B2 League Round 15 (Regular Season): Kagoshima edge Bambitious by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 15 in the B2 League took place in Nara. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 5th ranked Nara (6-9) to fourth ranked Rebnise (7-7) 88-86 in the game for the fourth place. Kagoshima dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Nara' 28. Kagoshima looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Bambitious helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss) who recorded 37 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kagoshima maintains fourth place with 7-7 record, which they share with Yokohama. Bambitious at the other side keep the fifth position with nine games lost. Kagoshima is looking forward to face Yokohama (#4) at home in the next round. Bambitious will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Rizing (8-7) against sixth ranked Volters (4-11) on Sunday night. Host Rizing was crushed by Volters in Fukuoka 82-58. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rizing. It was a good game for American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Shota Yamamoto contributed with 19 points for the winners. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 18 points and 7 rebounds for Fukuoka R.Rizing's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Kumamoto V. maintains sixth place with 4-11 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the third position with seven games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against higher ranked Bambitious (#5) in Nara in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will play on the road against the league's second-placed Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Nagano. First ranked Firebonds faced second-best Brave Warriors. Guests from Fukushima (14-1) defeated host Brave Warriors (9-6) 93-84. It was a great evening for Jack Nunge who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Susumu Tokairin with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Firebonds have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. Fukushima maintains first place with 14-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Shinshu lost third consecutive game. They keep the second position with six games lost. They share it with Fukui B.. Fukushima will meet at home Shizuoka (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Shinshu will play against Aomori W. (#7) and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 15 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Iwate was defeated by Kobe S. in Hyogo 80-68. Yamagata was beaten by Fukui B. at home 74-89. Yokohama destroyed Aomori W. on the opponent's court 81-61. Shizuoka unfortunately lost to Ehime in a home game 63-67.



Kobe S. - Iwate 80-68

There was no surprise in Hyogo where 5th ranked Big Bulls (5-10) were defeated by first ranked Storks (14-1) 80-68 on Sunday. It was a great evening for Shuto Terazono who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points and 8 assists. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) helped adding 14 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and scored 11 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Iwate players scored in double figures. Big Bulls' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Storks have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 14-1 record, which they share with Fukushima. Loser Big Bulls keeps the fifth position with ten games lost. Kobe S. will meet league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Iwate will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Iwate: Y.Sogo 15+5reb+4ast, M.Clay 11+6reb+7ast, N.Gurley 11+6reb+1ast, J.Hillsman 11+5reb+3ast, G.Shohei 8, T.Shutatsu 5+6reb+3ast
Kobe S.: S.Terazono 30+3reb+8ast, C.Yoeli 14+10reb+4ast, B.Isaac 10+16reb+1ast, R.Kaneda 9+3reb+1ast, R.Sasakura 5+2ast, N.Dohara 4+1reb+1ast

Shinshu BW - Fukushima 84-93

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Nagano. First ranked Firebonds faced second-best Brave Warriors. Guests from Fukushima (14-1) defeated host Brave Warriors (9-6) 93-84. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists. It was a great evening for American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). His fellow American import swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) helped adding 18 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and South Sudanese-American center Angelo Chol (206-1993, college: SDSU) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Firebonds have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. Fukushima maintains first place with 14-1 record, which they share with Kobe S. Shinshu lost third consecutive game. They keep the second position with six games lost. They share it with Fukui B.. Fukushima will meet at home Shizuoka (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Shinshu will play against Aomori W. (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: T.Susumu 20+6reb+4ast, T.Daiki 17+2reb+5ast, H.Watanabe 11+7reb+1ast, A.Chol 10+10reb+4ast, K.Taichi 10+4reb+1ast, Y.Haruto 7+3reb+3ast
Fukushima: N.Jack 25+11reb+4ast, G.Patrick 20+8reb+1ast, M.Kenny 18+6reb+10ast, T.Masuko 11+1ast, W.Koki 9+1reb+2ast, B.Diouf 6+3reb+1ast

Yamagata - Fukui B. 74-89

No shocking result in a game in Yamagata where third ranked Blowinds (9-6) defeated 6th ranked Wyverns (3-12) 89-74 on Sunday. Fukui B. outrebounded Yamagata 40-28 including 28 on the defensive glass. Fukui B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds. Masashi Hosoya helped adding 18 points and 6 assists. Blowinds' coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) with 23 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Ryusei Abe (181-1995) scored 15 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Fukui B. moved-up to second place, which they share with Shinshu. Loser Wyverns keeps the sixth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Shizuoka. Fukui B. will meet at home Fukuoka R. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Yamagata will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: J.Bell 23+8reb+2ast, R.Abe 15+3reb+1ast, Y.Kentaro 11+3reb+2ast, M.Shinya 10+2reb+6ast, S.Doorson 6+7reb+1ast, N.Shuki 5+1reb+1ast
Fukui B.: J.Mitsuda 18+1reb+2ast, M.Hosoya 18+3reb+6ast, E.Perry 18+11reb+2ast, I.Rapolas 10+11reb+6ast, D.Mosaku 8+4reb+3ast, N.Fujisawa 6+2reb+7ast

Aomori W. - Yokohama EX 61-81

Rather expected game in Aomori where 7th ranked Watts (2-13) were rolled over by fourth ranked Excellence (7-7) 81-61 on Sunday. Yokohama held Aomori W. to an opponent 25.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 37.9 percent accuracy of the winners and made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. It was a great evening for guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points. Forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) helped adding 11 points and 12 rebounds. The best for the losing side was center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Yokohama maintains fourth place with 7-7 record, which they share with Kagoshima. Aomori W. lost their twelfth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 13 games lost. Yokohama will meet Kagoshima (#4) in the next round. Aomori W. will play against Shinshu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: M.Hisatake 13+10reb+5ast, R.Kelly 12+10reb+5ast, T.Kyonosuke 11+1reb, T.Dalger 7+7reb, K.Nagomu 5+1reb+2ast, K.Takahiro 5
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 26+2reb+2ast, L.Benjamin 12+7reb+2ast, W.Elyjah 11+12reb+2ast, U.Junki 8+2reb+2ast, I.Nagano 8+2reb+3ast, S.Coulibaly 6+3reb+1ast

Fukuoka R. - Kumamoto V. 58-82

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Rizing (8-7) against sixth ranked Volters (4-11) on Sunday night. Host Rizing was crushed by Volters in Fukuoka 82-58. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Rizing. Kumamoto V. dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Rizing's 26. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Fukuoka R. 34-19 including 22 on the defensive glass. It was a good game for American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 15 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Shota Yamamoto contributed with 19 points for the winners. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 18 points and 7 rebounds and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) added 10 points and 5 assists in the effort for Fukuoka R.Rizing's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Kumamoto V. maintains sixth place with 4-11 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the third position with seven games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against higher ranked Bambitious (#5) in Nara in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will play on the road against the league's second-placed Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: P.Aguilar 18+7reb+2ast, R.Aoki 13+2reb, M.Shunto 10+2reb+5ast, A.Keisuke 7+1reb+1ast, D.Reed 4+2reb+2ast, Y.Karino 3+1reb+2ast
Kumamoto V.: L.Mitch 20+15reb+1ast, S.Yamamoto 19+3reb+3ast, E.Gregory 12+5reb+6ast, A.Yamada 9+3ast, T.Chikara 8+1reb+2ast, K.Sawabe 7+2reb+1ast

Shizuoka - Ehime OV 63-67

Very predictable result in Shizuoka where second ranked Orange Vikings (13-2) beat 7th ranked Veltex (3-12) 67-63 on Sunday. It was a great evening for American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 5 assists. Guard Eiji Hayashi (188-1997) helped adding 15 points. The best for the losing side was Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds and German Tim Schneider (208-1997) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Orange Vikings. Ehime maintains second place with 13-2 record behind leader Fukushima. Loser Veltex dropped to the sixth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Yamagata. Ehime will meet at home league's leader Kobe S. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shizuoka will play against the league's leader Fukushima (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: A.Brandt 12+15reb+1ast, T.Schneider 12+10reb+2ast, T.Martel 11+4reb+2ast, S.Takumi 10+4reb+3ast, N.Ryusei 5+1ast, K.Teppei 4+3ast
Ehime OV: H.Shaquille 21+4reb+5ast, H.Eiji 15+4reb+1ast, P.Michael 10+4reb+3ast, H.Matt 7+9reb+1ast, S.Tamaki 4, W.Mitchell 4+5reb+5ast

Bambitious N. - Kagoshima 86-88

The most exciting game of round 15 in the B2 League took place in Nara. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 5th ranked Nara (6-9) to fourth ranked Rebnise (7-7) 88-86 in the game for the fourth place. Kagoshima dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Nara' 28. Kagoshima looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 26 personal fouls committed by Bambitious helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who scored 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds. Five Rebnise players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss) who recorded 37 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kagoshima maintains fourth place with 7-7 record, which they share with Yokohama. Bambitious at the other side keep the fifth position with nine games lost. Kagoshima is looking forward to face Yokohama (#4) at home in the next round. Bambitious will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 37+7reb+4ast, T.Soma 11+1reb+4ast, V.Petrov 11+5reb+1ast, S.Ishii 9+1reb+1ast, K.Masaya 5+2reb+1ast, H.Jumpei 4+3reb+2ast
Kagoshima: G.Anthony 22+5reb+7ast, K.Takayuki 12+1reb+4ast, K.Fujimoto 10+2reb+3ast, A.Patrik 10+8reb+3ast, S.Josh 10+6reb+1ast, E.Zen 9+1reb+1ast