B2 League Round 55 (Regular Season): Fukushima defeat Ehime in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Third-ranked Orange Vikings (35-20) gave a tough game to second ranked Firebonds (40-15) in Matsuyama on Saturday. The visitors from Fukushima managed to secure only one-point victory 90-89. However their fans expected easier game. It was a great evening for American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) helped adding 23 points and 9 rebounds. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used entire bench in such tough game. At the losing side American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Fukushima maintains second place with 40-15 record having just two points less than leader Kobe S. which they share with defeated Ehime. Ehime lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the second position with 20 games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V.. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Ehime will play at home against the league's second-placed Fukushima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Nara. Sixth ranked Nara (17-38) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Rizing (21-32) 84-82 on Saturday evening. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Viacheslav Petrov accounted for 13 points and 11 rebounds. American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) came up with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for Fukuoka R. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bambitious maintains sixth place with 17-38 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the fifth position with 32 games lost. Bambitious will play against higher ranked Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Hyogo. First ranked host Storks (50-5) defeated 4th placed Rebnise (25-29) 123-118. Yoeli Childs fired 30 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. Anthony Gaines Jr produced 28 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for lost side. Rebnise's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Storks have an impressive series of sixteen victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 50-5 record. Loser Rebnise keeps the fourth position with 29 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home Kagoshima (#4) in the next round. Kagoshima will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 55: Yamagata lost to Aomori W. on the opponent's court 67-77. Kumamoto V. unfortunately lost to Yokohama in a home game 81-85. Iwate recorded a loss to Shinshu on the road 78-86. Shizuoka was defeated by Fukui B. on its own court 74-89.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 25 points and 10 rebounds by Angus Brandt of Shizuoka.



Aomori W. - Yamagata 77-67

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Aomori where 6th ranked Wyverns (12-43) were defeated by seventh ranked Watts (12-43) 77-67 on Saturday. Aomori W. forced 19 Yamagata turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) fired 25 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!) for the winners. His fellow American import Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds. American center Noah Waterman (211-2000, college: Louisville) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Shinya Murakami (173-1991) added 15 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Four Yamagata players scored in double figures. Wyverns' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Aomori W. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Iwate and Yamagata. Yamagata lost third consecutive game. Aomori W. will meet at home Yamagata (#6) in the next round. Yamagata will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: M.Shinya 15+4reb+4ast, N.Waterman 13+11reb+5ast, R.Abe 10+1ast, N.Shuki 10+4reb+1ast, S.Doorson 8+7reb+2ast, L.Jonghyun 5+5reb
Aomori W.: D.Tim 25+8reb+3ast, S.Asai 18+4reb, K.Rashard 18+9reb+2ast, B.Misakabo 7+5reb+6ast, N.Kamizato 5+2reb+4ast, M.Okabe 4+2reb+2ast

Ehime OV - Fukushima 89-90

Third-ranked Orange Vikings (35-20) gave a tough game to second ranked Firebonds (40-15) in Matsuyama on Saturday. The visitors from Fukushima managed to secure only one-point victory 90-89. However their fans expected easier game. It was a great evening for American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) helped adding 23 points and 9 rebounds. Four Firebonds players scored in double figures. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand used entire bench in such tough game. At the losing side American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) scored 24 points. Fukushima maintains second place with 40-15 record having just two points less than leader Kobe S. which they share with defeated Ehime. Ehime lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the second position with 20 games lost. They share it with Kumamoto V.. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. 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: S.Hines 24+4reb+2ast, M.Watt 24+11reb+5ast, T.Shogo 10+2reb+1ast, Y.Toshino 10+5reb, E.Hayashi 7+3reb+3ast, M.Parker 7+4reb+2ast
Fukushima: G.Patrick 23+9reb+1ast, N.Jack 17+10reb+1ast, M.Kenny 16+11reb+6ast, T.Nakano 12+2reb+4ast, J.Yoneyama 8+1reb+1ast, B.Diouf 8+1ast

Kobe S. - Kagoshima 123-118

The game between Top Four teams took place in Hyogo. First ranked host Storks (50-5) defeated 4th placed Rebnise (25-29) 123-118. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) fired 30 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. point guard Shuto Terazono (172-1994) chipped in 23 points and 7 assists. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) produced 28 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) added 20 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Kobe S. and five Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Rebnise's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Storks have an impressive series of sixteen victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 50-5 record. Loser Rebnise keeps the fourth position with 29 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home Kagoshima (#4) in the next round. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 28+8reb+8ast, Z.Endo 22+3reb+3ast, P.Auda 20+9reb, T.Kodama 19+1reb+3ast, J.Sharma 12+10reb+2ast, T.Komamizu 9+1reb
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 30+9reb+7ast, S.Terazono 23+4reb+7ast, M.Luke 16+9reb, K.Kimura 15+3reb+1ast, R.Nomizo 12+4ast, B.Isaac 9+13reb+2ast

Kumamoto V. - Yokohama EX 81-85

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Kumamoto where third ranked Excellence (34-18) defeated their biggest opponent Volters (35-20) 85-81 on Saturday. Yokohama made 19-of-21 free shots (90.5 percent) during the game. American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) fired 31 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. His fellow American import forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) chipped in 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) produced a double-double by scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists and Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yokohama maintains third place with 34-18 record having eleven points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Volters keeps the second position with 20 games lost. They share it with Ehime. Yokohama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kumamoto V. will play against Yokohama and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: R.Alkins 28+14reb+6ast, K.Ishikawa 17+2reb+5ast, G.Echenique 16+6reb+4ast, Y.Atomu 12+2reb, K.Takeshi 3, H.Isono 2+5reb
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 31+5reb+4ast, W.Elyjah 17+6reb+5ast, I.Nagano 12+3reb+1ast, H.Ohashi 6+2ast, L.Benjamin 6+8reb+1ast, M.Zack 6+3reb

Bambitious N. - Fukuoka R. 84-82

Important game to mention about took place in Nara. Sixth ranked Nara (17-38) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 5th ranked Rizing (21-32) 84-82 on Saturday evening. Strangely Fukuoka R. outrebounded Bambitious 41-29 including 32 on the defensive glass. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) accounted for 13 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Four Nara players scored in double figures. American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) came up with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) added 9 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for Fukuoka R. in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Bambitious maintains sixth place with 17-38 record. Fukuoka R. at the other side keeps the fifth position with 32 games lost. Bambitious will play against higher ranked Fukuoka R. (#5) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukuoka R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: T.Woodbury 29+11reb+6ast, A.Keisuke 13+2reb+3ast, P.Aguilar 9+15reb+6ast, N.Mato 6+3reb+3ast, Y.Karino 6, J.Burrell 6+2reb+1ast
Bambitious N.: B.Jaemyn 18+11reb+5ast, R.Kobayashi 14+2reb+5ast, P.Viacheslav 13+11reb+3ast, J.Honda 10+2reb+2ast, M.Komaki 8, A.Ueda 8+2reb+1ast

Shinshu BW - Iwate 86-78

Not a big story in a game in Nagano where 5th ranked Big Bulls (12-43) were defeated by first ranked Brave Warriors (42-13) 86-78 on Saturday. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) fired 30 points (perfect from the field making all eleven shots !!!) for the winners. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Five Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) added 15 points, 8 rebounds 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. Shinshu maintains first place with 42-13 record. Loser Big Bulls keeps the fifth position with 43 games lost. They share it with Aomori W. and Yamagata. Shinshu will meet at home Iwate (#5) in the next round. Iwate will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Iwate: C.Mounce 25+12reb+4ast, N.Gurley 15+8reb+4ast, Y.Sogo 10+2ast, S.Ryosuke 7+2reb, U.Hiroki 7+2reb, I.Harumichi 5+1reb+3ast
Shinshu BW: M.Wayne 30+3reb, K.Eliet 16+7reb+8ast, D.Mike 11+5reb+2ast, C.Aki 11+6reb+3ast, D.Tsuchiya 10+1reb+8ast, H.Yokoyama 4

Shizuoka - Fukui B. 74-89

Everything went according to plan in Shizuoka where fourth ranked Blowinds (33-22) beat 7th ranked Veltex (14-41) 89-74 on Saturday. Fukui B. made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. It was a great shooting night for Fukui B. especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. Point guard Naoyuki Fujisawa (174-1998) fired 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field). Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) produced a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds and American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) added 8 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Blowinds. Fukui B. maintains fourth place with 33-22 record. Shizuoka lost their third game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 41 games lost. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shizuoka will play against Fukui B. (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: A.Brandt 25+10reb+3ast, C.Ndow 13+3reb, K.Lawson 8+5reb+4ast, Y.Manaya 6+1ast, K.Masuda 6+3reb+3ast, K.Seiya 4
Fukui B.: I.Rapolas 18+5reb, N.Fujisawa 18+1reb+5ast, S.Kawashima 12+4reb+1ast, K.Orgil 11+3reb, K.Ryan 9+3reb+7ast, Y.Nishino 7+8reb+2ast