B2 League Round 24 (Regular Season): #1 Fukushima is defeated by Kumamoto V.

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Firebonds (21-3) in Fukushima on Sunday night. Hosts were rolled over by fourth ranked Volters (11-13) 92-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Firebonds. Kumamoto V. dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Firebonds's 32. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Fukushima 44-31 including a 32-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kumamoto V. 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 27 points and 15 rebounds and Montenegrin Nemanja Djurisic (202-1992, college: Georgia, agency: Slash Sports) who added 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds 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 fourth position with 11-13 record. Fukushima at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost. Kumamoto V. are looking forward to face league's leader Kobe S. in Hyogo in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Fukushima will play on the road against Kagoshima in Renova and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Seventh-ranked Watts (3-21) gave a tough game to fourth ranked Blowinds (15-9) in Fukui. Blowinds managed to secure only one-point victory 81-80. However their fans expected easier game. The winners were led by Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) who scored that evening 28 points and 9 rebounds and Masashi Hosoya supported him with 18 points and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 18 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists by American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Aomori W.. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Fukui B. maintains fourth position with 15-9 record. Aomori W. lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 21 games lost. They share the position with Shizuoka. Fukui B. will play against league's second-placed Ehime in Matsuyama in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Aomori W. will play at home against Fukuoka R. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
B2 League top team - Storks (22-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Veltex (3-21) in Hyogo 86-65. The best player for the winners was Yoeli Childs who scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Tim Schneider who recorded 15 points and 8 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Storks have an impressive five-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 22-2 record. Shizuoka lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 21 games lost. They share the position with Aomori W.. Kobe S. will meet Kumamoto V. (#4) on the road in the next round. Shizuoka will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 24: Ehime won against Iwate on the opponent's court 83-78. Yamagata was outscored by Shinshu in a home game 64-87. Shizuoka recorded a loss to Kobe S. on the road 79-62.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 6 points and 15 rebounds by Isaac Butts of Kobe S..



Fukushima - Kumamoto V. 69-92

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Firebonds (21-3) in Fukushima on Sunday night. Hosts were rolled over by fourth ranked Volters (11-13) 92-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Firebonds. Kumamoto V. dominated down low during the game scoring 76 of its points in the paint compared to Firebonds's 32. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Fukushima 44-31 including a 32-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kumamoto V. 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 27 points and 15 rebounds and Montenegrin Nemanja Djurisic (202-1992, college: Georgia, agency: Slash Sports) who added 12 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) scored 6 points and 11 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 fourth position with 11-13 record. Fukushima at the other side still keeps top place with three games lost. Kumamoto V. are looking forward to face league's leader Kobe S. in Hyogo in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Fukushima will play on the road against Kagoshima in Renova and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: L.Mitch 27+15reb, E.Gregory 17+3reb+1ast, D.Nemanja 12+12reb+5ast, M.Lamine 8+4reb, N.Ren 8+4ast, A.Yamada 7+1reb+2ast
Fukushima: K.Manigault 19+12reb+4ast, N.Tsukasa 16, P.Gardner 11+2reb+1ast, S.Keita 6+1reb, J.Nunge 6+11reb+1ast, K.Wiley 3

Fukui B. - Aomori W. 81-80

Seventh-ranked Watts (3-21) gave a tough game to fourth ranked Blowinds (15-9) in Fukui. Blowinds managed to secure only one-point victory 81-80. However their fans expected easier game. Fukui B. forced 21 Aomori W. turnovers. The winners were led by Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) who scored that evening 28 points and 9 rebounds and Masashi Hosoya supported him with 18 points and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 18 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists by American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Aomori W.. His fellow American import Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) added 21 points and 9 rebounds. Five Aomori W. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Fukui B. maintains fourth position with 15-9 record. Aomori W. lost eighth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 21 games lost. They share the position with Shizuoka. Fukui B. will play against league's second-placed Ehime in Matsuyama in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Aomori W. will play at home against Fukuoka R. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: I.Rapolas 28+9reb+2ast, M.Hosoya 18+2reb+4ast, K.Ryan 13+8reb+3ast, S.Kawashima 7+2reb+3ast, D.Mosaku 6+3reb+2ast, Y.Nishino 4+2reb
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 21+9reb+3ast, M.Hisatake 18+18reb+4ast, T.Kyonosuke 13+1reb+2ast, A.Shugo 12+4reb+2ast, O.Masahiro 11+2reb+2ast, W.Wang 3+1reb+1ast

Iwate - Ehime OV 78-83

Rather expected game in Iwate where 5th ranked Big Bulls (8-16) were defeated by second ranked Orange Vikings (16-8) 83-78 on Sunday. Ehime made 22-of-25 free shots (88.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) who scored 16 points and 8 rebounds. Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) chipped in 15 points. Four Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded a double-double by scoring 29 points and 11 rebounds and added 21 points and 7 assists respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Orange Vikings have a solid three-game winning streak. Ehime maintains second position with 16-8 record having six points less than leader Fukushima. Iwate lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 16 games lost. Ehime will meet at home Fukui B. (#4) in the next round. Iwate will play against Shizuoka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: H.Shaquille 16+8reb+1ast, H.Matt 15+3reb+3ast, W.Mitchell 13+7reb+1ast, P.Michael 11+5reb+4ast, H.Eiji 8, F.Takumi 6+3reb+7ast
Iwate: C.Mounce 29+11reb+2ast, Y.Sogo 21+4reb+7ast, N.Gurley 9+6reb+1ast, J.Hillsman 9+3reb+6ast, U.Hiroki 4+2reb+1ast, S.Kokoro 2+1ast

Yamagata - Shinshu BW 64-87

Rather predictable result in Yamagata where second ranked Brave Warriors (17-7) smashed 6th ranked Wyverns (6-18) 87-64 on Sunday. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 18 points. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) chipped in 18 points. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) who recorded 19 points and his fellow American import James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 6 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brave Warriors have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Shinshu maintains second position with 17-7 record having five points less than leader Fukushima. Yamagata lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 18 games lost. Shinshu will meet Bambitious (#6) in the next round. Yamagata will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: D.Mike 18+3reb+1ast, K.Eliet 18+4reb+1ast, I.Yudai 10+6reb+4ast, D.Tsuchiya 10+2reb+7ast, M.Wayne 9+9reb+1ast, W.Hugh 6+3reb+1ast
Yamagata: M.Shinya 19+2reb+1ast, R.Abe 8+4reb+2ast, N.Waterman 7+4reb+3ast, L.Jonghyun 7+3reb, S.Doorson 7+7reb+1ast, J.Bell 6+6reb+5ast

Kobe S. - Shizuoka 86-65

B2 League top team - Storks (22-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed seventh ranked Veltex (3-21) in Hyogo 86-65. Kobe S. dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Veltex's 34. The best player for the winners was American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. Four Storks players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was German Tim Schneider (208-1997) who recorded 15 points and 8 rebounds and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) added 8 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Storks have an impressive five-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 22-2 record. Shizuoka lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 21 games lost. They share the position with Aomori W.. Kobe S. will meet Kumamoto V. (#4) on the road in the next round. Shizuoka will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 22+9reb+4ast, B.Isaac 15+10reb, S.Terazono 12+1reb+3ast, A.Hachimura 10+3reb+1ast, R.Sasakura 7+3ast, A.Rawle 6+8reb+6ast
Shizuoka: T.Schneider 15+8reb+2ast, K.Teppei 9+1reb+3ast, A.Brandt 8+8reb+4ast, Y.Manaya 7+1reb+3ast, T.Martel 6+2reb, S.Takumi 6+1reb

Kobe S. - Shizuoka 79-62

Not a big story in a game in Hyogo where 7th ranked Veltex (3-21) was defeated by first ranked Storks (22-2) 79-62 on Monday. Kobe S. made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) who scored 6 points and 15 rebounds. The other American import Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was German Tim Schneider (208-1997) who recorded 9 points and 7 rebounds and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) added 11 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Storks have an impressive five-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 22-2 record. Shizuoka lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 21 games lost. They share the position with Aomori W.. Kobe S. will meet Kumamoto V. (#4) on the road in the next round. Shizuoka will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: K.Kimura 16, S.Terazono 15+4ast, C.Yoeli 14+6reb+1ast, A.Rawle 9+5reb+6ast, N.Dohara 8, B.Isaac 6+15reb+3ast
Shizuoka: S.Takumi 13+2reb+2ast, A.Brandt 11+5reb+1ast, T.Schneider 9+7reb+1ast, K.Teppei 8+1reb+5ast, J.Dallas 7+2reb+1ast, K.Masuda 5+4reb+2ast