B2 League Round 34 (Regular Season): Kagoshima defeats Fukui B. in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Rebnise (18-15) which played road game in Fukui against one of their biggest challengers Blowinds (18-16). Third ranked Rebnise managed to get a 5-point victory 100-95. Kagoshima made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Fukui B. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 6 rebounds. Australian forward Taiga Komamizu (201-1998, college: VTSU Randolph) contributed with 19 points for the winners. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds for Fukui B.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kagoshima maintains third position with 18-15 record having nine points less than leader Kobe S. Fukui B. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 16 games lost. Kagoshima are looking forward to face Kumamoto V. (#4) at home in the next round. Fukui B. will play against Aomori W. and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
An interesting game for Brave Warriors (26-8) which hosted in Nagano 3rd ranked Excellence (23-10). First ranked Brave Warriors managed to get a 7-point victory 67-60. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Akitoshi Oguri chipped in 10 points and 8 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shinshu maintains first position with 26-8 record, which they share with Fukushima. Yokohama at the other side keeps the third place with ten games lost. Shinshu will play against Shizuoka (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Yokohama will play against Yamagata (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
B2 League top team - Storks (31-3) managed to deliver another win on Sunday. This time they beat fifth ranked Big Bulls (9-25) in Iwate 73-64. Luke Maye notched 10 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even 21 points and 7 rebounds by Clay Mounce did not help to save the game for Iwate. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Storks have an impressive five-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 31-3 record. Iwate lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 25 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home league's second-placed Fukushima in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Iwate will have a break next round.

Other games in round 34 were not that significant. Yamagata was beaten by Fukushima on the road 83-74. Kumamoto V. won against Aomori W. on its own court 78-71. Shizuoka unfortunately lost to Bambitious in Nara 57-70.



Fukui B. - Kagoshima 95-100

An interesting game for Rebnise (18-15) which played road game in Fukui against one of their biggest challengers Blowinds (18-16). Third ranked Rebnise managed to get a 5-point victory 100-95. Kagoshima made 21-of-27 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Fukui B. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 6 rebounds. Australian forward Taiga Komamizu (201-1998, college: VTSU Randolph) contributed with 19 points for the winners. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds and American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) added 20 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Fukui B.Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kagoshima maintains third position with 18-15 record having nine points less than leader Kobe S. Fukui B. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 16 games lost. Kagoshima are looking forward to face Kumamoto V. (#4) at home in the next round. Fukui B. will play against Aomori W. and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: K.Taiga 19+3reb+3ast, A.Patrik 19+6reb+1ast, G.Anthony 17+5reb+2ast, H.Matsuno 15+5reb+3ast, S.Josh 9+7reb+2ast, K.Takayuki 7+4reb+6ast
Fukui B.: P.Ellis 22+5reb+3ast, R.Ivanauskas 22+12reb+2ast, R.Kelly 20+8reb+2ast, K.Sena 15+2reb+2ast, N.You 6+2reb, M.Damilola 5+2reb+8ast

Fukushima - Yamagata 83-74

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Firebonds (26-8) beat 6th ranked Wyverns (8-26) in Fukushima 83-74 on Sunday. Fukushima dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Wyverns's 18. Fukushima forced 22 Yamagata turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) notched a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the effort and American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) supported him with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 20 points and 8 rebounds by American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Yamagata. Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) added 10 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Four Yamagata players scored in double figures. Fukushima keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Shinshu. Loser Wyverns keeps the sixth place with 26 games lost. Fukushima will meet league's leader Kobe S. in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Yamagata will play against Yokohama (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: M.Kenny 19+7reb+3ast, G.Patrick 18+11reb+2ast, N.Jack 13+1reb+6ast, W.Koki 9+3reb+3ast, B.Diouf 7+3reb, R.Sugeno 7+2ast
Yamagata: J.Bell 20+8reb+3ast, S.Taisei 16+2reb+1ast, R.Abe 12+3reb+4ast, S.Doorson 10+10reb+1ast, Y.Kentaro 6+2reb+2ast, N.Waterman 4+4reb+2ast

Iwate - Kobe S. 64-73

B2 League top team - Storks (31-3) managed to deliver another win on Sunday. This time they beat fifth ranked Big Bulls (9-25) in Iwate 73-64. American Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) notched 10 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and the other American import Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) supported him with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Four Storks players scored in double figures. Even 21 points and 7 rebounds by American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Iwate. point guard Sogo Yamagiwa (179-2002) added 14 points and 5 assists for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Storks have an impressive five-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 31-3 record. Iwate lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 25 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home league's second-placed Fukushima in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Iwate will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: N.Dohara 14+2reb, A.Hachimura 11+2reb+1ast, C.Yoeli 10+10reb+2ast, M.Luke 10+9reb+6ast, R.Kaneda 10+2reb+1ast, R.Nomizo 7+1reb+4ast
Iwate: C.Mounce 21+7reb+1ast, Y.Sogo 14+5ast, M.Tejic 11+7reb+1ast, N.Gurley 6+4reb+2ast, G.Shohei 4+3reb+1ast, Y.Riku 4+5reb

Kumamoto V. - Aomori W. 78-71

Rather expected game when 7th ranked Watts (6-28) lost to fourth ranked Volters (17-17) in Kumamoto 71-78 on Sunday. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) notched 12 points and 9 assists to lead the effort and American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) supported him with 7 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists by American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) did not help to save the game for Aomori W.. point guard Kenshin Nabeta (182-2004) added 17 points for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Volters have an impressive six-game winning streak. Kumamoto V. maintains fourth position with 17-17 record. Loser Watts keeps the seventh place with 28 games lost. They share the position with Shizuoka. Kumamoto V. will meet higher ranked Kagoshima (#3) in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Aomori W. will play against Fukui B. (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: S.Yamamoto 15+5reb+1ast, I.Kaito 12+2reb+9ast, I.Hiroaki 12+3reb+1ast, A.Yamada 11+1ast, E.Gregory 11+8reb+2ast, D.Nemanja 8+4reb+2ast
Aomori W.: N.Kenshin 17+2reb+2ast, W.Wang 13+2reb+1ast, T.Dalger 12+3reb+2ast, M.Hisatake 11+10reb+4ast, A.Shugo 9+1reb, M.Beni 7+2reb

Bambitious N. - Shizuoka 70-57

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Nara's (13-21) home victory over 7th ranked Veltex (6-28) 70-57 on Sunday. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) notched 27 points and 7 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) supported him with 8 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Nara's coach Haruyuki Ishibashi used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Even a double-double of 11 points and 18 rebounds by Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) did not help to save the game for Shizuoka. Guamanian forward Simon Takumi (190-2000) added 15 points for lost side. Nara have a solid four-game winning streak. Bambitious maintains sixth position with 13-21 record. Shizuoka lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 28 games lost. They share the position with Aomori W.. Bambitious will meet at home league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shizuoka will play against the league's leader Shinshu (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: B.Jaemyn 27+7reb+3ast, M.Komaki 11, S.Nigel 8+11reb+4ast, I.Shunpei 6+1ast, E.Nakatani 4+2ast, P.Viacheslav 3+8reb+2ast
Shizuoka: S.Takumi 15+4reb, A.Brandt 11+18reb+3ast, T.Martel 9+3reb+1ast, C.Ndow 5+6reb, K.Mitsuki 4+1reb+1ast, N.Ryusei 4+2reb+2ast

Shinshu BW - Yokohama EX 67-60

An interesting game for Brave Warriors (26-8) which hosted in Nagano 3rd ranked Excellence (23-10). First ranked Brave Warriors managed to get a 7-point victory 67-60. Shinshu had a 34-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and point guard Akitoshi Oguri (174-2001, agency: Schafer Sports) chipped in 10 points and 8 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) scored 8 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shinshu maintains first position with 26-8 record, which they share with Fukushima. Yokohama at the other side keeps the third place with ten games lost. Shinshu will play against Shizuoka (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Yokohama will play against Yamagata (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: K.Eliet 13+5reb+2ast, M.Wayne 11+6reb+2ast, O.Akitoshi 10+1reb+8ast, C.Angelo 8+9reb+2ast, D.Tsuchiya 7+1reb+3ast, W.Hugh 7+5reb
Yokohama EX: T.Boyd III 33+8reb+3ast, E.Williams 8+17reb+4ast, C.Serignemourtala 7+1reb, N.Io 4+2reb, N.Tatsuya 3+1reb, O.Hirotaka 2+1reb+3ast