B2 League Round 58 (Regular Season): Bambitious defeat Kobe S. in the closest game of the week

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in B2 League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 58 in the B2 League took place in Nara. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Storks (24-34) to sixth ranked Bambitious (25-33) 62-59 in the game for the fifth place. Bambitious forced 19 Kobe S. turnovers. Strangely Kobe S. outrebounded Bambitious 47-25 including a 14-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court. Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) scored 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals during the contest. At the losing side guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Storks' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Bambitious moved-up to fifth place. Kobe S. at the other side dropped to the sixth position with 34 games lost. Bambitious are looking forward to face higher ranked Shizuoka (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kobe S. will have a break next round.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Kumamoto. 4th ranked host Volters (26-31) lost to second ranked Grouses (37-20) 97-89. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Volters. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) notched a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Thomas Kennedy supported him with 27 points. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Kumamoto V.. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Toyama G. maintains second position with 37-20 record having five points less than leader Chiba. Kumamoto V. at the other side keeps the fourth place with 31 games lost. Toyama G. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kumamoto V. will play on the road against the league's leader Fukuoka R. (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
B2 League top team - Chiba (55-3) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Firebonds (14-44) in Fukushima 91-62. Brandon Ashley fired 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Shota Kanno produced 11 points and 5 rebounds 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. Chiba have an impressive 16-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 55-3 record. Loser Firebonds keeps the seventh place with 44 games lost. Chiba will meet at home Shinshu (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fukushima will play against Aomori W. (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 58 Aomori W. was destroyed by Shinshu on the opponent's court 96-72. Yamagata outscored Fukui B. in a home game 90-63.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points and 12 rebounds by TJ Holyfield of Yamagata.



Fukushima - Chiba 62-91

B2 League top team - Chiba (55-3) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Firebonds (14-44) in Fukushima 91-62. Chiba dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Firebonds's 30. Chiba outrebounded Fukushima 41-28 including a 29-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Fukushima's players. American Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) fired 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Trey Porter (210-1996, college: Nevada) chipped in 9 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Shota Kanno (190-1992) produced 11 points and 5 rebounds and Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) added 13 points 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. Chiba have an impressive 16-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 55-3 record. Loser Firebonds keeps the seventh place with 44 games lost. Chiba will meet at home Shinshu (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fukushima will play against Aomori W. (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Chiba: B.Ashley 17+9reb+7ast, D.Pardon 14+5reb+2ast, T.Kida 12+2reb+1ast, T.Porter 9+10reb+3ast, K.Kurokawa 8+3reb+4ast, K.Sugimoto 7+4reb+8ast
Fukushima: R.Ivanauskas 13+2reb+1ast, S.Sato 11+4ast, S.Kanno 11+5reb, T.Iju 9+3ast, M.Udeze 7+7reb+1ast, S.Hayashi 4+2reb+2ast

Kumamoto V. - Toyama G. 89-97

The game between Top Four teams took place in Kumamoto. 4th ranked host Volters (26-31) lost to second ranked Grouses (37-20) 97-89. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Volters. Toyama G. made 18-of-20 charity shots (90.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. Kumamoto V. was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) notched a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and the other American import forward Thomas Kennedy (201-1987, college: Detroit) supported him with 27 points. Five Grouses players scored in double figures. Even 15 points and 5 rebounds by Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Kumamoto V.. American-Thailand guard Tyler Lamb (195-1991, college: LBSU, agency: Slash Sports) added 18 points for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Toyama G. maintains second position with 37-20 record having five points less than leader Chiba. Kumamoto V. at the other side keeps the fourth place with 31 games lost. Toyama G. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kumamoto V. will play on the road against the league's leader Fukuoka R. (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: T.Kennedy 27+1ast, A.White 17+4reb+4ast, M.Watt 15+11reb+6ast, E.Phelps 14+6reb+1ast, N.Uto 12+7reb+6ast, M.Aquino 5+6reb
Kumamoto V.: T.Lamb 18+1reb, G.Echenique 15+5reb+3ast, A.Yamada 14+3reb, S.Yamamoto 13+1reb, M.Lightfoot 9+3reb+2ast, C.Tanaka 7+1reb+2ast

Bambitious N. - Kobe S. 62-59

The most exciting game of round 58 in the B2 League took place in Nara. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Storks (24-34) to sixth ranked Bambitious (25-33) 62-59 in the game for the fifth place. Bambitious forced 19 Kobe S. turnovers. Strangely Kobe S. outrebounded Bambitious 47-25 including a 14-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court. Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) scored 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals during the contest. At the losing side guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds and center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) scored 8 points and 13 rebounds. Storks' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Bambitious moved-up to fifth place. Kobe S. at the other side dropped to the sixth position with 34 games lost. Bambitious are looking forward to face higher ranked Shizuoka (#3) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kobe S. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 25+5reb+4ast, S.Zimmerman 13+9reb+4ast, S.Ishii 9+2reb+1ast, Y.Otsuka 5+3reb+1ast, E.Hayashi 3+1reb+2ast, T.Abe 3+1reb
Kobe S.: C.Brown Jr. 15+9reb+3ast, R.Kaneda 15+5reb, S.Kawashima 10+2reb+4ast, I.Butts 8+13reb, N.Tani 5+2reb, N.Dohara 4+1reb+1ast

Shinshu BW - Aomori W. 96-72

Rather expected game in Nagano where 6th ranked Watts (20-38) were crushed by third ranked Brave Warriors (36-21) 96-72 on Sunday. Shinshu made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. Shinshu outrebounded Aomori W. 41-28 including a 32-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 25 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 20 points. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) produced 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) added 23 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. 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. Shinshu maintains third position with 36-21 record having six points less than leader Chiba. Aomori W. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 38 games lost. Shinshu will meet league's leader Chiba on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Aomori W. will play against Fukushima (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: P.Buford 25+12reb+8ast, E.Kojima-Donley 20+3reb+3ast, W.Marshall 12+7reb+2ast, K.Ishikawa 10+5reb+3ast, L.Kurihara 9+2reb+3ast, A.Chambers 8+2reb+1ast
Aomori W.: P.Auda 23+5reb+2ast, R.Kelly 20+7reb+4ast, M.Hall 9+1reb+4ast, M.Hisatake 6+6reb+2ast, T.Komuro 5+3reb+1ast, T.Kagitomi 4+3reb

Yamagata - Fukui B. 90-63

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Yamagata where fifth ranked Wyverns (22-36) smashed one of their biggest challengers Blowinds (31-27) 90-63 on Sunday. Yamagata outrebounded Fukui B. 49-35 including a 33-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Yamagata looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Fukui B.'s players. American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. The other American import James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Keigo Kimura (188-2000, college: St.Joseph, CT, agency: Schafer Sports) produced 12 points and American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) added 4 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. 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. Yamagata maintains fifth position with 22-36 record. Newly promoted Fukui B. keeps the fourth place with 27 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: T.Holyfield 21+12reb+3ast, J.Bell 12+6reb+6ast, T.Shirato 9+1ast, R.Saito 9+2reb+1ast, R.Adams 7+6reb+1ast, S.Murakami 7+3reb+8ast
Fukui B.: K.Kimura 12+4reb+1ast, N.Fujisawa 10+1reb+3ast, T.Hasegawa 7+2reb+1ast, R.Watanabe 5+2reb+1ast, Y.Nishino 5+2reb, P.Ellis 5+7reb+2ast