B2 League Round 41 (Regular Season): Ehime is upset by Fukui B.

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between second ranked Orange Vikings (26-15) and fourth ranked Blowinds (24-17) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Orange Vikings were defeated by Blowinds in a tough game in Fukui 94-100. Fukui B. made 28-of-35 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 27 personal fouls committed by Ehime helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Blowinds have a solid series of three victories in a row. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 24-17 record. Ehime at the other side keeps the second position with 15 games lost. Fukui B. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Ehime in Matsuyama in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ehime will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hyogo. First ranked Storks faced 3rd placed Excellence. Host Storks (36-5) smashed guests from Yokohama (26-14) 124-85. The game was dominated by American players. Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 5 assists (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field). Luke Maye contributed with 21 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) answered with 30 points for Yokohama. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kobe S. maintains first place with 36-5 record. Yokohama at the other side keeps the third position with 14 games lost. Kobe S. will play against Yokohama (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Yokohama will have a break next round.
Leader Brave Warriors delivered the 32th victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 5th ranked Rizing (19-23) 91-85 in Nagano. Mike Daum stepped up and scored 27 points for the winners. Justin Burrell responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Rizing's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Shinshu maintains first place with 32-10 record. Loser Rizing keeps the fifth position with 23 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Other games of round 41 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Fukushima crushed Aomori W. in a road game 80-59. Kagoshima beat Iwate at home 75-69. Bambitious lost to Kumamoto V. on the opponent's court 84-90. Shizuoka managed to outperform Yamagata in a home game 88-71.
The best stats of 41th round was 5 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists by Shaquille Doorson of Yamagata.



Aomori W. - Fukushima 59-80

There was no surprise in Aomori where 6th ranked Watts (9-32) were crushed by second ranked Firebonds (31-10) 80-59 on Saturday. Fukushima outrebounded Aomori W. 49-36 including a 38-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 18 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) chipped in 6 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Kenshin Nabeta (182-2004) scored 9 points and 4 assists. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Firebonds have a solid series of four victories in a row. Fukushima maintains second place with 31-10 record behind leader Kobe S. Loser Watts keeps the sixth position with 32 games lost. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play against the league's second-placed Fukushima (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: N.Jack 24+18reb+2ast, K.Shinkawa 9, B.Diouf 9+5reb+1ast, T.Nakano 9+3ast, J.Yoneyama 8+3reb+1ast, M.Kenny 6+9reb+5ast
Aomori W.: T.Dalger 15+8reb, N.Kenshin 9+3reb+4ast, W.Wang 7+1reb, M.Beni 6+4reb, A.Chol 6+7reb, T.Kyonosuke 5+2reb+3ast

Fukui B. - Ehime OV 100-94

The game between second ranked Orange Vikings (26-15) and fourth ranked Blowinds (24-17) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Orange Vikings were defeated by Blowinds in a tough game in Fukui 94-100. Fukui B. made 28-of-35 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 27 personal fouls committed by Ehime helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) who scored 34 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 17 points and 5 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) produced 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and naturalized American forward Michael Parker (200-1981, college: Evergreen St.) added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the guests. Five Ehime players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Blowinds have a solid series of three victories in a row. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 24-17 record. Ehime at the other side keeps the second position with 15 games lost. Fukui B. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Ehime in Matsuyama in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: K.Ryan 34+6reb, I.Rapolas 17+5reb, E.Perry 10+3reb+1ast, Y.Nishino 9+5reb+2ast, O.Khishigbaatar 8+1reb, J.Mitsuda 7+2reb+2ast
Ehime OV: M.Watt 23+5reb+4ast, M.Parker 19+8reb+4ast, M.Haarms 19+4reb+2ast, S.Hines 18+2reb+5ast, O.Yugo 10+2reb+3ast, E.Hayashi 5+1reb+2ast

Kagoshima - Iwate 75-69

No shocking result in a game in Renova where third ranked Rebnise (22-18) defeated 5th ranked Big Bulls (11-30) 75-69 on Saturday. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 20 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Sogo Yamagiwa (179-2002) scored 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Iwate players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kagoshima maintains third place with 22-18 record having twelve points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Big Bulls keeps the fifth position with 30 games lost. Kagoshima will meet at home Iwate (#5) in the next round. Iwate will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Patrik 20+5reb+1ast, G.Anthony 15+12reb+4ast, S.Josh 12+6reb, K.Takayuki 8+2reb+2ast, K.Fujimoto 7+1reb+1ast, A.Yoshiki 6+7reb+1ast
Iwate: C.Mounce 16+8reb+3ast, Y.Sogo 15+5reb+4ast, N.Gurley 14+6reb+2ast, M.Tejic 14+8reb+1ast, T.Shutatsu 3+5reb, S.Ryosuke 3+1reb+2ast

Kobe S. - Yokohama EX 124-85

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Hyogo. First ranked Storks faced 3rd placed Excellence. Host Storks (36-5) smashed guests from Yokohama (26-14) 124-85. They outrebounded Yokohama 49-20 including a 33-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kobe S. players were unselfish on offense dishing 35 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by Yokohama's players. Yokohama was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The game was dominated by American players. Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 13 rebounds and 5 assists (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field). Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Four Storks players scored in double figures. Guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) answered with 30 points and forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) added 26 points in the effort for Yokohama. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kobe S. maintains first place with 36-5 record. Yokohama at the other side keeps the third position with 14 games lost. Kobe S. will play against Yokohama (#3) at home in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Yokohama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 38+13reb+5ast, M.Luke 21+12reb+3ast, B.Isaac 14+14reb+2ast, R.Nomizo 12+1reb+2ast, K.Kimura 12+2reb+4ast, R.Kaneda 11+2reb
Yokohama EX: T.Boyd III 30+3reb+2ast, E.Williams 26+2reb+2ast, N.Io 10+1ast, S.Coulibaly 5+2reb+2ast, J.Uera 5+4reb+2ast, K.Hironao 3+1reb+2ast

Kumamoto V. - Bambitious N. 90-84

Rather expected game in Kumamoto where 6th ranked Nara (13-28) was defeated by fourth ranked Volters (22-19) 90-84 on Saturday. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Bambitious 40-26 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and his fellow American import forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Four Volters players scored in double figures. Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) responded with 19 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) scored 17 points and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Kumamoto V. maintains fourth place with 22-19 record. Bambitious lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 28 games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet at home Bambitious (#6) in the next round. Bambitious will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: A.Rawle 19+12reb+6ast, E.Gregory 19+1reb+1ast, L.Mitch 18+8reb+1ast, K.Nishida 12+2reb, I.Kaito 11+9ast, S.Yamamoto 8+8reb+4ast
Bambitious N.: V.Petrov 19+7reb+3ast, J.Brakefield 17+3reb+4ast, N.Spikes 11+9reb+1ast, T.Soma 9+1ast, S.Ishii 6+1reb, K.Ryota 5+1reb+6ast

Shinshu BW - Fukuoka R. 91-85

Leader Brave Warriors delivered the 32th victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 5th ranked Rizing (19-23) 91-85 in Nagano. Shinshu made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 19 Fukuoka R. turnovers. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) stepped up and scored 27 points for the winners and his fellow American import center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. American forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Eiji Shimoyama (169-2004) scored 23 points and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Rizing's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Shinshu maintains first place with 32-10 record. Loser Rizing keeps the fifth position with 23 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: D.Mike 27+3reb, M.Wayne 14+7reb+3ast, C.Aki 14+7reb, D.Tsuchiya 12+3reb+3ast, O.J.J. 10+4reb+2ast, O.Akitoshi 6+4reb+7ast
Fukuoka R.: S.Eiji 23+4ast, J.Burrell 20+11reb+1ast, T.Woodbury 13+3reb+2ast, N.Takanobu 12+3reb, A.Keisuke 6+1reb+1ast, M.Shunto 6+3reb+2ast

Shizuoka - Yamagata 88-71

There was a small surprise in Shizuoka where seventh ranked Veltex (8-33) beat their close opponent Wyverns (8-33) 88-71 on Saturday. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 15 rebounds for the winners and swingman Keisuke Masuda (194-1998) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds. Five Veltex players scored in double figures. American center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds and Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) scored 5 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Shizuoka maintains seventh place with 8-33 record, which they share with Yamagata. Yamagata lost ninth consecutive game. Shizuoka will meet at home Yamagata (#7) in the next round. Yamagata will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: M.Keisuke 18+9reb+1ast, R.Hashimoto 16+1reb+1ast, B.Angus 12+15reb+3ast, L.Kenny 11+7reb+3ast, M.Yamamoto 10+1reb+3ast, M.Konno 9+1reb+1ast
Yamagata: N.Waterman 23+13reb+2ast, J.Toi 15+4reb, Y.Kentaro 8+2reb+1ast, N.Shuki 7+4ast, R.Abe 7+5reb+2ast, S.Taisei 6+1reb+2ast