WJBL Round 22 of Regular Season

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Second defeat of league's leader Denso I. (19-2) against third ranked Toyota A. (19-2) 85-80 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Denso I.. It was a key game for the second position in the league. They outrebounded Denso I. 41-26 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Mai Yamamoto (163-1999) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds. The former international point guard Shiori Yasuma (161-1994) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international Akaho Himawari (185-1998) replied with 25 points and 5 rebounds for Denso I.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Toyota A. moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Denso I. Denso I. will play next round against league's leader Eneos S. trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Toyota A. will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Chanson V-M in Shizuoka.
Bottom-ranked Niigata R. managed to get a fourth victory. This time they won against twelfth-ranked Yamanashi QB 68-63. Point guard Yukina Sakata (163-1996) scored 19 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Nishitarumizu Misakura chipped in 11 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side point guard Inoue Momoko (170-1997) responded with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Niigata R. (4-18) moved-up to twelfth place. Yamanashi QB at the other side dropped to the bottom position with 18 games lost. They share it with Himeji E.. Niigata R. will play against higher ranked Hitachi Cougars (#8) in Hitachinaka in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Yamanashi QB will play on the road against Aishin AW (#7) in Anjo and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Aichi was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Chanson V-M (16-5) played at the court of 6th ranked Toyota BSR (13-9). Chanson V-M defeated Toyota BSR 70-56 on Sunday. Izoje Uche notched a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 10 points and 7 rebounds by Nanami Tsuno did not help to save the game for Toyota BSR. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Chanson V-M maintains fifth position with 16-5 record. Loser Toyota BSR keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. Chanson V-M will meet at home higher ranked Toyota A. (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Toyota BSR will play against Fujitsu RW and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 22 were not that significant. Aishin AW beat Aranmare on the road 69-65. Hitachi Cougars were destroyed by Fujitsu RW on its own court 57-105. Eneos S. managed to outperform Mitsubishi K. in Kashiwa 71-67. Haneda V. rolled over Himeji E. at home 91-62.
The most impressive performance of 22th round was 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists by Yuriko Tsumura of Haneda V..

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.

Toyota BSR - Chanson V-M 56-70

The game in Aichi was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Chanson V-M (16-5) played at the court of 6th ranked Toyota BSR (13-9). Chanson V-M defeated Toyota BSR 70-56 on Sunday. Chanson V-M made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. Chanson V-M had a 32-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. The former international center Izoje Uche (188-2004) notched a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international point guard Kuke Haruka (166-1995) supported her with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 10 points and 7 rebounds by point guard Nanami Tsuno (158-2004) did not help to save the game for Toyota BSR. Guard Asuka Hirasue (165-1998) added 14 points for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Chanson V-M maintains fifth position with 16-5 record. Loser Toyota BSR keeps the sixth place with nine games lost. Chanson V-M will meet at home higher ranked Toyota A. (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Toyota BSR will play against Fujitsu RW and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chanson V-M: U.Izoje 22+11reb, H.Kuke 14+8reb+5ast, K.Aina 6+1reb+1ast, S.Minami 6+9reb+1ast, I.Hashiguchi 5+1reb, S.Yurika 4+5reb
Toyota BSR: H.Asuka 14+1reb+3ast, T.Nanami 10+7reb+2ast, K.Yonetani 9+2reb+2ast, T.Nanako 8+5reb+1ast, Y.Kato 7+4reb, H.Yuki 4+3reb

Yamanashi QB - Niigata R. 63-68

Bottom-ranked Niigata R. managed to get a fourth victory. This time they won against twelfth-ranked Yamanashi QB 68-63. Niigata R. made 20-of-20 charity shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. Yamanashi QB was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Point guard Yukina Sakata (163-1996) scored 19 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and forward Nishitarumizu Misakura (170-1998) chipped in 11 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side point guard Inoue Momoko (170-1997) responded with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Aika Watanabe (177-1995) scored 16 points. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Niigata R. (4-18) moved-up to twelfth place. Yamanashi QB at the other side dropped to the bottom position with 18 games lost. They share it with Himeji E.. Niigata R. will play against higher ranked Hitachi Cougars (#8) in Hitachinaka in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Yamanashi QB will play on the road against Aishin AW (#7) in Anjo and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Niigata R.: S.Yukina 19+4reb+4ast, Y.Yumi 12+10reb+2ast, M.Nishitarumizu 11+12reb+1ast, K.Miyu 7+3reb+2ast, H.Nakamura 7+5reb+1ast, S.Natsuho 5+1reb
Yamanashi QB: A.Watanabe 16+1reb, A.Kaur 9+8reb, H.Nanami 7+6reb+3ast, M.Inoue 6+7reb+5ast, K.Hinako 5+1reb, T.Airi 5+2reb

Aranmare A. - Aishin AW 65-69

No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Aishin AW (10-11) beat 10th ranked Aranmare (4-17) in Akita 69-65 on Sunday. The former international Sakura Noguchi (181-2001) notched 25 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and point guard CaiDeng Sakai (164-1995) supported her with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Even a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds by center Niang Kumba (190-1999) did not help to save the game for Aranmare. Shiori Higuchi (175-1999) added 12 points and 5 assists for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Aishin AW have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 10-11 record. Aranmare lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with 17 games lost. Aishin AW will meet at home bottom-ranked Yamanashi QB (#14) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Aranmare will play against Haneda V. in Tokyo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aishin AW: S.Noguchi 25+8reb, C.Sakai 10+8reb+7ast, U.Misa 7+3reb+1ast, Y.Nanaka 6+7reb+1ast, A.Sanbu 5+3reb, K.Kyo 5+1reb+2ast
Aranmare A.: K.Niang 17+12reb, S.Chihiro 14+2reb+2ast, H.Shiori 12+2reb+5ast, K.Hitomi 7+7reb+2ast, A.Hiramatsu 5+1reb+3ast, S.Kyoka 4+1reb

Hitachi Cougars - Fujitsu RW 57-105

Very expected game when 8th ranked Hitachi Cougars (9-12) were smashed by fourth ranked Fujitsu RW (19-3) in Hitachinaka 105-57 on Sunday. Fujitsu RW shot 60.6 percent from the field. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Hitachi Cougars' players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Fujitsu RW made 7 blocks. Nigerian center Joshuana von Novon (190-1999) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international forward Yuki Miyazawa (183-1993, college: Queens, NY) supported her with 12 points. Five Fujitsu RW players scored in double figures. Even 18 points by Senegalese center Daramee Malem-Doi (187-1997) did not help to save the game for Hitachi Cougars. Point guard Mayu Kubota (168-2000) added 11 points and 4 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. Fujitsu RW have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 19-3 record. Loser Hitachi Cougars keep the eighth place with 12 games lost. Fujitsu RW will meet Toyota BSR (#6) in the next round. Hitachi Cougars will play against Niigata R. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fujitsu RW: v.Novon Joshuana 20+10reb+1ast, E.Moeka 14+1reb+2ast, R.Akagi 13+1reb, Y.Miyazawa 12+4reb+1ast, U.Akina 12+3reb+2ast, S.Hayashi 10+2reb+5ast
Hitachi Cougars: M.Daramee 18+4reb, K.Mayu 11+3reb+4ast, N.Yuki 9+3reb+1ast, A.Hoshi 7+4reb+2ast, N.Sato 6+4reb+2ast, O.Saori 3+2reb

Toyota A. - Denso I. 85-80

Second defeat of league's leader Denso I. (19-2) against third ranked Toyota A. (19-2) 85-80 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Denso I.. It was a key game for the second position in the league. They outrebounded Denso I. 41-26 including a 14-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Mai Yamamoto (163-1999) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds. The former international point guard Shiori Yasuma (161-1994) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. The former international Akaho Himawari (185-1998) replied with 25 points and 5 rebounds and the former international center Maki Takada (185-1989) added 15 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Denso I.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Toyota A. moved-up to second place, which they share with defeated Denso I. Denso I. will play next round against league's leader Eneos S. trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Toyota A. will try to continue on its current victory against fifth ranked Chanson V-M in Shizuoka.
Top scorers:
Toyota A.: M.Yamamoto 36+10reb+2ast, S.Yasuma 17+5reb+2ast, S.Sylla 15+6reb+1ast, K.Umezawa 9+5reb, A.Hirashita 3+3reb+2ast, O.Miyu 2+1reb
Denso I.: A.Himawari 25+5reb+3ast, M.Takada 15+5reb+2ast, W.Yuri 14+4reb+1ast, A.Kimura 9+1reb+3ast, E.Mawuli 9+5reb+3ast, S.Motokawa 8+3reb+3ast

Mitsubishi K. - Eneos S. 67-71

Very predictable result when second ranked Eneos S. (20-2) won against 9th ranked Mitsubishi K. (6-16) in Nagoya 71-67 on Sunday. Eneos S. had a 30-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Eneos S. made 12 blocks. The former international power forward Ramu Tokashiki (193-1991) notched a double-double by scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and 8 blocks (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and guard Sayaka Okamoto (161-1991) supported her with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Even 10 points and 8 rebounds by the former international Yuina Nagai (177-1999) did not help to save the game for Mitsubishi K.. Center Rui Sanma (185-1999) added 9 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Mitsubishi K.'s coach Hirohisa Takada tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Eneos S. have an impressive 11-game winning streak. Defending champion keeps a position of league leader. Mitsubishi K. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 16 games lost. Eneos S. will meet at home league's second-placed Denso I. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Mitsubishi K. will play against Himeji E. (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Eneos S.: S.Okamoto 21+7reb+1ast, R.Tokashiki 21+13reb+1ast, S.Sayaka 10+4ast, T.Nakada 6+4reb, M.Nagaoka 5+4reb+4ast, S.Yuka 4
Mitsubishi K.: N.Haruno 13+3reb, N.Yuina 10+8reb, R.Sanma 9+6reb+2ast, Y.Kosuge 7+5reb+1ast, S.Chihiro 6+4reb+3ast, H.Kasagi 6+1reb

Haneda V. - Himeji E. 91-62

Not a big story in a game when 13th ranked Himeji E. (3-18) was outscored by eleventh ranked Haneda V. (5-17) in Tokyo 91-62 on Sunday. Haneda V. made 26-of-30 free shots (86.7 percent) during the game. Haneda V. had a 30-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Guard Yuriko Tsumura (172-1995) notched 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and point guard Ayumi Chiba (167-1996) supported her with 16 points and 5 assists. Even 17 points and 8 rebounds by point guard Aoi Ishimaki (165-2000) did not help to save the game for Himeji E.. Point guard Saori Yoshida (158-1984) added 17 points and 4 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. Haneda V. moved-up to tenth place. Himeji E. lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 18 games lost. They share it with Yamanashi QB. Haneda V. will meet at home Aranmare (#11) in the next round. Himeji E. will play against Mitsubishi K. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Haneda V.: C.Ayumi 16+3reb+5ast, Y.Tsumura 15+7reb+4ast, M.Kuribayashi 10+7reb+1ast, H.Kabashima 9+3reb+5ast, H.Makoto 8+12reb, H.Takahara 8+1reb
Himeji E.: S.Yoshida 17+4reb+4ast, I.Aoi 17+8reb, K.Yume 8+3reb+1ast, T.Kana 7+4reb, M.Momoka 5+1reb, W.Momiji 2+5reb+3ast