B2 League Round 47 (Regular Season): Ehime edges Shizuoka by one point

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Seventh-ranked Veltex (10-37) made lots of trouble for second ranked Orange Vikings (31-16) in Shizuoka on Wednesday. The visitors from Matsuyama managed to secure only one-point victory 97-96. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great shooting night for Ehime especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 66.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 37 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) chipped in 25 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Orange Vikings have a solid series of four victories in a row. Ehime maintains second place with 31-16 record having six points less than leader Kobe S. Shizuoka at the other side dropped to the sixth position with 37 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Ehime will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shizuoka will play on the road against Kagoshima (#4) in Renova and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Iwate. Seventh ranked Wyverns (9-38) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Big Bulls (11-36) 83-82 on Wednesday evening. American center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) saved the victory by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. James Bell contributed with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. point guard Harumichi Ishikawa (170-1999) answered with 19 points and 9 assists for Iwate. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yamagata maintains seventh place with 9-38 record. Iwate lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 36 games lost. Yamagata will play against higher ranked Bambitious (#6) in Nara in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Iwate will play at home against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukui. Second ranked Firebonds faced 4th placed Blowinds. Guests from Fukushima (34-13) defeated host Blowinds (27-20) 85-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Blowinds. It was a great evening for Jack Nunge who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 18 rebounds. Ryan Kelly responded with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukushima maintains second place with 34-13 record having just three points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Blowinds keeps the fourth position with 20 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home league's leader Shinshu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukui B. will play against Yokohama and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 47 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Yokohama crushed Aomori W. in a road game 109-67. Kobe S. beat Bambitious at home 89-74. Fukuoka R. lost to Kumamoto V. on the opponent's court 78-89. Shinshu outscored Kagoshima in a home game 98-71.



Aomori W. - Yokohama EX 67-109

There was no surprise in Aomori where 6th ranked Watts (10-37) were crushed by third ranked Excellence (29-15) 109-67 on Wednesday. Yokohama outrebounded Aomori W. 60-23 including a 21-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Yokohama looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 30 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) helped adding 13 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists. Excellence's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 16 points and guard Beni Misakabo (190-2000) scored 8 points and 8 assists. Excellence have a solid series of three victories in a row. Yokohama maintains third place with 29-15 record having eleven points less than leader Kobe S. Aomori W. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 37 games lost. They share it with Shizuoka. Yokohama will meet at home Fukui B. (#4) in the next round. Aomori W. will play against the league's leader Kobe S. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 30+6reb+6ast, W.Elyjah 13+14reb+6ast, U.Junki 12+3reb, C.Keita 10+10reb+3ast, M.Zack 9+7reb+3ast, H.Stephen 9+6reb+2ast
Aomori W.: T.Dalger 16+4reb+1ast, A.Shugo 13+1reb, O.Masahiro 13+2reb+3ast, M.Beni 8+4reb+8ast, T.Kyonosuke 6+3reb, K.Taiga 5+3reb+4ast

Fukui B. - Fukushima 76-85

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukui. Second ranked Firebonds faced 4th placed Blowinds. Guests from Fukushima (34-13) defeated host Blowinds (27-20) 85-76. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Blowinds. Fukushima outrebounded Fukui B. 46-34 including 35 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 18 rebounds. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) helped adding 17 points and 5 rebounds. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 18 points and 9 rebounds and point guard Masashi Hosoya (173-1989) scored 14 points and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukushima maintains second place with 34-13 record having just three points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Blowinds keeps the fourth position with 20 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home league's leader Shinshu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukui B. will play against Yokohama and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: N.Jack 26+18reb+1ast, G.Patrick 17+5reb+1ast, T.Nakano 10+2reb+2ast, B.Diouf 9+5reb+3ast, M.Kenny 7+10reb+5ast, W.Koki 7+2reb
Fukui B.: R.Kelly 18+9reb+1ast, H.Masashi 14+1reb+4ast, R.Ivanauskas 13+2reb+1ast, O.Khishigbaatar 9+4reb, P.Ellis 6+3reb+2ast, M.Jotaro 5+5reb

Iwate - Yamagata 82-83

Important game to mention about took place in Iwate. Seventh ranked Wyverns (9-38) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 5th ranked Big Bulls (11-36) 83-82 on Wednesday evening. American center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) saved the victory by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds. His fellow American import James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. point guard Harumichi Ishikawa (170-1999) answered with 19 points and 9 assists and American forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) added 22 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Iwate. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yamagata maintains seventh place with 9-38 record. Iwate lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 36 games lost. Yamagata will play against higher ranked Bambitious (#6) in Nara in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Iwate will play at home against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: W.Noah 34+9reb+1ast, A.Ryusei 12+2reb+4ast, B.James 11+5reb+7ast, T.Jingaoka 9+1reb+3ast, T.Shirato 8+4reb+1ast, D.Shaquille 6+3reb
Iwate: N.Gurley 22+5reb+1ast, I.Harumichi 19+3reb+9ast, S.Ryosuke 17+3reb+1ast, T.Shutatsu 6+1reb+4ast, N.Yuto 6+2reb, G.Shohei 3+1reb

Kobe S. - Bambitious N. 89-74

No shocking result in a game in Hyogo where first ranked Storks (42-5) defeated 6th ranked Nara (15-32) 89-74 on Wednesday. Kobe S. outrebounded Bambitious 45-18 including a 23-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 13 rebounds. His fellow American import Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) helped adding 16 points and 9 rebounds. Four Storks players scored in double figures. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 27 points and 5 steals (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) scored 11 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Storks have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 42-5 record. Loser Nara keep the sixth position with 32 games lost. Kobe S. will meet Aomori W. (#6) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Bambitious will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 27+13reb+3ast, M.Luke 16+9reb+3ast, B.Isaac 11+10reb+1ast, A.Hachimura 10+4reb, R.Sasakura 8+1reb+4ast, S.Jimmy 7+2reb+4ast
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 27+3reb+1ast, T.Soma 13+1reb+1ast, V.Petrov 11+9reb+5ast, N.Erimu 7+4ast, T.Sakaguchi 4+2ast, O.Yuto 4+1ast

Kumamoto V. - Fukuoka R. 89-78

Rather expected game in Kumamoto where 5th ranked Rizing (20-25) was defeated by third ranked Volters (28-19) 89-78 on Wednesday. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Fukuoka R. 48-22 including a 22-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 17 rebounds. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) helped adding 17 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Volters players scored in double figures. Volters' coach Mukohito Toyama used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 16 points and 7 rebounds and American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds. Volters have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 28-19 record having nine points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Rizing keeps the fifth position with 25 games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet Iwate (#5) on the road in the next round. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: A.Rawle 17+11reb+4ast, I.Kaito 17+4reb+5ast, E.Gregory 16+17reb+1ast, K.Nishida 12+4reb, A.Yamada 10+3reb, I.Hiroaki 8+3reb+1ast
Fukuoka R.: P.Aguilar 16+7reb+1ast, T.Woodbury 15+5reb+2ast, N.Takanobu 12+2reb+3ast, M.Shunto 9, J.Burrell 8+6reb+2ast, A.Keisuke 8+2reb+4ast

Shinshu BW - Kagoshima 98-71

Rather predictable result in Nagano where first ranked Brave Warriors (37-10) outscored 4th placed Rebnise (23-23) 98-71 on Wednesday. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Daiki Tsuchiya (173-2000) helped adding 13 points and 8 assists. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 17 points and 8 rebounds and American-British center Josh Sharma (213-1995, college: Stanford) scored 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Brave Warriors have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Shinshu maintains first place with 37-10 record. Kagoshima lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 23 games lost. Shinshu will meet league's second-placed Fukushima on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Kagoshima will play against Shizuoka and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: D.Mike 20+8reb+3ast, D.Tsuchiya 13+2reb+8ast, O.Akitoshi 11+1reb+4ast, O.J.J. 10+5reb+3ast, K.Eliet 10+4reb, I.Shusuke 9+3reb
Kagoshima: P.Auda 17+8reb+1ast, J.Sharma 11+7reb+4ast, Z.Endo 11+2reb+3ast, F.Kota 10+1reb+1ast, T.Kodama 7+2reb+3ast, T.Komamizu 5+2reb

Shizuoka - Ehime OV 96-97

Seventh-ranked Veltex (10-37) made lots of trouble for second ranked Orange Vikings (31-16) in Shizuoka on Wednesday. The visitors from Matsuyama managed to secure only one-point victory 97-96. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great shooting night for Ehime especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 66.7 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 37 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) chipped in a double-double by scoring 25 points, 6 rebounds and 13 assists. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists and Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) added 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Five Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Orange Vikings have a solid series of four victories in a row. Ehime maintains second place with 31-16 record having six points less than leader Kobe S. Shizuoka at the other side dropped to the sixth position with 37 games lost. They share it with Aomori W.. Ehime will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shizuoka will play on the road against Kagoshima (#4) in Renova and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: W.Mitchell 37+5reb+3ast, H.Shaquille 25+6reb+13ast, H.Matt 16+5reb+5ast, T.Yoshihiko 6+1ast, H.Eiji 5+1ast, P.Michael 4+6reb+2ast
Shizuoka: S.Takumi 18+3reb+7ast, K.Masuda 17+1reb+2ast, C.Ndow 17+8reb+4ast, A.Brandt 13+11reb+8ast, K.Lawson 12+4reb, H.Naoaki 10+2reb+2ast