B2 League Round 19 (Regular Season): Ehime lose to Kumamoto V.

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Orange Vikings (13-6) and sixth ranked Volters (7-12) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Orange Vikings were defeated by Volters in Kumamoto 71-86. Kumamoto V. had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) contributed with 7 points and 16 assists for the winners. American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) answered with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for Ehime. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kumamoto V. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Iwate and Bambitious. Ehime lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the second position with six games lost. Kumamoto V. is looking forward to face Aomori W. (#7) on the road in the next round. Ehime will play against Shinshu (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Firebonds (18-1) which hosted in Fukushima 3rd placed Rizing (9-10). First ranked Firebonds managed to get a 6-point victory 120-114. It was a great evening for American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists. Patrick Gardner helped adding 21 points and 12 rebounds. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds. Firebonds have an impressive series of seventeen victories in a row. Fukushima maintains first place with 18-1 record. Fukuoka R. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with ten games lost. Fukushima will play against Yamagata (#6) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Fukuoka R. will play against the league's leader Kobe S. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Iwate was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Rebnise (9-9) played at the court of 5th ranked Big Bulls (7-12). Rebnise managed to secure a 8-point victory 93-85 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for Anthony Gaines Jr who led the winners and scored 24 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Clay Mounce came up with 22 points and 8 rebounds for Iwate in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Kagoshima moved-up to third place. Iwate at the other side keeps the fifth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Bambitious and Kumamoto V.. Kagoshima will meet at home league's second-placed Fukui B. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Iwate will play against Bambitious in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 19 were not that significant. Bambitious were beaten by Fukui B. on the road 90-84. Shinshu destroyed Shizuoka on its own court 78-46. Aomori W. unfortunately lost to Yamagata in a road game 86-90.
The most impressive performance of 19th round was 25 points and 11 assists by Rashard Kelly of Aomori W..



Fukushima - Fukuoka R. 120-114

An interesting game for Firebonds (18-1) which hosted in Fukushima 3rd placed Rizing (9-10). First ranked Firebonds managed to get a 6-point victory 120-114. Fukushima players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists. Fukuoka R. was plagued by 34 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) helped adding 21 points and 12 rebounds. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) responded with a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds and Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 19 rebounds. Four Fukushima and five Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. Firebonds have an impressive series of seventeen victories in a row. Fukushima maintains first place with 18-1 record. Fukuoka R. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with ten games lost. Fukushima will play against Yamagata (#6) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Fukuoka R. will play against the league's leader Kobe S. and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: T.Nakano 26+2reb+5ast, G.Patrick 21+12reb+2ast, M.Kenny 19+16reb+15ast, J.Yoneyama 10+5reb, N.Jack 10+2reb+5ast, B.Diouf 9+5reb
Fukuoka R.: J.Burrell 32+11reb+3ast, P.Aguilar 21+19reb+2ast, D.Reed 19+7reb+2ast, R.Aoki 17+2reb+2ast, M.Shunto 13+2reb+5ast, N.Takanobu 6+1reb+2ast

Fukui B. - Bambitious N. 90-84

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Blowinds (12-7) beat 5th ranked Nara (7-12) in Fukui 90-84 on Sunday. Fukui B. made 25-of-32 free shots (78.1 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) who led the winners and scored 29 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!). Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) accounted for 14 points and 12 rebounds for the winning side. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) added 10 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Bambitious in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Blowinds. Fukui B. maintains second place with 12-7 record having five points less than leader Fukushima, which they share with Shinshu. Bambitious at the other side keep the fifth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Iwate and Kumamoto V.. Fukui B. will meet Kagoshima (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Bambitious will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: K.Ryan 29+8reb+1ast, E.Perry 18+4reb+2ast, M.Hosoya 15+4ast, I.Rapolas 14+12reb+3ast, S.Kawashima 5+6ast, D.Mosaku 3+1reb+1ast
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 24+10reb+3ast, T.Soma 16+6ast, N.Spikes 10+14reb+1ast, V.Petrov 10+6reb+4ast, S.Ishii 8+3reb, S.Tatsuya 6+2reb

Iwate - Kagoshima 85-93

The game in Iwate was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Rebnise (9-9) played at the court of 5th ranked Big Bulls (7-12). Rebnise managed to secure a 8-point victory 93-85 on Sunday. Kagoshima looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who led the winners and scored 24 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. American-British center Josh Sharma (213-1995, college: Stanford) accounted for 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) came up with 22 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) added 17 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for Iwate in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Kagoshima moved-up to third place. Iwate at the other side keeps the fifth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Bambitious and Kumamoto V.. Kagoshima will meet at home league's second-placed Fukui B. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Iwate will play against Bambitious in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: G.Anthony 24+8reb+5ast, S.Josh 18+8reb+3ast, A.Patrik 17+7reb+1ast, S.Sera 10+3ast, R.Naim 6+3reb+2ast, K.Takayuki 6+2reb+3ast
Iwate: M.Clay 22+8reb+3ast, N.Gurley 17+6reb+1ast, J.Hillsman 15+5reb+2ast, Y.Sogo 11+9ast, T.Shutatsu 7+1reb, S.Kokoro 6+1reb+2ast

Kumamoto V. - Ehime OV 86-71

The game between second ranked Orange Vikings (13-6) and sixth ranked Volters (7-12) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Orange Vikings were defeated by Volters in Kumamoto 71-86. Kumamoto V. had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) contributed with 7 points and 16 assists for the winners. Four Volters players scored in double figures. American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) answered with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and naturalized American forward Michael Parker (200-1981, college: Evergreen St.) added 17 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Ehime. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kumamoto V. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Iwate and Bambitious. Ehime lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the second position with six games lost. Kumamoto V. is looking forward to face Aomori W. (#7) on the road in the next round. Ehime will play against Shinshu (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: L.Mitch 25+10reb, S.Yamamoto 14+5reb+2ast, E.Gregory 13+4reb, A.Yamada 13+2reb, I.Kaito 7+1reb+16ast, I.Hiroaki 7+1reb+2ast
Ehime OV: S.Hines 20+5reb+5ast, M.Parker 17+11reb+1ast, M.Watt 16+7reb+4ast, E.Hayashi 6+2reb+2ast, T.Ryu 6+1reb+1ast, T.Shogo 3+1ast

Shinshu BW - Shizuoka 78-46

Very expected game when 7th ranked Veltex (3-16) was smashed by third ranked Brave Warriors (12-7) in Nagano 78-46 on Sunday. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) who led the winners and scored 22 points. Susumu Tokairin accounted for 11 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) came up with 6 points and 9 rebounds and German Tim Schneider (208-1997) added 6 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Shizuoka 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. The victory was the third consecutive win for Brave Warriors. Shinshu moved-up to second place, which they share with Fukui B. Shizuoka lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 16 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Shinshu will meet league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shizuoka will play against Yokohama (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: D.Mike 22+4reb+2ast, T.Kodama 15+2reb+1ast, S.Tokairin 11+8reb+3ast, D.Tsuchiya 10+1reb+9ast, I.Yudai 7+2reb+1ast, K.Eliet 6+2reb+2ast
Shizuoka: S.Hayashi 8+3reb+1ast, A.Brandt 6+9reb+2ast, T.Schneider 6+7reb+1ast, K.Teppei 6+1reb+5ast, H.Naoaki 5+2reb+1ast, U.Taisuke 5+2reb

Yamagata - Aomori W. 90-86

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Wyverns' (5-14) home victory over 7th ranked Watts (3-16) in Yamagata 90-86 on Sunday. Yamagata looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) who led the winners and scored 20 points and 8 rebounds. James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) accounted for 15 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 assists and center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) added 12 points and 12 rebounds respectively for Aomori W. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Yamagata maintains sixth place with 5-14 record. Aomori W. lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 16 games lost. They share it with Shizuoka. Yamagata will meet at home league's leader Fukushima in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Aomori W. will play against Kumamoto V. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: W.Noah 20+8reb+3ast, B.James 15+6reb+3ast, D.Shaquille 12+9reb, S.Murakami 11+3reb+8ast, A.Ryusei 9+2ast, S.Nakata 8+1ast
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 25+4reb+11ast, T.Kyonosuke 19+2reb+1ast, O.Masahiro 13+2ast, M.Hisatake 12+12reb+2ast, W.Wang 7+3reb+6ast, A.Shugo 5+2reb