B2 League Round 57 (Regular Season): Toyama G. is upset by Kumamoto V.

The Regular Season in B2 League is almost over. Almost everything is clear. There are only 3 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Grouses (37-20) and fourth ranked Volters (26-31) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Grouses were defeated by Volters in a tough game in Kumamoto 96-103. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Grouses. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Toyama G. 37-26 including 23 on the defensive glass. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Toyama G. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 22 points and 8 rebounds. American-Thailand guard Tyler Lamb (195-1991, college: LBSU, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 23 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded 25 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Volters have a solid series of three victories in a row. Kumamoto V. maintains fourth place with 26-31 record. Toyama G. at the other side keeps the second position with 20 games lost. Kumamoto V. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Toyama G. at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Toyama G. will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukuoka. First ranked Rizing faced 3rd placed Shizuoka. Host Rizing (41-17) defeated guests from Shizuoka (33-25) 76-67. It was a good game for American center Joshua Smith (210-1992, college: Georgetown) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds. Justin Burrell contributed with 11 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds for Shizuoka. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rizing have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Fukuoka R. maintains first place with 41-17 record. Shizuoka at the other side keeps the third position with 25 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukuoka. First ranked Rizing faced 3rd placed Shizuoka. Host Rizing (41-17) defeated guests from Shizuoka (33-25) 75-61. Andrew Randall stepped up and scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was John Harrar with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Rizing. Fukuoka R. maintains first place with 41-17 record. Loser Shizuoka keeps the third position with 25 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Other games of round 57 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Chiba defeated Fukushima in a road game 86-79. Bambitious were smashed by Kobe S. at home 58-107. Aomori W. lost to Shinshu on the opponent's court 65-80. Yamagata unfortunately lost to Fukui B. in a home game 82-87. Ehime was rolled over Kagoshima on the road 60-86. Kagoshima crushed Ehime on its own court 89-69.
The best stats of 57th round was 21 points and 11 rebounds by Terrance King of Ehime OV.



Fukuoka R. - Shizuoka 76-67

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukuoka. First ranked Rizing faced 3rd placed Shizuoka. Host Rizing (41-17) defeated guests from Shizuoka (33-25) 76-67. Fukuoka R. shot 23 for 33 from the free-throw line, while Shizuoka only scored six points from the stripe. It was a good game for American center Joshua Smith (210-1992, college: Georgetown) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) contributed with 11 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Five Rizing players scored in double figures. American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) answered with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Yuzo Okada (180-1992) added 12 points and 8 assists in the effort for Shizuoka. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rizing have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Fukuoka R. maintains first place with 41-17 record. Shizuoka at the other side keeps the third position with 25 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: A.Randall 14+4reb+3ast, T.Nishikawa 13+1reb+2ast, J.Smith 13+16reb+2ast, H.Taniguchi 11+3reb+1ast, J.Burrell 11+9reb+3ast, S.Murakami 3+1reb+2ast
Shizuoka: F.Delany 16+4reb+1ast, J.Harrar 14+11reb+1ast, Y.Okada 12+2reb+8ast, K.Masuda 7+2reb, M.Taylor-Barone 5, R.Hashimoto 3+2reb+2ast

Fukuoka R. - Shizuoka 75-61

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukuoka. First ranked Rizing faced 3rd placed Shizuoka. Host Rizing (41-17) defeated guests from Shizuoka (33-25) 75-61. American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) stepped up and scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and his fellow American import center Joshua Smith (210-1992, college: Georgetown) chipped in 10 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 13 rebounds and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) scored 6 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Rizing. Fukuoka R. maintains first place with 41-17 record. Loser Shizuoka keeps the third position with 25 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: T.Nishikawa 15, A.Randall 14+5reb+5ast, T.Nakamura 11, J.Smith 10+7reb, S.Murakami 6+4reb+1ast, J.Burrell 5+7reb+4ast
Shizuoka: Y.Okada 13+3ast, J.Harrar 11+13reb+2ast, T.Takumi 9+1reb, N.Hashimoto 9+2reb+2ast, K.Masuda 7+2reb+1ast, A.Brandt 6+6reb+4ast

Fukushima - Chiba 79-86

There was no surprise in Fukushima where 7th ranked Firebonds (14-44) were defeated by first ranked Chiba (55-3) 86-79 on Saturday. Chiba made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. American Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) stepped up and scored 14 points for the winners and his fellow American import center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Sera Sato with 18 points and American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) scored 11 points and 8 rebounds. Five Fukushima players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the sixteenth consecutive win for Chiba. They maintain first place with 55-3 record. Loser Firebonds keeps the seventh position with 44 games lost. Chiba will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play again against the league's leader Chiba (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Chiba: B.Ashley 14+4reb+2ast, Y.Otsuka 13, R.Maeda 11, K.Kurokawa 10+1reb+2ast, D.Pardon 10+8reb, K.Sugimoto 7+2reb+6ast
Fukushima: S.Sato 18+2ast, T.Iju 12+1reb+4ast, M.Hopkins 11+8reb, R.Ivanauskas 10+6reb+1ast, M.Udeze 10+6reb, K.Kasai 10+1reb+6ast

Kumamoto V. - Toyama G. 103-96

The game between second ranked Grouses (37-20) and fourth ranked Volters (26-31) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Grouses were defeated by Volters in a tough game in Kumamoto 96-103. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Grouses. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Toyama G. 37-26 including 23 on the defensive glass. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Toyama G. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who scored 22 points and 8 rebounds. American-Thailand guard Tyler Lamb (195-1991, college: LBSU, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 23 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded 25 points and 4 assists and American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) added 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Volters have a solid series of three victories in a row. Kumamoto V. maintains fourth place with 26-31 record. Toyama G. at the other side keeps the second position with 20 games lost. Kumamoto V. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Toyama G. at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Toyama G. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: T.Lamb 23+5reb+3ast, G.Echenique 22+8reb+2ast, S.Yamamoto 14+1reb+1ast, J.McLean 14+5reb+7ast, M.Lightfoot 12+8reb, A.Yamada 6+2reb+1ast
Toyama G.: A.White 25+4reb+4ast, E.Phelps 17+7reb+4ast, T.Kennedy 12+3reb+2ast, Y.Nozaki 11+2reb, H.Tanaka 10+2reb+1ast, M.Watt 10+2reb+1ast

Bambitious N. - Kobe S. 58-107

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifth ranked Storks' (24-34) road victory over 6th ranked Bambitious (25-33) 107-58 on Saturday. Kobe S. dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Bambitious N.' 26. They outrebounded Bambitious 46-21 including a 35-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Bambitious' players. Guard Sena Kawashima (187-2000) stepped up and scored 23 points and 6 assists (perfect behind the arc making all five shots) for the winners and American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds. Five Storks players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) scored 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. Despite that victory Kobe S. went down to sixth position due to points difference. Bambitious lost their fourth game in a row. They dropped to the fifth place with 33 games lost. Kobe S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bambitious will play against Kobe S. (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: S.Kawashima 23+3reb+6ast, N.Dohara 14+2reb+5ast, P.Kalonji 14+5reb+1ast, I.Butts 13+4reb+4ast, C.Brown Jr. 11+9reb+3ast, R.Nomizo 8+3reb+2ast
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 13+6reb+2ast, S.Zimmerman 11+7reb+4ast, E.Hayashi 10+4reb, M.Komaki 8+1reb, O.Idemudia 7+1reb, J.Honda 5+1reb+1ast

Shinshu BW - Aomori W. 80-65

Rather expected game in Nagano where 6th ranked Watts (20-38) were defeated by third ranked Brave Warriors (36-21) 80-65 on Saturday. Shinshu made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Shinshu made 10 blocks. American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) chipped in 27 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 16 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shinshu maintains third place with 36-21 record having six points less than leader Chiba. Aomori W. lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 38 games lost. Shinshu will meet at home Aomori W. (#6) in the next round. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: W.Marshall 27+7reb+2ast, P.Buford 23+12reb+3ast, K.Ishikawa 13+2reb+9ast, T.Kano 4+2reb, L.Kurihara 3+1reb+2ast, A.Chambers 3+2reb
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 20+10reb+3ast, P.Auda 16+4reb+1ast, M.Hisatake 7+8reb+1ast, M.Hall 5+4reb+2ast, N.Kamizato 5+2reb+6ast, S.Tokairin 5+4reb+1ast

Yamagata - Fukui B. 82-87

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Blowinds' (31-27) road victory over 5th ranked Wyverns (22-36) 87-82 on Saturday. Fukui B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 15 points and 7 assists for the winners and Keigo Kimura (188-2000, college: St.Joseph, CT, agency: Schafer Sports) chipped in 19 points. The best for the losing side was American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) scored 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 31-27 record. Loser Wyverns keeps the fifth position with 36 games lost. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play against Fukui B. (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: M.Hosoya 19+1reb+2ast, K.Kimura 19+3reb+1ast, R.Kelly 15+3reb+7ast, Y.Nishino 10+4reb, P.Ellis 8+6reb+1ast, S.Tawatari 8+1reb+1ast
Yamagata: J.Bell 23+12reb+3ast, T.Holyfield 16+8reb+5ast, R.Adams 9+5reb, T.Shirato 8+3reb+3ast, R.Abe 7+1reb+3ast, L.Demetrio 7+4reb+1ast

Kagoshima - Ehime OV 86-60

Not a big story in a game in Renova where 7th ranked Orange Vikings (5-53) were outplayed by second ranked Kagoshima (35-22) 86-60 on Saturday. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) stepped up and scored 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) chipped in 12 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains second place with 35-22 record having seven points less than leader Chiba. Ehime lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 53 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 15+5reb+3ast, J.Ennis 13+1reb+2ast, M.Haarms 12+9reb, Y.Morita 8+1reb+5ast, B.Diouf 7+3reb+2ast, Y.Ametani 7+3reb
Ehime OV: T.King 21+11reb, N.Gadson 15+7reb+4ast, R.Aoki 8+3reb+1ast, S.Chiu 5+6reb, R.Taira 3+3reb+1ast, Y.Toshino 3+2reb+2ast

Kagoshima - Ehime OV 89-69

Everything went according to plan in Renova where second ranked Kagoshima (35-22) outleveled 7th ranked Orange Vikings (5-53) 89-69 on Sunday. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains second place with 35-22 record having seven points less than leader Chiba. Ehime lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 53 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.