B2 League Round 29 (Regular Season): #1 Kobe S. is defeated by Ehime

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Storks (26-3) in Matsuyama on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Orange Vikings (20-9) 87-76. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Storks. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Ehime made 18-of-19 free shots (94.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up and scored 27 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) chipped in 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Orange Vikings' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. responded with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Orange Vikings have a solid series of four victories in a row. Ehime maintains second place with 20-9 record having six points less than leader Fukushima. Kobe S. at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Ehime are looking forward to face league's leader Kobe S. in Hyogo in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Kobe S. will have a break next round.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. Leader host Firebonds (24-5) lost to second ranked Brave Warriors (22-7) 88-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Firebonds. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and Aki Chambers accounted for 17 points and 5 rebounds (perfect behind the arc making all five shots). American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds for Fukushima in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Brave Warriors have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. Shinshu maintains second place with 22-7 record having four points less than leader Fukushima. Fukushima at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Shinshu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play at home against the league's second-placed Shinshu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Nara was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Blowinds (17-12) played at the court of 6th ranked Nara (9-20). Blowinds managed to secure a 5-point victory 85-80 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was Perry Ellis who scored 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Viacheslav Petrov produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 17-12 record. Bambitious lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 20 games lost. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bambitious will play against Fukui B. (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 29: Iwate lost to Kumamoto V. on the opponent's court 73-84. Yokohama outscored Aomori W. in a home game 100-63. Yamagata managed to beat Fukuoka R. on the road 74-65.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 14 points and 14 rebounds by Pablo Aguilar of Fukuoka R..



Ehime OV - Kobe S. 87-76

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Storks (26-3) in Matsuyama on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Orange Vikings (20-9) 87-76. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Storks. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Ehime made 18-of-19 free shots (94.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up and scored 27 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) chipped in 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. Orange Vikings' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. responded with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and American center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. Orange Vikings have a solid series of four victories in a row. Ehime maintains second place with 20-9 record having six points less than leader Fukushima. Kobe S. at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Ehime are looking forward to face league's leader Kobe S. in Hyogo in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Kobe S. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: T.Shuto 26+5reb+8ast, Y.Childs 12+7reb+3ast, I.Butts 11+12reb+1ast, H.Alen 8+4reb+2ast, K.Ryuya 8+2reb+1ast, S.Reiju 5+3reb+1ast
Ehime OV: W.Mitchell 27+9reb+4ast, H.Shaquille 15+8reb+5ast, H.Matt 15+2reb+1ast, H.Eiji 12+1reb+3ast, P.Michael 11+6reb+2ast, F.Takumi 3+2reb+6ast

Fukushima - Shinshu BW 81-88

The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. Leader host Firebonds (24-5) lost to second ranked Brave Warriors (22-7) 88-81. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Firebonds. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Shinshu players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and the former international guard Aki Chambers (191-1990, college: UC Merced) accounted for 17 points and 5 rebounds (perfect behind the arc making all five shots). American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) came up with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) added 17 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Fukushima in the defeat. Four Fukushima players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Brave Warriors have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. Shinshu maintains second place with 22-7 record having four points less than leader Fukushima. Fukushima at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Shinshu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play at home against the league's second-placed Shinshu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: K.Manigault 21+11reb+3ast, J.Nunge 17+11reb+3ast, N.Tsukasa 15+2reb+2ast, P.Gardner 11+4reb, K.Wiley 6+2reb+2ast, Y.Java 5+1reb
Shinshu BW: C.Aki 17+5reb+1ast, C.Angelo 14+6reb+1ast, M.Wayne 12+10reb+2ast, S.Tokairin 8+3reb+1ast, D.Mike 8+9reb+1ast, I.Shusuke 8+2ast

Kumamoto V. - Iwate 84-73

There was a minor upset in Kumamoto where their close opponent Big Bulls (8-21) were defeated by fifth ranked Volters (12-17) 84-73 on Saturday. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds. Shota Yamamoto chipped in 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) produced 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists and the other American import forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Kumamoto V. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Fukuoka R. Iwate lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 21 games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet at home Iwate (#5) in the next round. Iwate will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Iwate: N.Gurley 17+4reb+1ast, C.Mounce 16+7reb+2ast, Y.Sogo 16+7reb+7ast, M.Keijiro 11+5reb+2ast, N.Yuto 5+2reb+1ast, M.Tejic 4+3reb+3ast
Kumamoto V.: L.Mitch 25+11reb+1ast, S.Yamamoto 17+8reb+5ast, E.Gregory 15+7reb+5ast, I.Kaito 12+1reb+7ast, A.Yamada 6+1reb+1ast, K.Hosaka 5+1ast

Yokohama EX - Aomori W. 100-63

Rather predictable result in Yokohama where third ranked Excellence (20-8) smashed 7th ranked Watts (5-24) 100-63 on Saturday. Yokohama outrebounded Aomori W. 46-31 including a 36-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Yokohama looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who scored 39 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. Forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists. Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) produced 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech, agency: Slash Sports) added 10 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for the guests. 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 eleventh consecutive win for Excellence. Yokohama maintains third place with 20-8 record having seven points less than leader Fukushima. Loser Watts keeps the seventh position with 24 games lost. Yokohama will meet at home Aomori W. (#7) in the next round. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 22+8reb+4ast, W.Wang 13+1reb+4ast, M.Hisatake 10+14reb+6ast, T.Kyonosuke 6+1ast, K.Takahiro 5+2reb+1ast, A.Shugo 3+1reb+2ast
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 39+5reb+2ast, W.Elyjah 13+13reb+9ast, L.Benjamin 8+9reb+3ast, T.Dickson 7+1reb, M.Zack 6+6reb, S.Coulibaly 6+1reb

Bambitious N. - Fukui B. 80-85

The game in Nara was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Blowinds (17-12) played at the court of 6th ranked Nara (9-20). Blowinds managed to secure a 5-point victory 85-80 on Saturday. Fukui B. made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Bambitious turnovers. Fukui B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) who scored 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Naoyuki Fujisawa chipped in 13 points and 7 assists. Four Blowinds players scored in double figures. Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) added 20 points and 5 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 17-12 record. Bambitious lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 20 games lost. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bambitious will play against Fukui B. (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: V.Petrov 21+10reb+2ast, J.Brakefield 20+5reb+2ast, H.Jumpei 8+1reb, N.Spikes 8+6reb+2ast, T.Soma 8+1reb+2ast, S.Ishii 6+3reb+1ast
Fukui B.: E.Perry 19+8reb+5ast, S.Kawashima 16+1reb+1ast, N.Fujisawa 13+1reb+7ast, I.Rapolas 13+7reb, S.Tawatari 9+1reb+3ast, E.Naito 7

Fukuoka R. - Yamagata 65-74

There was a minor upset in Fukuoka where 4th placed Rizing (12-17) was defeated by sixth ranked Wyverns (7-22) 74-65 on Saturday. Yamagata outrebounded Fukuoka R. 38-26 including a 30-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 7 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds and added 11 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Yamagata maintains sixth place with 7-22 record. Loser Rizing keeps the fourth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V.. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: P.Aguilar 14+14reb+3ast, N.Takanobu 11+3reb+3ast, A.Keisuke 11+5ast, D.Reed 8+4reb+4ast, R.Aoki 7+1reb, S.Eiji 5+2reb+2ast
Yamagata: T.Shirato 13+2reb, W.Noah 12+10reb, S.Murakami 10+1reb+1ast, D.Shaquille 9+6reb+3ast, J.Lee 7+2reb+3ast, B.James 7+10reb+5ast