B2 League Round 5 (Regular Season): Kagoshima beat Shizuoka by two after a very close game

This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in B2 League and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 5 in the B2 League took place in Shizuoka. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 3rd placed Shizuoka (3-3) to first ranked Kagoshima (5-1) 81-79 on Sunday evening. 24 personal fouls committed by Shizuoka helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 8 rebounds. Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) contributed with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds for Shizuoka. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Shizuoka at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. Kagoshima is looking forward to face Bambitious (#4) in Nara in the next round. Shizuoka will play on the road against the league's second-placed Kobe S. in Hyogo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Bottom-ranked Volters is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their sixth consecutive match to second ranked Storks (5-1) 78-64. Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up and scored 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and Nathan Adrian chipped in 19 points. American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Storks have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Kobe S. keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Kagoshima. Kumamoto V. at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Kobe S. will play against Shizuoka (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Kumamoto V. will play against Ehime (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Yamagata supposed to be also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Grouses (4-2) played at the court of 6th ranked Wyverns (2-4). Grouses smashed Wyverns 88-64 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Wyverns. Eugene Phelps nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side. James Bell came up with 15 points for Yamagata in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toyama G. moved-up to second place, which they share with Shinshu and Fukui B. Loser Wyverns dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Toyama G. will meet at home Fukushima (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Yamagata will play against the league's leader Chiba and hope to secure a win.

In the last two games of round 5 Fukushima was beaten by Fukui B. on the road 68-58. Shinshu won against Aomori W. on its own court 89-73.



Fukui B. - Fukushima 68-58

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Blowinds (4-2) beat 7th ranked Firebonds (2-4) in Fukui 68-58 on Sunday. American forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) nailed 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-1995, college: WKU) accounted for 9 points and 9 rebounds. American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and swingman Shotaro Hayashi (194-1995) added 11 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Fukushima in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains second place with 4-2 record behind leader Chiba, which they share with Toyama G. and Shinshu. Fukushima lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Fukui B. will meet Aomori W. (#6) on the road in the next round. Fukushima will play against Toyama G. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: K.Kimura 19+1reb, P.Ellis 14+5reb+2ast, M.Hosoya 12+3reb+3ast, B.Lawson 9+9reb+3ast, N.Fujisawa 8+2ast, T.Hasegawa 3+3reb+2ast
Fukushima: M.Hopkins 17+11reb+2ast, T.Tada 14, S.Hayashi 11+12reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 5+1reb+3ast, G.Echenique 5+8reb, R.Ivanauskas 3+4reb

Yamagata - Toyama G. 64-88

The game in Yamagata supposed to be also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Grouses (4-2) played at the court of 6th ranked Wyverns (2-4). Grouses smashed Wyverns 88-64 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Wyverns. Toyama G. outrebounded Yamagata 42-21 including a 28-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Toyama G. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Yamagata's players. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) nailed a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side and American forward Thomas Kennedy (201-1987, college: Detroit) accounted for 28 points and 4 assists (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Four Grouses players scored in double figures. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 15 points and the other American import TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) added 7 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Yamagata in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Toyama G. moved-up to second place, which they share with Shinshu and Fukui B. Loser Wyverns dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Toyama G. will meet at home Fukushima (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Yamagata will play against the league's leader Chiba and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: T.Kennedy 28+4reb+4ast, E.Phelps 23+13reb+1ast, A.White 16+9reb+4ast, M.Watt 11+12reb+2ast, N.Uto 5+8ast, T.Mito 3+2ast
Yamagata: J.Bell 15+4reb+1ast, L.Demetrio 12+2reb, K.Okajima 9+3ast, R.Abe 8+4reb+2ast, T.Holyfield 7+7reb+1ast, T.Kudou 5+2reb+1ast

Shinshu BW - Aomori W. 89-73

Rather expected game when 5th ranked Watts (2-4) lost to third ranked Brave Warriors (4-2) in Nagano 73-89 on Sunday. Shinshu made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) nailed a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for the winning side and the former international center Hugh Watanabe (207-1998) accounted for 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Five Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) added 20 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Aomori W. in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Brave Warriors. Shinshu moved-up to second place, which they share with Toyama G. and Fukui B. Aomori W. lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Shinshu will meet at home Fukuoka R. (#5) in the next round. Aomori W. will play against the league's second-placed Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: P.Buford 19+10reb+11ast, H.Watanabe 18+5reb, W.Marshall 14+6reb, K.Ishikawa 12+3ast, T.Woodbury 11+4reb+2ast, E.Kojima-Donley 9+4reb+1ast
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 20+11reb+2ast, M.Hisatake 18+11reb+4ast, Y.Ikeda 8+2reb+9ast, K.Terashima 6+2reb+2ast, N.Kamizato 5, T.Kagitomi 5+1reb

Shizuoka - Kagoshima 79-81

The most exciting game of round 5 in the B2 League took place in Shizuoka. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 3rd placed Shizuoka (3-3) to first ranked Kagoshima (5-1) 81-79 on Sunday evening. 24 personal fouls committed by Shizuoka helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) orchestrated the victory by scoring 14 points and 8 rebounds. Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) contributed with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winners. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Yuzo Okada (180-1992) added 14 points and 6 assists in the effort for Shizuoka. Four Kagoshima and five Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains first place with 5-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Shizuoka at the other side keeps the third position with three games lost. Kagoshima is looking forward to face Bambitious (#4) in Nara in the next round. Shizuoka will play on the road against the league's second-placed Kobe S. in Hyogo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: M.Haarms 16+6reb+1ast, A.Gaines Jr. 14+8reb+3ast, T.Kodama 14+1reb+3ast, Y.Morita 12+3reb+2ast, B.Diouf 8+5reb+1ast, Y.Ametani 6+2reb+1ast
Shizuoka: N.Hashimoto 18+1reb+1ast, J.Harrar 17+11reb+3ast, Y.Okada 14+3reb+6ast, K.Shinkawa 11+1reb, A.Brandt 10+11reb+1ast, K.Masuda 7+3reb

Kumamoto V. - Kobe S. 64-78

Bottom-ranked Volters is still unable to win any game. But it was rather predictable considering how strong their opponent was. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their sixth consecutive match to second ranked Storks (5-1) 78-64. Kumamoto V. was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up and scored 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and American-Italian Nathan Adrian (206-1995, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 19 points. Five Storks players scored in double figures. American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds and guard Hiroaki Isono (186-1998) scored 10 points. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Storks have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Kobe S. keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Kagoshima. Kumamoto V. at the other side still closes the standings with six games lost. Kobe S. will play against Shizuoka (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Kumamoto V. will play against Ehime (#6) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: M.Udeze 19+8reb+3ast, N.Adrian 19+4reb+1ast, N.Dohara 12+4reb+1ast, C.Brown Jr. 12+7reb+2ast, Y.Tsunai 11+1reb+5ast, R.Fujiwara 3+1ast
Kumamoto V.: M.Lightfoot 18+14reb+1ast, H.Isono 10+4reb+1ast, K.Sawabe 7+2reb+2ast, K.Clark 6+3ast, S.Yamamoto 6+1reb+1ast, A.Yamada 5+2reb