B2 League Round 54 (Regular Season): Kagoshima beat Fukuoka R. by three after a very close game

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.

Fifth-ranked Rizing (21-31) was very close to win a game against fourth ranked Rebnise (25-28) in Renova on Sunday. Rebnise managed to secure only three-point victory 82-79. However their fans expected easier game. Kagoshima looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a good game for Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with 18 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). point guard Takayuki Kodama (166-1992) contributed with 16 points and 4 assists for the winners. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists for Fukuoka R.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kagoshima maintains fourth position with 25-28 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the fifth place with 31 games lost. Kagoshima are looking forward to face league's leader Kobe S. in Hyogo in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Fukuoka R. will play on the road against Bambitious (#6) in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Storks (49-5) which hosted in Hyogo second-best Orange Vikings (35-19). First ranked Storks managed to get a 7-point victory 81-74. American players dominated the game. Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Luke Maye chipped in 12 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Storks' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Storks have an impressive 15-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 49-5 record. Ehime lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with 19 games lost. They share the position with Kumamoto V.. Kobe S. will play against Kagoshima (#4) in Renova in the next round. Ehime will play at home against the league's second-placed Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game for Brave Warriors (41-13) which played road game in Yokohama against 3rd ranked Excellence (33-18). First ranked Brave Warriors managed to get a 4-point victory 85-81. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Excellence. American players dominated also this game. Mike Daum notched a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort. Even 42 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds by Tray Boyd III did not help to save the game for Yokohama. Excellence's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Shinshu maintains first position with 41-13 record. Loser Excellence keeps the third place with 18 games lost. Shinshu will meet at home Iwate (#5) in the next round. Yokohama will play against the league's second-placed Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 54: Bambitious smashed Aomori W. on the road 93-69. Fukui B. destroyed Yamagata on its own court 93-66. Iwate unfortunately lost to Fukushima in a road game 73-84. Shizuoka recorded a loss to Kumamoto V. at home 80-89.



Aomori W. - Bambitious N. 69-93

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Nara's (16-38) road victory over 7th ranked Watts (11-43) in Aomori 93-69 on Sunday. Bambitious dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Watts's 26. Bambitious looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Bambitious made 7 blocks. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) notched a double-double by scoring 31 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) supported him with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Four Nara players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 15 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists by American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) did not help to save the game for Aomori W.. His fellow American import forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) added 18 points and 8 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. Bambitious maintains sixth position with 16-38 record. Loser Watts keeps the seventh place with 43 games lost. Bambitious will meet at home higher ranked Fukuoka R. (#5) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Aomori W. will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: T.Dalger 18+8reb+3ast, A.Shugo 16+4reb, R.Kelly 15+11reb+4ast, T.Kyonosuke 6, K.Nagomu 5+1reb+4ast, O.Masahiro 3+2reb+3ast
Bambitious N.: B.Jaemyn 31+12reb+5ast, P.Viacheslav 14+11reb+3ast, M.Komaki 12+3reb+4ast, S.Ishikawa 11+2reb, J.Honda 8, S.Tatsuya 5+1reb+4ast

Fukui B. - Yamagata 93-66

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Wyverns (12-42) were smashed by fourth ranked Blowinds (32-22) in Fukui 93-66 on Sunday. Fukui B. made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) notched 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) supported him with 21 points. Five Blowinds players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) by Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) did not help to save the game for Yamagata. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Fukui B. maintains fourth position with 32-22 record. Loser Wyverns dropped to the fifth place with 42 games lost. They share the position with Iwate. Fukui B. will meet Shizuoka (#7) on the road in the next round. Yamagata will play against Aomori W. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: S.Doorson 21+11reb+2ast, J.Bell 13+7reb+4ast, R.Abe 9+1reb+1ast, M.Shinya 9+1ast, N.Shuki 5+1reb+1ast, L.Jonghyun 4+1reb+1ast
Fukui B.: K.Ryan 21+4reb+3ast, I.Rapolas 18+9reb+3ast, E.Perry 11+3reb+1ast, D.Mosaku 10+4reb+6ast, N.Fujisawa 10+4ast, M.Hosoya 5+1reb+2ast

Fukushima - Iwate 84-73

Rather predictable result when second ranked Firebonds (39-15) won against 5th ranked Big Bulls (12-42) in Fukushima 84-73 on Sunday. Fukushima outrebounded Iwate 49-25 including a 17-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) notched 21 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort and American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) supported him with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Firebonds players scored in double figures. Even 26 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Iwate. point guard Sogo Yamagiwa (179-2002) added 8 points and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Fukushima maintains second position with 39-15 record having just two points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Big Bulls keeps the fifth place with 42 games lost. They share the position with Yamagata. Fukushima will meet Ehime (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Iwate will play against the league's leader Shinshu in Nagano and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Iwate: C.Mounce 26+8reb+3ast, S.Kokoro 10+4reb, Y.Sogo 8+1reb+6ast, M.Keijiro 8+3reb+1ast, I.Harumichi 6+3reb+2ast, S.Ryosuke 6+3reb+1ast
Fukushima: G.Patrick 21+9reb+1ast, N.Jack 14+7reb+1ast, W.Koki 13+6reb+2ast, B.Diouf 13+5reb, M.Kenny 11+11reb+6ast, T.Nakano 7+3reb+1ast

Kagoshima - Fukuoka R. 82-79

Fifth-ranked Rizing (21-31) was very close to win a game against fourth ranked Rebnise (25-28) in Renova on Sunday. Rebnise managed to secure only three-point victory 82-79. However their fans expected easier game. Kagoshima looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a good game for Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with 18 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). point guard Takayuki Kodama (166-1992) contributed with 16 points and 4 assists for the winners. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists and American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) added 19 points in the effort for Fukuoka R.Four Kagoshima and five Fukuoka R. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Kagoshima maintains fourth position with 25-28 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the fifth place with 31 games lost. Kagoshima are looking forward to face league's leader Kobe S. in Hyogo in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Fukuoka R. will play on the road against Bambitious (#6) in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: T.Woodbury 19+3reb, N.Takanobu 13+1reb+2ast, A.Keisuke 11+3reb+3ast, J.Burrell 10+7reb, P.Aguilar 10+14reb+7ast, S.Sun 6+2reb
Kagoshima: A.Patrik 18+3reb+1ast, K.Takayuki 16+4ast, A.Yoshiki 14+4reb+2ast, E.Zen 13+1reb+1ast, K.Fujimoto 8+1reb+2ast, S.Josh 6+5reb+3ast

Kobe S. - Ehime OV 81-74

An interesting game for Storks (49-5) which hosted in Hyogo second-best Orange Vikings (35-19). First ranked Storks managed to get a 7-point victory 81-74. American players dominated the game. Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 12 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Storks' coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) with 15 points and 8 rebounds and Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Storks have an impressive 15-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 49-5 record. Ehime lost third consecutive game. They keep the second place with 19 games lost. They share the position with Kumamoto V.. Kobe S. will play against Kagoshima (#4) in Renova in the next round. Ehime will play at home against the league's second-placed Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ehime OV: M.Watt 15+8reb+3ast, S.Hines 14+6reb+1ast, E.Hayashi 12+3reb+2ast, M.Parker 10+8reb+2ast, O.Yugo 8+4reb+2ast, T.Furuno 7+1reb+4ast
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 18+12reb+1ast, M.Luke 12+13reb+5ast, A.Hachimura 11+4reb+2ast, S.Terazono 10+2reb+5ast, R.Kaneda 9+4reb, R.Nomizo 8+1reb+2ast

Shizuoka - Kumamoto V. 80-89

Not a big story in a game when 7th ranked Veltex (14-40) lost to third ranked Volters (35-19) in Shizuoka 80-89 on Sunday. Kumamoto V. had a 29-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) notched a double-double by scoring 25 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) supported him with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Four Volters players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists by Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) did not help to save the game for Shizuoka. Swingman Keisuke Masuda (194-1998) added 14 points. Veltex's coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Volters have an impressive 14-game winning streak. Kumamoto V. moved-up to second place, which they share with Ehime. Loser Veltex keeps the seventh position with 40 games lost. Kumamoto V. will meet at home Yokohama (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Shizuoka will play against Fukui B. (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: A.Brandt 17+12reb+6ast, K.Masuda 14+2reb+1ast, K.Mitsuki 11+1reb+1ast, Y.Manaya 8+3ast, S.Hikaru 8+2reb+1ast, H.Naoaki 7+1reb+2ast
Kumamoto V.: A.Rawle 25+13reb+5ast, E.Gregory 18+6reb+3ast, I.Kaito 12+2reb+3ast, T.Chikara 12+1reb+3ast, N.Ren 7, I.Hiroaki 6+4reb+2ast

Yokohama EX - Shinshu BW 81-85

An interesting game for Brave Warriors (41-13) which played road game in Yokohama against 3rd ranked Excellence (33-18). First ranked Brave Warriors managed to get a 4-point victory 85-81. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Excellence. Shinshu made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American players dominated also this game. Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) notched a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the effort and center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) supported him with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. Even 42 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds by guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) did not help to save the game for Yokohama. Forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) added 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Excellence's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Shinshu maintains first position with 41-13 record. Loser Excellence keeps the third place with 18 games lost. Shinshu will meet at home Iwate (#5) in the next round. Yokohama will play against the league's second-placed Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: T.Boyd III 42+6reb+2ast, E.Williams 20+9reb+4ast, J.Uera 7+2reb, Z.Moore 5+2ast, S.Coulibaly 3+2reb+1ast, S.Hurt 2+4reb+1ast
Shinshu BW: D.Mike 24+10reb+3ast, M.Wayne 20+7reb+3ast, K.Eliet 16+8reb+2ast, D.Tsuchiya 11+2reb+8ast, I.Shusuke 6+1reb+2ast, H.Yokoyama 3+1reb+3ast