B2 League Round 51 (Regular Season): Fukui B. 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 top-ranked Rizing (35-16) in Fukuoka on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Blowinds (28-23) 82-67. Fukui B. outrebounded Fukuoka R. 41-27 including a 34-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukui B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a good game for American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international forward You Nishino (198-1998) contributed with 27 points for the winners. American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) answered with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for Fukuoka R.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 28-23 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side still keeps top position with 16 games lost. Fukui B. are looking forward to face higher ranked Shinshu (#3) in Nagano in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will play at home against Kobe S. and is hoping to win this game.
An interesting game for Chiba (48-3) which played road game in Nagano against 3rd placed Brave Warriors (32-19). First ranked Chiba had an easy win 100-71. It was a great evening for American forward Trey Porter (210-1996, college: Nevada) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Dererk Pardon helped adding 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Chiba's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was the former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Chiba have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 48-3 record. Shinshu at the other side keeps the third position with 19 games lost. Chiba will play against league's second-placed Kagoshima in Renova in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shinshu will play at home against Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Grouses (34-17) which hosted in Toyama 3rd placed Shizuoka (29-22). Second ranked Grouses managed to get a 11-point victory 88-77. It was an exceptional evening for Aaron White who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. John Harrar came up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds for Shizuoka in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Grouses. Toyama G. maintains second place with 34-17 record behind leader Chiba. Loser Shizuoka keeps the third position with 22 games lost. Toyama G. will meet Aomori W. (#6) on the road in the next round. Shizuoka will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 51: Fukushima was beaten by Kobe S. on the road 95-78. Kumamoto V. won against Ehime on its own court 88-70. Yamagata managed to outperform Bambitious in a road game 81-67.



Fukuoka R. - Fukui B. 67-82

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Rizing (35-16) in Fukuoka on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Blowinds (28-23) 82-67. Fukui B. outrebounded Fukuoka R. 41-27 including a 34-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukui B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a good game for American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international forward You Nishino (198-1998) contributed with 27 points for the winners. American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) answered with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and the former international forward Takanobu Nishikawa (196-1992) added 11 points in the effort for Fukuoka R.Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 28-23 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side still keeps top position with 16 games lost. Fukui B. are looking forward to face higher ranked Shinshu (#3) in Nagano in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will play at home against Kobe S. and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: Y.Nishino 27+4reb+2ast, R.Kelly 26+13reb+4ast, P.Ellis 16+14reb+2ast, T.Hasegawa 9+7reb+7ast, J.Mitsuda 2+2reb+1ast, E.Naito 2
Fukuoka R.: A.Randall 18+9reb+5ast, T.Nishikawa 11+3reb+3ast, T.Nakamura 10+1reb, S.Murakami 8+2reb, H.Taniguchi 8+1reb, I.Brown 6+9reb+2ast

Kobe S. - Fukushima 95-78

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Storks' (20-31) home victory over 7th ranked Firebonds (12-39) in Hyogo 95-78 on Sunday. Kobe S. made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. Kobe S. outrebounded Fukushima 34-23 including 24 on the defensive glass. It was a great shooting night for Kobe S. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 56.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. American-Italian Nathan Adrian (206-1995, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) accounted for 16 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Storks' coach Predrag Krunic let to play all 12 players saving starting five for next games. Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) and American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Fukushima in the defeat. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Storks. Kobe S. maintains sixth place with 20-31 record. Fukushima lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 39 games lost. Kobe S. will meet league's leader Fukuoka R. on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukushima will play against Yamagata (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Brown Jr. 21+6reb+1ast, S.Kawashima 19+1reb+2ast, N.Adrian 16+4reb+5ast, R.Nomizo 11+1reb, R.Kaneda 10+1reb+2ast, I.Butts 8+7reb+3ast
Fukushima: M.Udeze 24+10reb+4ast, M.Hopkins 19+6reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 16+1reb+4ast, S.Sato 8+1reb+1ast, K.Kasai 5+3reb+1ast, T.Iju 3+1ast

Kumamoto V. - Ehime OV 88-70

Rather expected game when 7th ranked Orange Vikings (5-46) lost to fifth ranked Volters (23-28) in Kumamoto 70-88 on Sunday. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American center Jamel McLean (203-1988, college: Xavier) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) accounted for 14 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side. American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 14 rebounds and point guard Takumi Furuno (178-1993) added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Ehime in the defeat. Five Kumamoto V. and four Ehime players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Volters. Kumamoto V. moved-up to fourth place. Loser Orange Vikings keeps the seventh position with 46 games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet higher ranked Shizuoka (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ehime will play against Bambitious (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: J.McLean 15+13reb+2ast, G.Echenique 14+9reb+3ast, A.Yamada 14+2ast, K.Hosaka 11+3reb+5ast, M.Lightfoot 10+5reb, T.Lamb 8+2reb+2ast
Ehime OV: T.King 19+14reb, N.Gadson 17+2reb+1ast, R.Taira 10+2reb+2ast, T.Furuno 10+5reb+6ast, R.Takeuchi 9+4reb, N.Spikes 5+9reb+3ast

Bambitious N. - Yamagata 67-81

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when sixth ranked Wyverns (19-32) won against 5th ranked Bambitious (22-29) in Nara 81-67 on Sunday. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) who led the winners and scored 15 points and 8 rebounds. James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) accounted for 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Wyverns players scored in double figures. Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) came up with 22 points and 6 assists and power forward Cameron Jackson (203-1996, college: Wofford) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Bambitious in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Yamagata moved-up to fifth place which they share with defeated Bambitious. Loser Bambitious N. keep the fifth position with 29 games lost. Yamagata will meet Fukushima (#7) on the road in the next round. Bambitious will play against Ehime in Matsuyama and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: T.Holyfield 15+8reb+2ast, S.Murakami 13+4reb+4ast, K.Okajima 13+2reb+4ast, J.Bell 12+5reb+5ast, R.Abe 7+2reb+4ast, L.Demetrio 7+4reb+1ast
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 22+3reb+6ast, C.Jackson 12+8reb+1ast, S.Zimmerman 9+7reb+1ast, E.Hayashi 7+1reb+2ast, M.Komaki 7+1reb+1ast, E.Nakatani 4+3ast

Shinshu BW - Chiba 71-100

An interesting game for Chiba (48-3) which played road game in Nagano against 3rd placed Brave Warriors (32-19). First ranked Chiba had an easy win 100-71. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Brave Warriors's 34. Chiba outrebounded Shinshu 45-29 including a 30-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Chiba players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Shinshu's players. It was a great evening for American forward Trey Porter (210-1996, college: Nevada) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. His fellow American import center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) helped adding 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Chiba players scored in double figures. Chiba's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. The best for the losing side was the former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) with 19 points and 5 rebounds and the former international guard Aki Chambers (191-1990, college: UC Merced) scored 21 points. Chiba have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. They maintain first place with 48-3 record. Shinshu at the other side keeps the third position with 19 games lost. Chiba will play against league's second-placed Kagoshima in Renova in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shinshu will play at home against Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba: T.Porter 15+13reb+1ast, K.Kurokawa 14+1reb+3ast, D.Pardon 12+9reb+4ast, R.Maeda 11+2reb+2ast, N.Kumagae 11+2reb+1ast, T.Kida 10+2reb
Shinshu BW: A.Chambers 21+3reb+1ast, E.Kojima-Donley 19+5reb+1ast, T.Kodama 11+2reb+1ast, H.Watanabe 8+8reb+5ast, R.Yamazaki 5+1reb+1ast, K.Ishikawa 5+2reb

Toyama G. - Shizuoka 88-77

An interesting game for Grouses (34-17) which hosted in Toyama 3rd placed Shizuoka (29-22). Second ranked Grouses managed to get a 11-point victory 88-77. Toyama G. made 25-of-30 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Toyama G. made 7 blocks. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa, agency: Slash Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) accounted for 21 points and 10 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Four Grouses players scored in double figures. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) came up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds and swingman Keisuke Masuda (194-1998) added 9 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists respectively for Shizuoka in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Grouses. Toyama G. maintains second place with 34-17 record behind leader Chiba. Loser Shizuoka keeps the third position with 22 games lost. Toyama G. will meet Aomori W. (#6) on the road in the next round. Shizuoka will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: E.Phelps 21+10reb, T.Kennedy 18+5reb+1ast, A.White 18+11reb+8ast, M.Watt 11+3reb+3ast, Y.Nozaki 8+3ast, N.Uto 4+1reb+3ast
Shizuoka: J.Harrar 25+12reb+1ast, F.Delany 15+4reb+3ast, M.Taylor-Barone 11+9reb, K.Masuda 9+6reb+9ast, R.Hashimoto 7+3reb+2ast, N.Hashimoto 5+3reb