B2 League Round 53 (Regular Season): Shinshu lose to Yokohama

The Regular Season in B2 League is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 7 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Brave Warriors (40-13) recorded its thirteenth loss in Yokohama on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by third ranked Excellence (33-17) 79-78. The best player for the winners was American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who scored 43 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import forward Stephen Hurt (211-1993, college: Kansas St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Excellence's coach used entire bench in such tough game. Guard Daiki Tsuchiya (173-2000) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 assists for the guests. Excellence have a solid series of four victories in a row. Yokohama maintains third place with 33-17 record having ten points less than leader Kobe S. Shinshu at the other side still keeps top position with 13 games lost. Yokohama are looking forward to face league's leader Shinshu in Nagano in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shinshu will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Renova. Fifth ranked Rizing (21-30) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 4th placed Rebnise (24-28) 84-82 on Saturday evening. The former international forward Takanobu Nishikawa (196-1992) orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points and 4 assists. Justin Burrell contributed with 15 points and 8 assists for the winners. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) answered with 22 points and 6 rebounds for Kagoshima. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Fukuoka R. maintains fifth place with 21-30 record. Kagoshima lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 28 games lost. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagoshima will play at home against Fukuoka R. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Firebonds (38-15) against sixth ranked Big Bulls (12-41) on Saturday night. Host Firebonds were crushed by Big Bulls in Fukushima 93-71. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Firebonds. Clay Mounce stepped up with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds for the winners. Jack Nunge responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 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. Iwate moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Yamagata. Loser Firebonds keeps the second position with 15 games lost. Iwate will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play against Iwate and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 53 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Bambitious were defeated by Aomori W. in a road game 76-67. Fukui B. smashed Yamagata at home 85-65. Ehime lost to Kobe S. on the opponent's court 87-94. Shizuoka unfortunately lost to Kumamoto V. in a home game 67-79.



Aomori W. - Bambitious N. 76-67

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Aomori where 6th ranked Nara (15-38) was defeated by seventh ranked Watts (11-42) 76-67 on Saturday. Aomori W. outrebounded Bambitious 43-28 including 32 on the defensive glass. American forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) stepped up and scored 29 points and 22 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) chipped in 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) scored 18 points and 7 rebounds. Nara's coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Aomori W. maintains seventh place with 11-42 record. Bambitious lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the sixth position with 38 games lost. Aomori W. will meet at home higher ranked Bambitious (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Bambitious will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: V.Petrov 18+7reb+1ast, J.Brakefield 13+13reb+4ast, H.Jumpei 8+1reb, N.Erimu 6+3reb+1ast, K.Masaya 6+1reb, I.Shotaro 5
Aomori W.: D.Tim 29+22reb+3ast, S.Asai 12+3reb, K.Rashard 11+8reb+6ast, T.Kagitomi 7+4reb+2ast, M.Okabe 7+4reb+3ast, B.Misakabo 5+1ast

Fukui B. - Yamagata 85-65

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Blowinds' (31-22) home victory over 5th ranked Wyverns (12-41) 85-65 on Saturday. Fukui B. dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Wyverns's 30. Fukui B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and guard Damilola Mosaku (193-2001, college: Stonehill) chipped in 14 points. Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) responded with 13 points and 5 rebounds and American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) scored 7 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 31-22 record. Loser Wyverns keeps the fifth position with 41 games lost. They share it with Iwate. Fukui B. will meet at home Yamagata (#6) in the next round. Yamagata will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: S.Doorson 13+5reb+2ast, L.Jonghyun 10+5reb+1ast, T.Shirato 9+1reb+1ast, S.Takumi 8+4reb, J.Bell 7+9reb+3ast, M.Shinya 7+1reb+1ast
Fukui B.: I.Rapolas 18+10reb+4ast, D.Mosaku 14+2reb+2ast, Y.Nishino 11+2reb+1ast, K.Orgil 8+2reb, K.Ryan 7+6reb+3ast, S.Kawashima 7+4reb+1ast

Fukushima - Iwate 71-93

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Firebonds (38-15) against sixth ranked Big Bulls (12-41) on Saturday night. Host Firebonds were crushed by Big Bulls in Fukushima 93-71. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Firebonds. Iwate dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Firebonds's 26. Iwate had a 28-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) chipped in 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Big Bulls players scored in double figures. American power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds and Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) scored 14 points and 7 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. Iwate moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Yamagata. Loser Firebonds keeps the second position with 15 games lost. Iwate will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukushima will play against Iwate and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: J.Nunge 15+12reb+2ast, P.Gardner 14+7reb+1ast, N.Tsukasa 12, K.Kohei 5+1reb+4ast, M.Takumi 4+3ast, D.Bamba 4+1reb
Iwate: M.Clay 34+12reb+3ast, G.Noah 14+8reb+4ast, H.Ishikawa 13+2reb+1ast, K.Sekiya 11+6reb+3ast, S.Yamagiwa 7+1reb+6ast, R.Saeki 6+3reb+1ast

Kagoshima - Fukuoka R. 82-84

Important game to mention about took place in Renova. Fifth ranked Rizing (21-30) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 4th placed Rebnise (24-28) 84-82 on Saturday evening. Fukuoka R. players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. The former international forward Takanobu Nishikawa (196-1992) orchestrated the victory by scoring 19 points and 4 assists. American forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) contributed with 15 points and 8 assists for the winners. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) answered with 22 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Takayuki Kodama (166-1992) added 25 points in the effort for Kagoshima. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Fukuoka R. maintains fifth place with 21-30 record. Kagoshima lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 28 games lost. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagoshima will play at home against Fukuoka R. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: T.Kodama 25+3reb+3ast, A.Gaines Jr. 22+6reb+3ast, J.Sharma 11+13reb+1ast, P.Auda 8+6reb+2ast, Z.Endo 5+4ast, N.Rabay 4+2reb
Fukuoka R.: T.Nishikawa 19+3reb+4ast, W.Terrance 15+2reb+2ast, B.Justin 15+3reb+8ast, K.Yusuke 8+1reb+1ast, A.Pablo 8+11reb+2ast, K.Aita 8+1reb+2ast

Kobe S. - Ehime OV 94-87

The game between closely ranked teams ended with second-ranked Orange Vikings' (35-18) road loss to first ranked Storks (48-5) 87-94 on Saturday. Kobe S. outrebounded Ehime 47-28 including a 23-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners and point guard Shuto Terazono (172-1994) chipped in 17 points and 6 assists. Four Storks players scored in double figures. American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) responded with 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) and the other American import center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Orange Vikings' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Storks have an impressive series of fourteen victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 48-5 record. Loser Orange Vikings keeps the second position with 18 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. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: S.Hines 29+7reb+4ast, M.Watt 22+7reb+5ast, T.Furuno 15+2reb+5ast, E.Hayashi 8+2reb+3ast, M.Parker 8+5reb+3ast, Y.Toshino 3+2reb+1ast
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 28+14reb+7ast, S.Terazono 17+2reb+6ast, A.Hachimura 15+4reb+2ast, M.Luke 10+10reb, B.Isaac 9+11reb+1ast, R.Kaneda 6+3reb+2ast

Shizuoka - Kumamoto V. 67-79

Rather predictable result in Shizuoka where third ranked Volters (34-19) beat 7th ranked Veltex (14-39) 79-67 on Saturday. Kumamoto V. outrebounded Shizuoka 47-31 including 33 on the defensive glass. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 17 rebounds for the winners and American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) chipped in 27 points and 13 rebounds. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) responded with 12 points and 5 rebounds and swingman Keisuke Masuda (194-1998) scored 14 points. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Volters have an impressive series of thirteen victories in a row. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 34-19 record having six points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Veltex keeps the seventh position with 39 games lost. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shizuoka will play against Kumamoto V. (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: K.Masuda 14+2reb+2ast, A.Brandt 12+5reb+3ast, Y.Manaya 9+1reb+2ast, K.Lawson 7+2reb+1ast, S.Takumi 6+4reb+2ast, S.Hikaru 6+3reb
Kumamoto V.: E.Gregory 28+17reb+2ast, A.Rawle 27+13reb+3ast, M.Lamine 11+7reb, N.Ren 5, I.Kaito 5+2reb+5ast, A.Yamada 3+1reb+3ast

Yokohama EX - Shinshu BW 79-78

Top ranked Brave Warriors (40-13) recorded its thirteenth loss in Yokohama on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by third ranked Excellence (33-17) 79-78. The best player for the winners was American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who scored 43 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import forward Stephen Hurt (211-1993, college: Kansas St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 14 points and 8 rebounds. Excellence's coach used entire bench in such tough game. Guard Daiki Tsuchiya (173-2000) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 assists and American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) added 15 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Five Shinshu players scored in double figures. Excellence have a solid series of four victories in a row. Yokohama maintains third place with 33-17 record having ten points less than leader Kobe S. Shinshu at the other side still keeps top position with 13 games lost. Yokohama are looking forward to face league's leader Shinshu in Nagano in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Shinshu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: T.Daiki 16+4reb+11ast, A.Chambers 16+6reb, W.Marshall 15+8reb+2ast, E.Kojima-Donley 13+7reb+4ast, M.Daum 11+5reb+1ast, S.Ikuhara 4+1reb+1ast
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 43+5reb+6ast, H.Stephen 14+8reb+1ast, C.Serignemourtala 10+2reb+2ast, C.Keita 6+6reb, W.Elyjah 6+11reb+4ast, I.Nagano 0+3reb