B2 League Round 27 (Regular Season): Ehime edge Yamagata by three points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Sixth-ranked Wyverns (6-21) made lots of trouble for second ranked Orange Vikings (18-9) in Yamagata on Saturday. The visitors from Matsuyama managed to secure only three-point victory 74-71. However their fans expected much easier game. Ehime looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was naturalized American forward Michael Parker (200-1981, college: Evergreen St.) who had a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) chipped in 16 points. Orange Vikings' coach used entire bench in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Ehime maintains second place with 18-9 record having seven points less than leader Fukushima. Yamagata lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 21 games lost. They share it with Shizuoka. Ehime will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play at home against the league's second-placed Ehime (#2) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Important game to mention about took place in Aomori. Seventh ranked Watts (5-22) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 3rd placed Rebnise (12-14) 84-83 on Saturday evening. It was a good game for American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) who saved his team from a defeat with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. Rashard Kelly contributed with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 25 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all twelve shots !!!) for Kagoshima. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Aomori W. maintains seventh place with 5-22 record. Kagoshima at the other side keeps the third position with 14 games lost. Aomori W. will play against higher ranked Kagoshima (#3) in Renova in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
A very close game took place in Fukui between Excellence and Blowinds. Third ranked Excellence (18-8) got a very close victory on the road over 4th placed Blowinds (16-11). Excellence managed to escape with a 3-point win 88-85 in the game for the third place. It was a great evening for Tray Boyd III who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was Rapolas Ivanauskas with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Excellence have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Yokohama maintains third place with 18-8 record having eight points less than leader Fukushima. Loser Blowinds keeps the fourth position with 11 games lost. Yokohama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukui B. will play against Yokohama (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 27 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Kumamoto V. was defeated by Shinshu in Nagano 97-79. Fukuoka R. was beaten by Shizuoka at home 76-88. Fukushima won against Iwate on the opponent's court 77-70. Kobe S. outscored Bambitious in a home game 83-60.
The best stats of 27th round was 40 points (!!!) and 18 rebounds by Yoeli Childs of Kobe S..



Shinshu BW - Kumamoto V. 97-79

There was no surprise in Nagano where 4th placed Volters (11-16) were defeated by second ranked Brave Warriors (20-7) 97-79 on Saturday. Shinshu made 29-of-33 free shots (87.9 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for Daiki Tsuchiya who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 7 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) helped adding 18 points and 5 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) with 15 points and 7 rebounds and Montenegrin Nemanja Djurisic (202-1992, college: Georgia, agency: Slash Sports) scored 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brave Warriors have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Shinshu maintains second place with 20-7 record having five points less than leader Fukushima. Kumamoto V. lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Fukuoka R.. Shinshu will meet at home Kumamoto V. (#4) in the next round. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: D.Tsuchiya 27+7reb+3ast, D.Mike 18+5reb+3ast, K.Eliet 12+5reb+1ast, C.Aki 9+5reb, M.Wayne 6+2reb+2ast, K.Louis 6+3reb+1ast
Kumamoto V.: M.Lightfoot 15+7reb+1ast, G.Echenique 13+4reb, K.Ishikawa 11+2reb+2ast, Y.Shota 10+3reb+2ast, N.Djurisic 8+9reb+4ast, Y.Atomu 7+3reb+2ast

Yamagata - Ehime OV 71-74

Sixth-ranked Wyverns (6-21) made lots of trouble for second ranked Orange Vikings (18-9) in Yamagata on Saturday. The visitors from Matsuyama managed to secure only three-point victory 74-71. However their fans expected much easier game. Ehime looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was naturalized American forward Michael Parker (200-1981, college: Evergreen St.) who had a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) chipped in 16 points. Four Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. Orange Vikings' coach used entire bench in such tough game. At the other side the best for losing team was American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and added 6 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Ehime maintains second place with 18-9 record having seven points less than leader Fukushima. Yamagata lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 21 games lost. They share it with Shizuoka. Ehime will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play at home against the league's second-placed Ehime (#2) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: H.Shaquille 16+4reb+3ast, H.Eiji 14+2reb+1ast, H.Matt 14+5reb+1ast, P.Michael 10+13reb+2ast, W.Mitchell 8+4reb+6ast, T.Yoshihiko 4+2reb+1ast
Yamagata: J.Bell 12+8reb+4ast, M.Shinya 12+1ast, N.Shuki 11+1reb+1ast, S.Doorson 10+8reb, R.Abe 8+2reb+1ast, N.Waterman 6+8reb+2ast

Aomori W. - Kagoshima 84-83

Important game to mention about took place in Aomori. Seventh ranked Watts (5-22) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 3rd placed Rebnise (12-14) 84-83 on Saturday evening. Aomori W. made 18-of-23 charity shots (78.3 percent) during the game. It was a good game for American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) who saved his team from a defeat with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) contributed with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 25 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all twelve shots !!!) and American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) added 10 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in the effort for Kagoshima. Four Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Aomori W. maintains seventh place with 5-22 record. Kagoshima at the other side keeps the third position with 14 games lost. Aomori W. will play against higher ranked Kagoshima (#3) in Renova in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: K.Rashard 26+8reb+4ast, W.Weijia 22+7reb+1ast, H.Max 21+19reb+4ast, K.Terashima 9+1reb+1ast, M.Okabe 4+2reb+1ast, S.Asai 2+1reb
Kagoshima: P.Auda 25+6reb+2ast, T.Kodama 15+2reb+4ast, Y.Ametani 11+1reb+3ast, A.Gaines Jr. 10+9reb+5ast, J.Sharma 9+4reb+1ast, N.Rabay 8+5reb

Fukui B. - Yokohama EX 85-88

A very close game took place in Fukui between Excellence and Blowinds. Third ranked Excellence (18-8) got a very close victory on the road over 4th placed Blowinds (16-11). Excellence managed to escape with a 3-point win 88-85 in the game for the third place. It was a great evening for American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) helped adding 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds and American forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) scored 20 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Excellence have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Yokohama maintains third place with 18-8 record having eight points less than leader Fukushima. Loser Blowinds keeps the fourth position with 11 games lost. Yokohama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukui B. will play against Yokohama (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 27+1reb+5ast, H.Kinoshita 13+1reb, W.Elyjah 10+9reb+5ast, Y.Sugiyama 8+3reb, U.Junki 8+1ast, H.Ohashi 8+4reb+2ast
Fukui B.: R.Ivanauskas 25+12reb+2ast, P.Ellis 20+8reb, K.Sena 7+3reb+1ast, T.Marcus 7+4reb, M.Damilola 7+2ast, T.Shuto 6

Fukuoka R. - Shizuoka 76-88

There was a small surprise in Fukuoka where seventh ranked Veltex (6-21) defeated 5th ranked Rizing (11-16) 88-76 on Saturday. Shizuoka outrebounded Fukuoka R. 40-25 including 26 on the defensive glass. Shizuoka looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. It was a great evening for Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) helped adding 12 points and 10 rebounds. Veltex's coach let to play all 12 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) with 23 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists and Puerto Rican-American swingman Davon Reed (198-1995, college: Miami, FL) scored 17 points and 8 rebounds. Five Shizuoka and four Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Veltex. Shizuoka moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Yamagata. Loser Rizing dropped to the fourth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V.. Shizuoka will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukuoka R. will play against Shizuoka (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: N.Chris-Ebou 16+9reb+4ast, M.Yamamoto 15+5ast, M.Keisuke 13+3reb+1ast, S.Tim 12+8reb+1ast, B.Angus 12+10reb+3ast, H.Shotaro 6+4reb+1ast
Fukuoka R.: P.Aguilar 23+9reb+9ast, D.Reed 17+8reb+1ast, R.Aoki 16+1reb+1ast, M.Shunto 13+2reb+5ast, N.Takanobu 4+3reb+5ast, Y.Karino 2+1reb+1ast

Iwate - Fukushima 70-77

Very expected game in Iwate where 5th ranked Big Bulls (8-19) were defeated by first ranked Firebonds (23-4) 77-70 on Saturday. 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 21 points and 13 rebounds. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) helped adding 16 points. The best for the losing side was American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian power forward Marko Tejic (209-1995) scored 12 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukushima maintains first place with 23-4 record. Iwate lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 19 games lost. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Iwate will play against the league's leader Fukushima (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: N.Jack 21+13reb+2ast, G.Patrick 16+3reb+3ast, M.Kenny 11+3reb+6ast, W.Koki 9+2reb+3ast, B.Diouf 8+3reb, T.Nakano 7+2reb
Iwate: C.Mounce 28+13reb+4ast, M.Tejic 12+5reb+2ast, Y.Sogo 9+2ast, N.Yuto 8+5reb+3ast, M.Keijiro 6, N.Gurley 4+8reb+3ast

Kobe S. - Bambitious N. 83-60

Very predictable result in Hyogo where first ranked Storks (25-2) outscored 6th ranked Nara (9-18) 83-60 on Saturday. Kobe S. made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Kobe S. outrebounded Bambitious 55-27 including a 19-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!) and 18 rebounds. Shuto Terazono helped adding 13 points and 8 assists. The best for the losing side was Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) with 12 points and 9 rebounds and American center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) scored 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Nara's coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Storks. Kobe S. maintains first place with 25-2 record. Bambitious lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 18 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home Bambitious (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Bambitious will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 40+18reb+3ast, S.Terazono 13+4reb+8ast, A.Rawle 10+5reb, B.Isaac 7+15reb, R.Kaneda 6+5reb, N.Dohara 5+2reb+3ast
Bambitious N.: V.Petrov 12+9reb+3ast, S.Tatsuya 12, N.Spikes 11+7reb+4ast, T.Soma 6+1reb+1ast, K.Ryota 6+1reb+5ast, J.Brakefield 4+7reb