B2 League Round 57 (Regular Season): Iwate beat Fukui B. by three after a very close game

The Regular Season in B2 League is almost over. Almost everything is clear. There are only 3 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 57 in the B2 League took place in Iwate. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Blowinds (34-23) to seventh ranked Big Bulls (13-44) 72-69 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Blowinds. It was a good game for American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) contributed with 16 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds for Fukui B.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Iwate moved-up to sixth place. Fukui B. at the other side keeps the fourth position with 23 games lost. Iwate are looking forward to face higher ranked Fukui B. (#4) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukui B. will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Yamagata. Fifth ranked Wyverns (14-43) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Veltex (14-43) 89-86 in the game for the fifth place. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 37 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) for the winners and Shinya Murakami chipped in 17 points and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Veltex's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Yamagata maintains fifth place with 14-43 record, which they share with Shizuoka. Shizuoka lost fifth consecutive game. Yamagata will play against Shizuoka (#7) at home in the next round. Shizuoka will have a break next round.
An interesting game for Storks (52-5) which hosted in Hyogo 3rd placed Volters (35-22). First ranked Storks managed to get a 4-point victory 95-91. Yoeli Childs nailed a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds for the winning side. Storks' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Rawle Alkins came up with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists for Kumamoto V. in the defeat. Storks have an impressive series of eighteen victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 52-5 record. Kumamoto V. lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with 22 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home Kumamoto V. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 57: Aomori W. was beaten by Fukushima on the road 101-92. Kagoshima won against Bambitious on its own court 89-80. Ehime was outscored by Shinshu in Nagano 91-58. Fukuoka R. was rolled over Yokohama at home 60-100.
The most impressive performance of 57th round was 22 points and 8 assists by Tray Boyd III of Yokohama EX.



Fukushima - Aomori W. 101-92

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Firebonds (41-16) beat 6th ranked Watts (12-45) in Fukushima 101-92 on Saturday. Fukushima outrebounded Aomori W. 41-28 including 27 on the defensive glass. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 34 assists. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) nailed a double-double by scoring 27 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the winning side and Senegalese forward Bamba Diouf (198-1993) accounted for 17 points and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) came up with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) added 23 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Aomori W. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukushima maintains second place with 41-16 record having just three points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Watts dropped to the seventh position with 45 games lost. Fukushima will meet at home Aomori W. (#7) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 28+9reb+5ast, T.Dalger 23+11reb+3ast, A.Shugo 13+2reb+1ast, O.Masahiro 11+1reb+5ast, K.Taiga 8+2reb+2ast, M.Beni 4+2reb+3ast
Fukushima: G.Patrick 27+11reb+6ast, B.Diouf 17+4reb+4ast, N.Jack 13+8reb+2ast, T.Nakano 12+1reb+2ast, M.Kenny 9+5reb+4ast, J.Yoneyama 7+2reb+2ast

Iwate - Fukui B. 72-69

The most exciting game of round 57 in the B2 League took place in Iwate. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of 4th placed Blowinds (34-23) to seventh ranked Big Bulls (13-44) 72-69 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Blowinds. It was a good game for American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) contributed with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds and American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Fukui B.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Iwate moved-up to sixth place. Fukui B. at the other side keeps the fourth position with 23 games lost. Iwate are looking forward to face higher ranked Fukui B. (#4) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Fukui B. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: R.Ivanauskas 20+12reb+3ast, R.Kelly 12+7reb+1ast, F.Naoyuki 11+1reb+4ast, K.Sena 5+1reb, M.Tobin 5+8reb+2ast, H.Masashi 5+1reb+4ast
Iwate: M.Clay 18+14reb+1ast, G.Noah 16+13reb+3ast, S.Yamagiwa 11+2reb+5ast, R.Saeki 7+1reb+2ast, H.Ishikawa 7+1reb+5ast, H.Usui 4+2reb

Kagoshima - Bambitious N. 89-80

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Nara (17-40) lost to fourth ranked Rebnise (26-30) in Renova 80-89 on Saturday. Kagoshima dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Nara' 26. Kagoshima outrebounded Bambitious 44-30 including 32 on the defensive glass. Kagoshima looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) nailed 22 points for the winning side and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 16 points and 11 rebounds. Four Rebnise players scored in double figures. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Bambitious in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kagoshima maintains fourth place with 26-30 record. Loser Nara keep the sixth position with 40 games lost. Kagoshima will meet at home Bambitious (#6) in the next round. Bambitious will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: J.Brakefield 15+10reb+5ast, V.Petrov 14+10reb+3ast, U.Aoba 14+2reb+1ast, T.Sakaguchi 9+4reb+2ast, I.Shotaro 7+1reb+1ast, K.Masaya 7+1ast
Kagoshima: G.Anthony 22+4reb+3ast, A.Patrik 16+11reb+2ast, K.Takayuki 13+6ast, K.Taiga 11+8reb, R.Naim 8+5reb+2ast, S.Josh 6+5reb+1ast

Kobe S. - Kumamoto V. 95-91

An interesting game for Storks (52-5) which hosted in Hyogo 3rd placed Volters (35-22). First ranked Storks managed to get a 4-point victory 95-91. Kobe S. outrebounded Kumamoto V. 43-30 including 29 on the defensive glass. American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) nailed a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds for the winning side and point guard Shuto Terazono (172-1994) accounted for 25 points and 5 assists. Storks' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) came up with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists and Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) added 23 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Kumamoto V. in the defeat. Four Kumamoto V. players scored in double figures. Storks have an impressive series of eighteen victories in a row. Kobe S. maintains first place with 52-5 record. Kumamoto V. lost third consecutive game. They keep the third position with 22 games lost. Kobe S. will meet at home Kumamoto V. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Kumamoto V. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kumamoto V.: R.Alkins 28+10reb+9ast, G.Echenique 23+7reb+3ast, Y.Atomu 16+2ast, H.Isono 12+3reb+2ast, S.Keita 7+3reb, K.Ishikawa 3+2reb+3ast
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 38+17reb+2ast, S.Terazono 25+3reb+5ast, M.Luke 7+3reb, S.Jimmy 6+6reb+1ast, B.Isaac 6+9reb+2ast, R.Kaneda 5+4reb+5ast

Shinshu BW - Ehime OV 91-58

The game between closely ranked teams ended with first ranked Brave Warriors' (44-13) home victory over second-best Orange Vikings (36-21) in Nagano 91-58 on Saturday. Shinshu outrebounded Ehime 43-28 including a 33-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) nailed 16 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) accounted for 13 points and 7 rebounds. Brave Warriors' coach Michael Katsuhisa felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 15 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Ehime in the defeat. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Brave Warriors. Shinshu maintains first place with 44-13 record. Loser Orange Vikings keeps the second position with 21 games lost. Shinshu 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: M.Watt 15+8reb+3ast, S.Hines 13+5reb, H.Yamato 11+1reb, T.Furuno 8+3reb+2ast, E.Hayashi 6+1reb+1ast, T.Shogo 5+2reb+1ast
Shinshu BW: K.Eliet 16+7reb+3ast, D.Mike 13+7reb, O.Akitoshi 10+4reb+5ast, C.Aki 9+6reb+1ast, M.Wayne 9+3reb+5ast, T.Kodama 8+6reb+2ast

Yamagata - Shizuoka 89-86

Important game to mention about took place in Yamagata. Fifth ranked Wyverns (14-43) saved a 3-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Veltex (14-43) 89-86 in the game for the fifth place. Yamagata made 28-of-31 charity shots (90.3 percent) during the game. Strangely Shizuoka outrebounded Yamagata 46-23 including a 17-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Shizuoka was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) stepped up and scored 37 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds (went 11 for 11 at the free throw line !!!) for the winners and point guard Shinya Murakami (173-1991) chipped in 17 points and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) with 21 points and 9 rebounds and Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Yamagata and five Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Veltex's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Yamagata maintains fifth place with 14-43 record, which they share with Shizuoka. Shizuoka lost fifth consecutive game. Yamagata will play against Shizuoka (#7) at home in the next round. Shizuoka will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: K.Lawson 21+9reb+2ast, A.Brandt 15+9reb+5ast, H.Naoaki 13+3reb, Y.Manaya 11+3reb+4ast, C.Ndow 10+13reb+7ast, K.Teppei 7+1reb+3ast
Yamagata: B.James 37+8reb+2ast, S.Murakami 17+2reb+6ast, S.Taisei 15+1reb, D.Shaquille 12+5reb+2ast, W.Noah 3, J.Lee 2+4reb

Fukuoka R. - Yokohama EX 60-100

Not a big story in a game when 5th ranked Rizing (22-33) was outscored by third ranked Excellence (36-18) in Fukuoka 100-60 on Friday. Yokohama forced 23 Fukuoka R. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by Fukuoka R.'s players. American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) nailed 22 points and 8 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) accounted for 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. American guard Terrance Woodbury (203-1987, college: Georgia) came up with 20 points and Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) added 8 points and 13 rebounds respectively for Fukuoka R. in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Excellence. Yokohama maintains third place with 36-18 record having eleven points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Rizing keeps the fifth position with 33 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: T.Woodbury 20+4reb+2ast, N.Mato 10+2reb+1ast, N.Takanobu 9+1reb+2ast, P.Aguilar 8+13reb+1ast, R.Aoki 4, A.Keisuke 3+2ast
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 22+3reb+8ast, M.Zack 18+4reb+2ast, W.Elyjah 18+6reb+8ast, I.Nagano 11+1reb, H.Ohashi 8+4ast, Y.Sugiyama 8+4reb