B2 League Round 2 (Regular Season): Kobe S. climb to the leadership position

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in B2 League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Storks defeated Blowinds in Hyogo 91-85. Kobe S. outrebounded Fukui B. 41-29 including 30 on the defensive glass. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and chipped in 13 points and 6 assists during the contest. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 18 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Blowinds will play next round against strong Iwate trying to get back on the winning streak. Storks will try to continue on its current victory against Bambitious in Nara.
Rebnise recorded a loss in Renova. Hosts were defeated by Orange Vikings 93-75. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) notched a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and Michael Parker supported him with 20 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Even 18 points and 4 assists by point guard Takayuki Kodama (166-1992) did not help to save the game for Kagoshima. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Orange Vikings will play against Shizuoka at home in the next round where they are favorite. Rebnise will have a break next round.
Very important is a home loss of Firebonds against Excellence on Sunday night. Host Firebonds were defeated by Excellence in a tough game in Fukushima 74-83. The best player for the winners was Elyjah Williams who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 16 rebounds. Jack Nunge produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Excellence will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Firebonds will play against Fukuoka R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 2: Kumamoto V. won against Bambitious on the opponent's court 73-63. Shinshu managed to outperform Yamagata in a home game 96-79. Iwate managed to beat Aomori W. on the road 69-59.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 23 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals by Clay Mounce of Iwate.



Kagoshima - Ehime OV 75-93

Rebnise recorded a loss in Renova. Hosts were defeated by Orange Vikings 93-75. Ehime made 22-of-29 charity shots (75.9 percent) during the game. Ehime outrebounded Kagoshima 41-30 including a 31-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Ehime players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. They brought some defensive toughness making 8 blocks. Kagoshima was plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) notched a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and naturalized American forward Michael Parker (200-1981, college: Evergreen St.) supported him with 20 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Even 18 points and 4 assists by point guard Takayuki Kodama (166-1992) did not help to save the game for Kagoshima. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr. (195-1993, college: LCU) added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Orange Vikings will play against Shizuoka at home in the next round where they are favorite. Rebnise will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: T.Kodama 18+3reb+4ast, A.Gaines Jr. 12+7reb+6ast, P.Auda 12+6reb+1ast, T.Tada 12+2reb, F.Hiroshi 6+1reb, Y.Ametani 4+1reb+2ast
Ehime OV: M.Watt 25+11reb+3ast, M.Parker 20+7reb+3ast, M.Haarms 16+3reb+2ast, E.Hayashi 12+3reb, S.Hines 7+8reb+9ast, T.Furuno 5+2reb+4ast

Fukushima - Yokohama EX 74-83

Very important is a home loss of Firebonds against Excellence on Sunday night. Host Firebonds were defeated by Excellence in a tough game in Fukushima 74-83. The best player for the winners was American forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) who had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 16 rebounds. Guard Junki Uera (186-1997) chipped in 20 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and his fellow American import swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) added 9 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Excellence will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Firebonds will play against Fukuoka R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: J.Nunge 20+10reb+3ast, N.Tsukasa 12+3reb, K.Manigault 9+8reb+5ast, K.Kohei 8+1reb+5ast, K.Wiley 6+2reb, M.Takumi 5+1ast
Yokohama EX: E.Williams 27+16reb+3ast, J.Uera 20+2reb+1ast, K.Hironao 11+1reb, C.Serignemourtala 7+4reb+2ast, N.Tatsuya 6+1ast, O.Hirotaka 5+1reb+6ast

Kobe S. - Fukui B. 91-85

Storks defeated Blowinds in Hyogo 91-85. Kobe S. outrebounded Fukui B. 41-29 including 30 on the defensive glass. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) had a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and chipped in 13 points and 6 assists during the contest. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 18 points and Masashi Hosoya scored 12 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Blowinds will play next round against strong Iwate trying to get back on the winning streak. Storks will try to continue on its current victory against Bambitious in Nara.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: R.Kelly 18+4reb+1ast, K.Sena 12+4reb+1ast, H.Masashi 12+4reb+4ast, F.Naoyuki 11+6ast, P.Ellis 9+5reb, R.Ivanauskas 8+7reb+1ast
Kobe S.: Y.Childs 27+15reb+1ast, K.Keigo 14+3ast, T.Shuto 13+1reb+6ast, H.Alen 11+5reb+2ast, K.Ryuya 8+1reb+1ast, R.Alkins 8+7reb+3ast

Bambitious N. - Kumamoto V. 63-73

There was a minor upset when Nara was defeated at home by Volters 73-63 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) chipped in 11 points and 8 assists. Five Volters players scored in double figures. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss) produced 21 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Volters will meet at home Shinshu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nara will play against Kobe S. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 21+6reb, T.Soma 15+1reb+2ast, N.Spikes 10+7reb+1ast, S.Tatsuya 7+2reb+2ast, H.Jumpei 5+1reb, J.Dallas 4+9reb+1ast
Kumamoto V.: M.Lightfoot 17+10reb, Y.Shota 12+5reb, K.Ishikawa 11+3reb+8ast, N.Djurisic 10+5reb, G.Echenique 10+9reb+1ast, R.Nagashima 6+1reb+3ast

Shinshu BW - Yamagata 96-79

Rather predictable result in Nagano where Brave Warriors defeated Wyverns 96-79 on Sunday. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) who scored 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. chipped in 21 points and 8 assists. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) produced 29 points and 5 assists and Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Four Yamagata players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Brave Warriors will meet Kumamoto V. on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Wyverns will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: J.Bell 29+2reb+5ast, S.Doorson 13+6reb+3ast, M.Shinya 13+1reb+3ast, N.Waterman 10+9reb+2ast, R.Abe 9+3reb+1ast, J.Toi 5+1reb
Shinshu BW: M.Daum 27+7reb+6ast, T.Daiki 21+1reb+8ast, A.Chambers 14+5reb+1ast, W.Marshall 9+8reb+5ast, H.Watanabe 7+5reb, A.Oguri 7+1reb+3ast

Aomori W. - Iwate 59-69

There was a minor upset in Aomori where Watts were defeated by Big Bulls 69-59 on Sunday. Iwate shot 22 for 30 from the free-throw line, while Aomori W. only scored three points from the stripe. The best player for the winners was who had a double-double by scoring 23 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. chipped in 23 points and 5 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) produced 4 points and 18 rebounds and Masahiro Okabe added 17 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Big Bulls will meet Fukui B. on the road in the next round. Watts will play against Yamagata and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: O.Masahiro 17+2reb+2ast, R.Kelly 10+4reb+3ast, T.Kyonosuke 8+2reb+1ast, K.Nagomu 6+1reb+1ast, K.Takahiro 4+1reb+1ast, W.Wang 4+4reb+2ast
Iwate: M.Clay 23+11reb+6ast, Y.Sogo 23+4reb+5ast, N.Gurley 7+5reb+1ast, M.Tejic 7+7reb+2ast, M.Keijiro 5+2ast, N.Takumi 2+1reb+1ast