B2 League Round 48 (Regular Season): Iwate beat Aomori W. by one after a very close game

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in B2 League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 48 in the B2 League took place in Iwate. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 4th ranked Watts (29-31) to sixth ranked Big Bulls (20-40) 87-86 on Saturday evening. Iwate made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. It was a good game for American forward Kelvin Martin (196-1989, college: Charleston So.) who saved his team from a defeat with 27 points and 7 rebounds. The other American import center Eric Thompson (204-1993, college: Pacific) contributed with 15 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) replied with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for Aomori W.Watts' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Big Bulls have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Iwate maintains sixth position with 20-40 record. Aomori W. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 31 games lost. They share the position with Nishinomiya S. and Shizuoka. Iwate are looking forward to face higher ranked Aomori W. (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Rizing (36-24) against fourth ranked Shizuoka (29-31) on Saturday night. Host Rizing was defeated by Shizuoka in Fukuoka 81-63. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Thomas Bropleh who added 19 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) with 9 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shizuoka have a solid four-game winning streak. Newly promoted Shizuoka maintains fourth position with 29-31 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. and Aomori W. Fukuoka R. lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with 24 games lost. Shizuoka will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukuoka R. will play again at home against Shizuoka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Wyverns (31-29) against fifth ranked Firebonds (24-36) on Saturday night. Visiting Wyverns were crushed by Firebonds in Fukushima 88-69. The winners were led by Terrance King who scored that evening 38 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists (on 17-of-21 shooting from the field). Even 17 points and 7 rebounds by James Bell did not help to save the game for Yamagata. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Firebonds have a solid three-game winning streak. Fukushima maintains fifth position with 24-36 record, which they share with Bambitious. Yamagata at the other side keeps the third place with 29 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home higher ranked Yamagata (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Yamagata will have a break next round.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 48: Kumamoto V. was beaten by Nishinomiya S. on the road 93-89. Bambitious won against Ehime on its own court 86-71. Chiba outscored Niigata A. in a road game 101-68.
The most impressive performance of 48th round was 19 points and 13 rebounds by Brandon Ashley of Chiba.



Fukuoka R. - Shizuoka 63-81

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Rizing (36-24) against fourth ranked Shizuoka (29-31) on Saturday night. Host Rizing was defeated by Shizuoka in Fukuoka 81-63. Shizuoka dominated down low during the game scoring 42 of its points in the paint compared to Rizing's 22. Shizuoka outrebounded Fukuoka R. 37-25 including 28 on the defensive glass. Shizuoka players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Liberian-American guard Thomas Bropleh (196-1991, college: Boise St.) who added 19 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) with 9 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and American power forward Gavin Ware (206-1993, college: MSU) scored 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shizuoka have a solid four-game winning streak. Newly promoted Shizuoka maintains fourth position with 29-31 record, which they share with Nishinomiya S. and Aomori W. Fukuoka R. lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with 24 games lost. Shizuoka will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukuoka R. will play again at home against Shizuoka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: G.Ware 12+5reb+4ast, P.Aguilar 9+11reb+4ast, H.Kantake 9+1reb+2ast, S.Murakami 7+2reb+3ast, T.Kodama 7+1reb+2ast, S.Nakata 6+1ast
Shizuoka: T.Bropleh 19+4reb+3ast, J.Harrar 18+11reb+5ast, N.Hashimoto 10+6ast, Y.Okada 9+4reb+2ast, K.Lawson 9+12reb+2ast, A.Yamada 7+4ast

Fukushima - Yamagata 88-69

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Wyverns (31-29) against fifth ranked Firebonds (24-36) on Saturday night. Visiting Wyverns were crushed by Firebonds in Fukushima 88-69. Fukushima had a 32-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Yamagata's players. The winners were led by American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) who scored that evening 38 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 4 assists (on 17-of-21 shooting from the field) and the former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) supported him with 5 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. Even 17 points and 7 rebounds by American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Yamagata. His fellow American import forward Michael Finke (208-1996, college: GCU, agency: Players Group) added 15 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Firebonds have a solid three-game winning streak. Fukushima maintains fifth position with 24-36 record, which they share with Bambitious. Yamagata at the other side keeps the third place with 29 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home higher ranked Yamagata (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Yamagata will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: J.Bell 17+7reb+2ast, M.Finke 15+4reb, O.Kazuma 13+1reb+2ast, T.Shirato 7+2reb+1ast, T.Holyfield 4+7reb+1ast, S.Murakami 4+4reb+3ast
Fukushima: T.King 38+5reb+4ast, G.Echenique 16+5reb, R.Ivanauskas 7+5reb+2ast, D.Tsuchiya 7+2reb+6ast, H.Shotaro 5+6reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 5+7reb+9ast

Iwate - Aomori W. 87-86

The most exciting game of round 48 in the B2 League took place in Iwate. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of 4th ranked Watts (29-31) to sixth ranked Big Bulls (20-40) 87-86 on Saturday evening. Iwate made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. It was a good game for American forward Kelvin Martin (196-1989, college: Charleston So.) who saved his team from a defeat with 27 points and 7 rebounds. The other American import center Eric Thompson (204-1993, college: Pacific) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 17 rebounds for the winners. American forward Jordan Hamilton (201-1990, college: Texas) replied with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) added 9 points and 14 assists in the effort for Aomori W.Watts' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Big Bulls have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted Iwate maintains sixth position with 20-40 record. Aomori W. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 31 games lost. They share the position with Nishinomiya S. and Shizuoka. Iwate are looking forward to face higher ranked Aomori W. (#4) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: J.Hamilton 23+12reb+4ast, P.Auda 17+7reb, H.Mone 10+2reb+1ast, K.Tsuneta 9+3reb+1ast, I.Yuichi 9+3reb+14ast, T.Kyonosuke 6+1reb
Iwate: K.Martin 27+7reb+1ast, S.Kokoro 16+1reb+3ast, E.Thompson 15+17reb+1ast, T.Nihira 6+2reb, M.Yuto 6+2reb, S.Goto 5+4reb+1ast

Nishinomiya S. - Kumamoto V. 93-89

There was a small surprise when fifth ranked Storks (29-31) beat one of their biggest challengers Volters (33-27) in Hyogo 93-89 on Saturday. Nishinomiya S. dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Volters's 34. Nishinomiya S. forced 19 Kumamoto V. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by forward Trey Porter (210-1996, college: Nevada) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds and forward Jordan Caroline (201-1996, college: Nevada) supported him with 20 points. Storks' coach used entire bench in such tough game. Even 32 points by guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) did not help to save the game for Kumamoto V.. Forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa) added 14 points and 9 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). Five Nishinomiya S. and four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. Nishinomiya S. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Aomori W. and Shizuoka. Loser Volters keeps the third position with 27 games lost. Nishinomiya S. will meet at home higher ranked Kumamoto V. (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: T.Woodbury 32+2reb, A.White 14+9reb+2ast, Y.Shota 12+1reb+4ast, K.Hayate 12+3reb+6ast, N.Ren 9+1reb+3ast, I.Yuma 6+2reb
Nishinomiya S.: J.Caroline 20+1reb+2ast, T.Porter 18+14reb+1ast, M.Hisatake 14+7reb+2ast, K.Patrick 11+6reb, N.Dohara 11+1reb+4ast, S.Watanabe 7+3reb+4ast

Bambitious N. - Ehime OV 86-71

Everything could happen in Nara at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Bambitious and 7th ranked Orange Vikings had identical 23-36 record. This time Bambitious used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Matsuyama 86-71 on Saturday night. Bambitious shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 52.0 percentage. The winners were led by American power forward Cameron Jackson (203-1996, college: Wofford) who scored that evening 29 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) supported him with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Four Bambitious N. players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds by American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) did not help to save the game for Ehime. Point guard Takumi Furuno (178-1993) added 20 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Bambitious have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Fukushima. Ehime lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 37 games lost. Bambitious will meet at home Ehime (#7) in the next round. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: E.Phelps 27+11reb, T.Furuno 20+2reb+3ast, Y.Toshino 10+5ast, N.Spikes 9+14reb, O.Yugo 4+2reb+5ast, H.Tobita 1+1reb+1ast
Bambitious N.: C.Jackson 29+9reb+1ast, S.Hines 15+6reb+2ast, H.Eiji 13+7reb+2ast, M.Komaki 10+3ast, Y.Tomoya 7+1ast, K.Kohei 4+2reb+7ast

Niigata A. - Chiba 68-101

Very predictable result when first ranked Chiba (56-4) rolled over on the road 7th ranked Niigata A. (7-53) 101-68 on Saturday. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Niigata A.'s 28 and made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Niigata A. 35-20 including a 26-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Niigata A.'s players. The winners were led by American Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds and guard Takaaki Kida (188-1995) supported him with 24 points and 6 assists. Five Chiba players scored in double figures. Even 17 points and 4 assists by American forward Stacy Davis (198-1994, college: Pepperdine) did not help to save the game for Niigata A.. His fellow American import power forward Tony Criswell (205-1991, college: Missouri) added 18 points. Niigata A.'s coach Casey Owens gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Chiba have an impressive 13-game winning streak. Newly promoted Chiba maintains first position with 56-4 record. Niigata A. lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 53 games lost. Chiba will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Niigata A. will play again against the league's leader Chiba (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: T.Criswell 18+4reb+2ast, S.Davis 17+4reb+4ast, E.Zen 7+2reb+1ast, T.Katsumi 6+3reb+3ast, Y.Ikeda 5+3reb+1ast, P.Faye 5+3reb+1ast
Chiba: T.Kida 24+4reb+6ast, B.Ashley 19+13reb+3ast, A.Davis 17+1reb+4ast, C.Liu 12+6reb+5ast, M.Reo 10+3reb+1ast, Y.Osaki 10+4reb+6ast