B2 League Round 14 (Regular Season): Shinshu loses to Fukushima in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Nagano. Second-ranked host Brave Warriors (9-5) lost to first ranked Firebonds (13-1) 79-66. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) scored 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Firebonds have an impressive 12-game winning streak. Fukushima maintains first position with 13-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Shinshu at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinshu will play at home against the league's leader Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
B2 League top team - Storks (13-1) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat fifth ranked Big Bulls (5-9) in Hyogo 91-81. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) notched 20 points to lead the effort and Yoeli Childs supported him with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Even 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) did not help to save the game for Iwate. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Storks have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 13-1 record, which they share with Fukushima. Iwate at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. Kobe S. will play against Iwate (#5) at home in the next round. Iwate will have a break next round.
The game in Aomori supposed to be also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Excellence (6-7) played at the court of 7th ranked Watts (2-12). Excellence smashed Watts 92-70 on Saturday. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was Tray Boyd III who scored 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Rashard Kelly produced 18 points and 8 rebounds for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Yokohama maintains fourth position with 6-7 record, which they share with Kagoshima. Aomori W. lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 12 games lost. Yokohama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play against Yokohama (#4) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 14: Kumamoto V. lost to Fukuoka R. on the opponent's court 72-78. Yamagata was outscored by Fukui B. in a home game 55-77. Kagoshima recorded a loss to Bambitious on the road 91-73. Shizuoka was crushed by Ehime on its own court 76-99.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by Clay Mounce of Iwate.



Shinshu BW - Fukushima 66-79

The game between Top Four teams took place in Nagano. Second-ranked host Brave Warriors (9-5) lost to first ranked Firebonds (13-1) 79-66. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) scored 13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Four Firebonds players scored in double figures. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 17 points and 5 rebounds and American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) scored 7 points and 8 rebounds. Firebonds have an impressive 12-game winning streak. Fukushima maintains first position with 13-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Shinshu at the other side keeps the second place with five games lost. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinshu will play at home against the league's leader Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: E.Kojima-Donley 17+5reb+1ast, T.Susumu 10+3reb, T.Daiki 7+3reb+4ast, K.Taichi 7+1ast, W.Marshall 7+8reb+3ast, H.Watanabe 7+5reb+2ast
Fukushima: N.Jack 14+10reb+2ast, M.Kenny 13+9reb+7ast, J.Yoneyama 11+3reb+1ast, G.Patrick 11+7reb+1ast, Y.Okubo 9+1reb+3ast, S.Ogawa 8+2ast

Aomori W. - Yokohama EX 70-92

The game in Aomori supposed to be also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Excellence (6-7) played at the court of 7th ranked Watts (2-12). Excellence smashed Watts 92-70 on Saturday. Yokohama outrebounded Aomori W. 44-27 including 16 on the offensive glass. Yokohama looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who scored 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) chipped in a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) produced 18 points and 8 rebounds and center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) added 17 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Yokohama maintains fourth position with 6-7 record, which they share with Kagoshima. Aomori W. lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 12 games lost. Yokohama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play against Yokohama (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 18+8reb+2ast, M.Hisatake 17+7reb, W.Wang 10+1reb+1ast, T.Dalger 8+3reb+2ast, K.Taiga 6+2reb, T.Kyonosuke 6+2reb+7ast
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 33+7reb+4ast, W.Elyjah 24+10reb+5ast, M.Zack 8+5reb+4ast, I.Nagano 8+4ast, L.Benjamin 7+8reb, T.Dickson 5+2reb+1ast

Fukuoka R. - Kumamoto V. 78-72

Rather expected game in Fukuoka where 6th ranked Volters (3-11) were defeated by third ranked Rizing (8-6) 78-72 on Saturday. Fukuoka R. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) who scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Naturalized American point guard Ryuji Aoki (178-1998, college: Rose-Hulman) chipped in 20 points. Four Rizing players scored in double figures. American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds and guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) added 14 points and 6 assists respectively for the guests. Fukuoka R. maintains third position with 8-6 record having five points less than leader Fukushima, which they share with Fukui B. Loser Volters keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Yamagata and Shizuoka. Fukuoka R. will meet at home Kumamoto V. (#6) in the next round. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: G.Echenique 16+4reb, K.Ishikawa 14+2reb+6ast, M.Lightfoot 13+10reb+2ast, Y.Atomu 9+1reb+2ast, L.Mbodj 8+4reb+1ast, Y.Shota 8+2reb+2ast
Fukuoka R.: A.Ryuji 20+4reb+2ast, B.Justin 18+6reb+5ast, S.Murakami 15+4reb+5ast, A.Pablo 14+8reb+3ast, R.Davon 7+6reb+3ast, S.Siyao 4+2reb

Yamagata - Fukui B. 55-77

Rather predictable result in Yamagata where third ranked Blowinds (8-6) smashed 6th ranked Wyverns (3-11) 77-55 on Saturday. Fukui B. forced 19 Yamagata turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Yamagata's players. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) who scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. American forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) chipped in 8 points and 9 rebounds. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) produced 10 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Ryusei Abe (181-1995) added 4 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for the hosts. Four Yamagata players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Fukui B. maintains third position with 8-6 record having five points less than leader Fukushima, which they share with Fukuoka R. Loser Wyverns keeps the sixth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Kumamoto V. and Shizuoka. 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. (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: S.Doorson 11+4reb, J.Bell 10+7reb+3ast, M.Shinya 10+1reb, N.Shuki 10+4reb, L.Jonghyun 5+5reb, R.Abe 4+6reb+6ast
Fukui B.: I.Rapolas 14+7reb, M.Hosoya 10+1reb+2ast, K.Ryan 10+4reb+1ast, S.Kawashima 9+2reb+3ast, M.Tobin 8+2reb, E.Perry 8+9reb+2ast

Bambitious N. - Kagoshima 91-73

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when one of their biggest challengers Rebnise (6-7) was defeated on the road by fifth ranked Nara (6-8) 91-73 on Saturday. Bambitious looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss) who scored 36 points (!!!), 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) chipped in 9 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 18 points and 6 rebounds and American-British center Josh Sharma (213-1995, college: Stanford) added 10 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Five Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Bambitious maintains fifth position with 6-8 record. Loser Rebnise keeps the fourth place with seven games lost. They share the position with Yokohama. Bambitious will meet at home higher ranked Kagoshima (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: P.Auda 18+6reb+1ast, A.Gaines Jr. 12+6reb+2ast, T.Kodama 11+2reb+5ast, J.Sharma 10+8reb+3ast, Z.Endo 10+1ast, F.Kota 5+2reb+2ast
Bambitious N.: B.Jaemyn 36+9reb+4ast, J.Honda 9+1reb, P.Viacheslav 9+8reb+5ast, I.Shunpei 9+4ast, S.Takuya 7+2reb+2ast, S.Nigel 5+3reb+1ast

Shizuoka - Ehime OV 76-99

Everything went according to plan in Shizuoka where second ranked Orange Vikings (12-2) outscored 7th ranked Veltex (3-11) 99-76 on Saturday. Ehime made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) who scored 28 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). The other American import center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) produced 4 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and German Tim Schneider (208-1997) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Orange Vikings have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Ehime maintains second position with 12-2 record behind leader Fukushima. Loser Veltex dropped to the sixth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Kumamoto V. and Yamagata. Ehime will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shizuoka will play against the league's second-placed Ehime (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: S.Takumi 17+4ast, T.Schneider 12+8reb+1ast, K.Teppei 9, N.Ryusei 8+1reb+1ast, U.Taisuke 8+1reb+1ast, S.Hayashi 6+3reb+1ast
Ehime OV: H.Shaquille 28+6reb+8ast, W.Mitchell 16+8reb+4ast, H.Matt 16+3reb+2ast, P.Michael 15+5reb+2ast, H.Eiji 14+2reb, F.Takumi 5+2reb+3ast

Kobe S. - Iwate 91-81

B2 League top team - Storks (13-1) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat fifth ranked Big Bulls (5-9) in Hyogo 91-81. Kobe S. outrebounded Iwate 33-22 including 23 on the defensive glass. It was a great shooting night for Kobe S. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 56.3 percentage. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) notched 20 points to lead the effort and the other American import Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) supported him with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Even 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists by American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) did not help to save the game for Iwate. The other his fellow American import import power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) added 9 points and 8 assists for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Storks have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 13-1 record, which they share with Fukushima. Iwate at the other side keeps the fifth place with nine games lost. Kobe S. will play against Iwate (#5) at home in the next round. Iwate will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Iwate: M.Clay 25+6reb+4ast, J.Hillsman 15+1reb, G.Shohei 12+2reb+3ast, N.Gurley 10+3reb+2ast, Y.Sogo 9+4reb+8ast, N.Yuto 6+2reb
Kobe S.: A.Rawle 20+4reb+2ast, A.Hachimura 18+5reb, C.Yoeli 17+7reb+2ast, R.Kaneda 12+2reb+3ast, B.Isaac 6+9reb+3ast, K.Kimura 5+2reb+3ast