B1 League Round 14 (Regular Season): Kawasaki BT keep a leadership position

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Kawasaki BT as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Kawasaki BT defeated 5th ranked Gunma CT in Kanagawa 71-61. The former international point guard Yuma Fujii (178-1991) scored 20 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international power forward Nick Fazekas (207-1985, college: Nevada) chipped in 6 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The former international swingman Naoto Tsuji (185-1989) responded with 22 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kawasaki BT (12-2) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with San-en NP. Gunma CT lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with nine games lost. Gunma CT will play next round against strong FE Nagoya trying to get back on the winning streak. Kawasaki BT will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Nagasaki on the road.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Sendai 89ers (7-7) against fourth ranked Nagasaki (9-5) on Sunday night. Host Sendai 89ers were defeated by Nagasaki in a tough game in Sendai 81-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sendai 89ers. American Jarrell Brantley (201-1996, college: Charleston) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and Yudai Baba supported him with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 14 points and 18 rebounds by Ukrainian center Volodymyr Gerun (208-1994, college: Portland) did not help to save the game for Sendai 89ers. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Nagasaki moved-up to third place, which they share with Osaka E. Sendai 89ers at the other side dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Sea Horses M.. Nagasaki will play against league's leader Kawasaki BT in Kanagawa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sendai 89ers will play on the road against Hitachi SRT in Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Sea Horses M. (7-7) against fourth ranked FE Nagoya (7-5) on Sunday night. Visiting Sea Horses M. was defeated by FE Nagoya in Nagoya 82-72. The best player for the winners was Sean OMara who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds. FE Nagoya's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Davante Gardner produced 18 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. FE Nagoya moved-up to third place. Loser Sea Horses M. dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Sendai 89ers. FE Nagoya will meet Gunma CT (#5) on the road in the next round. Sea Horses M. will play against the league's leader Ryukyu GK and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 14: Tochigi Brex destroyed Toyama G. on the opponent's court 80-51. Akita NH unfortunately lost to Alvark Tokyo in a home game 67-76. Hiroshima D. managed to beat Hokkaido L. on the road 83-76. Kyoto H. defeated Shinshu BW on its own court 94-85. Yokohama BC was beaten by Hitachi SRT in Tokyo 81-69. Chiba Jets won against Saga B. at home 78-72. Osaka E. unfortunately lost to Nagoya DD on the opponent's court 78-86. San-en NP rolled over Ibaraki R. in a home game 96-62. Shimane SM was defeated by Ryukyu GK on the road 91-84.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists by Perrin Buford of Shimane SM.



Toyama G. - Tochigi Brex 51-80

Very expected game when bottom-ranked Toyama G. (0-14) was crushed at home by second ranked Tochigi Brex (11-3) 80-51 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was the former international swingman Makoto Hiejima (191-1990) who scored 17 points. American guard DJ Newbill (193-1992, college: Penn St.) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. South Sudanese-American center Angelo Chol (206-1993, college: SDSU) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds and the former international forward Naoki Uto (191-1991) added 8 points respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tochigi Brex have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Ryukyu GK. Loser Toyama G. still closes the standings with 14 games lost. Tochigi Brex will meet Yokohama BC (#5) on the road in the next round. Toyama G. will play against Kyoto H. and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Tochigi Brex: M.Hiejima 17+3reb+2ast, T.Shinji 12+2reb+3ast, D.Newbill 12+7reb+3ast, H.Watanabe 9+1ast, I.Fotu 8+9reb, S.Ikaruga 7+2reb+1ast
Toyama G.: A.Chol 11+13reb+1ast, M.Hesson 8+4reb, N.Uto 8+3reb+1ast, N.Yoshiyuki 8, T.Murphy Jr. 6+2reb, U.Shunsuke 5+4reb+2ast

Akita NH - Alvark Tokyo 67-76

Very predictable result when first ranked Alvark Tokyo (13-1) defeated on the road 6th ranked Akita NH (3-11) 76-67 on Sunday. Alvark Tokyo made 29-of-33 free shots (87.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Brazilian Leonardo Meindl (201-1993) who scored 13 points and 6 assists. The former international forward Ryan Rossiter (206-1989, college: Siena) chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Alvark Tokyo players scored in double figures. American center Steve Zack (211-1992, college: La Salle) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Jerome Tillman (199-1987, college: Ohio) added 14 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Alvark Tokyo have an impressive ten-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 13-1 record. Akita NH lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Hokkaido L. and Kyoto H.. Alvark Tokyo will meet at home Hiroshima D. (#5) in the next round. Akita NH will play against Shinshu BW in Nagano and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Alvark Tokyo: L.Meindl 13+3reb+6ast, K.Toews 12+4ast, R.Rossiter 12+5reb+5ast, A.Gudaitis 10+8reb+1ast, S.Saiz 9+5reb+1ast, S.Ando 7+2reb+1ast
Akita NH: S.Zack 15+11reb+2ast, J.Tillman 14+3reb+2ast, K.Ko 12+1reb+6ast, S.Taguchi 9+3reb+2ast, A.Raita 5+4reb+1ast, H.Noboru 5+1reb+1ast

Hokkaido L. - Hiroshima D. 76-83

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Hokkaido L.'s (3-11) home loss to sixth ranked Hiroshima D. (8-6) 76-83 on Sunday. Hiroshima D. made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American forward Kerry Blackshear Jr (208-1997, college: Florida) who scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. The other American import forward Nick Mayo (206-1997, college: EKU, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Hiroshima D. players scored in double figures. Point guard Shuto Terazono (172-1994) produced 17 points and 7 assists and American center Thomas Welsh (213-1996, college: UCLA, agency: Pensack Sports) added 9 points and 13 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Hokkaido L.'s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Hiroshima D. have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Chiba Jets and Shimane SM. Hokkaido L. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Akita NH and Kyoto H.. Hiroshima D. will meet league's leader Alvark Tokyo on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Hokkaido L. will play against the league's second-placed San-en NP (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hiroshima D.: K.Blackshear Jr. 20+6reb, N.Mayo 13+6reb+5ast, K.Toshiki 12+1ast, D.Evans 10+5reb+1ast, T.Ryo 9+1reb+5ast, N.Takuto 7+2ast
Hokkaido L.: D.Willis 18+3reb, S.Terazono 17+3reb+7ast, N.Tsukasa 14+3reb+1ast, T.Welsh 9+13reb+3ast, K.Sekino 8+1ast, D.Brooks 6+3reb+3ast

Kyoto H. - Shinshu BW 94-85

There was a small surprise when eighth ranked Kyoto H. (3-11) beat at home 6th ranked Shinshu BW (4-10) 94-85 on Sunday. Kyoto H. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international guard Yuta Okada (189-1998) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 assists. American center Charles Jackson (208-1993, college: Tenn Tech) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Five Kyoto H. players scored in double figures. Point guard Fuki Yamamoto (177) produced 27 points and 5 assists and naturalized American guard Louis Kurihara (188-1996, college: Whittier) added 24 points respectively for the guests. Kyoto H. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Hokkaido L. and Akita NH. Shinshu BW lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with ten games lost. They share it with Hitachi SRT. Kyoto H. will meet at home Toyama G. (#8) in the next round. Shinshu BW will play against Akita NH and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: O.Yuta 22+4reb+10ast, K.Jones 18+7reb+1ast, C.Jackson 18+11reb+2ast, R.Aoki 17+1reb, K.Mizuno 11+3reb+3ast, M.Wright 5+1reb+2ast
Shinshu BW: Y.Fuki 27+3reb+5ast, L.Kurihara 24+2reb+1ast, S.Takumi 9+2reb, H.Kyosuke 9+6ast, D.Thompson 8+11reb+1ast, K.Taichi 4+1reb+1ast

Sendai 89ers - Nagasaki 81-86

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Sendai 89ers (7-7) against fourth ranked Nagasaki (9-5) on Sunday night. Host Sendai 89ers were defeated by Nagasaki in a tough game in Sendai 81-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sendai 89ers. Nagasaki players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. American Jarrell Brantley (201-1996, college: Charleston) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead the effort and international Yudai Baba (196-1995) supported him with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Even a double-double of 14 points and 18 rebounds by Ukrainian center Volodymyr Gerun (208-1994, college: Portland) did not help to save the game for Sendai 89ers. American Nathan Boothe (208-1994, college: Toledo) added 17 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Nagasaki moved-up to third place, which they share with Osaka E. Sendai 89ers at the other side dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Sea Horses M.. Nagasaki will play against league's leader Kawasaki BT in Kanagawa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sendai 89ers will play on the road against Hitachi SRT in Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: J.Brantley 21+13reb+3ast, A.Hirohide 20+1reb+6ast, Y.Baba 14+7reb+6ast, M.Bonds 12+4reb+2ast, N.Perkins 7+4reb+1ast, M.Morikawa 6+2reb
Sendai 89ers: R.Abe 21+3reb+2ast, N.Boothe 17+8reb+3ast, V.Gerun 14+18reb+1ast, W.Shota 11+2reb+4ast, Y.Aoki 8+4ast, J.Yang 5+2reb+2ast

Hitachi SRT - Yokohama BC 81-69

There was a minor upset in Tokyo where 5th ranked Yokohama BC (6-8) was defeated by seventh ranked Hitachi SRT (4-10) 81-69 on Sunday. Hitachi SRT dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Yokohama BC's 32. The best player for the winners was American-Kazakhstan point guard Anthony Clemmons (187-1994, college: Iowa) who scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke) chipped in 16 points. International guard Yuki Kawamura (172-2001) produced 25 points and 8 assists and American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) added 15 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Yokohama BC's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Hitachi SRT moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Shinshu BW. Loser Yokohama BC keeps the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Saga B.. Hitachi SRT will meet at home higher ranked Sendai 89ers (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Yokohama BC will play against the league's second-placed Tochigi Brex and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Hitachi SRT: A.Clemmons 16+7reb+2ast, R.Kelly 16+3reb+2ast, J.Hawkinson 12+6reb+1ast, L.Vendrame 11+3reb+4ast, J.Gibbs 10+7reb, D.Tanaka 9+3reb+7ast
Yokohama BC: K.Yuki 25+1reb+8ast, J.Scott 15+9reb+2ast, J.Uthoff 11+12reb, D.Oliver 10, S.Koya 3, K.King 3+1reb

Chiba Jets - Saga B. 78-72

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Chiba Jets (8-6) won against at home 7th ranked Saga B. (6-8) 78-72 on Sunday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Chiba Jets made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Chiba Jets made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds. The other American import forward Justyn Mutts (201-1999, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) produced 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and naturalized American forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) added 15 points and 13 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Chiba Jets maintains third position with 8-6 record having four points less than leader Ryukyu GK, which they share with Hiroshima D. and Shimane SM. Newly promoted Saga B. dropped to the fifth place with eight games lost. They share the position with Yokohama BC. Chiba Jets will meet Shimane SM (#6) on the road in the next round. Saga B. will play against Osaka E. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba Jets: J.Mooney 23+12reb+3ast, J.Mutts 15+12reb+2ast, Y.Togashi 11+2reb+3ast, S.Hara 8+1ast, F.Hikaru 6+1reb+2ast, O.Sota 6+2reb+1ast
Saga B.: Y.Childs 24+9reb+5ast, J.Harrellson 15+13reb, S.Taiki 12+6reb+3ast, R.Garcia 7+7reb+4ast, Y.Karino 6+1reb+3ast, K.Atsuki 3+1reb+2ast

Nagoya DD - Osaka E. 86-78

The game between closely ranked teams ended with one of their biggest challengers Osaka E.'s (9-5) road loss to second ranked Nagoya DD (11-5) 78-86 on Sunday. Nagoya DD made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. Nagoya DD had a 31-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American forward Robert Franks (201-1996, college: WSU) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. American-Filipino guard Ray Parks (193-1993) chipped in 17 points. Nagoya DD's coach Shawn Dennis used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Italian-American forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-1989, college: USF, agency: Pensack Sports) produced 19 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) added 13 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Nagoya DD have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 11-5 record behind leader Ryukyu GK. Osaka E. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the third place with five games lost. They share the position with Nagasaki. Nagoya DD will meet Ibaraki R. (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Osaka E. will play against Saga B. (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nagoya DD: P.Ray 17+2reb+2ast, T.Saito 17+3ast, R.Franks 15+11reb+1ast, Y.Suda 11+1reb+1ast, J.Smith 10+7reb+2ast, T.Soares 6+8reb+3ast
Osaka E.: A.Caloiaro 19+5reb+1ast, S.Long 13+9reb+1ast, K.Makoto 12+3reb+4ast, I.Hummer 10+6reb+1ast, T.Hashimoto 8+2reb+4ast, R.Goda 6+1ast

San-en NP - Ibaraki R. 96-62

Very predictable result in Hamamatsu where second ranked San-en NP (12-2) smashed 8th ranked Ibaraki R. (1-13) 96-62 on Sunday. San-en NP outrebounded Ibaraki R. 46-27 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. San-en NP looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Yante Maten (201-1996, college: Georgia) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds. The other American import forward Coty Clarke (201-1992, college: Arkansas) chipped in 21 points and 4 assists. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) produced 12 points and 9 rebounds and American forward Chehales Tapscott (195-1990, college: Portland St.) added 10 points and 4 assists respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. San-en NP have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Kawasaki BT. Ibaraki R. lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 13 games lost. San-en NP will meet Hokkaido L. (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Ibaraki R. will play against the league's second-placed Nagoya DD and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
San-en NP: Y.Maten 27+12reb+1ast, C.Clarke 21+4reb+4ast, S.Ryusei 13+1ast, K.Kanamaru 9+1reb, D.Dudzinski 9+9reb+5ast, O.Sota 7+3reb+7ast
Ibaraki R.: A.Brandt 12+9reb, T.Kennedy 11+2reb, C.Tapscott 10+4reb+4ast, O.Keitaro 9+2reb+1ast, Y.Hayato 6+4reb+4ast, M.Hisatake 6+5reb+1ast

FE Nagoya - Sea Horses M. 82-72

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Sea Horses M. (7-7) against fourth ranked FE Nagoya (7-5) on Sunday night. Visiting Sea Horses M. was defeated by FE Nagoya in Nagoya 82-72. The best player for the winners was American power forward Sean OMara (208-1995, college: Xavier) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds. The other American import forward Jeremy Jones (201-1996, college: Gonzaga) chipped in 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. FE Nagoya's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American power forward Davante Gardner (203-1991, college: Marquette) produced 18 points and 5 rebounds and point guard Yoshiaki Kubota (175-1997) added 15 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. FE Nagoya moved-up to third place. Loser Sea Horses M. dropped to the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Sendai 89ers. FE Nagoya will meet Gunma CT (#5) on the road in the next round. Sea Horses M. will play against the league's leader Ryukyu GK and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
FE Nagoya: S.O'Mara 18+12reb, T.Sugimoto 14+3reb, J.Jones 13+6reb+5ast, H.Kawashima 12+2reb+5ast, A.Henry 8+1reb+3ast, S.Ryo 7+3reb
Sea Horses M.: D.Gardner 18+5reb+2ast, K.Yoshiaki 15+3reb+1ast, K.Ishii 10+3reb+1ast, Z.Auguste 10+7reb, J.Layman 6+9reb+3ast, D.Lee 6+3reb+1ast

Kawasaki BT - Gunma CT 71-61

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Kawasaki BT as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Kawasaki BT defeated 5th ranked Gunma CT in Kanagawa 71-61. The former international point guard Yuma Fujii (178-1991) scored 20 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the former international power forward Nick Fazekas (207-1985, college: Nevada) chipped in 6 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The former international swingman Naoto Tsuji (185-1989) responded with 22 points and American center Kaleb Tarczewski (212-1993, college: Arizona) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Four Gunma CT players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kawasaki BT (12-2) have an impressive five-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with San-en NP. Gunma CT lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with nine games lost. Gunma CT will play next round against strong FE Nagoya trying to get back on the winning streak. Kawasaki BT will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Nagasaki on the road.
Top scorers:
Kawasaki BT: Y.Fujii 20+4ast, N.Reiya 9+1reb, R.Allen 8+3reb+3ast, J.Heath 8+4reb+1ast, N.Yuto 7+2reb+3ast, R.Shinoyama 7+3reb+1ast
Gunma CT: N.Tsuji 22+2reb+3ast, M.Parker 12+6reb+3ast, K.Flippin 11+2reb+5ast, K.Tarczewski 10+10reb+2ast, A.Hachimura 3+1reb+2ast, N.Namizato 3+1reb+3ast

Ryukyu GK - Shimane SM 91-84

Not a big story in a game in Okinawa where 5th ranked Shimane SM (8-6) was defeated by second ranked Ryukyu GK (11-3) 91-84 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was American power forward Jack Cooley (206-1991, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 19 rebounds. The former international guard Ryuichi Kishimoto (176-1990) chipped in 19 points and 5 assists. Ryukyu GK's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American forward Perrin Buford (198, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) produced a triple-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists and Australian Nick Kay (206-1992, college: MSU Denver) added 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Four Ryukyu GK and five Shimane SM players scored in double figures. Ryukyu GK have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Tochigi Brex. Loser Shimane SM dropped to the third place with six games lost. They share the position with Chiba Jets and Hiroshima D.. Ryukyu GK will meet Sea Horses M. (#4) in the next round. Shimane SM will play against Chiba Jets and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: R.Kishimoto 19+2reb+5ast, J.Cooley 16+19reb+1ast, A.Durham 16+8reb+2ast, K.Imamura 14+2reb+4ast, M.Yoshiyuki 9, A.Kirk 6+3reb+1ast
Shimane SM: N.Kay 22+8reb+4ast, P.Buford 21+10reb+13ast, N.Williams 15+2reb, T.Shota 12+6reb+1ast, S.Ando 11+4reb+3ast, R.Shirahama 3+2reb