B2 League Round 25 (Regular Season): Aomori W. beat Fukuoka R. by three after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 25 in the B2 League took place in Aomori. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Rizing (10-15) to seventh ranked Watts (4-21) 73-70 on Saturday evening. Aomori W. had a 30-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). His fellow American import center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with 12 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for Fukuoka R.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Aomori W. maintains seventh place with 4-21 record, which they share with Shizuoka. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the fifth position with 15 games lost. Aomori W. is looking forward to face higher ranked Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Orange Vikings (16-9) against fourth ranked Blowinds (16-9) on Saturday night. Host Orange Vikings were defeated by Blowinds in a tough game in Matsuyama 96-100. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Orange Vikings. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Sena Kawashima chipped in 15 points and 5 assists. At the losing side American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Blowinds have a solid series of three victories in a row. Fukui B. moved-up to second place, which they share with Ehime. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ehime will play at home against Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Firebonds (22-3) which played road game in Renova against 3rd placed Rebnise (11-13). First ranked Firebonds had an easy win 90-68. Patrick Gardner nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Patrik Auda came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds for Kagoshima 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. Fukushima maintains first place with 22-3 record. Loser Rebnise keeps the third position with 13 games lost. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagoshima will play against the league's leader Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 25 were not that significant. Kobe S. smashed Kumamoto V. on the road 94-74. Bambitious were destroyed by Shinshu on its own court 59-85. Iwate unfortunately lost to Shizuoka in a road game 73-79.
The most impressive performance of 25th round was 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists by Noah Gurley of Iwate.



Aomori W. - Fukuoka R. 73-70

The most exciting game of round 25 in the B2 League took place in Aomori. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Rizing (10-15) to seventh ranked Watts (4-21) 73-70 on Saturday evening. Aomori W. had a 30-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). His fellow American import center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Four Watts players scored in double figures. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and naturalized American point guard Ryuji Aoki (178-1998, college: Rose-Hulman) added 24 points in the effort for Fukuoka R.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Aomori W. maintains seventh place with 4-21 record, which they share with Shizuoka. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the fifth position with 15 games lost. Aomori W. is looking forward to face higher ranked Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: K.Rashard 25+9reb+4ast, K.Terashima 13+4reb+2ast, W.Weijia 13+2reb+2ast, H.Max 12+14reb+1ast, B.Misakabo 6+1reb, M.Okabe 2+1reb+5ast
Fukuoka R.: R.Aoki 24+1reb+2ast, P.Aguilar 13+11reb+4ast, M.Shunto 10+6ast, A.Keisuke 9+2reb+1ast, Y.Karino 6, N.Takanobu 5+1reb+1ast

Ehime OV - Fukui B. 96-100

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Orange Vikings (16-9) against fourth ranked Blowinds (16-9) on Saturday night. Host Orange Vikings were defeated by Blowinds in a tough game in Matsuyama 96-100. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Orange Vikings. Fukui B. outrebounded Ehime 41-30 including a 27-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukui B. players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Sena Kawashima chipped in 15 points and 5 assists. At the losing side American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds and Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Blowinds have a solid series of three victories in a row. Fukui B. moved-up to second place, which they share with Ehime. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ehime will play at home against Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: K.Ryan 23+8reb+4ast, Y.Nishino 17+4reb+1ast, E.Perry 16+6reb+2ast, S.Kawashima 15+4reb+5ast, N.Fujisawa 11+4reb+7ast, S.Tawatari 7+3reb+1ast
Ehime OV: S.Hines 22+5reb+3ast, M.Haarms 17+9reb+3ast, E.Hayashi 16+2ast, M.Watt 14+5reb+4ast, M.Parker 11+6reb+6ast, Y.Toshino 6

Kagoshima - Fukushima 68-90

An interesting game for Firebonds (22-3) which played road game in Renova against 3rd placed Rebnise (11-13). First ranked Firebonds had an easy win 90-68. Fukushima made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. Fukushima outrebounded Kagoshima 53-32 including a 21-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) accounted for 19 points and 13 rebounds. Four Firebonds players scored in double figures. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) added 19 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Kagoshima 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. Fukushima maintains first place with 22-3 record. Loser Rebnise keeps the third position with 13 games lost. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagoshima will play against the league's leader Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Patrick 21+14reb+5ast, N.Jack 19+13reb+2ast, M.Kenny 17+7reb+6ast, T.Nakano 16+1reb+1ast, Y.Okubo 6+5reb, W.Koki 5+2reb+1ast
Kagoshima: P.Auda 23+10reb+1ast, A.Gaines Jr. 19+7reb+1ast, F.Kota 9+3ast, Z.Endo 5+1ast, T.Komamizu 3+1reb, Y.Ametani 3+3reb+2ast

Kumamoto V. - Kobe S. 74-94

No shocking result in a game when first ranked Storks (23-2) crushed 4th placed Volters (11-14) in Kumamoto 94-74 on Saturday. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) nailed a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and Shuto Terazono accounted for 18 points, 8 assists and 4 steals. American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) added 20 points respectively for Kumamoto V. in the defeat. Four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Storks have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 23-2 record. Loser Volters keeps the fourth position with 14 games lost. Kobe S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kumamoto V. will play against the league's leader Kobe S. (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 41+13reb+5ast, S.Terazono 18+1reb+8ast, K.Kimura 11+3reb, A.Rawle 8+1reb+3ast, R.Sasakura 6+2reb+1ast, N.Dohara 5+1reb+2ast
Kumamoto V.: Y.Shota 20+4reb+1ast, M.Lightfoot 15+13reb+1ast, K.Ishikawa 11+2reb+6ast, N.Djurisic 11+3reb+1ast, Y.Atomu 8+3ast, G.Echenique 5+3reb+6ast

Bambitious N. - Shinshu BW 59-85

Very expected game when 6th ranked Nara (9-16) was smashed at home by second ranked Brave Warriors (18-7) 85-59 on Saturday. Shinshu made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) nailed 16 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) for the winning side and point guard Akitoshi Oguri (174-2001, agency: Schafer Sports) accounted for 15 points and 5 assists. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) added 7 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Bambitious in the defeat. 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 series of nine victories in a row. Shinshu maintains second place with 18-7 record having five points less than leader Fukushima. Bambitious lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 16 games lost. Shinshu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bambitious will play against the league's second-placed Shinshu (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: M.Wayne 16+6reb+2ast, O.Akitoshi 15+5ast, C.Angelo 11+6reb+1ast, K.Eliet 10+5reb+2ast, D.Mike 9+2reb+3ast, C.Aki 9+5reb+1ast
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 16+11reb+5ast, K.Masaya 8+1reb, T.Soma 7+3reb+2ast, V.Petrov 7+9reb+1ast, K.Ryota 7+2reb+5ast, N.Spikes 6+6reb+3ast

Shizuoka - Iwate 79-73

There was a small surprise when seventh ranked Veltex (4-21) won against 5th ranked Big Bulls (8-17) in Shizuoka 79-73 on Saturday. Shizuoka looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) nailed 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and Manaya Yamamoto accounted for 18 points and 5 assists. American forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) added 22 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Iwate in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shizuoka maintains seventh place with 4-21 record, which they share with Aomori W. Iwate lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 17 games lost. Shizuoka will meet at home higher ranked Iwate (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Iwate will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: M.Yamamoto 18+5ast, N.Chris-Ebou 16+9reb+4ast, H.Shotaro 11+1ast, T.Simon 10+3reb+1ast, S.Tim 9+6reb+2ast, B.Angus 7+12reb+3ast
Iwate: C.Mounce 22+8reb+2ast, Y.Sogo 17+5reb+6ast, N.Gurley 15+13reb+5ast, S.Kokoro 8+1reb+1ast, N.Yuto 5+1reb+2ast, M.Tejic 3+2reb