B2 League Round 49 (Regular Season): Fukushima defeat Shinshu

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Brave Warriors (38-11) in Fukushima on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Firebonds (35-14) 69-61. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Brave Warriors. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Fukushima outrebounded Shinshu 50-36 including 35 on the defensive glass. 25 personal fouls committed by Shinshu helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds. His fellow American import power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) contributed with 18 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) answered with 21 points for Shinshu. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukushima maintains second place with 35-14 record having just three points less than leader Kobe S. Shinshu at the other side still keeps top position with 11 games lost. Fukushima are looking forward to face Bambitious (#6) in Nara in the next round. Shinshu will play at home against Fukui B. (#4) and is hoping to win this game.
B2 League top team - Storks (44-5) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Watts (10-39) in Aomori 102-53. American Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Yoeli Childs chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side American forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Storks have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 44-5 record. Aomori W. lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 39 games lost. Kobe S. will play against Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round. Aomori W. will play against Shizuoka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Iwate supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Volters (30-19) played at the court of 5th ranked Big Bulls (11-38). Volters smashed Big Bulls 80-51 on Sunday. Rawle Alkins nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side. Volters' coach Mukohito Toyama felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Noah Gurley came up with 14 points and 6 rebounds for Iwate in the defeat. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Volters. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 30-19 record having eight points less than leader Kobe S. Iwate lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 38 games lost. They share it with Yamagata and Shizuoka. Kumamoto V. will meet at home Kagoshima (#4) in the next round. Iwate will play against Yokohama and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 49 were not that significant. Shizuoka was smashed by Kagoshima on the road 95-58. Yamagata destroyed Bambitious on its own court 79-60. Ehime managed to outperform Fukuoka R. in Matsuyama 95-90.
The most impressive performance of 49th round was 26 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists by Terrance Woodbury of Fukuoka R..



Aomori W. - Kobe S. 53-102

B2 League top team - Storks (44-5) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventh ranked Watts (10-39) in Aomori 102-53. Kobe S. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Watts's 28. Kobe S. outrebounded Aomori W. 52-27 including a 21-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kobe S. players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by Aomori W.'s players. American Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and his fellow American import Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) chipped in 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Storks players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds and forward Shugo Asai (197-2000) scored 11 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Storks have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 44-5 record. Aomori W. lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 39 games lost. Kobe S. will play against Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round. Aomori W. will play against Shizuoka and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: T.Dalger 15+6reb+1ast, A.Shugo 11+1reb+1ast, T.Kyonosuke 7+2reb+1ast, R.Kelly 6+4reb+3ast, O.Masahiro 5+1reb, M.Beni 5+2reb+2ast
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 20+7reb+5ast, M.Luke 16+13reb+4ast, B.Isaac 15+15reb, S.Jimmy 14+4reb, R.Nomizo 9+1ast, A.Hachimura 7+3reb+2ast

Fukushima - Shinshu BW 69-61

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Brave Warriors (38-11) in Fukushima on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by second ranked Firebonds (35-14) 69-61. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Brave Warriors. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Fukushima outrebounded Shinshu 50-36 including 35 on the defensive glass. 25 personal fouls committed by Shinshu helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds. His fellow American import power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) answered with 21 points and the former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) added 12 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Shinshu. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukushima maintains second place with 35-14 record having just three points less than leader Kobe S. Shinshu at the other side still keeps top position with 11 games lost. Fukushima are looking forward to face Bambitious (#6) in Nara in the next round. Shinshu will play at home against Fukui B. (#4) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: M.Daum 21+3reb+1ast, E.Kojima-Donley 12+5reb+1ast, T.Daiki 10+3reb+2ast, W.Marshall 8+5reb+2ast, T.Susumu 2+2reb+1ast, H.Watanabe 2+6reb+1ast
Fukushima: M.Kenny 24+16reb+3ast, N.Jack 18+16reb+2ast, T.Nakano 10+2reb+1ast, B.Diouf 7+6reb, T.Masuko 6+3reb+1ast, S.Ogawa 2+3reb

Iwate - Kumamoto V. 51-80

The game in Iwate supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Volters (30-19) played at the court of 5th ranked Big Bulls (11-38). Volters smashed Big Bulls 80-51 on Sunday. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Iwate 45-26 including a 32-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) nailed a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side and guard Hiroaki Isono (186-1998) accounted for 17 points and 5 rebounds. Four Volters players scored in double figures. Volters' coach Mukohito Toyama felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. American forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) came up with 14 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Harumichi Ishikawa (170-1999) added 4 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Iwate in the defeat. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Volters. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 30-19 record having eight points less than leader Kobe S. Iwate lost their ninth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 38 games lost. They share it with Yamagata and Shizuoka. Kumamoto V. will meet at home Kagoshima (#4) in the next round. Iwate will play against Yokohama and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Iwate: N.Gurley 14+6reb+1ast, S.Ryosuke 8+2reb, N.Yuto 7+3reb+1ast, N.Takumi 5+4reb, G.Shohei 5+3reb, T.Shutatsu 5+6ast
Kumamoto V.: A.Rawle 22+13reb+3ast, I.Hiroaki 17+5reb+1ast, E.Gregory 15+6reb+1ast, A.Yamada 12+4reb+2ast, M.Lamine 8+9reb, T.Chikara 3

Kagoshima - Shizuoka 95-58

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Rebnise (24-24) crushed 7th ranked Veltex (11-38) in Renova 95-58 on Sunday. Kagoshima dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Veltex's 18. It was a great shooting night for Kagoshima especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.1 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) nailed a double-double by scoring 29 points and 12 rebounds (on 14-of-18 shooting from the field) for the winning side and point guard Takayuki Kodama (166-1992) accounted for 15 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. Four Rebnise players scored in double figures. American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) came up with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Shizuoka in the defeat. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Kagoshima maintains fourth place with 24-24 record. Loser Veltex dropped to the fifth position with 38 games lost. They share it with Iwate and Yamagata. Kagoshima will meet higher ranked Kumamoto V. (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shizuoka will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: K.Lawson 14+6reb+5ast, S.Takumi 11+1reb+3ast, N.Ryusei 9+3reb, A.Brandt 9+5reb+4ast, K.Masuda 7+2reb+2ast, U.Taisuke 4+1reb
Kagoshima: A.Patrik 29+12reb+1ast, K.Takayuki 15+2reb+7ast, G.Anthony 11+5reb+4ast, S.Josh 10+6reb, E.Zen 9+1reb, K.Taiga 6+1reb

Yamagata - Bambitious N. 79-60

There was a minor upset when their close opponent Nara (15-34) was smashed by sixth ranked Wyverns (11-38) in Yamagata 79-60 on Sunday. Yamagata looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Bambitious' players. American center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) nailed a double-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and point guard Ryusei Abe (181-1995) accounted for 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 17 rebounds and point guard Ryota Kobayashi (178-1991) added 8 points respectively for Bambitious in the defeat. Nara's coach rotated eleven players seeing no chance for a win. The victory was the third consecutive win for Wyverns. Yamagata moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Iwate and Shizuoka. Bambitious lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 34 games lost. Yamagata will meet league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Bambitious will play against the league's second-placed Fukushima (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: V.Petrov 17+17reb+2ast, K.Ryota 8+4reb+3ast, H.Jumpei 7+4reb, T.Soma 7+2reb+2ast, T.Sakaguchi 6+3reb+2ast, I.Shotaro 5
Yamagata: W.Noah 26+11reb+6ast, A.Ryusei 15+6reb+5ast, S.Nakata 9+1reb+8ast, D.Shaquille 9+6reb, T.Shirato 7+5reb+3ast, B.James 7+6reb+4ast

Fukuoka R. - Ehime OV 90-95

Rather predictable result when second ranked Orange Vikings (33-16) won against 5th ranked Rizing (20-27) in Fukuoka 95-90 on Sunday. Ehime made 22-of-24 free shots (91.7 percent) during the game. Strangely Fukuoka R. outrebounded Ehime 37-19 including a 29-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Ehime looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) nailed 28 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) for the winning side and his fellow American import center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 14 points and 5 assists. American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) came up with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists and Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) added 14 points and 13 rebounds respectively for Fukuoka R. in the defeat. Five Ehime and four Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the sixth consecutive win for Orange Vikings. Ehime maintains second place with 33-16 record having five points less than leader Kobe S. Fukuoka R. lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 27 games lost. Ehime will meet at home Yamagata (#6) in the next round. Fukuoka R. will play against the league's leader Kobe S. in Hyogo and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: T.Woodbury 26+11reb+8ast, N.Takanobu 15+3reb+5ast, J.Burrell 14+5reb+3ast, P.Aguilar 14+13reb+3ast, R.Aoki 8+1ast, K.Toshikazu 4+1reb+1ast
Ehime OV: H.Shaquille 28+7reb+4ast, W.Mitchell 14+3reb+5ast, P.Michael 13+5reb+2ast, F.Takumi 11+1reb+5ast, H.Eiji 10+1reb+1ast, R.Takeuchi 8+2ast