B2 League Round 43 (Regular Season): Fukushima defeats Ehime in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Second-ranked Orange Vikings (27-16) gave a tough game to second ranked Firebonds (33-10) in Fukushima on Saturday. Firebonds managed to secure only three-point victory 83-80. However their fans expected easier game. It was a great evening for Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists. American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) helped adding 10 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. At the losing side American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) responded with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Firebonds have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Fukushima keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Shinshu. Ehime at the other side keeps the second place with 16 games lost. Fukushima is looking forward to face league's second-placed Ehime in Matsuyama in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ehime will have a break next round.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Renova. 3rd placed host Rebnise (23-19) lost to first ranked Storks (38-5) 86-81. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Rebnise. It was an exceptional evening for American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds. Isaac Butts accounted for 17 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 25 points and 6 rebounds for Kagoshima in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Storks. Kobe S. maintains first place with 38-5 record. Kagoshima at the other side dropped to the fourth position with 19 games lost. Kobe S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagoshima will play at home against the league's leader Kobe S. (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
B2 League top team - Brave Warriors (33-10) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Big Bulls (11-32) in Iwate 94-70. Mike Daum fired 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Clay Mounce produced 19 points and 4 assists for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Shinshu maintains first place with 33-10 record, which they share with Fukushima. Iwate lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 32 games lost. Shinshu 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 Shinshu (#1) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 43: Shizuoka was destroyed by Yokohama on the opponent's court 96-70. Bambitious unfortunately lost to Aomori W. in a home game 81-93. Kumamoto V. rolled over Yamagata on the road 100-66. Yokohama defeated Shizuoka on its own court 84-71. Fukui B. was beaten by Fukuoka R. in a road game 73-64.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 27 points and 7 rebounds by Terrance Woodbury of Fukuoka R..



Yokohama EX - Shizuoka 96-70

Very expected game in Yokohama where 7th ranked Veltex (9-35) was crushed by third ranked Excellence (28-15) 96-70 on Friday. Yokohama made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. Yokohama outrebounded Shizuoka 44-31 including 19 on the offensive glass. American forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. His fellow American import guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds. Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) produced 23 points and 6 rebounds and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) added 8 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Yokohama maintains third place with 28-15 record having five points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Veltex keeps the seventh position with 35 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: W.Elyjah 20+12reb+4ast, B.Tray 20+7reb+3ast, I.Nagano 15+7reb+4ast, Y.Sugiyama 10+2reb, H.Stephen 9+4reb, H.Kinoshita 7+5reb
Shizuoka: C.Ndow 23+6reb+1ast, K.Masuda 10+2reb+1ast, Y.Manaya 10+1reb+1ast, A.Brandt 8+8reb+2ast, S.Takumi 5+1reb+2ast, K.Lawson 5+5reb+3ast

Fukushima - Ehime OV 83-80

Second-ranked Orange Vikings (27-16) gave a tough game to second ranked Firebonds (33-10) in Fukushima on Saturday. Firebonds managed to secure only three-point victory 83-80. However their fans expected easier game. It was a great evening for Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists. American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) helped adding 10 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. At the losing side American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) responded with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Five Ehime players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Firebonds have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Fukushima keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Shinshu. Ehime at the other side keeps the second place with 16 games lost. Fukushima is looking forward to face league's second-placed Ehime in Matsuyama in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Patrick 34+10reb+4ast, N.Jack 10+10reb+1ast, M.Kenny 10+8reb+7ast, J.Yoneyama 8, T.Nakano 7+1reb+1ast, T.Masuko 6+2reb
Ehime OV: S.Hines 22+7reb+5ast, M.Haarms 20+11reb, E.Hayashi 11+1ast, M.Parker 10+13reb+2ast, M.Watt 10+9reb+3ast, T.Ryu 3+1reb

Iwate - Shinshu BW 70-94

B2 League top team - Brave Warriors (33-10) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Big Bulls (11-32) in Iwate 94-70. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) fired 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) produced 19 points and 4 assists and the other American import forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) added 15 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Shinshu maintains first place with 33-10 record, which they share with Fukushima. Iwate lost their third game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 32 games lost. Shinshu 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 Shinshu (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: K.Eliet 18+6reb+1ast, D.Mike 18+7reb+2ast, O.J.J. 12+1reb, M.Wayne 11+4reb+2ast, D.Tsuchiya 11+1reb+7ast, T.Kodama 7+3reb
Iwate: C.Mounce 19+4reb+4ast, N.Gurley 15+4reb+1ast, S.Ryosuke 10+3reb+1ast, M.Tejic 8+4reb, I.Harumichi 7+3reb+1ast, Y.Sogo 6+4reb+8ast

Kagoshima - Kobe S. 81-86

The game between Top Four teams took place in Renova. 3rd placed host Rebnise (23-19) lost to first ranked Storks (38-5) 86-81. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Rebnise. It was an exceptional evening for American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds. His fellow American import center Isaac Butts (208-1989, college: App State) accounted for 17 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 25 points and 6 rebounds and American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) added 14 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Kagoshima in the defeat. Four Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Storks. Kobe S. maintains first place with 38-5 record. Kagoshima at the other side dropped to the fourth position with 19 games lost. Kobe S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagoshima will play at home against the league's leader Kobe S. (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 25+13reb+3ast, B.Isaac 17+10reb+1ast, S.Terazono 11+4reb+8ast, R.Kaneda 9+4reb+1ast, K.Kimura 9+3reb+1ast, M.Luke 8+3reb+2ast
Kagoshima: P.Auda 25+6reb, Z.Endo 16+1reb+2ast, A.Gaines Jr. 14+8reb+1ast, T.Kodama 10+3reb+6ast, J.Sharma 7+8reb+1ast, F.Kota 4+3reb+3ast

Bambitious N. - Aomori W. 81-93

There was a small surprise when sixth ranked Watts (10-33) defeated on the road their close opponent Nara (13-30) 93-81 on Saturday. Aomori W. outrebounded Bambitious 35-22 including 25 on the defensive glass. Aomori W. looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. American forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis) fired 28 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) for the winners. His fellow American import center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) chipped in 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) produced 29 points and 4 assists and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) added 11 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Aomori W. maintains sixth place with 10-33 record which they share with defeated Bambitious. Bambitious lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 30 games lost. Aomori W. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Bambitious will play against Aomori W. (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: D.Tim 28+7reb+5ast, H.Max 21+8reb+4ast, W.Weijia 13+9reb+3ast, C.Angelo 9+5reb, M.Okabe 7+4ast, K.Terashima 6
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 29+3reb+4ast, K.Masaya 14+1ast, V.Petrov 11+8reb+2ast, N.Spikes 8+5reb+1ast, H.Jumpei 7+2reb+4ast, K.Ryota 6+2reb+5ast

Yamagata - Kumamoto V. 66-100

Not a big story in a game in Yamagata where 7th ranked Wyverns (8-35) were rolled over by fourth ranked Volters (24-19) 100-66 on Saturday. Kumamoto V. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Wyverns's 30. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Yamagata 47-25 including a 31-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Yamagata's players. American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. His fellow American import Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Volters players scored in double figures. Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 16 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Volters. Kumamoto V. moved-up to third place, which they share with Fukui B. Yamagata lost their eleventh game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 35 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play against Kumamoto V. (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: L.Mitch 19+10reb, E.Gregory 15+5reb+1ast, A.Rawle 15+5reb+7ast, S.Yamamoto 13+5reb+5ast, A.Yamada 9, K.Nishida 7+3reb+1ast
Yamagata: J.Bell 16+6reb+2ast, Y.Ishikawa 16+1ast, S.Doorson 14+11reb, M.Haruto 5, S.Taisei 5+1reb, L.Jonghyun 3+2reb+2ast

Yokohama EX - Shizuoka 84-71

Everything went according to plan in Yokohama where third ranked Excellence (28-15) beat 7th ranked Veltex (9-35) 84-71 on Saturday. Yokohama dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Veltex's 28. American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) fired 31 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. His fellow American import forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) chipped in a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) added 9 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Yokohama maintains third place with 28-15 record having five points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Veltex keeps the seventh position with 35 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 31+7reb+8ast, W.Elyjah 23+12reb+7ast, I.Nagano 10+5reb+2ast, H.Stephen 8+3reb, C.Serignemourtala 5+1reb, H.Kinoshita 3+2reb
Shizuoka: C.Ndow 15+10reb+2ast, S.Takumi 14+2reb+2ast, T.Masachika 13+1ast, K.Masuda 10+4reb+2ast, A.Brandt 9+11reb+5ast, S.Hikaru 3

Fukuoka R. - Fukui B. 73-64

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Fukuoka where 4th placed Blowinds (24-19) were defeated by fifth ranked Rizing (20-23) 73-64 on Saturday. American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) fired 27 points and 7 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds. Woodbury is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds and guard Damilola Mosaku (193-2001, college: Stonehill) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukuoka R. maintains fifth place with 20-23 record. Loser Blowinds dropped to the third position with 19 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.: W.Terrance 27+7reb+3ast, A.Pablo 12+13reb+3ast, B.Justin 8+7reb, A.Ryuji 8+1reb+1ast, T.Nishikawa 8+1ast, E.Shimoyama 8+6reb+2ast
Fukui B.: M.Damilola 15+4reb+1ast, R.Ivanauskas 12+10reb+2ast, R.Kelly 10+5reb+1ast, P.Ellis 9+3reb+1ast, K.Sena 7, N.You 6+4reb+6ast