B2 League Round 39 (Regular Season): Kobe S. lose to Shinshu

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Storks (34-5) in Nagano on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Brave Warriors (31-8) 76-65. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Storks. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shinshu made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Kobe S. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for South Sudanese-American center Angelo Chol (206-1993, college: SDSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds. The former international guard Aki Chambers (191-1990, college: UC Merced) helped adding 11 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brave Warriors have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Shinshu maintains first place with 31-8 record which they share with defeated Kobe S.. Kobe S. at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Shinshu are looking forward to face Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round. Kobe S. will have a break next round.
Fifth-ranked Big Bulls (11-29) gave a tough game to third ranked Excellence (26-13) in Yokohama. Excellence managed to secure only three-point victory 79-76. However their fans expected easier game. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 5 rebounds. Elyjah Williams accounted for 13 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for Iwate in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yokohama maintains third place with 26-13 record having five points less than leader Kobe S. Iwate lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 29 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Orange Vikings (25-14) against fourth ranked Volters (21-18) on Saturday night. Host Orange Vikings were defeated by Volters in Matsuyama 91-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Orange Vikings. The best player for the winners was Rawle Alkins who had a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Mitchell Watt who recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kumamoto V. moved-up to third place. Loser Orange Vikings keeps the second position with 14 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ehime will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 39: Shizuoka won against Aomori W. on the opponent's court 68-58. Fukushima outscored Bambitious in a home game 95-59. Fukuoka R. managed to beat Kagoshima on the road 92-76. Yamagata was crushed by Fukui B. on its own court 73-101. Iwate beat Yokohama in a road game 82-78.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists by Marko Tejic of Iwate.



Yokohama EX - Iwate 79-76

Fifth-ranked Big Bulls (11-29) gave a tough game to third ranked Excellence (26-13) in Yokohama. Excellence managed to secure only three-point victory 79-76. However their fans expected easier game. Yokohama dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Big Bulls's 24. Yokohama forced 20 Iwate turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) accounted for 13 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. American forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian power forward Marko Tejic (209-1995) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Iwate in the defeat. Four Yokohama and five Iwate players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yokohama maintains third place with 26-13 record having five points less than leader Kobe S. Iwate lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 29 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Iwate: N.Gurley 17+10reb+4ast, M.Tejic 12+8reb+3ast, G.Shohei 11+1reb+2ast, Y.Sogo 11+4reb+6ast, S.Ryosuke 10+6reb, T.Shutatsu 7+2reb+4ast
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 24+5reb+2ast, W.Elyjah 13+10reb+5ast, C.Serignemourtala 12+1reb, H.Stephen 10+7reb+2ast, M.Zack 6+7reb+2ast, H.Kinoshita 5+1reb

Aomori W. - Shizuoka 58-68

There was a minor upset in Aomori where their close opponent Watts (8-31) were defeated by seventh ranked Veltex (7-32) 68-58 on Saturday. Shizuoka made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Shizuoka outrebounded Aomori W. 47-36 including 33 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Shizuoka made 9 blocks. The best player for the winners was Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points, 21 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 blocks. American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). At the other side the best for losing team was American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) who recorded a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds and the other American import forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis) added 16 points respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shizuoka maintains seventh place with 7-32 record. Loser Watts dropped to the sixth position with 31 games lost. They share it with Yamagata. Shizuoka will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play against Shizuoka (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: T.Dalger 16+3reb+3ast, M.Hisatake 15+11reb+1ast, W.Wang 11+6reb+2ast, A.Shugo 6+2reb, O.Masahiro 4+2reb+1ast, N.Kenshin 3+4reb+6ast
Shizuoka: L.Kenny 22+12reb, B.Angus 15+21reb+5ast, T.Simon 9+4reb+2ast, R.Nabeta 6, H.Shotaro 4+3reb+1ast, N.Chris-Ebou 3+3reb

Ehime OV - Kumamoto V. 74-91

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Orange Vikings (25-14) against fourth ranked Volters (21-18) on Saturday night. Host Orange Vikings were defeated by Volters in Matsuyama 91-74. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Orange Vikings. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) who had a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) chipped in 17 points and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) who recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds and Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) added 18 points respectively. Five Ehime players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kumamoto V. moved-up to third place. Loser Orange Vikings keeps the second position with 14 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ehime will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: M.Haarms 18+4reb+3ast, M.Watt 14+10reb+3ast, M.Parker 13+9reb+1ast, S.Hines 12+5reb+4ast, E.Hayashi 11+3reb+1ast, T.Shogo 2+1reb
Kumamoto V.: I.Kaito 17+1reb+7ast, L.Mitch 15+5reb+1ast, A.Rawle 13+15reb+7ast, E.Gregory 9+2reb+1ast, I.Hiroaki 9+4reb+2ast, S.Yamamoto 8+2reb+4ast

Fukushima - Bambitious N. 95-59

Rather predictable result in Fukushima where second ranked Firebonds (29-10) smashed 6th ranked Nara (13-26) 95-59 on Saturday. Fukushima forced 24 Bambitious turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Bambitious' players. The best player for the winners was American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds. His fellow American import swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) chipped in 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) who recorded a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds and American center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) added 18 points and 13 rebounds respectively. 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 second place with 29-10 record having just two points less than leader Kobe S. Bambitious lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 26 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home Bambitious (#6) in the next round. Bambitious will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: V.Petrov 19+15reb+2ast, N.Spikes 18+13reb+2ast, K.Masaya 6+1ast, U.Aoba 5+1ast, H.Jumpei 4, S.Ishii 3+3reb
Fukushima: N.Jack 21+13reb, M.Kenny 18+8reb+6ast, K.Shinkawa 11+2reb+1ast, T.Nakano 9+3reb+1ast, T.Masuko 8+2reb+3ast, B.Diouf 7+3reb+2ast

Kagoshima - Fukuoka R. 76-92

There was a minor upset in Renova where 3rd placed Rebnise (20-18) was defeated by fifth ranked Rizing (18-21) 92-76 on Saturday. Fukuoka R. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) who scored 23 points and 4 assists. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds. Woodbury is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Five Rizing players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists and point guard Zen Endo (182-1998, agency: Slash Sports) added 27 points respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukuoka R. maintains fifth place with 18-21 record. Loser Rebnise dropped to the fourth position with 18 games lost. Fukuoka R. will meet league's leader Shinshu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kagoshima will play against Fukuoka R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: Z.Endo 27+1reb, A.Gaines Jr. 12+11reb+8ast, T.Komamizu 8+1ast, J.Sharma 7+6reb+2ast, P.Auda 6+3reb, F.Kota 5+1reb+4ast
Fukuoka R.: W.Terrance 23+4reb+4ast, A.Pablo 16+6reb+2ast, K.Aita 15+1reb+3ast, B.Justin 12+8reb+2ast, E.Shimoyama 10+4reb+5ast, S.Murakami 5+2ast

Shinshu BW - Kobe S. 76-65

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Storks (34-5) in Nagano on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Brave Warriors (31-8) 76-65. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Storks. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Shinshu made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Kobe S. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for South Sudanese-American center Angelo Chol (206-1993, college: SDSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds. The former international guard Aki Chambers (191-1990, college: UC Merced) helped adding 11 points and 9 rebounds. Five Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) scored 17 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brave Warriors have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Shinshu maintains first place with 31-8 record which they share with defeated Kobe S.. Kobe S. at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Shinshu are looking forward to face Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round. Kobe S. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: Y.Childs 24+10reb+4ast, L.Maye 17+4reb+3ast, T.Shuto 10+2ast, S.Reiju 8+5reb, N.Riichi 5+1reb+2ast, N.Michiya 1+1reb
Shinshu BW: C.Angelo 19+7reb+1ast, D.Mike 14+2reb+3ast, K.Eliet 11+3reb+3ast, C.Aki 11+9reb, M.Wayne 10+7reb+1ast, D.Tsuchiya 9+3reb+3ast

Yamagata - Fukui B. 73-101

Everything went according to plan in Yamagata where fourth ranked Blowinds (22-17) outscored 6th ranked Wyverns (8-31) 101-73 on Saturday. Fukui B. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Wyverns's 32. Fukui B. outrebounded Yamagata 36-25 including a 28-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukui B. shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 54.2 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Yamagata's players. The best player for the winners was the former international forward You Nishino (198-1998) who scored 21 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Guard Damilola Mosaku (193-2001, college: Stonehill) chipped in 9 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) who recorded 32 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 12 points and 4 assists respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 22-17 record. Yamagata lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 31 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play against Fukui B. (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: N.Waterman 32+9reb+2ast, J.Bell 12+2reb+4ast, R.Abe 9+1reb+2ast, L.Jonghyun 8+2reb, Y.Ishikawa 5+2ast, S.Doorson 4+8reb
Fukui B.: Y.Nishino 21+1reb+3ast, O.Khishigbaatar 14+4reb+1ast, I.Rapolas 12+10reb+2ast, E.Perry 11+3reb+5ast, D.Mosaku 9+7reb+8ast, T.Marcus 8+3reb

Yokohama EX - Iwate 78-82

There was a minor upset in Yokohama where 3rd placed Excellence (26-13) was defeated by fifth ranked Big Bulls (11-29) 82-78 on Saturday. Iwate looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Serbian power forward Marko Tejic (209-1995) who scored 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who recorded 23 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import forward Stephen Hurt (211-1993, college: Kansas St., agency: Diamond Sports) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Iwate maintains fifth place with 11-29 record. Loser Excellence keeps the third position with 13 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: T.Boyd III 23+8reb+3ast, S.Hurt 19+6reb+1ast, E.Williams 8+8reb+4ast, O.Hirotaka 8+3reb+3ast, N.Io 7+2reb+1ast, J.Uera 6+2reb+1ast
Iwate: R.Saeki 17+2reb, G.Noah 16+3reb+5ast, T.Marko 12+9reb+4ast, Y.Nakano 9+2reb+1ast, S.Yamagiwa 8+7reb+4ast, S.Taira 8+5reb+6ast