B2 League Round 55 (Regular Season): Chiba defeat Aomori W. in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fifth-ranked Watts (20-35) gave a tough game to first ranked Chiba (52-3) in Aomori on Saturday. The visitors from Chiba managed to secure only three-point victory 89-86. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Watts. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Aomori W. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for American Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. His fellow American import center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) helped adding 23 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field). At the losing side point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) responded with 22 points and 8 assists. Watts' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Chiba have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 52-3 record. Aomori W. at the other side keeps the fifth position with 35 games lost. They share it with Yamagata. Chiba will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play again at home against the league's leader Chiba (#1) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
B2 League top team - Rizing (38-17) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat fifth ranked Bambitious (24-31) in Nara 89-72. It was a quality performance for American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. Justin Burrell accounted for 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Jumpei Honda (190-1988) came up with 26 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for Bambitious in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Rizing. Fukuoka R. maintains first place with 38-17 record. Bambitious at the other side keep the fifth position with 31 games lost. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bambitious will play at home against the league's leader Fukuoka R. (#1) and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game in Hyogo was also quite interesting. 5th ranked Wyverns (20-35) played at the court of sixth ranked Storks (23-32). Storks managed to secure a 7-point victory 99-92 on Saturday. Chaundee Brown Jr fired 23 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. TJ Holyfield produced a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kobe S. maintains sixth place with 23-32 record. Yamagata lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 35 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Kobe S. will meet at home Yamagata (#6) in the next round. Yamagata will have a break next round.

In the last two games of round 55 Fukushima lost to Fukui B. on the opponent's court 69-76. Shizuoka outscored Ehime in a home game 86-59.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 13 points and 11 rebounds by John Harrar of Shizuoka.



Aomori W. - Chiba 86-89

Fifth-ranked Watts (20-35) gave a tough game to first ranked Chiba (52-3) in Aomori on Saturday. The visitors from Chiba managed to secure only three-point victory 89-86. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Watts. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Aomori W. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for American Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. His fellow American import center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) helped adding 23 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-12 shooting from the field). At the losing side point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) responded with 22 points and 8 assists and guard Mone Hall (190-1999) scored 19 points and 5 rebounds. Four Aomori W. players scored in double figures. Watts' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Chiba have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. They maintain first place with 52-3 record. Aomori W. at the other side keeps the fifth position with 35 games lost. They share it with Yamagata. Chiba will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play again at home against the league's leader Chiba (#1) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Chiba: D.Pardon 23+8reb+2ast, B.Ashley 19+11reb+8ast, R.Maeda 14+1reb+4ast, T.Kida 9+2ast, K.Kurokawa 7+3reb+1ast, T.Porter 6+7reb+1ast
Aomori W.: Y.Ikeda 22+2reb+8ast, M.Hall 19+5reb+1ast, R.Kelly 17+5reb+3ast, P.Auda 14+6reb, M.Hisatake 8+8reb+3ast, S.Tokairin 4+1reb+2ast

Fukui B. - Fukushima 76-69

Rather expected game in Fukui where 7th ranked Firebonds (13-42) were defeated by fourth ranked Blowinds (30-25) 76-69 on Saturday. Fukui B. made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. Keigo Kimura (188-2000, college: St.Joseph, CT, agency: Schafer Sports) fired 30 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) and American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) added 9 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 30-25 record. Loser Firebonds keeps the seventh position with 42 games lost. Fukui B. will meet at home Fukushima (#7) in the next round. Fukushima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: K.Kimura 30+8reb+1ast, R.Kelly 22+9reb, Y.Nishino 10+5reb, T.Hasegawa 7+3ast, N.Fujisawa 5+1reb+1ast, G.Hamilton 1+6reb
Fukushima: R.Ivanauskas 22+10reb+5ast, M.Hopkins 9+9reb+4ast, S.Kanno 9+2ast, R.Tawatari 7+2reb+2ast, S.Hayashi 6, S.Sato 6+2reb+1ast

Kobe S. - Yamagata 99-92

The game in Hyogo was also quite interesting. 5th ranked Wyverns (20-35) played at the court of sixth ranked Storks (23-32). Storks managed to secure a 7-point victory 99-92 on Saturday. American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) fired 23 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American-Italian Nathan Adrian (206-1995, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Storks players scored in double figures. American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kobe S. maintains sixth place with 23-32 record. Yamagata lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 35 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Kobe S. will meet at home Yamagata (#6) in the next round. Yamagata will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Brown Jr. 23+7reb+2ast, N.Dohara 13+2reb+3ast, N.Adrian 13+7reb+4ast, P.Kalonji 12+8reb, R.Nomizo 11+1reb+4ast, N.Tani 8+1reb+1ast
Yamagata: T.Holyfield 24+11reb+7ast, J.Bell 15+6reb+4ast, T.Toshino 15+2reb+1ast, R.Abe 8+4reb+1ast, K.Okajima 7+4ast, R.Adams 5+5reb

Bambitious N. - Fukuoka R. 72-89

B2 League top team - Rizing (38-17) had no problems winning another game. This time they beat fifth ranked Bambitious (24-31) in Nara 89-72. Fukuoka R. outrebounded Bambitious 40-26 including 28 on the defensive glass. Fukuoka R. players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. It was a quality performance for American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) accounted for 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Rizing players scored in double figures. Forward Jumpei Honda (190-1988) came up with 26 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) added 16 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Bambitious in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Rizing. Fukuoka R. maintains first place with 38-17 record. Bambitious at the other side keep the fifth position with 31 games lost. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bambitious will play at home against the league's leader Fukuoka R. (#1) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: A.Randall 21+11reb+3ast, T.Nakamura 14+2reb+5ast, J.Burrell 14+6reb+5ast, J.Smith 11+5reb+3ast, K.Aita 6+1reb+2ast, S.Murakami 5+2reb
Bambitious N.: J.Honda 26+4reb, S.Hines 16+9reb+1ast, S.Zimmerman 7+4reb, E.Nakatani 6+2ast, S.Mayama 6+1reb, M.Komaki 3+1ast

Shizuoka - Ehime OV 86-59

Rather predictable result when third ranked Shizuoka (32-23) smashed at home 7th ranked Orange Vikings (5-50) 86-59 on Saturday. Shizuoka looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Ehime's players. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) fired a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) chipped in 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. American forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) produced 14 points and 5 rebounds and point guard Yugo Okuda (176-1999) added 8 points and 6 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Shizuoka maintains third place with 32-23 record having six points less than leader Chiba. Ehime lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 50 games lost. Shizuoka will meet at home Ehime (#7) in the next round. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: T.Takumi 18+4reb+1ast, J.Harrar 13+11reb+2ast, A.Brandt 11+8reb+5ast, R.Hashimoto 10+2reb+2ast, N.Hashimoto 9+1ast, K.Masuda 8
Ehime OV: N.Gadson 14+5reb+2ast, R.Taira 11+2reb+1ast, R.Takeuchi 9+6reb+1ast, Y.Okuda 8+3reb+6ast, S.Chiu 8+2reb, T.Furuno 5+4reb+3ast