B2 League Round 13 (Regular Season): Fukushima beats Fukui B. by three after a very close game

There were just 13 rounds played in Regular Season of B2 League and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Third-ranked Blowinds (7-6) were very close to win a game against first ranked Firebonds (12-1) in Fukushima on Sunday. Firebonds managed to secure only three-point victory 87-84. However their fans expected easier game. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 9 rebounds. Swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) contributed with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) answered with 19 points and 5 rebounds for Fukui B.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Firebonds have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Fukushima maintains first place with 12-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Fukui B. lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with six games lost. They share it with Fukuoka R.. Fukushima is looking forward to face league's second-placed Shinshu in Nagano in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukui B. will play on the road against Yamagata and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Important game to mention about took place in Kumamoto. Seventh ranked Veltex (3-10) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Volters (3-10) 59-58 in the fight for the sixth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Volters. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds for the winners and Tim Schneider chipped in 13 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Shizuoka moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Kumamoto V. and Yamagata. Shizuoka will play against league's second-placed Ehime in Matsuyama in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kumamoto V. will play on the road against Fukuoka R. (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Renova between Wyverns and Rebnise. Sixth ranked Wyverns (3-10) got a very close victory on the road over 3rd placed Rebnise (6-6). Wyverns managed to escape with a 2-point win 84-82 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rebnise. Shaquille Doorson nailed a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. Anthony Gaines Jr came up with 28 points and 6 assists for Kagoshima in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yamagata maintains sixth place with 3-10 record, which they share with Kumamoto V. and Shizuoka. Kagoshima at the other side dropped to the fourth position with six games lost. Yamagata will meet at home higher ranked Fukui B. (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kagoshima will play against Bambitious in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 13 were not that significant. Shinshu was beaten by Iwate on the road 70-65. Kobe S. won against Aomori W. on its own court 74-64. Fukuoka R. outscored Bambitious in a road game 78-57.
The most impressive performance of 13th round was 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists by Justin Burrell of Fukuoka R..



Kagoshima - Yamagata 82-84

A very close game took place in Renova between Wyverns and Rebnise. Sixth ranked Wyverns (3-10) got a very close victory on the road over 3rd placed Rebnise (6-6). Wyverns managed to escape with a 2-point win 84-82 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rebnise. Yamagata made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) nailed a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and American center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) accounted for 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Wyverns players scored in double figures. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) came up with 28 points and 6 assists and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) added 14 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Kagoshima in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yamagata maintains sixth place with 3-10 record, which they share with Kumamoto V. and Shizuoka. Kagoshima at the other side dropped to the fourth position with six games lost. Yamagata will meet at home higher ranked Fukui B. (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kagoshima will play against Bambitious in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 28+3reb+6ast, P.Auda 14+11reb+2ast, J.Sharma 8+6reb+1ast, T.Kodama 7+2ast, N.Rabay 6+3reb+1ast, Y.Ametani 6+1reb+4ast
Yamagata: A.Ryusei 17+3reb+1ast, T.Shirato 16, W.Noah 14+8reb+4ast, D.Shaquille 11+12reb+4ast, B.James 10+6reb+4ast, K.Yoshida 6

Fukushima - Fukui B. 87-84

Third-ranked Blowinds (7-6) were very close to win a game against first ranked Firebonds (12-1) in Fukushima on Sunday. Firebonds managed to secure only three-point victory 87-84. However their fans expected easier game. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 9 rebounds. Swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) contributed with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. Forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) answered with 19 points and 5 rebounds and Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) added 16 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Fukui B.Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Firebonds have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Fukushima maintains first place with 12-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Fukui B. lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with six games lost. They share it with Fukuoka R.. Fukushima is looking forward to face league's second-placed Shinshu in Nagano in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukui B. will play on the road against Yamagata and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: P.Ellis 19+5reb+2ast, K.Sena 17+3reb+1ast, R.Kelly 16+8reb+1ast, M.Damilola 13+1reb+4ast, T.Shuto 11, F.Naoyuki 2+3reb+5ast
Fukushima: W.Koki 19+1ast, N.Jack 17+9reb+2ast, M.Kenny 14+6reb+8ast, G.Patrick 12+3reb+4ast, S.Watanabe 9+2reb+4ast, J.Yoneyama 6+4reb+2ast

Iwate - Shinshu BW 70-65

There was a small surprise when fifth ranked Big Bulls (5-8) beat much higher ranked Brave Warriors (9-4) in Iwate 70-65 on Sunday. Clay Mounce nailed a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Sogo Yamagiwa accounted for 13 points. Big Bulls' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and American center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) added 14 points and 6 assists respectively for Shinshu in the defeat. Iwate maintains fifth place with 5-8 record, which they share with Bambitious. Loser Brave Warriors keeps the second position with four games lost. Iwate will meet league's leader Kobe S. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinshu will play against the league's leader Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: E.Kojima-Donley 15+14reb+1ast, T.Daiki 14+2reb+6ast, W.Marshall 11+9reb+1ast, H.Watanabe 8+6reb+1ast, T.Susumu 7+2reb+2ast, A.Chol 5+5reb
Iwate: C.Mounce 28+10reb+2ast, S.Yamagiwa 13+3reb+3ast, G.Noah 12+5reb+2ast, Y.Nakano 8+3reb, K.Monma 4+4reb, S.Taira 3+3reb+3ast

Kobe S. - Aomori W. 74-64

Very expected game when 7th ranked Watts (2-11) lost to first ranked Storks (12-1) in Hyogo 64-74 on Sunday. Kobe S. outrebounded Aomori W. 42-26 including 28 on the defensive glass. American players dominated also this game. Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) nailed a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!), 19 rebounds and 4 assists (on 17-of-22 shooting from the field) for the winning side and center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) accounted for 11 points and 15 rebounds. Storks' coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) came up with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Aomori W. in the defeat. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Storks. Kobe S. maintains first place with 12-1 record, which they share with Fukushima. Aomori W. lost their tenth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home Iwate (#5) in the next round. Aomori W. will play against Yokohama and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: W.Wang 15+4reb+1ast, M.Hisatake 14+5reb+2ast, R.Kelly 13+8reb+7ast, A.Shugo 8+3reb, T.Kyonosuke 8+1reb+4ast, K.Taiga 6+2reb+1ast
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 35+19reb+4ast, K.Kimura 15+2reb+2ast, B.Isaac 11+15reb+3ast, S.Terazono 7+1reb+5ast, N.Tani 3+1reb, A.Hachimura 3

Kumamoto V. - Shizuoka 58-59

Important game to mention about took place in Kumamoto. Seventh ranked Veltex (3-10) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Volters (3-10) 59-58 in the fight for the sixth place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Volters. Kumamoto V. was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds for the winners and German Tim Schneider (208-1997) chipped in 13 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Shizuoka moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Kumamoto V. and Yamagata. Shizuoka will play against league's second-placed Ehime in Matsuyama in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kumamoto V. will play on the road against Fukuoka R. (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: Y.Shota 22+5reb+2ast, M.Lightfoot 15+10reb+1ast, Y.Atomu 8+2reb+3ast, C.Tanaka 5+2reb+3ast, G.Echenique 4+6reb+2ast, L.Mbodj 2+3reb+2ast
Shizuoka: B.Angus 18+14reb+1ast, S.Tim 13+5reb+3ast, T.Simon 9+4reb+2ast, T.Uemura 7+3reb+1ast, R.Nabeta 7+2reb+1ast, M.Taylor-Barone 3+2reb+1ast

Bambitious N. - Fukuoka R. 57-78

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Rizing's (7-6) road victory over 5th ranked Nara (5-8) 78-57 on Sunday. Fukuoka R. made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) nailed a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 14 points and 9 rebounds. Four Rizing players scored in double figures. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss) came up with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) added 9 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Bambitious in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukuoka R. moved-up to third place, which they share with Fukui B. Loser Nara keep the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Iwate. Fukuoka R. will meet at home Kumamoto V. (#6) in the next round. Bambitious will play against Kagoshima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 14+8reb+4ast, T.Soma 14+4ast, V.Petrov 9+8reb+2ast, S.Ishii 7, N.Spikes 5+4reb, K.Ryota 3+3ast
Fukuoka R.: B.Justin 17+11reb+6ast, A.Pablo 14+9reb+1ast, K.Aita 12+1reb+5ast, T.Kato 11+4reb+1ast, K.Yusuke 8+1ast, R.Davon 7+6reb+1ast