B2 League Round 60 (Regular Season): Kagoshima lose to Kobe S.

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Hyogo between second ranked Kagoshima (36-23) and sixth ranked Storks (25-35) on Sunday night. Kagoshima was crushed by Storks on the road 67-87. Kobe S. outrebounded Kagoshima 47-30 including a 36-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a good game for American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) who led his team to a victory with 23 points and 5 rebounds. The other American import center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) contributed with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) replied with 9 points and 8 rebounds for Kagoshima. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kobe S. maintains sixth position with 25-35 record. Newly promoted Kagoshima keeps the second place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Shinshu.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Grouses (38-21) against fourth ranked Blowinds (32-28) on Sunday night. Host Grouses were defeated by Blowinds in a tough game in Toyama 103-107. Worth to mention a great performance of Keigo Kimura (188-2000, college: St.Joseph, CT, agency: Schafer Sports) who helped to win the game recording 32 points and 5 assists and Ryan Kelly who added 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa, agency: Slash Sports) with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains fourth position with 32-28 record. Toyama G. at the other side keeps the second place with 21 games lost.
An interesting game for Chiba (57-3) which hosted in Chiba one of their biggest challengers Brave Warriors (36-23). First ranked Chiba managed to get a 9-point victory 82-73. The winners were led by Brandon Ashley who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points and 16 rebounds. Even 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists by Perrin Buford did not help to save the game for Shinshu. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Chiba have an impressive 18-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 57-3 record. Loser Brave Warriors dropped to the second place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Kagoshima.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 60: Fukushima was beaten by Aomori W. on the road 80-69. Fukuoka R. destroyed Kumamoto V. on its own court 84-64. Bambitious unfortunately lost to Shizuoka in a road game 74-81. Kobe S. recorded a loss to Kagoshima at home 89-95. Yamagata defeated Ehime on the opponent's court 85-69.
The most impressive performance of 60th round was 14 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists by TJ Holyfield of Yamagata.



Chiba - Shinshu BW 82-73

An interesting game for Chiba (57-3) which hosted in Chiba one of their biggest challengers Brave Warriors (36-23). First ranked Chiba managed to get a 9-point victory 82-73. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by American Brandon Ashley (206-1994, college: Arizona) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points and 16 rebounds and the other American import center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) supported him with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Chiba players scored in double figures. Even 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists by American forward Perrin Buford (198-1994, college: MTSU, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Shinshu. The former international guard Aki Chambers (191-1990, college: UC Merced) added 17 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Chiba have an impressive 18-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 57-3 record. Loser Brave Warriors dropped to the second place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Kagoshima.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: P.Buford 22+9reb+4ast, A.Chambers 17+5reb+1ast, W.Marshall 12+7reb+2ast, K.Ishikawa 8+2reb+6ast, E.Kojima-Donley 5+2reb, T.Kano 5+5reb+1ast
Chiba: B.Ashley 19+16reb+2ast, K.Kurokawa 15+1reb+6ast, T.Kida 12+3reb+1ast, D.Pardon 10+9reb+5ast, Y.Otsuka 9+1ast, T.Porter 8+7reb+1ast

Aomori W. - Fukushima 80-69

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Watts' (21-39) home victory over 7th ranked Firebonds (15-45) in Aomori 80-69 on Sunday. Aomori W. forced 25 Fukushima turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) supported him with 17 points and 6 assists. Four Watts players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) by Nigerian-American power forward Morris Udeze (206-1999, college: N.Mexico, agency: Pensack Sports) did not help to save the game for Fukushima. American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Aomori W. maintains sixth position with 21-39 record. Loser Firebonds keeps the seventh place with 45 games lost.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: M.Udeze 18+9reb+1ast, T.Iju 15+3reb+1ast, M.Hopkins 14+12reb+1ast, R.Ivanauskas 9+13reb, S.Hayashi 5+2reb, T.Soma 4+1reb+2ast
Aomori W.: M.Hisatake 22+14reb+3ast, Y.Ikeda 17+2reb+6ast, R.Kelly 10+2reb+1ast, P.Auda 10+6reb+3ast, S.Tokairin 6+2reb+3ast, M.Hall 6+1reb+4ast

Fukuoka R. - Kumamoto V. 84-64

Rather expected game when 4th ranked Volters (27-32) were smashed by first ranked Rizing (42-18) in Fukuoka 84-64 on Sunday. Fukuoka R. made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. American players dominated the game. The winners were led by forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) who scored that evening 25 points and forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) supported him with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Rizing players scored in double figures. Even 19 points and 5 rebounds by center Jamel McLean (203-1988, college: Xavier) did not help to save the game for Kumamoto V.. Forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) added 15 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukuoka R. maintains first position with 42-18 record. Loser Volters keeps the fourth place with 32 games lost.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: J.McLean 19+5reb+2ast, M.Lightfoot 15+8reb+2ast, R.Nagashima 9+2reb, G.Echenique 8+3reb+3ast, C.Tanaka 6+1reb+1ast, A.Yamada 3+1reb+3ast
Fukuoka R.: A.Randall 25+4reb+1ast, H.Taniguchi 17+2reb+2ast, J.Smith 11+5reb+1ast, J.Burrell 10+6reb+5ast, S.Murakami 6+3reb+3ast, T.Nishikawa 6+1reb+1ast

Kobe S. - Kagoshima 87-67

The most important game in the last round took place in Hyogo between second ranked Kagoshima (36-23) and sixth ranked Storks (25-35) on Sunday night. Kagoshima was crushed by Storks on the road 67-87. Kobe S. outrebounded Kagoshima 47-30 including a 36-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a good game for American guard Chaundee Brown Jr (195-1998, college: Michigan) who led his team to a victory with 23 points and 5 rebounds. The other American import center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Four Storks players scored in double figures. Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) replied with 9 points and 8 rebounds and guard Hiroshi Fujita (190-1992) added 13 points in the effort for Kagoshima. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kobe S. maintains sixth position with 25-35 record. Newly promoted Kagoshima keeps the second place with 23 games lost. They share the position with Shinshu.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: H.Fujita 13+2reb+1ast, T.Komamizu 10+1reb+1ast, M.Haarms 9+8reb+1ast, Y.Morita 9+5ast, K.Fujimoto 7+4reb+3ast, Y.Ametani 5+5reb+4ast
Kobe S.: C.Brown Jr. 23+5reb+3ast, N.Adrian 14+6reb+3ast, R.Nomizo 14, I.Butts 11+11reb+3ast, S.Kawashima 8+5reb+3ast, R.Nakanishi 5+4reb+2ast

Shizuoka - Bambitious N. 81-74

Rather predictable result when third ranked Shizuoka (34-26) won against at home 5th ranked Bambitious (26-34) 81-74 on Sunday. Shizuoka looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds and Naoaki Hashimoto (184-1992) supported him with 18 points. Even 32 points and 5 rebounds by American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) did not help to save the game for Bambitious. His fellow American import center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) added 7 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shizuoka maintains third position with 34-26 record having eight points less than leader Chiba. Loser Bambitious N. keep the fifth place with 34 games lost.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 32+5reb+1ast, E.Hayashi 8+1reb+1ast, S.Ishii 7+3reb+3ast, C.Jackson 7+4reb+1ast, M.Komaki 7+2reb, S.Zimmerman 7+9reb+4ast
Shizuoka: N.Hashimoto 18+2reb+2ast, J.Harrar 18+14reb+3ast, A.Brandt 11+6reb+4ast, S.Kanou 9+3reb+1ast, T.Takumi 8+1reb, Y.Okada 7+2reb+8ast

Kobe S. - Kagoshima 89-95

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Storks (25-35) lost to second ranked Kagoshima (36-23) in Hyogo 89-95 on Monday. Kagoshima made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by Senegalese forward Bamba Diouf (198-1993) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) supported him with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Even a double-double of 10 points and 21 rebounds by American center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) did not help to save the game for Kobe S.. Point guard Noriaki Dohara (178-1989) added 19 points and 4 assists. Five Kagoshima and four Kobe S. players scored in double figures. Storks' coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Kagoshima maintains second position with 36-23 record having seven points less than leader Chiba, which they share with Shinshu. Loser Storks keeps the sixth place with 35 games lost.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: N.Dohara 19+3reb+4ast, C.Brown Jr. 13+6reb+2ast, N.Adrian 12+2reb+7ast, I.Butts 10+21reb+3ast, S.Kawashima 9+1reb, R.Nakanishi 7+4reb+3ast
Kagoshima: J.Uera 20+1reb+2ast, M.Haarms 18+9reb+2ast, K.Fujimoto 16+3reb+4ast, B.Diouf 16+10reb+4ast, Y.Morita 10+4reb+3ast, S.Muto 6+3reb

Toyama G. - Fukui B. 103-107

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Grouses (38-21) against fourth ranked Blowinds (32-28) on Sunday night. Host Grouses were defeated by Blowinds in a tough game in Toyama 103-107. Fukui B. made 29-of-35 charity shots (82.9 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Toyama G. was plagued by 29 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of Keigo Kimura (188-2000, college: St.Joseph, CT, agency: Schafer Sports) who helped to win the game recording 32 points and 5 assists and American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) who added 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Aaron White (206-1992, college: Iowa, agency: Slash Sports) with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and his fellow American import forward Thomas Kennedy (201-1987, college: Detroit) scored 21 points and 8 rebounds. Four Fukui B. and five Toyama G. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains fourth position with 32-28 record. Toyama G. at the other side keeps the second place with 21 games lost.
Top scorers:
Toyama G.: A.White 27+7reb+7ast, T.Kennedy 21+8reb+3ast, M.Watt 15+9reb+6ast, N.Uto 14+5reb+8ast, S.Ueda 11+1reb+2ast, E.Phelps 10+11reb+2ast
Fukui B.: K.Kimura 32+1reb+5ast, P.Ellis 21+7reb+2ast, R.Kelly 18+11reb+4ast, Y.Nishino 12+4reb+1ast, N.Fujisawa 10+4ast, G.Hamilton 5+13reb+5ast

Ehime OV - Yamagata 69-85

Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Wyverns (24-36) defeated 7th ranked Orange Vikings (5-55) in Matsuyama 85-69 on Sunday. Yamagata looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The winners were led by American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) supported him with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Four Wyverns players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds by American center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) did not help to save the game for Ehime. His fellow American import forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) added 15 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Wyverns have a solid three-game winning streak. Yamagata maintains fifth position with 24-36 record. Ehime lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 55 games lost.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: N.Gadson 15+3reb+3ast, N.Spikes 12+14reb+1ast, R.Aoki 10+1reb+2ast, R.Takeuchi 10, T.Furuno 9+3reb+9ast, T.King 6+12reb+1ast
Yamagata: R.Abe 15+3ast, R.Adams 15+11reb, L.Demetrio 14+9reb+2ast, T.Holyfield 14+11reb+6ast, J.Bell 9+7reb+2ast, S.Murakami 5+1reb+6ast