B2 League Round 49 (Regular Season): Chiba defeat Fukuoka R.

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Rizing (34-14) on the court of first ranked Chiba on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Chiba 79-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rizing. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Rizing's 30. Chiba outrebounded Fukuoka R. 46-25 including a 34-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) contributed with 18 points and 12 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals for Fukuoka R.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chiba (45-3) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place which they share with defeated Fukuoka R.. Fukuoka R. at the other side still keeps top position with 14 games lost. Chiba are looking forward to face league's second-placed Shinshu in Nagano in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukuoka R. will play at home against Fukui B. and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Kagoshima (30-18) against fifth ranked Volters (20-28) on Sunday night. Visiting Kagoshima was defeated by Volters in a tough game in Kumamoto 80-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kagoshima. American center Jamel McLean (203-1988, college: Xavier) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and Mitch Lightfoot chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). At the losing side Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) responded with 24 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kumamoto V. maintains fifth place with 20-28 record. Newly promoted Kagoshima keeps the second position with 18 games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against Ehime (#7) in Matsuyama in the next round. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
An interesting game for Grouses (31-17) which played road game in Fukui against 4th placed Blowinds (27-21). Third ranked Grouses managed to get a 8-point victory 79-71. Mitchell Watt nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. You Nishino came up with 15 points and 6 rebounds for Fukui B. in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Grouses. Toyama G. moved-up to second place, which they share with Shinshu. Newly promoted Fukui B. keeps the fourth position with 21 games lost. Toyama G. will meet at home Shizuoka (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fukui B. will play against the league's leader Fukuoka R. and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 49 were not that significant. Fukushima was beaten by Ehime on the road 71-65. Kobe S. won against Aomori W. on its own court 93-86. Shinshu managed to outperform Yamagata in Nagano 65-61.
The most impressive performance of 49th round was 27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists by Perrin Buford of Shinshu BW.



Chiba - Fukuoka R. 79-62

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Rizing (34-14) on the court of first ranked Chiba on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by Chiba 79-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rizing. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Rizing's 30. Chiba outrebounded Fukuoka R. 46-25 including a 34-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 27 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals and American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Fukuoka R.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chiba (45-3) have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place which they share with defeated Fukuoka R.. Fukuoka R. at the other side still keeps top position with 14 games lost. Chiba are looking forward to face league's second-placed Shinshu in Nagano in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukuoka R. will play at home against Fukui B. and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: T.Nishikawa 18, P.Aguilar 15+8reb+4ast, A.Randall 12+5reb+4ast, S.Murakami 8+1reb+4ast, I.Brown 5+8reb+1ast, T.Nakamura 2+1reb+1ast
Chiba: D.Pardon 27+17reb+4ast, B.Ashley 18+12reb, Y.Osaki 9+1reb, T.Kida 5+1reb+1ast, T.Porter 5+9reb+2ast, R.Maeda 5+2reb+4ast

Ehime OV - Fukushima 71-65

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Orange Vikings (4-44) beat their close opponent Firebonds (12-36) in Matsuyama 71-65 on Sunday. Ehime looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) accounted for 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks. Four Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds and Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) added 8 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Fukushima in the defeat. Ehime maintains seventh place with 4-44 record which they share with defeated Fukushima. Loser Firebonds keeps the seventh position with 36 games lost. Ehime will meet higher ranked Kumamoto V. (#5) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukushima will play against Kobe S. in Hyogo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: M.Udeze 18+15reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 9+2reb+4ast, R.Ivanauskas 8+8reb, K.Kasai 7+2reb+5ast, S.Hayashi 7+4reb, S.Kanno 6+3reb+3ast
Ehime OV: R.Takeuchi 16+2reb+2ast, T.Furuno 12+1reb+2ast, N.Spikes 12+12reb+3ast, T.King 12+13reb+4ast, N.Gadson 9+4reb+2ast, Y.Okuda 8+5reb+6ast

Fukui B. - Toyama G. 71-79

An interesting game for Grouses (31-17) which played road game in Fukui against 4th placed Blowinds (27-21). Third ranked Grouses managed to get a 8-point victory 79-71. Toyama G. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) accounted for 17 points and 8 rebounds. The former international forward You Nishino (198-1998) came up with 15 points and 6 rebounds and Keigo Kimura (188-2000, college: St.Joseph, CT, agency: Schafer Sports) added 14 points respectively for Fukui B. in the defeat. Five Toyama G. and four Fukui B. players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Grouses. Toyama G. moved-up to second place, which they share with Shinshu. Newly promoted Fukui B. keeps the fourth position with 21 games lost. Toyama G. will meet at home Shizuoka (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fukui B. will play against the league's leader Fukuoka R. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: Y.Nishino 15+6reb+2ast, K.Kimura 14+4reb+2ast, R.Kelly 13+4reb+1ast, P.Ellis 10+7reb+2ast, B.Lawson 7+3reb, N.Fujisawa 6+6ast
Toyama G.: T.Kennedy 19+5reb, E.Phelps 17+8reb+2ast, A.White 12+8reb+3ast, M.Watt 12+12reb+5ast, N.Uto 11+2reb+7ast, Y.Nozaki 3+2reb+2ast

Kobe S. - Aomori W. 93-86

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 5th ranked Watts (18-30) lost to sixth ranked Storks (17-31) in Hyogo 86-93 on Sunday. Kobe S. made 25-of-29 free shots (86.2 percent) during the game. Kobe S. outrebounded Aomori W. 43-19 including a 31-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American-Italian Nathan Adrian (206-1995, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) nailed 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) accounted for 18 points and 10 rebounds. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 20 points and point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) added 12 points, 11 assists and 5 steals respectively for Aomori W. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kobe S. maintains sixth place with 17-31 record. Aomori W. lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 30 games lost. They share it with Yamagata. Kobe S. will meet at home Fukushima (#7) in the next round. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: S.Tokairin 22, P.Auda 20+4reb+3ast, R.Kelly 12+7reb+1ast, Y.Ikeda 12+1reb+11ast, M.Hall 9+3reb, T.Kagitomi 3+2reb
Kobe S.: N.Adrian 25+9reb+4ast, C.Brown Jr. 18+10reb+2ast, S.Kawashima 17+5reb+3ast, I.Butts 12+12reb+2ast, R.Kaneda 6+4reb+3ast, N.Dohara 5+1reb+1ast

Kumamoto V. - Kagoshima 86-80

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Kagoshima (30-18) against fifth ranked Volters (20-28) on Sunday night. Visiting Kagoshima was defeated by Volters in a tough game in Kumamoto 80-86. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Kagoshima. They outrebounded Kagoshima 34-22 including 23 on the defensive glass. Kagoshima was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. American center Jamel McLean (203-1988, college: Xavier) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and his fellow American import forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots). At the losing side Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) responded with 24 points and American swingman James Ennis (201-1990, college: LBSU, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 18 points and 7 rebounds. Five Kumamoto V. and four Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kumamoto V. maintains fifth place with 20-28 record. Newly promoted Kagoshima keeps the second position with 18 games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against Ehime (#7) in Matsuyama in the next round. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: M.Haarms 24+4reb, J.Ennis 18+7reb+1ast, A.Gaines Jr. 10+5reb+2ast, Y.Ametani 10+1ast, Y.Morita 7+3ast, T.Kodama 5+5ast
Kumamoto V.: S.Yamamoto 17+2reb+2ast, A.Yamada 16+1reb+3ast, J.McLean 15+11reb+5ast, M.Lightfoot 14+10reb+1ast, G.Echenique 10+2reb+1ast, K.Hosaka 6

Yamagata - Shinshu BW 61-65

Rather predictable result when second ranked Brave Warriors (31-17) won against 6th ranked Wyverns (18-30) in Yamagata 65-61 on Sunday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Shinshu made 8 blocks. American players dominated the game. Forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) accounted for 11 points and 8 rebounds. Woodbury is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 29 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) added 9 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Yamagata in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shinshu maintains second place with 31-17 record having just three points less than leader Chiba, which they share with Toyama G. Yamagata lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth position with 30 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Shinshu will meet at home league's leader Chiba in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Yamagata will play against Bambitious (#4) in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: J.Bell 29+6reb+4ast, T.Holyfield 9+8reb+3ast, T.Toshino 6+3reb+1ast, L.Demetrio 5+3reb, R.Adams 4+8reb, K.Okajima 4+1reb+2ast
Shinshu BW: P.Buford 27+10reb+4ast, T.Woodbury 11+8reb+3ast, H.Watanabe 9+11reb+1ast, E.Kojima-Donley 8+6reb, K.Ishikawa 7+3reb+6ast, K.Mitsui 3+2reb