B2 League Round 51 (Regular Season): Fukui B. 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 (39-12) in Nagano on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Blowinds (30-21) 90-79. Strangely Shinshu outrebounded Fukui B. 37-22 including 26 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Fukui B. made 7 blocks. It was a good game for American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with 21 points. His fellow American import forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) contributed with 19 points for the winners. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds for Shinshu. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 30-21 record. Shinshu at the other side still keeps top position with 12 games lost. Fukui B. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Fukushima on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinshu will play against Kagoshima in Renova and is hoping to win this game.
Sixth-ranked Wyverns (11-40) were very close to win a game against second ranked Orange Vikings (35-16) in Matsuyama. Orange Vikings managed to secure only two-point victory 67-65. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Mitchell Watt helped adding 10 points and 13 rebounds. Orange Vikings' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) with 26 points and 5 rebounds. Orange Vikings have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Ehime maintains second place with 35-16 record having four points less than leader Kobe S. Yamagata at the other side dropped to the fifth position with 40 games lost. They share it with Iwate. Ehime will play against Shizuoka (#7) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Yamagata will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Fourth-ranked Rebnise (24-26) was very close to win a game against third ranked Volters (32-19) in Kumamoto on Sunday. Volters managed to secure only three-point victory 73-70. However their fans expected easier game. It was an exceptional evening for Rawle Alkins who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Patrik Auda came up with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Kagoshima in the defeat. Rebnise's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the eleventh consecutive win for Volters. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 32-19 record having seven points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Rebnise keeps the fourth position with 26 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagoshima will play against the league's leader Shinshu (#1) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 51: Yokohama smashed Iwate on the road 92-72. Kobe S. won against Fukuoka R. on its own court 74-63. Fukushima managed to outperform Bambitious in a road game 96-84. Shizuoka managed to beat Aomori W. at home 88-78.
The most impressive performance of 51th round was 10 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists by Angus Brandt of Shizuoka.



Ehime OV - Yamagata 67-65

Sixth-ranked Wyverns (11-40) were very close to win a game against second ranked Orange Vikings (35-16) in Matsuyama. Orange Vikings managed to secure only two-point victory 67-65. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) helped adding 10 points and 13 rebounds. Four Orange Vikings players scored in double figures. Orange Vikings' coach allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) with 26 points and 5 rebounds and point guard Ryusei Abe (181-1995) scored 22 points. Orange Vikings have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Ehime maintains second place with 35-16 record having four points less than leader Kobe S. Yamagata at the other side dropped to the fifth position with 40 games lost. They share it with Iwate. Ehime will play against Shizuoka (#7) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Yamagata will play against Iwate and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: H.Shaquille 15+8reb+5ast, H.Eiji 13+1ast, W.Mitchell 10+13reb+1ast, P.Michael 10+7reb+1ast, Y.Okuda 8+3reb+3ast, T.Yoshihiko 6+1ast
Yamagata: J.Bell 26+5reb+3ast, R.Abe 22+4reb+3ast, L.Jonghyun 6+5reb, S.Takumi 4+2reb+1ast, M.Shinya 4+1reb, S.Doorson 3+11reb+1ast

Iwate - Yokohama EX 72-92

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Excellence (31-17) crushed 5th ranked Big Bulls (11-40) in Iwate 92-72 on Sunday. Yokohama had a 33-21 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) who led the winners and scored 19 points and 9 rebounds. Guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) accounted for 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side. Forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds and forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) added 7 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Iwate in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Yokohama maintains third place with 31-17 record having eleven points less than leader Kobe S. Iwate lost their eleventh game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 40 games lost. They share it with Yamagata. Yokohama will meet at home Aomori W. (#7) in the next round. Iwate will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: W.Elyjah 19+9reb+3ast, B.Tray 16+8reb+7ast, H.Stephen 10+4reb, C.Serignemourtala 9+2reb+1ast, I.Nagano 8+2reb+5ast, Y.Sugiyama 8+8reb+1ast
Iwate: C.Mounce 17+10reb+3ast, S.Kokoro 12+2reb+1ast, T.Shutatsu 12+1reb, S.Ryosuke 8+4reb, N.Gurley 7+6reb+4ast, G.Shohei 6+1reb+1ast

Kobe S. - Fukuoka R. 74-63

Very expected game when 5th ranked Rizing (20-29) lost to first ranked Storks (46-5) in Hyogo 63-74 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 21 rebounds. point guard Riichi Nomizo (160-2003) accounted for 18 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 20 points and 9 rebounds and the former international forward Takanobu Nishikawa (196-1992) added 15 points and 7 assists respectively for Fukuoka R. in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Storks. Kobe S. maintains first place with 46-5 record. Fukuoka R. lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with 29 games lost. Kobe S. will meet Bambitious (#6) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 20+21reb+2ast, R.Nomizo 18+1reb+4ast, M.Luke 13+6reb+2ast, R.Kaneda 8+2reb+2ast, A.Hachimura 7+2reb+1ast, S.Jimmy 5
Fukuoka R.: P.Aguilar 20+9reb+1ast, N.Takanobu 15+4reb+7ast, J.Burrell 12+7reb+3ast, T.Woodbury 9+5reb+1ast, R.Aoki 5+3reb+2ast, N.Mato 2

Kumamoto V. - Kagoshima 73-70

Fourth-ranked Rebnise (24-26) was very close to win a game against third ranked Volters (32-19) in Kumamoto on Sunday. Volters managed to secure only three-point victory 73-70. However their fans expected easier game. Kumamoto V. made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Guard Kaito Ishikawa (170-1990) accounted for 20 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Takayuki Kodama (166-1992) added 16 points and 5 assists respectively for Kagoshima in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Rebnise's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the eleventh consecutive win for Volters. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 32-19 record having seven points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Rebnise keeps the fourth position with 26 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagoshima will play against the league's leader Shinshu (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: I.Kaito 20+3reb+5ast, E.Gregory 14+10reb+4ast, A.Rawle 13+15reb+5ast, A.Yamada 11+1reb+1ast, I.Hiroaki 8+6reb+2ast, K.Sawabe 3+2reb+1ast
Kagoshima: T.Kodama 16+2reb+5ast, A.Gaines Jr. 14+6reb, P.Auda 14+5reb+4ast, J.Sharma 10+10reb+2ast, Z.Endo 7+4reb+2ast, Y.Ametani 4+5reb+3ast

Bambitious N. - Fukushima 84-96

Rather predictable result when second ranked Firebonds (37-14) won against on the road 6th ranked Nara (15-36) 96-84 on Sunday. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) who led the winners and scored 22 points and 7 rebounds. American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) accounted for 19 points for the winning side. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) came up with 33 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) and swingman Takuya Soma (182-1991) added 13 points and 5 assists respectively for Bambitious in the defeat. The victory was the third consecutive win for Firebonds. Fukushima maintains second place with 37-14 record having just two points less than leader Kobe S. Bambitious lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the sixth position with 36 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home Fukui B. (#4) in the next round. Bambitious will play against the league's leader Kobe S. and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Patrick 22+7reb+1ast, N.Jack 19+4reb+3ast, W.Koki 15+3reb+3ast, Y.Okubo 9, S.Ogawa 9+4ast, M.Kenny 7+4reb+8ast
Bambitious N.: V.Petrov 33+9reb+3ast, K.Masaya 15+1reb, T.Soma 13+3reb+5ast, N.Erimu 8+2reb+2ast, O.Yuto 6+2reb+4ast, I.Shotaro 5

Shinshu BW - Fukui B. 79-90

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Brave Warriors (39-12) in Nagano on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Blowinds (30-21) 90-79. Strangely Shinshu outrebounded Fukui B. 37-22 including 26 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Fukui B. made 7 blocks. It was a good game for American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with 21 points. His fellow American import forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) contributed with 19 points for the winners. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and the former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) added 10 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Shinshu. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 30-21 record. Shinshu at the other side still keeps top position with 12 games lost. Fukui B. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Fukushima on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinshu will play against Kagoshima in Renova and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: K.Ryan 21+4reb+1ast, E.Perry 19+4reb+2ast, M.Hosoya 17+2ast, S.Kawashima 11+2reb+3ast, S.Tawatari 9+1reb+4ast, I.Rapolas 8+4reb+1ast
Shinshu BW: M.Daum 19+11reb+2ast, T.Daiki 15+1reb+4ast, W.Marshall 15+4reb+2ast, E.Kojima-Donley 10+8reb+5ast, Y.Haruto 8+3reb, S.Ikuhara 6+1reb+2ast

Shizuoka - Aomori W. 88-78

There was a minor upset when their close opponent Watts (10-41) lost to seventh ranked Veltex (13-38) in Shizuoka 78-88 on Sunday. Shizuoka looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists. American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) accounted for 13 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Five Veltex players scored in double figures. Veltex's coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) came up with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and the other American import forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) added 17 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Aomori W. in the defeat. Shizuoka maintains seventh place with 13-38 record which they share with defeated Aomori W.. Aomori W. lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 41 games lost. Shizuoka will meet league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Aomori W. will play against Yokohama (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: T.Simon 17+2reb+3ast, M.Keisuke 14+1reb+4ast, L.Kenny 13+11reb+1ast, N.Chris-Ebou 10+5reb+2ast, B.Angus 10+14reb+5ast, N.Hashimoto 9+3ast
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 24+6reb+6ast, T.Dalger 17+10reb+2ast, O.Masahiro 16+5reb+4ast, K.Taiga 7+4reb+2ast, K.Nagomu 7+1reb, A.Shugo 5+5reb