B2 League Round 7 (Regular Season): Chiba beat Toyama G. in the most crucial game of the week

Round 7 means everything may happen in B2 League as the season just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Chiba. Leader Chiba faced 3rd placed Grouses. Host Chiba (8-0) defeated guests from Toyama (5-3) 100-90. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Grouses. Chiba made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) chipped in 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks for lost side. Undefeated Chiba have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. Toyama G. at the other side dropped to the second position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Chiba are looking forward to face Toyama G. (#4) at home in the next round. Toyama G. will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hyogo. First ranked Kagoshima faced their biggest opponent Storks. Guests from Renova (7-1) defeated host Storks (5-3) 103-97. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Matt Haarms contributed with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 blocks for the winners. Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with 28 points and 8 rebounds for Kobe S.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Kagoshima. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains first place with 7-1 record. Kobe S. at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Kagoshima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kobe S. will play again at home against the league's leader Kagoshima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Fukushima supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Brave Warriors (6-2) played at the court of 7th ranked Firebonds (2-6). Brave Warriors smashed Firebonds 101-74 on Saturday. It was a great evening for Perrin Buford who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. At the losing side Rapolas Ivanauskas responded with 20 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Brave Warriors. Shinshu maintains second place with 6-2 record behind leader Chiba. Fukushima lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Fukuoka R.. Shinshu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play against the league's second-placed Shinshu (#2) and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 7 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Ehime was defeated by Fukui B. in a road game 86-70. Aomori W. was beaten by Yamagata at home 83-90. Kumamoto V. lost to Shizuoka on the opponent's court 75-89. Bambitious outscored Fukuoka R. in a home game 81-62.
The best stats of 7th round was 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists by Stephen Zimmerman of Bambitious N..



Chiba - Toyama G. 100-90

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Chiba. Leader Chiba faced 3rd placed Grouses. Host Chiba (8-0) defeated guests from Toyama (5-3) 100-90. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Grouses. Chiba made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks and forward Thomas Kennedy (201-1987, college: Detroit) added 23 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Chiba have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 8-0 record. Toyama G. at the other side dropped to the second position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Chiba are looking forward to face Toyama G. (#4) at home in the next round. Toyama G. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Chiba: B.Ashley 24+10reb+9ast, R.Maeda 20+4reb+2ast, T.Kida 15+1reb+4ast, D.Pardon 12+12reb+5ast, K.Sugimoto 11+2reb+4ast, Y.Otsuka 9+1ast
Toyama G.: T.Kennedy 23+2reb+2ast, A.White 18+5reb+4ast, E.Phelps 14+6reb+1ast, M.Watt 14+10reb+6ast, Y.Nozaki 11+5reb+4ast, N.Uto 5+4reb+1ast

Fukui B. - Ehime OV 86-70

There was no surprise in Fukui where 6th ranked Orange Vikings (1-7) were defeated by fourth ranked Blowinds (5-3) 86-70 on Saturday. Fukui B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-1995, college: WKU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds. Point guard Masashi Hosoya (173-1989) helped adding 25 points. Blowinds' coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks and point guard Takumi Furuno (178-1993) scored 14 points. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Fukui B. moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Ehime lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V.. Fukui B. will meet at home Ehime (#6) in the next round. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: M.Hosoya 25+2reb+1ast, K.Kimura 17+3reb+3ast, P.Ellis 16+3reb+6ast, Y.Nishino 13+5reb+1ast, B.Lawson 13+15reb+2ast, T.Hasegawa 2+3reb+1ast
Ehime OV: T.Furuno 14+4reb+3ast, R.Taira 13+3reb+1ast, N.Spikes 13+18reb+1ast, R.Aoki 10+1reb+2ast, R.Otomo 10+2reb+4ast, J.Stark 5+4reb+3ast

Aomori W. - Yamagata 83-90

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Aomori where sixth ranked Wyverns (3-5) defeated 5th ranked Watts (3-5) 90-83 on Saturday. Yamagata looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for Italian-Brazilian power forward Leonardo Demetrio (208-1994) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Wyverns players scored in double figures. At the losing side point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) responded with 18 points and 9 assists and American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Watts' coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Yamagata moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Bambitious and Aomori W. Yamagata will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play against Yamagata (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: L.Demetrio 19+12reb+1ast, K.Okajima 16+5reb+5ast, J.Bell 16+6reb+6ast, R.Abe 10+3reb+2ast, Y.Nakajima 8+4reb+2ast, T.Kudou 7+2reb
Aomori W.: Y.Ikeda 18+2reb+9ast, M.Hisatake 17+9reb, R.Kelly 16+8reb+1ast, J.Martin 9+10reb+1ast, S.Tokairin 7+3ast, K.Terashima 5

Fukushima - Shinshu BW 74-101

The game in Fukushima supposed to be also quite interesting. Second ranked Brave Warriors (6-2) played at the court of 7th ranked Firebonds (2-6). Brave Warriors smashed Firebonds 101-74 on Saturday. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. His fellow American import guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) helped adding 22 points and 7 rebounds. Woodbury is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) responded with 20 points and 9 rebounds and American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Brave Warriors. Shinshu maintains second place with 6-2 record behind leader Chiba. Fukushima lost their fifth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Fukuoka R.. Shinshu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play against the league's second-placed Shinshu (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: T.Woodbury 22+7reb+1ast, P.Buford 18+7reb+10ast, L.Kurihara 9+1reb, E.Kojima-Donley 9+5reb+2ast, A.Chambers 9+3reb, T.Kano 8+2reb
Fukushima: R.Ivanauskas 20+9reb, T.Iju 15+1reb+4ast, M.Hopkins 12+8reb+2ast, T.Tada 8+1reb+2ast, R.Tawatari 7+5reb+4ast, W.Weijia 5+1reb+1ast

Shizuoka - Kumamoto V. 89-75

Very expected game when 7th ranked Volters (1-7) were defeated on the road by third ranked Shizuoka (5-3) 89-75 on Saturday. Shizuoka outrebounded Kumamoto V. 39-27 including 28 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) helped adding 8 points and 11 rebounds. Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. At the losing side American-Thailand guard Tyler Lamb (195-1991, college: LBSU) responded with 19 points and guard Shota Yamamoto (188-1999) scored 16 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Shizuoka moved-up to second place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Volters dropped to the sixth position with seven games lost. They share it with Ehime. Shizuoka will meet at home Kumamoto V. (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: J.Harrar 16+7reb+5ast, Y.Okada 11+3reb+5ast, T.Takumi 10+5reb, N.Hashimoto 10+1reb+4ast, K.Masuda 10+6reb+2ast, R.Nabeta 9+1ast
Kumamoto V.: T.Lamb 19+3reb, S.Yamamoto 16+3reb+3ast, R.Motomura 10+4reb, R.Nagashima 8+1ast, A.Yamada 7+2reb, M.Lightfoot 6+8reb+1ast

Kobe S. - Kagoshima 97-103

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hyogo. First ranked Kagoshima faced their biggest opponent Storks. Guests from Renova (7-1) defeated host Storks (5-3) 103-97. It was a great shooting night for Kagoshima especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.9 percentage. They brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who helped to win the game recording 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) contributed with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 blocks for the winners. Five Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with 28 points and 8 rebounds and swingman Ryuya Kaneda (195-2000) added 13 points in the effort for Kobe S.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Kagoshima. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains first place with 7-1 record. Kobe S. at the other side keeps the second position with three games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Kagoshima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kobe S. will play again at home against the league's leader Kagoshima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 24+6reb+7ast, T.Kodama 17+2reb+6ast, M.Haarms 17+8reb+1ast, S.Muto 10, B.Diouf 10+2reb, Y.Morita 7+1reb+2ast
Kobe S.: M.Udeze 28+8reb+1ast, C.Brown Jr. 15+2reb+2ast, R.Kaneda 13+4reb+3ast, N.Dohara 9+2ast, F.Yamamoto 9+4ast, S.Kawashima 7+4reb+3ast

Bambitious N. - Fukuoka R. 81-62

Everything could happen in Nara at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Bambitious and 5th ranked Rizing had identical 2-5 record. This time Bambitious used a home court advantage and outscored the opponent from Fukuoka 81-62 on Saturday night. Bambitious dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Rizing's 30. The game was also dominated by American players. It was a great evening for Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and center Joshua Smith (210-1992, college: Georgetown) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Bambitious maintains fourth place with 3-5 record, which they share with Aomori W. and Yamagata. Fukuoka R. lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with six games lost. They share it with Fukushima. Bambitious will meet at home Fukuoka R. (#5) in the next round. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 21+5reb+5ast, Y.Otsuka 16+1reb+2ast, S.Zimmerman 15+12reb+4ast, E.Nakatani 12+2ast, E.Hayashi 6+4reb+6ast, J.Honda 4
Fukuoka R.: J.Burrell 16+12reb+5ast, H.Taniguchi 13+1ast, T.Nishikawa 13+2reb+2ast, J.Smith 10+13reb+2ast, H.Kantake 5, T.Kato 2+4reb