B2 League Round 6 (Regular Season): #1 Kobe S. is defeated by Shizuoka

B2 League Regular Season is still in too early stage and there may be still significant changes in the standings. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Storks (5-1) in Hyogo on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Shizuoka (3-3) 76-60. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Storks. Shizuoka forced 19 Kobe S. turnovers and outrebounded them 43-24 including 28 on the defensive glass. 26 personal fouls committed by Kobe S. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) chipped in 11 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) with 24 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shizuoka maintains third position with 3-3 record having just two points less than leader Chiba. Kobe S. at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Kagoshima. Shizuoka are looking forward to face Kumamoto V. (#7) at home in the next round. Kobe S. will play against the league's leader Kagoshima (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Aomori. Fifth ranked Watts (2-4) saved a 2-point victory at home edging second-best Blowinds (4-2) 78-76 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Blowinds. American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 15 points and 19 rebounds to lead the effort and Yuichi Ikeda supported him with 15 points and 8 assists. Even 21 points and 6 rebounds by American forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) did not help to save the game for Fukui B.. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Aomori W. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Newly promoted Fukui B. keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with Toyama G. and Shinshu. Aomori W. will play against Yamagata (#5) at home in the next round. Fukui B. will play against Ehime and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Nagano. Third ranked host Brave Warriors (4-2) defeated their close opponent Rizing (2-4) 92-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rizing. The best player for the winners was Perrin Buford who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was Joshua Smith who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Brave Warriors have a solid four-game winning streak. Shinshu moved-up to second place, which they share with Toyama G. and Fukui B. Loser Rizing dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Shinshu will meet Fukushima (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Fukuoka R. will play against Bambitious in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 6: Ehime lost to Kumamoto V. on the opponent's court 83-95. Yamagata lost to undefeated Chiba in a home game 74-84. Kagoshima rolled over Bambitious on the road 97-73. Toyama G. crushed Fukushima on its own court 104-79.



Kumamoto V. - Ehime OV 95-83

There was a minor upset in Kumamoto where 5th ranked Orange Vikings (1-5) were defeated by seventh ranked Volters (0-6) 95-83 on Wednesday. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 21 rebounds. American-Thailand guard Tyler Lamb (195-1991, college: LBSU) chipped in 22 points. Four Volters players scored in double figures. Volters' coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Jonathan Stark (184-1995, college: Murray St., agency: Pensack Sports) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists and his fellow American import center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) added 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks respectively. Volters maintains seventh position with 0-6 record. Ehime lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with five games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet higher ranked Shizuoka (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Ehime will play against the league's second-placed Fukui B. where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: T.Lamb 22+4reb+3ast, M.Lightfoot 20+21reb+2ast, S.Yamamoto 18+4reb+5ast, K.Clark 17+3reb+8ast, R.Motomura 7+1ast, K.Sawabe 4
Ehime OV: J.Stark 25+6reb+10ast, N.Spikes 21+10reb+2ast, R.Otomo 10+1reb, R.Taira 9, T.Furuno 7+3reb+5ast, S.Tamaki 6+1reb

Yamagata - Chiba 74-84

Very predictable result in Yamagata where top-ranked Chiba (6-0) defeated 6th ranked Wyverns (2-4) 84-74 on Wednesday. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Wyverns's 36. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 18 rebounds. The other American import Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) chipped in 17 points and 8 rebounds. Chiba's coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the other side the best for losing team was Italian-Brazilian power forward Leonardo Demetrio (208-1994) who recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds and American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 20 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Five Chiba and four Yamagata players scored in double figures. Chiba have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 6-0 record. Loser Wyverns dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Chiba will meet at home Toyama G. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Yamagata will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba: B.Ashley 17+8reb+3ast, R.Maeda 15+5ast, K.Sugimoto 13+4reb+6ast, D.Pardon 12+18reb+2ast, T.Kida 11+2reb+1ast, Y.Osaki 8+1ast
Yamagata: J.Bell 20+7reb+2ast, K.Okajima 19+2reb+1ast, L.Demetrio 13+15reb+1ast, S.Murakami 11+2reb+8ast, R.Abe 7+4reb+3ast, T.Toshino 4

Aomori W. - Fukui B. 78-76

Important game to mention about took place in Aomori. Fifth ranked Watts (2-4) saved a 2-point victory at home edging second-best Blowinds (4-2) 78-76 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Blowinds. American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 15 points and 19 rebounds to lead the effort and point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) supported him with 15 points and 8 assists. Even 21 points and 6 rebounds by American forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) did not help to save the game for Fukui B.. British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-1995, college: WKU) added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Aomori W. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Newly promoted Fukui B. keeps the second position with two games lost. They share it with Toyama G. and Shinshu. Aomori W. will play against Yamagata (#5) at home in the next round. Fukui B. will play against Ehime and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: M.Hisatake 15+19reb+1ast, Y.Ikeda 15+1reb+8ast, R.Kelly 12+5reb+2ast, S.Tokairin 10+1reb+4ast, M.Hall 7+1ast, J.Martin 6+8reb
Fukui B.: P.Ellis 21+6reb+1ast, K.Kimura 15+4reb, T.Hasegawa 12+2reb+1ast, B.Lawson 12+10reb+1ast, M.Hosoya 7+2reb+3ast, Y.Nishino 5+3reb

Kobe S. - Shizuoka 60-76

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of undefeated Storks (5-1) in Hyogo on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Shizuoka (3-3) 76-60. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Storks. Shizuoka forced 19 Kobe S. turnovers and outrebounded them 43-24 including 28 on the defensive glass. 26 personal fouls committed by Kobe S. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) chipped in 11 points during the contest. Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) with 24 points and Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) scored 12 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shizuoka maintains third position with 3-3 record having just two points less than leader Chiba. Kobe S. at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Kagoshima. Shizuoka are looking forward to face Kumamoto V. (#7) at home in the next round. Kobe S. will play against the league's leader Kagoshima (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: J.Harrar 21+15reb+1ast, S.Kanou 13+1reb, A.Brandt 11+4reb+1ast, Y.Okada 10+1reb+4ast, K.Shinkawa 8+4reb+1ast, R.Nabeta 3+4ast
Kobe S.: C.Brown Jr. 24+4reb+1ast, M.Udeze 12+4reb+1ast, N.Dohara 8+4reb+1ast, N.Adrian 5+2reb+1ast, Y.Tsunai 4, R.Kaneda 4+4reb+1ast

Bambitious N. - Kagoshima 73-97

Not a big story in a game in Nara where 6th ranked Bambitious (2-4) was rolled over by first ranked Kagoshima (5-1) 97-73 on Wednesday. Kagoshima made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Kagoshima outrebounded Bambitious 34-21 including 21 on the defensive glass. Kagoshima looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. The other American import Kyle Richardson (200-1991, college: Portland St.) chipped in 16 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) who recorded 21 points and guard Eiji Hayashi (188-1997) added 19 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who 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. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains first position with 5-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Bambitious lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with four games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Kagoshima will meet league's second-placed Kobe S. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bambitious will play against Fukuoka R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: K.Richardson 16+4reb+1ast, J.Uera 14+1reb, M.Haarms 13+6reb, A.Gaines Jr. 12+11reb+6ast, B.Diouf 11+4reb, Y.Ametani 10+2reb+4ast
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 21+4reb+3ast, E.Hayashi 19+3reb+1ast, M.Komaki 11+2reb, C.Jackson 10+4reb+4ast, S.Zimmerman 6+3reb+1ast, E.Nakatani 4+2reb+5ast

Toyama G. - Fukushima 104-79

Everything went according to plan in Toyama where fourth ranked Grouses (4-2) outscored 7th ranked Firebonds (2-4) 104-79 on Wednesday. Toyama G. dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Firebonds's 34. Toyama G. outrebounded Fukushima 40-26 including 19 on the offensive glass. The best player for the winners was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds. American forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and the former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) added 12 points and 4 assists respectively. Four Fukushima players scored in double figures. Firebonds' coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Toyama G. moved-up to second place, which they share with Shinshu and Fukui B. Fukushima lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Toyama G. will meet league's leader Chiba on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukushima will play against Shinshu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: A.White 23+5reb+4ast, E.Phelps 23+12reb, M.Watt 21+10reb, K.Takahashi 9+3reb+3ast, T.Kennedy 8+3reb+1ast, Y.Nozaki 7+3reb+2ast
Fukushima: M.Hopkins 16+10reb+3ast, R.Tawatari 12+2reb+4ast, R.Ivanauskas 12+3reb+1ast, K.Kasai 11+2reb+3ast, T.Iju 8+1reb, S.Hayashi 7+3reb

Shinshu BW - Fukuoka R. 92-77

The game between Top Four teams took place in Nagano. Third ranked host Brave Warriors (4-2) defeated their close opponent Rizing (2-4) 92-77. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rizing. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) chipped in 18 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Joshua Smith (210-1992, college: Georgetown) who recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Four Shinshu and five Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Brave Warriors have a solid four-game winning streak. Shinshu moved-up to second place, which they share with Toyama G. and Fukui B. Loser Rizing dropped to the fourth position with four games lost. They share it with 4 other teams. Shinshu will meet Fukushima (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Fukuoka R. will play against Bambitious in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: P.Buford 22+7reb+10ast, K.Ishikawa 18+2reb+1ast, T.Woodbury 15+4reb+1ast, H.Watanabe 12+3reb, W.Marshall 8+8reb+4ast, L.Kurihara 8+2reb+2ast
Fukuoka R.: J.Smith 21+15reb+1ast, J.Burrell 14+5reb+3ast, P.Aguilar 13+4reb+1ast, T.Nishikawa 12+4ast, S.Murakami 12+3reb+2ast, H.Taniguchi 3+2reb