B2 League Round 31: Saga B. lose to Yamagata

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Saga B. (26-7) recorded its seventh loss on the court of sixth ranked Yamagata on Sunday night. Visitors were rolled over by Yamagata 102-80. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Saga B.. Yamagata made 24-of-27 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Yamagata had a 28-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Saga B. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 19 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) for the winners. point guard Shunto Murakami (183-1996) chipped in 23 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) produced 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Yamagata maintains sixth place with 14-19 record. Saga B. at the other side still keeps top position with seven games lost. Yamagata are looking forward to face league's second-placed Nagasaki at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Saga B. will play against the league's leader Koshigaya A. in Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Chiba (25-8) against fourth ranked Ehime OV (15-18) on Sunday night. Host Chiba was crushed by Ehime OV in Chiba 93-72. Worth to mention a great performance of Yoshihiko Toshino (186-1992) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 6 assists. Ryan Kriener contributed with 18 points and 14 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American forward Kevin Kotzur (203-1989, college: St.Mary's, TX, agency: Green Sports Management) answered with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds for Chiba. Chiba's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Ehime OV maintains fourth place with 15-18 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Chiba lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the second position with eight games lost. Ehime OV will play against Nishinomiya S. (#5) in Hyogo in the next round. Chiba will play at home against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukushima. Third ranked Kumamoto V. faced their close opponent Fukushima. Guests from Kumamoto (19-14) defeated host Fukushima (16-17) 73-69. It was a great evening for Jamel McLean who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side Gregory Echenique responded with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 19-14 record having eight points less than leader Saga B. which they share with defeated Fukushima. Loser Fukushima keeps the third position with 17 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Kumamoto V. will meet at home Tokyo Z (#7) in the next round. Fukushima will play against Fukuoka R. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 31 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Fukuoka R. was defeated by Aomori W. in a road game 83-77. Nishinomiya S. beat Tokyo Z at home 77-63. Nagasaki destroyed Bambitious N. on the opponent's court 95-61. Kagawa FA unfortunately lost to Koshigaya A. in a home game 73-79.
The best stats of 31th round was 26 points and 14 rebounds by Kyle Richardson of Kagawa FA.

Aomori W. - Fukuoka R. 83-77

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 5th ranked Fukuoka R.'s (12-21) road loss to fourth ranked Aomori W. (16-17) 77-83 on Sunday. Aomori W. made 29-of-34 free shots (85.3 percent) during the game, while Fukuoka R. only scored four points from the stripe. The game was dominated by American players. It was a great evening for center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St.) helped adding 15 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side point guard Marvelle Harris (196-1993, college: Fresno St., agency: Slash Sports) responded with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals and forward Jordan Glynn (200-1989, college: SF Austin) scored 19 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Aomori W. moved-up to third place, which they share with Fukushima. Loser Fukuoka R. keeps the fifth position with 21 games lost. Aomori W. will meet league's second-placed Chiba on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukuoka R. will play against Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: M.Harris 23+5reb+6ast, J.Glynn 19+8reb+2ast, I.Yuma 10+1reb, D.Gordon 9+10reb+1ast, G.Slaughter 8+4reb, J.Honda 4+3ast
Aomori W.: M.Hisatake 27+9reb, E.Montgomery 18+6reb+2ast, A.Davis 15+8reb+3ast, K.Aita 6+1reb+3ast, H.Mone 5+2reb+1ast, J.Nozato 3+2ast

Yamagata - Saga B. 102-80

Top ranked Saga B. (26-7) recorded its seventh loss on the court of sixth ranked Yamagata on Sunday night. Visitors were rolled over by Yamagata 102-80. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Saga B.. Yamagata made 24-of-27 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Yamagata had a 28-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Saga B. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 19 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!) for the winners. Point guard Shunto Murakami (183-1996) chipped in 23 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Five Yamagata players scored in double figures. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) produced 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and Canadian forward Mikyle McIntosh (201-1994, college: Oregon) added 26 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Yamagata maintains sixth place with 14-19 record. Saga B. at the other side still keeps top position with seven games lost. Yamagata are looking forward to face league's second-placed Nagasaki at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Saga B. will play against the league's leader Koshigaya A. in Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saga B.: M.McIntosh 26+2reb, C.Fieler 17+5reb+3ast, R.Garcia 14+8reb+7ast, S.Taiki 7+2reb+4ast, Y.Yamashita 5+3reb, Y.Mitsuhara 5+2reb
Yamagata: S.Murakami 23+5reb+7ast, T.Welsh 19+18reb+5ast, J.Carter 19+1reb, J.Bell 18+5reb+6ast, D.Suzuki 15+2reb+3ast, J.Maniwa 8+1reb

Fukushima - Kumamoto V. 69-73

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukushima. Third ranked Kumamoto V. faced their close opponent Fukushima. Guests from Kumamoto (19-14) defeated host Fukushima (16-17) 73-69. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for American center Jamel McLean (202-1988, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points and 9 rebounds. British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-1995, college: WKU) helped adding 11 points and 6 rebounds. Four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. At the losing side Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 22 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) scored 3 points and 17 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 19-14 record having eight points less than leader Saga B. which they share with defeated Fukushima. Loser Fukushima keeps the third position with 17 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Kumamoto V. will meet at home Tokyo Z (#7) in the next round. Fukushima will play against Fukuoka R. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Echenique 22+8reb+2ast, T.Hasegawa 14+5reb+1ast, N.Hashimoto 13+2reb, G.Cheon 6+3reb+2ast, S.Murakami 4+2ast, J.Harrellson 3+17reb+3ast
Kumamoto V.: J.McLean 15+9reb+2ast, I.Hiroaki 11+4reb+3ast, B.Lawson 11+6reb+1ast, T.Woodbury 10+2reb+3ast, R.Motomura 6+5reb+1ast, N.Ren 6+2reb+2ast

Chiba - Ehime OV 72-93

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Chiba (25-8) against fourth ranked Ehime OV (15-18) on Sunday night. Host Chiba was crushed by Ehime OV in Chiba 93-72. They made 17-of-20 charity shots (85.0 percent) during the game. Ehime OV shot the lights out from three nailing 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Yoshihiko Toshino (186-1992) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 6 assists. American-German power forward Ryan Kriener (208-1998, college: Iowa, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American forward Kevin Kotzur (203-1989, college: St.Mary's, TX, agency: Green Sports Management) answered with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) added 13 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Chiba. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Chiba's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Ehime OV maintains fourth place with 15-18 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. Chiba lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the second position with eight games lost. Ehime OV will play against Nishinomiya S. (#5) in Hyogo in the next round. Chiba will play at home against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba: T.Kida 16+2reb, B.Ashley 13+6reb, K.Kotzur 13+11reb+2ast, L.Lyons 11+5reb+2ast, Y.Osaki 7+4reb+1ast, F.Kota 6+4reb+1ast
Ehime OV: Y.Toshino 24+3reb+6ast, R.Kriener 18+14reb, S.Ishii 15+5reb+3ast, T.Furuno 13+1reb+9ast, A.Fitzgerald 9+5reb+4ast, S.Kouno 8+1ast

Nishinomiya S. - Tokyo Z 77-63

No shocking result in a game in Hyogo where fifth ranked Nishinomiya S. (15-18) defeated 7th ranked Tokyo Z (6-27) 77-63 on Sunday. They outrebounded Tokyo Z 45-32 including a 20-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Nishinomiya S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for American forward DeQuan Jones (203-1990, college: Miami, FL) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 6 rebounds. Slovenian center Ziga Dimec (210-1993) helped adding 10 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side American power forward Ishmael Lane (203-1997, college: NSU) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import power forward Reginald Buckner (206-1991, college: Ole Miss) scored 7 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Nishinomiya S. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Ehime OV. Loser Tokyo Z keeps the seventh position with 27 games lost. Nishinomiya S. will meet Ehime OV (#4) in the next round. Tokyo Z will play against Kumamoto V. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: I.Lane 20+11reb+2ast, K.Kimura 11+2reb+2ast, J.Kano 9+1reb+2ast, R.Buckner 7+8reb, A.Spruill 7+5reb+1ast, Y.Ide 6+4reb+1ast
Nishinomiya S.: D.Jones 21+6reb+3ast, T.Porter 11+8reb, Z.Dimec 10+9reb+2ast, T.Yusuke 9+7reb+5ast, N.Tani 7+2reb, S.Watanabe 7+3reb+4ast

Bambitious N. - Nagasaki 61-95

Very expected game in Nara where 6th ranked Bambitious N. (9-24) was rolled over by second ranked Nagasaki (22-11) 95-61 on Sunday. Nagasaki dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Bambitious N.'s 36 and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) helped adding 17 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals. Four Nagasaki players scored in double figures. At the losing side Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds and American-Portuguese Jeremiah Wilson (205-1988, college: Tarleton St.) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Nagasaki have a solid series of three victories in a row. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains second place with 22-11 record having five points less than leader Saga B. Loser Bambitious N. keeps the sixth position with 24 games lost. They share it with Kagawa FA. Nagasaki will meet Yamagata (#6) on the road in the next round. Bambitious N. will play against Kagawa FA in Takamatsu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: C.James 14+4reb, J.Wilson 12+8reb+2ast, C.Mbodj 11+12reb, N.Uto 9+4reb+3ast, I.Shinpei 6+1reb+3ast, T.Komoda 4+1ast
Nagasaki: M.Bonds 20+11reb+3ast, J.Heading 20+6reb+2ast, J.Gibbs 17+8reb+9ast, T.Kanji 12+4reb+2ast, P.Aguilar 9+6reb, E.Takuma 6+3reb

Kagawa FA - Koshigaya A. 73-79

Very predictable result in Takamatsu where first ranked Koshigaya A. (27-6) beat 7th ranked Kagawa FA (9-24) 79-73 on Sunday. Koshigaya A. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American power forward Brekkott Chapman (206-1996, college: Weber St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) helped adding 11 points and 13 rebounds. Four Koshigaya A. players scored in double figures. At the losing side American Kyle Richardson (200-1991, college: Portland St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds (made all of his ten free throws !!!) and point guard Takayuki Kodama (166-1992) scored 8 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Koshigaya A. have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 27-6 record. Kagawa FA lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with 24 games lost. They share it with Bambitious N.. Koshigaya A. will meet at home league's leader Saga B. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Kagawa FA will play against Bambitious N. (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: K.Richardson 26+14reb+2ast, R.Vague 15+1reb+2ast, T.Kodama 8+5reb+7ast, I.Ryo 7+2reb+1ast, R.Adams 7+4reb, M.Hesson 6+2reb
Koshigaya A.: B.Chapman 19+7reb+1ast, J.Harper 14+6reb+3ast, I.Butts 11+13reb, K.Makoto 11+5reb+4ast, K.Hayate 9+3reb+3ast, K.Ninomiya 7+2ast



Tags : THOMAS WELSH, PASS LAB YAMAGATA WYVERNS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL