B2 League Round 52 (Regular Season): Shizuoka defeat Ehime in the closest game of the week

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 8 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 52 in the B2 League took place in Matsuyama. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of much higher ranked Orange Vikings (35-17) to seventh ranked Veltex (14-38) 89-88 on Wednesday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Orange Vikings. Shizuoka looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) who added 17 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) responded with 29 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Veltex have a solid three-game winning streak. Shizuoka maintains seventh position with 14-38 record. Ehime at the other side keeps the second place with 17 games lost. Shizuoka are looking forward to face higher ranked Kumamoto V. (#3) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Ehime will play against the league's leader Kobe S. having rather not much hope for a victory.
Fifth-ranked Rizing (20-30) gave a tough game to third ranked Volters (33-19) in Fukuoka. The visitors from Kumamoto managed to secure only two-point victory 82-80. However their fans expected easier game. The winners were led by Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Rawle Alkins supported him with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) did not help to save the game for Fukuoka R.. Rizing's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Volters have an impressive 12-game winning streak. Kumamoto V. maintains third position with 33-19 record having seven points less than leader Kobe S. Fukuoka R. lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 30 games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against Shizuoka (#7) on the road in the next round. Fukuoka R. will play against Kagoshima in Renova and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. Second ranked host Firebonds (38-14) defeated 4th ranked Blowinds (30-22) 89-80. Patrick Gardner fired 25 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Ryan Kelly produced 20 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Firebonds have a solid four-game winning streak. Fukushima maintains second position with 38-14 record having just two points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Blowinds keeps the fourth place with 22 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home Iwate (#6) in the next round. Fukui B. will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 52: Shinshu won against Kagoshima on the opponent's court 85-78. Bambitious were outscored by Kobe S. in a home game 62-98. Iwate recorded a loss to Yamagata on the road 82-71. Yokohama crushed Aomori W. on its own court 88-54.



Ehime OV - Shizuoka 88-89

The most exciting game of round 52 in the B2 League took place in Matsuyama. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of much higher ranked Orange Vikings (35-17) to seventh ranked Veltex (14-38) 89-88 on Wednesday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Orange Vikings. Shizuoka looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) who added 17 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) responded with 29 points and 5 rebounds and his fellow American import center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Four Ehime players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Veltex have a solid three-game winning streak. Shizuoka maintains seventh position with 14-38 record. Ehime at the other side keeps the second place with 17 games lost. Shizuoka are looking forward to face higher ranked Kumamoto V. (#3) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Ehime will play against the league's leader Kobe S. having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: B.Angus 20+11reb+5ast, L.Kenny 17+11reb+3ast, M.Keisuke 16+5reb+7ast, T.Simon 9+5reb+2ast, R.Nabeta 7+2reb, T.Kashiwagura 6+3reb+6ast
Ehime OV: S.Hines 29+5reb+3ast, M.Watt 19+7reb+8ast, T.Furuno 13+2reb+4ast, T.Riki 10+2reb+1ast, Y.Toshino 8+2reb, T.Shogo 4+1ast

Fukushima - Fukui B. 89-80

The game between Top Four teams took place in Fukushima. Second ranked host Firebonds (38-14) defeated 4th ranked Blowinds (30-22) 89-80. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) fired 25 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) produced 20 points and 7 rebounds and Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) added 18 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Firebonds have a solid four-game winning streak. Fukushima maintains second position with 38-14 record having just two points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Blowinds keeps the fourth place with 22 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home Iwate (#6) in the next round. Fukui B. will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: G.Patrick 25+7reb+2ast, N.Jack 19+10reb+1ast, M.Kenny 15+8reb+10ast, T.Nakano 8+1reb+3ast, B.Diouf 7+3reb+1ast, S.Ogawa 6+1ast
Fukui B.: P.Ellis 20+2reb, R.Kelly 20+7reb+2ast, R.Ivanauskas 18+9reb+1ast, O.Khishigbaatar 5+2reb, N.You 4+5reb+4ast, H.Masashi 4+2reb+3ast

Kagoshima - Shinshu BW 78-85

Rather expected game in Renova where 4th ranked Rebnise (24-27) was defeated by first ranked Brave Warriors (40-12) 85-78 on Wednesday. Shinshu made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) fired 26 points for the winners. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (made all of his eight free throws). American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) added 13 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shinshu maintains first position with 40-12 record. Kagoshima lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth place with 27 games lost. Shinshu will meet Yokohama (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Kagoshima will play against Fukuoka R. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: D.Mike 26+4reb+2ast, K.Eliet 21+5reb+5ast, C.Aki 12+6reb, D.Tsuchiya 9+4reb+4ast, T.Kodama 6+2reb+2ast, H.Yokoyama 4+1reb
Kagoshima: T.Kodama 21+1reb+1ast, A.Gaines Jr. 16+11reb+4ast, P.Auda 13+8reb+2ast, N.Rabay 9+6reb+1ast, Z.Endo 8+2reb+1ast, F.Kota 4+2reb+3ast

Bambitious N. - Kobe S. 62-98

Very predictable result when first ranked Storks (47-5) smashed on the road 6th ranked Nara (15-37) 98-62 on Wednesday. Kobe S. outrebounded Bambitious 44-24 including a 22-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Bambitious' players. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) fired a double-double by scoring 22 points and 19 rebounds for the winners. The other American import Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 22 points and 7 rebounds. Four Storks players scored in double figures. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) produced 14 points and 7 rebounds and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) added 8 points and 6 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. Storks have an impressive 13-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 47-5 record. Bambitious lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 37 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Bambitious will play against Aomori W. (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 22+19reb+1ast, M.Luke 22+7reb+3ast, B.Isaac 11+8reb+2ast, A.Hachimura 11+3reb+1ast, K.Kimura 9+1ast, R.Kaneda 9+1reb+2ast
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 14+7reb+2ast, T.Soma 12+3reb, T.Sakaguchi 10+2ast, V.Petrov 8+6reb+2ast, N.Erimu 7+2reb+1ast, H.Jumpei 3+3reb+1ast

Yamagata - Iwate 82-71

Everything could happen in Yamagata at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Wyverns and 5th ranked Big Bulls had identical 11-40 record. This time Wyverns used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Iwate 82-71 on Wednesday night. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) fired 28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. point guard Ryusei Abe (181-1995) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Wyverns players scored in double figures. American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) produced 15 points and 9 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) added 12 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Big Bulls' coach let to play twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Yamagata (12-40) moved-up to fifth place. Iwate lost twelfth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth position with 41 games lost. Yamagata will meet higher ranked Fukui B. (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Iwate will play against the league's second-placed Fukushima and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: B.James 28+9reb+7ast, A.Ryusei 18+5reb+7ast, J.Lee 11+2reb, D.Shaquille 10+13reb+2ast, S.Murakami 8+2ast, S.Taisei 6+3reb+1ast
Iwate: C.Mounce 15+9reb+1ast, N.Gurley 12+4reb+4ast, Y.Sogo 11+1reb+2ast, I.Harumichi 8+2ast, G.Shohei 8+1reb+1ast, S.Ryosuke 6+1reb

Yokohama EX - Aomori W. 88-54

Everything went according to plan in Yokohama where third ranked Excellence (32-17) outscored 7th ranked Watts (10-42) 88-54 on Wednesday. Yokohama dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Watts's 32. Yokohama forced 28 Aomori W. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) fired 21 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. The other American import guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) chipped in 15 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. Guard Masahiro Okabe (186-2002) produced 14 points and 5 assists and American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) added 9 points and 10 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. Excellence have a solid three-game winning streak. Yokohama maintains third position with 32-17 record having eleven points less than leader Kobe S. Aomori W. lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 42 games lost. Yokohama will meet at home league's leader Shinshu in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Aomori W. will play against Bambitious (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: W.Elyjah 21+8reb+3ast, C.Serignemourtala 18+2reb, B.Tray 15+1reb+7ast, H.Stephen 8+4reb, U.Junki 8+2reb+2ast, C.Keita 6+8reb
Aomori W.: O.Masahiro 14+3reb+5ast, R.Kelly 9+10reb+1ast, T.Dalger 8+8reb+1ast, M.Beni 7+5reb+1ast, K.Taiga 6+3reb+3ast, A.Shugo 5+3reb+1ast

Fukuoka R. - Kumamoto V. 80-82

Fifth-ranked Rizing (20-30) gave a tough game to third ranked Volters (33-19) in Fukuoka. The visitors from Kumamoto managed to secure only two-point victory 82-80. However their fans expected easier game. Kumamoto V. shot 21 for 31 from the free-throw line, while Fukuoka R. only scored five points from the stripe. Kumamoto V. players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Fukuoka R. was plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) supported him with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Even 16 points and 8 rebounds by American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) did not help to save the game for Fukuoka R.. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) added 11 points and 10 rebounds for lost side. Four Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. Rizing's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Volters have an impressive 12-game winning streak. Kumamoto V. maintains third position with 33-19 record having seven points less than leader Kobe S. Fukuoka R. lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 30 games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against Shizuoka (#7) on the road in the next round. Fukuoka R. will play against Kagoshima in Renova and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: A.Rawle 23+5reb+5ast, E.Gregory 21+13reb+1ast, I.Kaito 11+3reb+8ast, A.Yamada 7+3reb+1ast, K.Sawabe 6+2reb+1ast, M.Lamine 6+4reb+2ast
Fukuoka R.: N.Takanobu 18+2reb+2ast, T.Woodbury 16+8reb+2ast, A.Keisuke 15+2reb+3ast, P.Aguilar 11+10reb+2ast, R.Aoki 8+1ast, Y.Karino 6+1ast