B1 League Round 58 (Regular Season): Ryukyu is defeated by Nagoya DD

The Regular Season in B1 League is almost over. Almost everything is clear. There are only 3 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (40-17) in Nagoya on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Dolphins (38-21) 83-77. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. International guard Yutaroh Suda (190-1992) scored 26 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and American power forward Scott Eatherton (208-1991, college: Northeastern) chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Victor Law (201-1995, college: Northwestern, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 14 points and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dolphins have a solid three-game winning streak. Nagoya DD maintains second position with 38-21 record having five points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Defending champion Ryukyu still keeps top place with 17 games lost. Nagoya DD are looking forward to face league's leader Ryukyu in Okinawa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ryukyu will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Kanagawa. Fourth ranked Brave Thunders (32-25) saved a 1-point victory at home edging one of their biggest challengers SunRockers (32-25) 69-68 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of SunRockers. The former international power forward Nick Fazekas (207-1985, college: Nevada) notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and Jordan Heath supported him with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds by American forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) did not help to save the game for Sunrockers Sh.. Kawasaki moved-up to third place, which they share with Sunrockers Sh. and Shimane SM. Kawasaki will play against Sunrockers Sh. (#4) in Tokyo in the next round. Sunrockers Sh. will have a break next round.
Eighth-ranked Kyoto H. (16-41) gave a tough game to fifth ranked Fighting Eagles (31-24) in Nagoya on Saturday. Fighting Eagles managed to secure only two-point victory 89-87. However their fans expected easier game. Aaron Henry fired 27 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Matthew Wright produced 27 points for lost side. Fighting Eagles have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted FE Nagoya maintains fifth position with 31-24 record. Kyoto H. at the other side keeps the eighth place with 41 games lost. FE Nagoya will again meet at home Kyoto H. (#8) in the next round. Kyoto H. will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 58: Hokkaido L. lost to Akita NH on the opponent's court 65-73. Alvark Tokyo unfortunately lost to Gunma CT in a home game 86-90. Tochigi Brex rolled over Chiba Jets on the road 82-55. Nagasaki was defeated by Osaka E. on its own court 85-87. Toyama G. was smashed by San-en NP in Hamamatsu 89-64. Sea Horses M. won against Saga B. at home 73-65. Ibaraki R. was outscored by Sendai 89ers on the opponent's court 96-73. Shimane SM recorded a loss to Hiroshima D. in a home game 67-71. Yokohama BC defeated Shinshu on the road 79-69.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points and 21 rebounds by Jarrod Uthoff of Yokohama BC.



Akita NH - Hokkaido L. 73-65

Rather expected game in Akita where 7th ranked Hokkaido L. (17-40) was defeated by fifth ranked Happinets (28-29) 73-65 on Saturday. American center Steve Zack (211-1992, college: La Salle) fired 11 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Panamanian-American center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 6 points and 11 rebounds. American-Cypriot center Darral Willis (206-1996, college: Wichita St.) produced 19 points and American forward Reid Travis (203-1995, college: Kentucky, agency: Pensack Sports) added 10 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Akita NH maintains fifth position with 28-29 record, which they share with Saga B. Hokkaido L. lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 40 games lost. Akita NH will again meet at home Hokkaido L. (#7) in the next round. Hokkaido L. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Hokkaido L.: D.Willis 19+3reb+2ast, K.Hiroto 12+2reb, R.Travis 10+9reb+2ast, K.Sekino 7+5reb+1ast, N.Tsukasa 6+2reb, S.Ren 5+4reb+8ast
Akita NH: T.Furukawa 16+2ast, S.Taguchi 15+1reb+2ast, S.Zack 11+9reb, K.Ko 9+4reb+1ast, T.Nakayama 6+8reb+4ast, J.Carter 6+11reb+2ast

Alvark Tokyo - Gunma CT 86-90

There was a small surprise when fourth ranked Thunders (30-27) defeated on the road much higher ranked Alvark Tokyo (45-12) 90-86 on Saturday. Ghanian-American Ben Bentil (206-1995, college: Providence) fired 24 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American guard Trey McKinney-Jones (198-1990, college: Miami, FL) chipped in 26 points and 7 rebounds. Brazilian Leonardo Meindl (201-1993) produced 19 points and 9 rebounds and the former international forward Ryan Rossiter (206-1989, college: Siena) added 13 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Gunma CT maintains fourth position with 30-27 record. Alvark Tokyo at the other side still keeps top place with 12 games lost. They share the position with San-en NP. Gunma CT will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Alvark Tokyo will play against Gunma CT and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Alvark Tokyo: L.Meindl 19+9reb+3ast, K.Toews 16+3reb+10ast, R.Rossiter 13+13reb+4ast, A.Gudaitis 10+2reb+2ast, O.Taiki 8+1ast, R.Hashimoto 8+1ast
Gunma CT: T.McKinney-Jones 26+7reb+3ast, B.Bentil 24+8reb+4ast, K.Flippin 15+1reb+4ast, N.Namizato 10+3reb+5ast, K.Nomoto 6+3reb+1ast, M.Parker 6+5reb

Kawasaki BT - Sunrockers Sh. 69-68

Important game to mention about took place in Kanagawa. Fourth ranked Brave Thunders (32-25) saved a 1-point victory at home edging one of their biggest challengers SunRockers (32-25) 69-68 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of SunRockers. Kawasaki outrebounded Sunrockers Sh. 40-28 including 28 on the defensive glass. The former international power forward Nick Fazekas (207-1985, college: Nevada) notched a double-double by scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds to lead the effort and American power forward Jordan Heath (208-1991, college: Canisius) supported him with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds by American forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-1980, college: Otterbein) did not help to save the game for Sunrockers Sh.. International forward Josh Hawkinson (208-1995, college: WSU) added 25 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Kawasaki moved-up to third place, which they share with Sunrockers Sh. and Shimane SM. Kawasaki will play against Sunrockers Sh. (#4) in Tokyo in the next round. Sunrockers Sh. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sunrockers Sh.: J.Hawkinson 25+9reb+2ast, J.Gibbs 20+14reb+3ast, A.Clemmons 19+1reb+4ast, K.Tsuya 2+1reb+1ast, L.Vendrame 2+1reb+4ast, M.Kaito 0
Kawasaki BT: J.Heath 18+9reb+2ast, N.Fazekas 17+16reb+1ast, R.Allen 12+5reb, Y.Fujii 9+1reb+9ast, T.Hasegawa 6+2reb+1ast, R.Shinoyama 5+1reb+4ast

Chiba Jets - Tochigi Brex 55-82

Not a big story in a game in Chiba where one of their biggest challengers Jets (34-23) were rolled over by first ranked Tochigi Brex (48-9) 82-55 on Saturday. Tochigi Brex outrebounded Chiba Jets 46-34 including 36 on the defensive glass. Tochigi Brex looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The former international guard Yusuke Endo (186-1989) fired 17 points for the winners. The former international swingman Makoto Hiejima (191-1990) chipped in 14 points. American forward John Mooney (206-1998, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) produced 8 points and 11 rebounds and the former international point guard Yuki Togashi (170-1993) added 14 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. Tochigi Brex maintains first position with 48-9 record. Chiba Jets at the other side dropped to the second place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Sea Horses M. and Hiroshima D.. Tochigi Brex will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Chiba Jets will play again against the league's leader Tochigi Brex and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba Jets: Y.Togashi 14+2reb+1ast, O.Asato 8+2reb, J.Mooney 8+11reb+3ast, M.Tobin 6+2reb, O.Sota 5+1reb+1ast, U.Sori 5+2reb
Tochigi Brex: Y.Endo 17+3reb+3ast, M.Hiejima 14+3reb+2ast, S.Ikaruga 12+2reb+1ast, H.Watanabe 9+2reb, I.Fotu 7+8reb+1ast, G.Jerrett 6+6reb+7ast

Nagoya DD - Ryukyu GK 83-77

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Golden Kings (40-17) in Nagoya on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Dolphins (38-21) 83-77. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. International guard Yutaroh Suda (190-1992) scored 26 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and American power forward Scott Eatherton (208-1991, college: Northeastern) chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Victor Law (201-1995, college: Northwestern, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 14 points and 5 assists and the former international swingman Keita Imamura (191-1996) scored 15 points. Five Ryukyu players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dolphins have a solid three-game winning streak. Nagoya DD maintains second position with 38-21 record having five points less than leader Tochigi Brex. Defending champion Ryukyu still keeps top place with 17 games lost. Nagoya DD are looking forward to face league's leader Ryukyu in Okinawa in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ryukyu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ryukyu GK: K.Imamura 15+3reb+2ast, V.Law 14+3reb+5ast, R.Kishimoto 12+3reb+4ast, J.Cooley 12+6reb+1ast, A.Durham 10+4reb+3ast, S.Onodera 5+3reb
Nagoya DD: Y.Suda 26+2reb, S.Eatherton 15+10reb+3ast, P.Ray 8+5reb+5ast, J.Smith 7+8reb+1ast, T.Ito 6+1reb+2ast, T.Saito 6+2reb+5ast

Nagasaki - Osaka E. 85-87

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when seventh ranked Osaka E. (23-34) edged on the road 6th ranked Nagasaki (24-33) 87-85 on Saturday. Osaka E. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward Shawn Long (208-1993, college: Louisiana, agency: Pensack Sports) fired 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners. South Korean swingman Hyunjung Lee (201-2000, college: Davidson) chipped in 21 points. Four Osaka E. players scored in double figures. International Yudai Baba (196-1995) produced 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and American Jarrell Brantley (201-1996, college: Charleston, agency: BIG) added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Osaka E. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Yokohama BC. Newly promoted Nagasaki keeps the sixth position with 33 games lost. Osaka E. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nagasaki will play again against Osaka E. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: Y.Baba 20+6reb+7ast, J.Brantley 14+6reb+4ast, M.Bonds 11+8reb+1ast, M.Karimata 9+1reb, D.Tariki 9+1reb, K.Koya 8+1reb+2ast
Osaka E.: S.Long 28+9reb+4ast, H.Lee 21+4reb+1ast, A.Caloiaro 12+5reb+3ast, I.Fumiya 11+7reb+4ast, K.Makoto 7+3ast, I.Hummer 3+3reb+2ast

FE Nagoya - Kyoto H. 89-87

Eighth-ranked Kyoto H. (16-41) gave a tough game to fifth ranked Fighting Eagles (31-24) in Nagoya on Saturday. Fighting Eagles managed to secure only two-point victory 89-87. However their fans expected easier game. FE Nagoya made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward Aaron Henry (198-1999, college: Michigan St., agency: Diamond Sports) fired 27 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Swingman Ryo Sadohara (192-1999) chipped in 17 points and 7 rebounds. Four Fighting Eagles players scored in double figures. Canadian-Filipino guard Matthew Wright (193-1991, college: St.Bonaventure) produced 27 points and American forward Kevin Jones (203-1989, college: WVU) added 9 points and 13 rebounds respectively for lost side. Fighting Eagles have a solid three-game winning streak. Newly promoted FE Nagoya maintains fifth position with 31-24 record. Kyoto H. at the other side keeps the eighth place with 41 games lost. FE Nagoya will again meet at home Kyoto H. (#8) in the next round. Kyoto H. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kyoto H.: M.Wright 27+1reb+1ast, C.Jackson 15+5reb+2ast, O.Yuta 10+4reb+8ast, C.Diallo 9+4reb+3ast, K.Jones 9+13reb+1ast, S.Maeta 7+1reb+1ast
FE Nagoya: A.Henry 27+8reb+9ast, S.Ryo 17+7reb+1ast, J.Jones 16+4reb+1ast, S.O'Mara 10+2reb+3ast, L.Evans 7+11reb+5ast, H.Kawashima 6+5reb+4ast

San-en NP - Toyama G. 89-64

There was no surprise in Hamamatsu where 8th ranked Grouses (4-53) were outplayed by first ranked San-en NP (45-12) 89-64 on Saturday. San-en NP looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American David Dudzinski (205-1992, college: Holy Cross) fired 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. The other American import forward Coty Clarke (201-1992, college: Arkansas, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Five San-en NP players scored in double figures. British forward Myles Hesson (198-1990, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 20 points and 5 rebounds and American power forward Johnathan Williams III (206-1995, college: Gonzaga, agency: Slash Sports) added 14 points and 10 rebounds 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. San-en NP maintains first position with 45-12 record, which they share with Alvark Tokyo. Toyama G. lost twenty ninth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 53 games lost. San-en NP will meet at home Toyama G. (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Toyama G. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: M.Hesson 20+5reb+1ast, J.Williams III 14+10reb, N.Yoshiyuki 9+2reb+1ast, T.Murphy Jr. 7+6reb+2ast, Y.Java 6, N.Uto 4+1reb+1ast
San-en NP: S.Ryusei 14+2reb+5ast, H.Kazuki 14+2reb, D.Dudzinski 13+8reb+2ast, C.Clarke 13+5reb+4ast, O.Sota 12+2reb+5ast, K.Kanamaru 10+2reb+1ast

Sea Horses M. - Saga B. 73-65

No shocking result in a game in Kariya where second ranked SeaHorses (34-23) won against 5th ranked Ballooners (28-29) 73-65 on Saturday. Sea Horses M. outrebounded Saga B. 40-29 including a 33-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. American power forward Davante Gardner (203-1991, college: Marquette) fired 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Greek-American center Zach Auguste (208-1993, college: Notre Dame, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. Cuban guard Reynaldo Garcia (187-1990) produced 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international forward Josh Harrellson (208-1989, college: Kentucky) added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Five Saga B. players scored in double figures. Ballooners' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sea Horses M. maintains second position with 34-23 record having eleven points less than leader Tochigi Brex, which they share with Chiba Jets and Hiroshima D. Newly promoted Saga B. keeps the fifth place with 29 games lost. They share the position with Akita NH. Sea Horses M. will meet at home Saga B. (#5) in the next round. Saga B. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saga B.: R.Garcia 13+5reb+8ast, J.Harrellson 12+7reb+4ast, C.Fieler 11+6reb+4ast, Y.Childs 10+7reb+2ast, I.Ryota 10+1reb, Y.Karino 6+1reb
Sea Horses M.: D.Gardner 24+9reb+4ast, Y.Nishida 15+4reb+3ast, Z.Auguste 10+13reb+2ast, A.Schafer 8+6reb, D.Lee 6+2reb, J.Layman 4+3reb+2ast

Sendai 89ers - Ibaraki R. 96-73

Rather expected game in Sendai where 8th ranked Robots (11-46) were crushed by sixth ranked 89ers (26-31) 96-73 on Saturday. Sendai 89ers looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Ukrainian center Volodymyr Gerun (208-1994, college: Portland) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all six shots) for the winners. American Nathan Boothe (208-1994, college: Toledo) chipped in 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Swingman Hayato Yamaguchi (195-1998) produced 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and American Eric Jacobsen (208-1994, college: Arizona St.) added 11 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Sendai 89ers and four Ibaraki R. players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. 89ers have a solid three-game winning streak. Sendai 89ers maintains sixth position with 26-31 record. Loser Robots keeps the eighth place with 46 games lost. Sendai 89ers will meet at home Ibaraki R. (#8) in the next round. Ibaraki R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ibaraki R.: T.Kennedy 16+1reb+1ast, Y.Hayato 13+7reb+4ast, E.Jacobsen 11+9reb+2ast, C.Tapscott 11+3reb+6ast, N.Kohei 8+1reb+3ast, A.Hirao 8+1reb+1ast
Sendai 89ers: N.Boothe 19+6reb+5ast, J.Yang 18+7reb+1ast, V.Gerun 15+14reb+4ast, R.Abe 13+2reb+10ast, R.Thomas 11+6reb+5ast, W.Shota 10

Shimane SM - Hiroshima D. 67-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with third ranked Dragonflies' (34-23) road victory over one of their biggest challengers Magic (32-25) 71-67 on Saturday. American forward Dwayne Evans (201-1992, college: St.Louis, agency: Pensack Sports) fired 22 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. The other American import forward Nick Mayo (206-1997, college: EKU, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 17 points and 9 rebounds. Four Dragonflies players scored in double figures. Dragonflies' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international guard Seiya Ando (181-1992) produced 26 points and American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) added 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Dragonflies have a solid three-game winning streak. Hiroshima D. moved-up to second place, which they share with Sea Horses M. and Chiba Jets. Shimane SM lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the third position with 25 games lost. They share it with Kawasaki and Sunrockers Sh.. Hiroshima D. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shimane SM will play against Hiroshima D. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shimane SM: S.Ando 26+4reb+2ast, P.Buford 14+8reb+5ast, T.Shota 9+3reb+3ast, N.Kay 9+6reb+2ast, D.Taniguchi 3+6reb+2ast, H.Martin 2+4reb+1ast
Hiroshima D.: D.Evans 22+7reb+3ast, N.Mayo 17+9reb+3ast, K.Blackshear Jr. 12+7reb+1ast, R.Yamazaki 10+5reb+1ast, M.Keijiro 5+1reb, S.Funyu 3+2reb+6ast

Shinshu BW - Yokohama BC 69-79

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Brave Warriors' (9-48) home loss to sixth ranked B-Corsairs (23-34) 69-79 on Saturday. Yokohama BC made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Yokohama BC outrebounded Shinshu 50-38 including 35 on the defensive glass. American forward Jarrod Uthoff (206-1993, college: Iowa) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points and 21 rebounds for the winners. Filipino-American center Kai Sotto (220-2002) chipped in 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks. American forward Justyn Mutts (201-1999, college: Virginia Tech, agency: Pensack Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists and guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) added 14 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists (made all of his eight free throws) respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Yokohama BC maintains sixth position with 23-34 record, which they share with Osaka E. Loser Brave Warriors keeps the seventh place with 48 games lost. Yokohama BC will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinshu will play against Yokohama BC (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: J.Mutts 16+10reb+7ast, K.Ishikawa 14+6reb+9ast, W.Marshall 10+5reb+1ast, E.Kojima-Donley 8+4reb+1ast, A.Brandt 8+5reb+1ast, L.Kurihara 6+3reb+1ast
Yokohama BC: J.Uthoff 21+21reb, K.Sotto 18+7reb+1ast, S.Koya 10+1reb+5ast, D.Oliver 9+4reb, J.Scott 5+7reb, K.King 5+3reb+1ast