+3ast
Nagasaki: M.Bonds 32+10reb+7ast, M.Karimata 18+1reb+3ast, T.Kanji 14+2reb+1ast, J.Gibbs 14+11reb+7ast, J.Heading 13+2reb+1ast, P.Aguilar 7+9reb+4ast

Kagawa FA - Koshigaya A. 71-72

Seventh-ranked Kagawa FA (9-23) gave a tough game to second ranked Koshigaya A. (26-6) in Takamatsu. The visitors from Tokyo managed to secure only one-point victory 72-71. However their fans expected much easier game. Koshigaya A. dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Kagawa FA's 14. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American forward Justin Harper (208-1989, college: Richmond) notched 22 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) supported him with 11 points and 18 rebounds. Even a double-double of 29 points and 13 rebounds by British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Kagawa FA. Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) added 11 points and 7 rebounds. Kagawa FA's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Koshigaya A. have an impressive six-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Saga B. Kagawa FA at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Bambitious N.. Koshigaya A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa FA will play again at home against the league's leader Koshigaya A. (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: M.Hesson 29+13reb+3ast, R.Vague 11+7reb+2ast, T.Kodama 9+3reb+3ast, R.Adams 9+8reb+1ast, K.Richardson 6+7reb+2ast, U.Junki 4+2ast
Koshigaya A.: J.Harper 22+7reb+1ast, B.Chapman 15+14reb, I.Butts 11+18reb+1ast, T.Hasegawa 7+1reb+6ast, K.Hayate 7+5reb+6ast, K.Makoto 6+5reb+1ast



Tags : TAKUMI FURUNO, EHIME ORANGE VIKINGS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL