B2 League Round 37 (Regular Season): Shizuoka defeat Koshigaya A. in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 37 in the B2 League took place in Tokyo. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of much higher ranked Alphas (28-21) to fifth ranked Shizuoka (21-28) 77-75 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Alphas. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Liberian-American guard Thomas Bropleh (196-1991, college: Boise St.) chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side American center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). Alphas' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Shizuoka maintains fifth place with 21-28 record. Koshigaya A. at the other side keeps the second position with 21 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Rizing (33-16) against fifth ranked Firebonds (20-29) on Friday night. Host Rizing was defeated by Firebonds in a tough game in Fukuoka 77-81. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) nailed 18 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Taketo Kato accounted for 20 points. American forward Bryce Washington (203-1996, college: Louisiana) came up with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for Fukuoka R. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Fukushima maintains fifth place with 20-29 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the second position with 16 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Volters (31-17) against sixth ranked Bambitious (19-29) on Saturday night. Visiting Volters were defeated by Bambitious in Nara 87-77. Americans were the main players on the court. Shaquille Hines fired a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Aaron White produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 16 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bambitious maintains sixth place with 19-29 record. Loser Volters keeps the third position with 17 games lost. Bambitious will meet at home higher ranked Kumamoto V. (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 37: Shizuoka lost to Koshigaya A. on the opponent's court 65-76. Chiba managed to outperform Aomori W. in a home game 100-95. Fukushima recorded a loss to Fukuoka R. on the road 90-73. Nishinomiya S. defeated Niigata A. on its own court 86-74. Ehime was beaten by Yamagata in a road game 88-77.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals by TJ Holyfield of Yamagata.



Fukuoka R. - Fukushima 77-81

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Rizing (33-16) against fifth ranked Firebonds (20-29) on Friday night. Host Rizing was defeated by Firebonds in a tough game in Fukuoka 77-81. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) nailed 18 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side and point guard Taketo Kato (178-2000) accounted for 20 points. American forward Bryce Washington (203-1996, college: Louisiana) came up with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import power forward Gavin Ware (206-1993, college: MSU) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Fukuoka R. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Fukushima maintains fifth place with 20-29 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the second position with 16 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: K.Taketo 20+3reb+3ast, R.Ivanauskas 18+9reb, G.Echenique 12+11reb+2ast, T.King 8+7reb+1ast, T.Takeshi 6+1reb+1ast, S.Kanno 6+1ast
Fukuoka R.: H.Taniguchi 20+1reb, G.Ware 14+10reb, B.Washington 14+9reb+4ast, S.Nakata 9+1reb+1ast, T.Kodama 5+2ast, S.Shigetomi 5+4reb+4ast

Koshigaya A. - Shizuoka 76-65

Rather expected game in Tokyo where 5th ranked Shizuoka (21-28) was defeated by second ranked Alphas (28-21) 76-65 on Friday. Koshigaya A. made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Koshigaya A. outrebounded Shizuoka 45-29 including a 37-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. American forward Justin Harper (208-1989, college: Richmond) fired a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. His fellow American import center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) chipped in 8 points and 18 rebounds. American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) produced 15 points and 8 rebounds and Naoaki Hashimoto (184-1992) added 17 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Koshigaya A. maintains second place with 28-21 record having four points less than leader Chiba. Newly promoted Shizuoka keeps the fifth position with 28 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Koshigaya A.: J.Harper 17+11reb+4ast, L.Peak 16+2reb+1ast, M.Shun 14+1ast, I.Butts 8+18reb+1ast, S.Kitagawa 5+1reb, K.Makoto 4+2reb+1ast
Shizuoka: N.Hashimoto 17+6reb, K.Lawson 15+8reb+1ast, T.Bropleh 11+2reb+2ast, Y.Okada 7+3reb+3ast, J.Harrar 5+8reb+2ast, K.Shinkawa 4

Chiba - Aomori W. 100-95

Rather predictable result when first ranked Chiba (44-4) defeated at home 3rd placed Watts (26-22) 100-95 on Saturday. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Watts's 46. Chiba outrebounded Aomori W. 43-26 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) fired a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. His fellow American import Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) produced a double-double by scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) added 18 points and 15 assists respectively for lost side. Five Aomori W. players scored in double figures. Watts' coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first place with 44-4 record. Loser Watts keeps the third position with 22 games lost. Chiba will meet at home Aomori W. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Chiba: D.Pardon 26+15reb+2ast, B.Ashley 21+8reb, T.Kida 16+3reb+2ast, M.Reo 12+2reb+2ast, A.Davis 9+9reb+1ast, K.Sugimoto 7+3reb+10ast
Aomori W.: J.Hamilton 31+11reb+5ast, I.Yuichi 18+15ast, E.Montgomery 13+7reb+2ast, P.Auda 11+3reb, K.Tsuneta 11+1reb+4ast, H.Mone 4+3reb+1ast

Fukuoka R. - Fukushima 90-73

Not a big story in a game in Fukuoka where 5th ranked Firebonds (20-29) were defeated by second ranked Rizing (33-16) 90-73 on Saturday. Fukuoka R. dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Firebonds's 38. Fukuoka R. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Bryce Washington (203-1996, college: Louisiana) fired 12 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Point guard Shunto Murakami (185-1996) chipped in 16 points and 4 assists. Four Rizing players scored in double figures. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) produced 11 points and 8 rebounds and Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) added 12 points and 8 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) respectively for lost side. Firebonds' coach let to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Fukuoka R. maintains second place with 33-16 record behind leader Chiba. Loser Firebonds keeps the fifth position with 29 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: S.Murakami 16+1reb+4ast, G.Ware 15+3reb, B.Washington 12+8reb+1ast, T.Kodama 10+4reb+6ast, P.Aguilar 9+9reb+2ast, S.Shigetomi 9+2reb+5ast
Fukushima: T.King 15+3reb+1ast, G.Echenique 12+8reb+1ast, R.Ivanauskas 11+8reb+3ast, T.Takeshi 9+1ast, R.Tawatari 8+1reb+6ast, K.Taketo 6+1reb+5ast

Nishinomiya S. - Niigata A. 86-74

Everything went according to plan in Hyogo where fifth ranked Storks (21-27) beat 7th ranked Niigata A. (6-42) 86-74 on Saturday. Nishinomiya S. outrebounded Niigata A. 42-28 including 30 on the defensive glass. Nishinomiya S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Niigata A.'s players. Americans were the main players on the court. Center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winners. Forward Jordan Caroline (201-1996, college: Nevada) chipped in 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Storks' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Stacy Davis (198-1994, college: Pepperdine) produced a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds and power forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri) added 21 points respectively for lost side. Nishinomiya S. moved-up to fourth place. Niigata A. lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 42 games lost. Nishinomiya S. will again meet at home Niigata A. (#7) in the next round. Niigata A. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nishinomiya S.: M.Hisatake 19+11reb+1ast, T.Porter 12+4reb+3ast, S.Watanabe 11+4reb+2ast, K.Patrick 10+3reb, J.Caroline 9+5reb+5ast, K.Ryuya 8+4reb+3ast
Niigata A.: S.Davis 37+14reb+3ast, T.Criswell 21+4reb+1ast, T.Katsumi 16+6reb+3ast, Y.Ikeda 0+3reb, D.Tomioka 0+3ast, S.Tanaka 0+1reb+1ast

Koshigaya A. - Shizuoka 75-77

The most exciting game of round 37 in the B2 League took place in Tokyo. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of much higher ranked Alphas (28-21) to fifth ranked Shizuoka (21-28) 77-75 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Alphas. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Liberian-American guard Thomas Bropleh (196-1991, college: Boise St.) chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side American center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) and point guard Shun Matsuyama (175-1996) scored 17 points and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Alphas' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Shizuoka maintains fifth place with 21-28 record. Koshigaya A. at the other side keeps the second position with 21 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: A.Yamada 16+2reb+2ast, J.Harrar 14+18reb+4ast, T.Bropleh 12+5reb+5ast, K.Lawson 10+6reb+1ast, Y.Okada 8+3reb+3ast, S.Kanou 6+2reb
Koshigaya A.: M.Shun 17+2reb+5ast, I.Butts 15+9reb+2ast, L.Peak 14+4reb+2ast, J.Harper 14+3reb, I.Soichiro 6+3reb, H.Kenshin 4+2reb+2ast

Bambitious N. - Kumamoto V. 87-77

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Volters (31-17) against sixth ranked Bambitious (19-29) on Saturday night. Visiting Volters were defeated by Bambitious in Nara 87-77. Bambitious made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Kumamoto V. turnovers. Americans were the main players on the court. Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) fired a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Power forward Cameron Jackson (203-1996, college: Wofford) chipped in a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 16 rebounds and guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bambitious maintains sixth place with 19-29 record. Loser Volters keeps the third position with 17 games lost. Bambitious will meet at home higher ranked Kumamoto V. (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 25+11reb+3ast, C.Jackson 19+10reb+3ast, K.Kohei 14+3reb+5ast, J.Honda 6, C.Mbodj 6+3reb+4ast, K.Tsubasa 5+3reb+1ast
Kumamoto V.: T.Woodbury 19+5reb+1ast, K.Hayate 16+3reb+6ast, A.White 12+16reb+2ast, J.McLean 10+1reb+1ast, N.Ren 10+1ast, Y.Shota 6+2reb

Yamagata - Ehime OV 88-77

There was no surprise in Yamagata where 7th ranked Orange Vikings (16-32) were defeated by fourth ranked Wyverns (23-25) 88-77 on Saturday. Yamagata looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Ehime's players. American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) fired a double-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. His fellow American import James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 9 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and American forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Four Ehime players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Yamagata maintains fourth place with 23-25 record. Loser Orange Vikings keeps the seventh position with 32 games lost. Yamagata will meet at home Ehime (#7) in the next round. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: T.Holyfield 23+11reb+5ast, M.Finke 12+4reb+2ast, K.Takaya 11+3reb+3ast, J.Bell 9+7reb+6ast, T.Shirato 8+2ast, R.Adams 7+3reb+1ast
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 25+12reb, N.Gadson 14+5reb+5ast, Y.Toshino 13+1reb+4ast, K.Kazuma 11+1reb+2ast, T.Furuno 9+5reb+4ast, A.Sakata 3+1reb