B2 League Round 53 of Regular Season

The Regular Season in B2 League is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 7 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The biggest surprise of round 53 was guest Bambitious' (#4) road victory over Kumamoto V. (#5) 67-64 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was American center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import power forward Cameron Jackson (203-1996, college: Wofford) chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bambitious maintains fourth place with 24-29 record. Kumamoto V. at the other side keeps the fifth position with 30 games lost. Bambitious will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kumamoto V. will play at home against Bambitious (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Brave Warriors (33-20) against seventh ranked Firebonds (13-40) on Saturday night. Visiting Brave Warriors were crushed by Firebonds in Fukushima 78-53. Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Mikael Hopkins contributed with 15 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Firebonds' coach Takahiro Kurihara felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals for Shinshu. Fukushima maintains seventh place with 13-40 record. Shinshu at the other side dropped to the second position with 20 games lost. They share it with Kagoshima. Fukushima will play against higher ranked Shinshu (#3) in Nagano in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinshu will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Chiba. First ranked Chiba faced second-ranked Grouses. Host Chiba (50-3) smashed guests from Toyama (35-18) 97-72. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Grouses. Trey Porter stepped up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Mitchell Watt responded with 13 points and 6 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. Chiba have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 50-3 record. Loser Grouses keeps the second position with 18 games lost. Chiba will meet at home league's second-placed Toyama G. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Toyama G. will have a break next round.

Other games of round 53 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Fukuoka R. crushed Ehime in a road game 84-62. Ehime was smashed by Fukuoka R. at home 71-100. Kagoshima won against Fukui B. on the opponent's court 80-72. Shizuoka outscored Kobe S. in a home game 82-63. Aomori W. managed to beat Yamagata on the road 81-72.
The best stats of 53th round was 19 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals by Yuichi Ikeda of Aomori W..



Ehime OV - Fukuoka R. 62-84

There was no surprise in Matsuyama where 7th ranked Orange Vikings (5-49) were crushed by first ranked Rizing (37-17) 84-62 on Friday. American center Joshua Smith (210-1992, college: Georgetown) stepped up and scored 15 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) for the winners and the former international forward Ira Brown (193-1982, college: Gonzaga) chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds. Rizing's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) responded with 8 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Takumi Furuno (178-1993) scored 3 points and 10 assists. Fukuoka R. maintains first place with 37-17 record. Ehime lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 49 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: R.Aoki 15, S.Tamaki 12+4reb, Y.Okuda 11+3reb+2ast, N.Gadson 8+8reb+5ast, S.Chiu 8+6reb, R.Takeuchi 5+8reb+1ast
Fukuoka R.: J.Smith 15+7reb+1ast, I.Brown 12+8reb+2ast, T.Kato 11+2reb, K.Aita 9+2reb+1ast, J.Burrell 7+4reb+2ast, T.Nakamura 7+2reb+3ast

Chiba - Toyama G. 97-72

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Chiba. First ranked Chiba faced second-ranked Grouses. Host Chiba (50-3) smashed guests from Toyama (35-18) 97-72. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Grouses. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Trey Porter (210-1996, college: Nevada) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners and the former international guard Kotetsu Kurokawa (175-2001) chipped in 13 points and 8 assists. Four Chiba players scored in double figures. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 13 points and 6 rebounds and American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) scored 12 points and 7 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. Chiba have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. They maintain first place with 50-3 record. Loser Grouses keeps the second position with 18 games lost. Chiba will meet at home league's second-placed Toyama G. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Toyama G. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: T.Kennedy 16+3reb, M.Watt 13+6reb+2ast, E.Phelps 12+7reb+2ast, A.White 9+3reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 5, H.Tanaka 4+3reb+3ast
Chiba: B.Ashley 15+6reb, T.Porter 14+10reb+1ast, T.Kida 14+1reb+1ast, K.Kurokawa 13+4reb+8ast, N.Kumagae 9, Y.Osaki 8+4reb+3ast

Ehime OV - Fukuoka R. 71-100

No shocking result in a game in Matsuyama where first ranked Rizing (37-17) smashed 7th ranked Orange Vikings (5-49) 100-71 on Saturday. Fukuoka R. shot 64.8 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 52.0 percentage. Fukuoka R. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) stepped up and scored 14 points and 5 assists for the winners and his fellow American import forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds. American forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) responded with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Yugo Okuda (176-1999) scored 9 points and 7 assists. Five Fukuoka R. and four Ehime players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Fukuoka R. maintains first place with 37-17 record. Ehime lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 49 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: N.Gadson 19+8reb+5ast, R.Aoki 14+2ast, S.Chiu 11+3reb+1ast, R.Takeuchi 10+2reb+2ast, Y.Okuda 9+3reb+7ast, T.Furuno 3+1reb+3ast
Fukuoka R.: A.Randall 14+4reb+5ast, J.Smith 14+4reb, S.Nakata 13+1reb+1ast, J.Burrell 13+9reb+1ast, K.Aita 11+1reb+1ast, T.Kato 9+1reb+1ast

Fukui B. - Kagoshima 72-80

Rather expected game in Fukui where 4th placed Blowinds (28-25) were defeated by second ranked Kagoshima (33-20) 80-72 on Saturday. Kagoshima dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Blowinds's 32 and made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Kagoshima outrebounded Fukui B. 40-27 including 32 on the defensive glass. Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) stepped up and scored 21 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and American swingman James Ennis (201-1990, college: LBSU, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 21 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains second place with 33-20 record having five points less than leader Chiba, which they share with Shinshu. Fukui B. at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the fourth position with 25 games lost. Kagoshima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukui B. will play again against the league's second-placed Kagoshima (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: R.Kelly 21+8reb+1ast, K.Kimura 16+3reb+1ast, P.Ellis 11+10reb+5ast, S.Tawatari 9, T.Hasegawa 4, J.Mitsuda 3+1reb+3ast
Kagoshima: M.Haarms 21+9reb+3ast, J.Ennis 15+8reb+2ast, A.Gaines Jr. 13+8reb+2ast, B.Diouf 9+5reb+2ast, K.Fujimoto 9+1reb+2ast, Y.Ametani 7+4reb+2ast

Fukushima - Shinshu BW 78-53

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Brave Warriors (33-20) against seventh ranked Firebonds (13-40) on Saturday night. Visiting Brave Warriors were crushed by Firebonds in Fukushima 78-53. Fukushima dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Brave Warriors's 18. Fukushima outrebounded Shinshu 42-26 including a 27-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukushima players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) contributed with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Four Firebonds players scored in double figures. Firebonds' coach Takahiro Kurihara felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) answered with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) added 8 points in the effort for Shinshu. Fukushima maintains seventh place with 13-40 record. Shinshu at the other side dropped to the second position with 20 games lost. They share it with Kagoshima. Fukushima will play against higher ranked Shinshu (#3) in Nagano in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinshu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: P.Buford 17+9reb+6ast, A.Chambers 9+2reb, K.Ishikawa 8+2reb+2ast, E.Kojima-Donley 6+4reb+1ast, H.Watanabe 4+6reb+2ast, T.Kano 4+2reb
Fukushima: M.Udeze 22+8reb+4ast, M.Hopkins 15+12reb+3ast, R.Ivanauskas 12+9reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 10+2reb+5ast, S.Sato 7+3reb+3ast, S.Hayashi 6+2reb

Kumamoto V. - Bambitious N. 64-67

The biggest surprise of round 53 was guest Bambitious' (#4) road victory over Kumamoto V. (#5) 67-64 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was American center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import power forward Cameron Jackson (203-1996, college: Wofford) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds and American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) added 5 points and 12 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Volters players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bambitious maintains fourth place with 24-29 record. Kumamoto V. at the other side keeps the fifth position with 30 games lost. Bambitious will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kumamoto V. will play at home against Bambitious (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: S.Yamamoto 15+1reb, R.Nagashima 14, J.McLean 10+3reb, G.Echenique 10+11reb+3ast, H.Isono 6+2reb+1ast, M.Lightfoot 5+12reb+2ast
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 18+4reb+3ast, C.Jackson 15+10reb+1ast, S.Zimmerman 14+11reb+3ast, M.Komaki 8+3reb, E.Hayashi 7, S.Ishii 5

Shizuoka - Kobe S. 82-63

Rather predictable result when third ranked Shizuoka (31-22) outscored at home 6th ranked Storks (21-32) 82-63 on Saturday. Shizuoka made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. New Zealand-Irish Finn Delany (200-1995, college: SW Baptist) stepped up and scored 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and Naoaki Hashimoto (184-1992) chipped in 19 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. The former international power forward Ryota Nakanishi (202-1988) responded with 9 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) scored 8 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Shizuoka maintains third place with 31-22 record having seven points less than leader Chiba. Loser Storks keeps the sixth position with 32 games lost. Shizuoka will meet at home Kobe S. (#6) in the next round. Kobe S. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: R.Kaneda 10+3reb, R.Nakanishi 9+8reb, R.Fujiwara 9+1reb+1ast, P.Kalonji 8+2reb, N.Adrian 8+5reb+2ast, C.Brown Jr. 8+5reb+3ast
Shizuoka: N.Hashimoto 19+2reb+2ast, F.Delany 17+6reb+3ast, T.Takumi 11+5reb+1ast, J.Harrar 10+7reb+2ast, M.Taylor-Barone 8+1reb+2ast, R.Hashimoto 4+2reb+1ast

Yamagata - Aomori W. 72-81

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Yamagata where 5th ranked Wyverns (20-33) were defeated by sixth ranked Watts (19-34) 81-72 on Saturday. Aomori W. looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists and 5 steals for the winners and American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) chipped in 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Four Watts players scored in double figures. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Wyverns' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Aomori W. maintains sixth place with 19-34 record. Loser Wyverns keeps the fifth position with 33 games lost. Aomori W. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play against Aomori W. (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: J.Bell 25+9reb+4ast, T.Toshino 10+1reb+1ast, T.Holyfield 10+10reb+3ast, L.Demetrio 7+7reb+3ast, K.Okajima 6+4reb+2ast, T.Shirato 5+2reb+1ast
Aomori W.: Y.Ikeda 19+6reb+12ast, P.Auda 17+5reb+2ast, R.Kelly 15+9reb+4ast, M.Hall 11+6reb+1ast, S.Tokairin 8+1reb+3ast, N.Kamizato 6+3reb+2ast