B2 League Round 18 (Regular Season): Kobe S. lose to Yokohama

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Storks (17-2) recorded its second loss in Yokohama on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by fourth ranked Excellence (10-8) 96-94. It ended at the same time the 13-game winning streak of Storks. Yokohama looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who scored 38 points (!!!) and 5 assists. The former international guard Zack Moore (196-1997, college: UCSB) chipped in 22 points and 12 rebounds. Excellence's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists. Yokohama maintains fourth position with 10-8 record. Kobe S. at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Third-ranked Rizing (9-9) made lots of trouble for first ranked Firebonds (17-1) in Fukushima. Firebonds managed to secure only two-point victory 87-85. However their fans expected easier game. It was a good game for American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory with 27 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Patrick Gardner contributed with 16 points for the winners. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used entire bench in such tough game. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists for Fukuoka R.Firebonds have an impressive 16-game winning streak. Fukushima maintains first position with 17-1 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the third place with nine games lost. Fukushima will play against Fukuoka R. (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Orange Vikings (13-5) against sixth ranked Volters (6-12) on Saturday night. Visiting Orange Vikings were crushed by Volters in Kumamoto 94-72. Mitch Lightfoot had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks (perfect from the field making all eleven shots !!!) to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Shaquille Hines with 14 points and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kumamoto V. maintains sixth position with 6-12 record. Ehime lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with five games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet at home league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Ehime will have a break next round.

Rest of the games of round 18 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Kobe S. crushed Yokohama in Hyogo 99-80. Shinshu beat Shizuoka at home 76-64. Bambitious lost to Fukui B. on the opponent's court 88-97. Iwate unfortunately lost to Kagoshima in a home game 84-90. Aomori W. recorded a loss to Yamagata on the road 65-77.
The best stats of 18th round was 18 points and 5 rebounds by Shaquille Doorson of Yamagata.



Yokohama EX - Kobe S. 80-99

There was no surprise in Yokohama where 4th ranked Excellence (10-8) was crushed by first ranked Storks (17-2) 99-80 on Friday. Kobe S. outrebounded Yokohama 46-30 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Shuto Terazono chipped in 17 points and 7 assists during the contest. Four Storks players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) with 34 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 8 assists and British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-1995, college: WKU) scored 9 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Storks have an impressive 13-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 17-2 record. Loser Excellence keeps the fourth place with eight games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: A.Rawle 20+14reb+4ast, K.Kimura 18+3reb+1ast, S.Terazono 17+4reb+7ast, C.Yoeli 14+9reb+1ast, R.Sasakura 8+3ast, B.Isaac 7+13reb+3ast
Yokohama EX: T.Boyd III 34+5reb+8ast, N.Io 15+2ast, Z.Moore 11+4reb+1ast, B.Lawson 9+13reb+2ast, S.Yusuke 4+1reb, J.Uera 3+2reb

Shinshu BW - Shizuoka 76-64

No shocking result in a game in Nagano where third ranked Brave Warriors (11-7) defeated 7th ranked Veltex (3-15) 76-64 on Saturday. Daiki Tsuchiya scored 29 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and South Sudanese-American center Angelo Chol (206-1993, college: SDSU) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was German Tim Schneider (208-1997) with 11 points and 8 rebounds and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) scored 7 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shinshu moved-up to second place, which they share with Fukui B. Shizuoka lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Shinshu will meet at home Shizuoka (#7) in the next round where they are favorite. Shizuoka will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: D.Tsuchiya 29+3reb+5ast, K.Eliet 14+4reb+1ast, C.Angelo 12+7reb, D.Mike 8+4reb+2ast, H.Yokoyama 5+1ast, I.Yudai 3+1ast
Shizuoka: K.Teppei 12+4ast, T.Schneider 11+8reb+3ast, H.Naoaki 10, U.Taisuke 8+1reb, A.Brandt 7+7reb+3ast, J.Dallas 6+6reb+1ast

Yokohama EX - Kobe S. 96-94

Top ranked Storks (17-2) recorded its second loss in Yokohama on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by fourth ranked Excellence (10-8) 96-94. It ended at the same time the 13-game winning streak of Storks. Yokohama looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who scored 38 points (!!!) and 5 assists. The former international guard Zack Moore (196-1997, college: UCSB) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds. Excellence's coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists and added 28 points and 6 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) respectively. Four Kobe S. players scored in double figures. Yokohama maintains fourth position with 10-8 record. Kobe S. at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 38+2reb+5ast, M.Zack 22+12reb+3ast, H.Ohashi 8+1reb+8ast, L.Benjamin 7+7reb+4ast, Y.Sugiyama 7+3reb+1ast, T.Nishiyama 5+3reb+2ast
Kobe S.: T.Shuto 28+3reb+6ast, Y.Childs 25+17reb+6ast, R.Alkins 14+7reb+4ast, D.Noriaki 12, K.Ryuya 6+1reb, I.Butts 4+8reb+1ast

Fukui B. - Bambitious N. 97-88

Rather expected game in Fukui where 5th ranked Nara (7-11) was defeated by second ranked Blowinds (11-7) 97-88 on Saturday. Fukui B. made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Masashi Hosoya scored 23 points to lead the charge for the winners and Sena Kawashima chipped in 24 points during the contest. Five Blowinds players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss) with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 10 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and his fellow American import center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukui B. maintains second position with 11-7 record having seven points less than leader Fukushima, which they share with Shinshu. Loser Nara keep the fifth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Iwate. Fukui B. will meet at home Bambitious (#5) in the next round. Bambitious will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: S.Kawashima 24+2reb+1ast, M.Hosoya 23+3reb+2ast, E.Perry 13+4reb+2ast, I.Rapolas 13+4reb+4ast, N.Fujisawa 10+1reb+7ast, D.Mosaku 6+3reb+5ast
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 31+10reb+3ast, N.Spikes 17+8reb+2ast, T.Soma 11+3reb+7ast, V.Petrov 7+5reb+2ast, S.Ishii 6+4reb+1ast, K.Masaya 4+1reb+1ast

Fukushima - Fukuoka R. 87-85

Third-ranked Rizing (9-9) made lots of trouble for first ranked Firebonds (17-1) in Fukushima. Firebonds managed to secure only two-point victory 87-85. However their fans expected easier game. Fukushima players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was a good game for American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory with 27 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used entire bench in such tough game. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists and American forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) added 13 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Fukuoka R.Five Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. Firebonds have an impressive 16-game winning streak. Fukushima maintains first position with 17-1 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the third place with nine games lost. Fukushima will play against Fukuoka R. (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: N.Jack 27+9reb+1ast, G.Patrick 16+3reb+2ast, M.Kenny 12+5reb+4ast, J.Yoneyama 9+1reb+1ast, K.Kasai 7+6ast, T.Nakano 7+1ast
Fukuoka R.: A.Keisuke 15+4ast, D.Reed 14+4reb+1ast, J.Burrell 13+9reb+3ast, K.Toshikazu 11+4reb+1ast, P.Aguilar 10+12reb+7ast, Y.Karino 9+1ast

Iwate - Kagoshima 84-90

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Rebnise's (8-9) road victory over 5th ranked Big Bulls (7-11) 90-84 on Saturday. Kagoshima looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) scored 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American-British center Josh Sharma (213-1995, college: Stanford) chipped in 10 points and 16 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was with 31 points and produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 assists. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kagoshima maintains fourth position with 8-9 record. Loser Big Bulls keeps the fifth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Bambitious. Kagoshima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Iwate will play against Kagoshima (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: G.Anthony 20+8reb+6ast, E.Zen 12+2reb+1ast, S.Sera 12+1reb+1ast, S.Josh 10+16reb, A.Patrik 10+3reb, R.Naim 8+2reb+1ast
Iwate: M.Clay 31+4reb+1ast, Y.Sogo 13+2reb+10ast, N.Gurley 12+7reb+3ast, J.Hillsman 12+4reb, M.Keijiro 11+5reb+1ast, U.Hiroki 3+4reb

Kumamoto V. - Ehime OV 94-72

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Orange Vikings (13-5) against sixth ranked Volters (6-12) on Saturday night. Visiting Orange Vikings were crushed by Volters in Kumamoto 94-72. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Ehime 38-24 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Ehime's players. American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks (perfect from the field making all eleven shots !!!) to lead the charge for the winners and guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) chipped in 13 points and 9 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) with 14 points and 4 assists and his fellow American import center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kumamoto V. maintains sixth position with 6-12 record. Ehime lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with five games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet at home league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: L.Mitch 26+11reb+2ast, A.Yamada 17+1reb+1ast, I.Kaito 13+3reb+9ast, S.Yamamoto 11+2reb+1ast, M.Lamine 9+8reb+4ast, E.Gregory 7+7reb+1ast
Ehime OV: M.Watt 14+5reb+2ast, S.Hines 14+4reb+4ast, M.Parker 11+5reb+2ast, T.Riki 8, T.Furuno 5, O.Yugo 5+5reb+1ast

Yamagata - Aomori W. 77-65

Everything could happen in Yamagata at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Wyverns and 7th ranked Watts had identical 3-14 record. This time Wyverns used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Aomori 77-65 on Saturday night. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. The best for the losing side was American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) with 9 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists and his fellow American import center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Yamagata maintains sixth position with 4-14 record. Loser Watts keeps the seventh place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Shizuoka. Yamagata will meet at home Aomori W. (#7) in the next round. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: D.Shaquille 18+5reb+2ast, B.James 17+7reb+5ast, A.Ryusei 12+5reb+3ast, W.Noah 9+3reb+2ast, J.Lee 8+3reb+1ast, S.Kawabata 6+3reb+4ast
Aomori W.: K.Taiga 13+4reb+1ast, M.Hisatake 11+5reb+4ast, T.Kyonosuke 9+1reb+1ast, R.Kelly 9+9reb+7ast, T.Dalger 7+3reb+4ast, K.Nagomu 6