B2 League Round 59 (Regular Season): Shinshu beat Fukui B. in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukui. First ranked Brave Warriors faced 4th placed Blowinds. Guests from Nagano (46-13) defeated host Blowinds (34-25) 82-65. Shinshu outrebounded Fukui B. 41-21 including 27 on the defensive glass. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) who scored 24 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Daiki Tsuchiya (173-2000) chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) produced 15 points for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brave Warriors have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Shinshu maintains first place with 46-13 record. Fukui B. lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 25 games lost. Shinshu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukui B. will play at home against the league's leader Shinshu (#1) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Kumamoto. Third ranked Volters faced 4th placed Rebnise. Host Volters (36-23) smashed guests from Renova (26-32) 102-80. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Gregory Echenique contributed with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 12 points and 8 rebounds for Kagoshima. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 36-23 record having ten points less than leader Kobe S. Kagoshima at the other side keeps the fourth position with 32 games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against Kagoshima (#4) in Renova in the next round. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Yokohama. Third ranked Excellence faced second-ranked Firebonds. Host Excellence (37-18) defeated guests from Fukushima (42-17) 106-99. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Firebonds. It was a great evening for Tray Boyd III who led his team to a victory scoring 45 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. Patrick Gardner responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Excellence. Yokohama maintains third place with 37-18 record having thirteen points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Firebonds keeps the second position with 17 games lost. Yokohama will meet at home league's second-placed Fukushima in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukushima will have a break next round.

Other games of round 59 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Bambitious were defeated by Ehime in Matsuyama 91-85. Iwate beat Aomori W. at home 76-64. Kobe S. destroyed Yamagata on the opponent's court 90-67. Fukuoka R. unfortunately lost to Shizuoka in a home game 76-81.
The best stats of 59th round was 15 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals by Pablo Aguilar of Fukuoka R..



Ehime OV - Bambitious N. 91-85

There was no surprise in Matsuyama where 6th ranked Nara (18-41) was defeated by second ranked Orange Vikings (37-22) 91-85 on Saturday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Ehime looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. It was a great evening for American center Mitchell Watt (208-1989, college: Buffalo, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) helped adding 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. American forward Jaemyn Brakefield (203-2000, college: Ole Miss, agency: Slash Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) scored 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ehime maintains second place with 37-22 record having nine points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Nara keep the sixth position with 41 games lost. Ehime will meet at home Bambitious (#6) in the next round. Bambitious will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Bambitious N.: U.Aoba 15, J.Brakefield 15+10reb+6ast, V.Petrov 12+9reb+4ast, K.Masaya 10+2reb+3ast, I.Shotaro 8+1reb+1ast, K.Ryota 8+2reb+4ast
Ehime OV: W.Mitchell 28+13reb+4ast, H.Shaquille 15+6reb+6ast, F.Takumi 15+1reb+6ast, P.Michael 14+1reb, H.Eiji 8+2reb, Y.Okuda 6+3reb+7ast

Fukui B. - Shinshu BW 65-82

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Fukui. First ranked Brave Warriors faced 4th placed Blowinds. Guests from Nagano (46-13) defeated host Blowinds (34-25) 82-65. Shinshu outrebounded Fukui B. 41-21 including 27 on the defensive glass. Shinshu looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Wayne Marshall (211-1986, college: Temple) who scored 24 points and 8 rebounds. Guard Daiki Tsuchiya (173-2000) chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. Four Brave Warriors players scored in double figures. American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) produced 15 points and the other American import forward Marcus Tobin (198-2001, college: McCook CC, agency: Slash Sports) added 12 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Brave Warriors have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Shinshu maintains first place with 46-13 record. Fukui B. lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 25 games lost. Shinshu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukui B. will play at home against the league's leader Shinshu (#1) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: R.Kelly 15+2reb+2ast, K.Sena 12+2reb+1ast, M.Tobin 12+4reb+1ast, M.Damilola 6+7reb+1ast, R.Ivanauskas 5+2reb, H.Masashi 5+1ast
Shinshu BW: M.Wayne 24+8reb+2ast, D.Tsuchiya 16+2reb+5ast, D.Mike 14+6reb+1ast, S.Tokairin 10+3reb, K.Eliet 6+8reb+4ast, T.Kodama 6+1reb+3ast

Iwate - Aomori W. 76-64

The game between closely ranked teams ended with sixth ranked Big Bulls' (15-44) home victory over 7th ranked Watts (12-47) 76-64 on Saturday. Iwate dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Watts's 28. Iwate forced 21 Aomori W. turnovers and outrebounded them 38-25 including 26 on the defensive glass. Iwate looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Noah Gurley (203-1999, college: Alabama) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds. point guard Sogo Yamagiwa (179-2002) helped adding 9 points and 8 assists. American forward Tim Dalger (201-2000, college: St.Louis, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 18 points and 5 rebounds and guard Masahiro Okabe (186-2002) scored 12 points and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Big Bulls. Iwate moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Yamagata and Shizuoka. Aomori W. lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 47 games lost. Iwate will meet at home Aomori W. (#7) in the next round. Aomori W. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Aomori W.: T.Dalger 18+5reb+3ast, A.Shugo 13+4reb, O.Masahiro 12+6ast, M.Beni 8+7reb+1ast, K.Nagomu 6+1reb+4ast, W.Wang 5+4reb+1ast
Iwate: G.Noah 19+10reb, S.Yamagiwa 9+2reb+8ast, H.Usui 8+3reb, R.Yamazaki 8+3reb+2ast, R.Saeki 6+3reb+1ast, K.Monma 6+6reb+4ast

Kumamoto V. - Kagoshima 102-80

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Kumamoto. Third ranked Volters faced 4th placed Rebnise. Host Volters (36-23) smashed guests from Renova (26-32) 102-80. Kumamoto V. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Rebnise's 40. Kumamoto V. players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. American Rawle Alkins (197-1997, college: Arizona) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (208-1990, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) contributed with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 12 points and 8 rebounds and guard Yoshiki Ametani (190-1999) added 9 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Kagoshima. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kumamoto V. maintains third place with 36-23 record having ten points less than leader Kobe S. Kagoshima at the other side keeps the fourth position with 32 games lost. Kumamoto V. will play against Kagoshima (#4) in Renova in the next round. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: T.Kodama 13+1reb+3ast, P.Auda 12+8reb+3ast, J.Sharma 10+4reb+1ast, Y.Ametani 9+8reb+5ast, Z.Endo 8+1ast, M.Haruya 6+1ast
Kumamoto V.: A.Rawle 31+15reb+7ast, E.Gregory 25+10reb+4ast, I.Kaito 18+4reb+7ast, A.Yamada 9+3reb+2ast, T.Chikara 7+1reb+1ast, K.Sawabe 6+4reb

Yamagata - Kobe S. 67-90

Very expected game in Yamagata where 5th ranked Wyverns (15-44) were rolled over by first ranked Storks (54-5) 90-67 on Saturday. Kobe S. outrebounded Yamagata 42-24 including a 17-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Kobe S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for point guard Shuto Terazono (172-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 16 points and 5 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). American Yoeli Childs (203-1998, college: BYU) helped adding 16 points and 6 rebounds. Storks' coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. American James Bell (196-1992, college: Villanova, agency: Slash Sports) responded with 25 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Dutch center Shaquille Doorson (213-1994, college: Rutgers) scored 8 points and 6 assists. The victory was the twentieth consecutive win for Storks. Kobe S. maintains first place with 54-5 record. Loser Wyverns keeps the fifth position with 44 games lost. They share it with Iwate and Shizuoka. Kobe S. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamagata will play against the league's leader Kobe S. (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: J.Bell 25+5reb+6ast, M.Shinya 13+1reb+1ast, Y.Kentaro 9+4reb+1ast, S.Doorson 8+4reb+6ast, T.Shirato 7+1reb+1ast, N.Shuki 3+3reb+2ast
Kobe S.: S.Terazono 16+3reb+5ast, C.Yoeli 16+6reb+1ast, M.Luke 14+7reb+1ast, S.Jimmy 9+4reb+2ast, K.Kimura 8+4reb+2ast, R.Nomizo 7+4ast

Yokohama EX - Fukushima 106-99

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Yokohama. Third ranked Excellence faced second-ranked Firebonds. Host Excellence (37-18) defeated guests from Fukushima (42-17) 106-99. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Firebonds. Yokohama made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Yokohama outrebounded Fukushima 43-32 including 32 on the defensive glass. Yokohama looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 45 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) helped adding 32 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Egyptian-American center Patrick Gardner (211-1999, college: Marist) responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds and American swingman Kenny Manigault (195-1991, college: Pikeville) scored 19 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 blocks. Four Fukushima players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Excellence. Yokohama maintains third place with 37-18 record having thirteen points less than leader Kobe S. Loser Firebonds keeps the second position with 17 games lost. Yokohama will meet at home league's second-placed Fukushima in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fukushima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: P.Gardner 25+9reb+2ast, K.Manigault 19+7reb+9ast, D.Bamba 17+5reb+2ast, N.Tsukasa 15+2reb+2ast, M.Takumi 9+1reb, Y.Java 6+4reb+1ast
Yokohama EX: B.Tray 45+5reb+1ast, W.Elyjah 32+10reb+7ast, C.Serignemourtala 13+2reb+1ast, M.Zack 5+4reb+1ast, L.Benjamin 4+5reb+2ast, T.Dickson 4+2reb

Fukuoka R. - Shizuoka 76-81

There was a small surprise in Fukuoka where seventh ranked Veltex (15-44) beat 5th ranked Rizing (22-34) 81-76 on Saturday. Shizuoka made 18-of-20 free shots (90.0 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for Norwegian forward Chris-Ebou Ndow (199-1993, college: NW Missouri St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) helped adding 15 points and 10 rebounds. Five Veltex players scored in double figures. Spanish Pablo Aguilar (204-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals and naturalized American point guard Ryuji Aoki (178-1998, college: Rose-Hulman) scored 29 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shizuoka moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Iwate and Yamagata. Loser Rizing keeps the fifth position with 34 games lost. Shizuoka will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fukuoka R. will play against Shizuoka (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: R.Aoki 29+1reb, P.Aguilar 15+12reb+7ast, N.Mato 7+6ast, T.Woodbury 7+4reb+1ast, A.Keisuke 6+1reb+3ast, N.Takanobu 6+6reb+3ast
Shizuoka: L.Kenny 18+5reb+1ast, B.Angus 15+10reb, N.Chris-Ebou 14+7reb+6ast, T.Simon 12+4reb+5ast, T.Kashiwagura 11+3reb+4ast, N.Hashimoto 4+3reb+1ast