B2 League Round 46 (Regular Season): Kagoshima lose to Ehime in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Matsuyama. Second ranked host Orange Vikings (30-16) defeated 4th ranked Rebnise (23-22) 75-68. 26 personal fouls committed by Kagoshima helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) chipped in 24 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. At the losing side American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) responded with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Orange Vikings have a solid three-game winning streak. Ehime maintains second position with 30-16 record having six points less than leader Kobe S. Kagoshima lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 22 games lost. Ehime are looking forward to face Shizuoka (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Kagoshima will play against the league's leader Shinshu in Nagano and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Kumamoto. Third ranked host Volters (27-19) smashed their biggest opponent Firebonds (33-13) 98-77. American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 26 points and 18 rebounds to lead the effort and Rawle Alkins supported him with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Even 21 points and 6 rebounds by Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) did not help to save the game for Fukushima. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Volters have an impressive six-game winning streak. Kumamoto V. maintains third position with 27-19 record having nine points less than leader Kobe S., which they share with Fukui B. Fukushima lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with 13 games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round. Fukushima will play against Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
B2 League top team - Storks (41-5) managed to deliver another win on Sunday. This time they beat seventh ranked Wyverns (8-38) in Hyogo 87-72. Americans were the main players on the court. Yoeli Childs fired a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Noah Waterman produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Storks have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 41-5 record. Yamagata lost fourteenth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 38 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home Bambitious (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Yamagata will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 46: Iwate was destroyed by Fukui B. on the opponent's court 75-49. Shinshu outscored Aomori W. in a home game 90-70. Bambitious managed to beat Shizuoka on the road 90-75.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by Jaemyn Brakefield of Bambitious N..



Ehime OV - Kagoshima 75-68

The game between Top Four teams took place in Matsuyama. Second ranked host Orange Vikings (30-16) defeated 4th ranked Rebnise (23-22) 75-68. 26 personal fouls committed by Kagoshima helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) scored 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Dutch center Matt Haarms (221-1997, college: BYU) chipped in 24 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. At the losing side American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) responded with 12 points and 9 rebounds and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. Four Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Orange Vikings have a solid three-game winning streak. Ehime maintains second position with 30-16 record having six points less than leader Kobe S. Kagoshima lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 22 games lost. Ehime are looking forward to face Shizuoka (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Kagoshima will play against the league's leader Shinshu in Nagano and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: P.Auda 13+7reb, A.Gaines Jr. 12+9reb+3ast, T.Kodama 11+4ast, Z.Endo 11+1reb, Y.Ametani 6+3reb, J.Sharma 6+10reb+1ast
Ehime OV: H.Matt 24+7reb, H.Shaquille 22+9reb+6ast, W.Mitchell 8+6reb+1ast, H.Eiji 6+1ast, I.Ryota 4+1reb+1ast, F.Takumi 4+2reb

Fukui B. - Iwate 75-49

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 5th ranked Big Bulls' (11-35) road loss to fourth ranked Blowinds (27-19) 49-75 on Sunday. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) fired 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) chipped in 10 points. American forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) produced 10 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Shohei Goto (180-1992) added 12 points respectively for lost side. 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. Blowinds have a solid three-game winning streak. Fukui B. moved-up to third place, which they share with Kumamoto V. Iwate lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 35 games lost. Fukui B. 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 play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Iwate: G.Shohei 12+2reb+2ast, N.Gurley 10+8reb+2ast, S.Ryosuke 6+2reb, N.Yuto 5+1reb+1ast, M.Tejic 4+7reb+4ast, Y.Rin 4+4reb
Fukui B.: K.Ryan 20+9reb+5ast, E.Perry 10+4reb+2ast, I.Rapolas 8+8reb, D.Mosaku 6+1reb+5ast, Y.Nishino 6+2reb, M.Hosoya 5+1reb+1ast

Kobe S. - Yamagata 87-72

B2 League top team - Storks (41-5) managed to deliver another win on Sunday. This time they beat seventh ranked Wyverns (8-38) in Hyogo 87-72. Americans were the main players on the court. Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) fired a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 rebounds. Four Storks players scored in double figures. Center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds and James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 23 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Storks have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 41-5 record. Yamagata lost fourteenth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 38 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home Bambitious (#6) in the next round where they are favorite. Yamagata will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: N.Waterman 24+12reb+1ast, J.Bell 23+4reb+1ast, N.Shuki 10+1reb+1ast, R.Abe 8+4reb+2ast, S.Doorson 3+4reb+1ast, L.Jonghyun 2+2reb+1ast
Kobe S.: M.Luke 23+11reb+1ast, C.Yoeli 20+11reb+5ast, R.Sasakura 14+2reb+3ast, S.Terazono 11+2reb+3ast, K.Kimura 8+2reb, B.Isaac 6+7reb

Kumamoto V. - Fukushima 98-77

The game between Top Four teams took place in Kumamoto. Third ranked host Volters (27-19) smashed their biggest opponent Firebonds (33-13) 98-77. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Fukushima 51-36 including a 35-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukushima was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. American forward Mitch Lightfoot (203-1997, college: Kansas, agency: Slash Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 26 points and 18 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) supported him with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Five Volters players scored in double figures. Even 21 points and 6 rebounds by Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) did not help to save the game for Fukushima. American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) added 16 points and 10 rebounds 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. Volters have an impressive six-game winning streak. Kumamoto V. maintains third position with 27-19 record having nine points less than leader Kobe S., which they share with Fukui B. Fukushima lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with 13 games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round. Fukushima will play against Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: P.Gardner 21+6reb+2ast, J.Nunge 16+10reb+1ast, N.Tsukasa 14+5reb+2ast, O.Shoya 7+2reb+2ast, Y.Java 7+3reb+1ast, K.Kohei 2+1reb+3ast
Kumamoto V.: L.Mitch 26+18reb, I.Kaito 16+2reb+2ast, A.Yamada 14+2reb, S.Yamamoto 13+4reb+3ast, A.Rawle 11+10reb+8ast, I.Hiroaki 6+3reb+1ast

Shinshu BW - Aomori W. 90-70

Very predictable result in Nagano where first ranked Brave Warriors (36-10) smashed 6th ranked Watts (10-36) 90-70 on Sunday. Shinshu outrebounded Aomori W. 34-22 including 24 on the defensive glass. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Shinshu made 7 blocks. The former international guard Aki Chambers (191-1990, college: UC Merced) fired 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) chipped in 15 points and 5 assists. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. American center Max Hisatake (203-1998, college: IlIinois Tech) produced a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals and his fellow American import forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Brave Warriors have an impressive five-game winning streak. Shinshu maintains first position with 36-10 record. Aomori W. lost third consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 36 games lost. They share the position with Shizuoka. Shinshu will meet at home Kagoshima (#4) in the next round. Aomori W. will play against Yokohama and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: M.Hisatake 28+13reb+9ast, T.Dalger 15+3reb+3ast, A.Shugo 7+1reb, O.Masahiro 6+1reb+5ast, T.Kyonosuke 5, K.Nagomu 3
Shinshu BW: C.Aki 18+2reb+5ast, D.Mike 15+4reb+5ast, M.Wayne 14+6reb+3ast, K.Eliet 12+8reb+2ast, O.J.J. 8+4reb+5ast, O.Akitoshi 7+3reb+4ast

Shizuoka - Bambitious N. 75-90

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 7th ranked Veltex's (10-36) home loss to sixth ranked Nara (15-31) 75-90 on Sunday. Bambitious shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 59.1 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) fired 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) chipped in 24 points and 6 rebounds. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) produced 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Bambitious maintains sixth position with 15-31 record which they share with defeated Shizuoka. Shizuoka at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 36 games lost. They share the position with Aomori W.. Bambitious will meet league's leader Kobe S. in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Shizuoka will play against the league's second-placed Ehime (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: A.Brandt 15+7reb+6ast, K.Masuda 13+3reb+1ast, H.Naoaki 9+2reb+1ast, C.Ndow 9+5reb+5ast, S.Takumi 8+2reb+3ast, T.Masachika 6+3ast
Bambitious N.: P.Viacheslav 24+6reb, B.Jaemyn 23+5reb+4ast, S.Takuya 15+4reb+5ast, M.Komaki 7+3reb+2ast, R.Kobayashi 6+1reb+2ast, J.Honda 5+3reb