B2 League Round 58 (Regular Season): Kumamoto V. lose to Kobe S. in the game between Top 4 teams

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in B2 League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Hyogo. First ranked host Storks (53-5) defeated 3rd ranked Volters (35-23) 87-74. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Storks' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Storks have an impressive 19-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 53-5 record. Kumamoto V. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the third place with 23 games lost. Kobe S. are looking forward to face Yamagata (#5) on the road in the next round. Kumamoto V. will play against Kagoshima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Nagano. First ranked host Brave Warriors (45-13) smashed their biggest opponent Orange Vikings (36-22) 109-57. Guard Taichi Kodama (185-2000) notched 24 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and Eliet Kojima-Donley supported him with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Brave Warriors' coach Michael Katsuhisa felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 23 points and 6 rebounds by American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) did not help to save the game for Ehime. Brave Warriors have an impressive five-game winning streak. Shinshu maintains first position with 45-13 record. Ehime at the other side keeps the second place with 22 games lost. Shinshu will play against Fukui B. (#4) on the road in the next round. Ehime will play against Bambitious and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Iwate was also quite interesting. 4th ranked Blowinds (34-24) played at the court of sixth ranked Big Bulls (14-44). Big Bulls managed to secure a 9-point victory 77-68 on Sunday. Clay Mounce fired a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. Rapolas Ivanauskas produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. Iwate maintains sixth position with 14-44 record, which they share with Shizuoka. Loser Blowinds keeps the fourth place with 24 games lost. Iwate will meet at home Aomori W. (#7) in the next round. Fukui B. will play against the league's leader Shinshu and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 58: Aomori W. was destroyed by Fukushima on the opponent's court 94-67. Kagoshima unfortunately lost to Bambitious in a home game 72-84. Shizuoka recorded a loss to Yamagata on the road 84-90.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 37 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 8 assists by James Bell of Yamagata.



Fukushima - Aomori W. 94-67

Very expected game in Fukushima where 7th ranked Watts (12-46) were crushed by second ranked Firebonds (42-16) 94-67 on Sunday. Fukushima dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Watts's 32 and made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Fukushima outrebounded Aomori W. 54-35 including a 43-29 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukushima looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. Swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) fired a triple-double by scoring 14 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists for the winners. Power forward Jack Nunge (213-1999, college: Xavier) chipped in a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. Five Firebonds players scored in double figures. Firebonds' coach Ryan Marchand felt very confident that he used entire bench saving starting five for next games. Rashard Kelly (203-1995, college: Wichita St.) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals and forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) added 14 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Fukushima maintains second position with 42-16 record having just three points less than leader Kobe S. Aomori W. lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 46 games lost. Fukushima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Aomori W. will play against Iwate (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: N.Jack 24+11reb, B.Diouf 18+6reb+2ast, M.Kenny 14+16reb+15ast, T.Nakano 12+2reb+3ast, G.Patrick 11+8reb+1ast, O.Yuuki 7+1reb+1ast
Aomori W.: R.Kelly 21+11reb+8ast, T.Dalger 14+9reb+2ast, O.Masahiro 9+1reb+3ast, A.Shugo 8+1reb+1ast, K.Taiga 8+4reb+1ast, M.Beni 4+7reb+2ast

Iwate - Fukui B. 77-68

The game in Iwate was also quite interesting. 4th ranked Blowinds (34-24) played at the court of sixth ranked Big Bulls (14-44). Big Bulls managed to secure a 9-point victory 77-68 on Sunday. Iwate looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman, agency: Slash Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) for the winners. point guard Sogo Yamagiwa (179-2002) chipped in 10 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Big Bulls players scored in double figures. Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati, agency: Slash Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds and American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) added 10 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players saving starting five for next games. Iwate maintains sixth position with 14-44 record, which they share with Shizuoka. Loser Blowinds keeps the fourth place with 24 games lost. Iwate will meet at home Aomori W. (#7) in the next round. Fukui B. will play against the league's leader Shinshu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Iwate: M.Clay 36+10reb+2ast, K.Sekiya 10+2reb+8ast, G.Noah 10+6reb+2ast, S.Yamagiwa 10+5reb+7ast, R.Saeki 7+1reb+1ast, H.Usui 4+3reb
Fukui B.: R.Ivanauskas 22+13reb+1ast, K.Sena 16+1reb+2ast, R.Kelly 10+7reb+3ast, M.Tobin 4+3reb+1ast, O.Khishigbaatar 4+3reb+1ast, F.Naoyuki 3+3reb+2ast

Kagoshima - Bambitious N. 72-84

There was a small surprise in Renova where sixth ranked Nara (18-40) defeated 4th ranked Rebnise (26-31) 84-72 on Sunday. Bambitious made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. Strangely Kagoshima outrebounded Bambitious 50-33 including a 22-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) chipped in a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) produced 15 points and 8 rebounds and Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Bambitious maintains sixth position with 18-40 record. Loser Rebnise keeps the fourth place with 31 games lost. Bambitious will meet league's second-placed Ehime in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kagoshima will play against Kumamoto V. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: B.Jaemyn 25+15reb+6ast, P.Viacheslav 19+12reb+2ast, A.Ueda 13, E.Nakatani 7+1reb+2ast, Y.Otsuka 6+4ast, J.Honda 6+3reb
Kagoshima: P.Auda 19+6reb, A.Gaines Jr. 15+8reb+3ast, T.Kodama 12+3reb+4ast, N.Rabay 8+14reb+1ast, F.Kota 7+2reb+4ast, J.Sharma 5+9reb+1ast

Kobe S. - Kumamoto V. 87-74

The game between Top Four teams took place in Hyogo. First ranked host Storks (53-5) defeated 3rd ranked Volters (35-23) 87-74. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Luke Maye (203-1997, college: UNC, agency: Slash Sports) had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Storks' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) and American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Storks have an impressive 19-game winning streak. Kobe S. maintains first position with 53-5 record. Kumamoto V. lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the third place with 23 games lost. Kobe S. are looking forward to face Yamagata (#5) on the road in the next round. Kumamoto V. will play against Kagoshima and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kobe S.: C.Yoeli 18+9reb+2ast, M.Luke 18+12reb+2ast, B.Isaac 10+12reb+2ast, R.Kaneda 9+3reb, R.Nomizo 8+1ast, N.Tani 8+1reb+1ast
Kumamoto V.: G.Echenique 22+11reb+3ast, K.Ishikawa 16+3reb+6ast, R.Alkins 15+7reb+4ast, H.Isono 8+4reb+2ast, K.Takeshi 5+3reb+1ast, R.Nagashima 4+1reb

Shinshu BW - Ehime OV 109-57

The game between Top Four teams took place in Nagano. First ranked host Brave Warriors (45-13) smashed their biggest opponent Orange Vikings (36-22) 109-57. Shinshu made 19-of-22 charity shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Ehime turnovers and outrebounded them 41-30 including 30 on the defensive glass. Shinshu players were unselfish on offense dishing 33 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Ehime's players. Ehime was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Guard Taichi Kodama (185-2000) notched 24 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and the former international forward Eliet Kojima-Donley (198-1996, college: Chaminade, agency: Slash Sports) supported him with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. Brave Warriors' coach Michael Katsuhisa felt very confident that he used 10 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Even 23 points and 6 rebounds by American Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) did not help to save the game for Ehime. His fellow American import center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) added 10 points for lost side. Brave Warriors have an impressive five-game winning streak. Shinshu maintains first position with 45-13 record. Ehime at the other side keeps the second place with 22 games lost. Shinshu will play against Fukui B. (#4) on the road in the next round. Ehime will play against Bambitious and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Shinshu BW: T.Kodama 24+6reb+1ast, D.Mike 21+3reb+2ast, M.Wayne 17+3reb+4ast, K.Eliet 14+6reb+7ast, H.Uche 9+6reb, D.Tsuchiya 8+2reb+4ast
Ehime OV: S.Hines 23+6reb+2ast, M.Watt 10+4reb+2ast, E.Hayashi 6+3reb+2ast, T.Shogo 6+3reb, O.Yugo 3+6reb+4ast, R.Ito 3+3reb+1ast

Yamagata - Shizuoka 90-84

Everything could happen in Yamagata at the game between two tied teams. Both fifth ranked Wyverns and 7th ranked Veltex had identical 14-43 record. This time Wyverns used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Shizuoka 90-84 on Sunday night. Yamagata made 22-of-28 free shots (78.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. point guard Shinya Murakami (173-1991) chipped in 22 points. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Veltex's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Wyverns have a solid three-game winning streak. Yamagata maintains fifth position with 15-43 record. Shizuoka lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the sixth place with 44 games lost. They share the position with Iwate. Yamagata will meet at home league's leader Kobe S. in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Shizuoka will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: B.James 37+11reb+8ast, S.Murakami 22+3reb+3ast, S.Nakata 8+2reb+5ast, S.Taisei 8, D.Shaquille 8+7reb+6ast, T.Sato 5+5reb
Shizuoka: C.Ndow 19+6reb+1ast, A.Brandt 19+10reb+4ast, H.Naoaki 18+4reb+4ast, K.Lawson 11+7reb+2ast, S.Takumi 8+3reb+7ast, Y.Manaya 6+2reb+7ast