Source: https://www.asia-basket.com/Japan/news/575590/B2-League-Round-57-of-Regular-Season
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 20:38:33+00:00

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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 ESL.
The biggest surprise of round 57 was guest Tokyo Z's (#4) road victory over Kanazawa Sam. (#5) 95-82 on Saturday evening. Tokyo Z made 25-of-28 free shots (89.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Kanazawa Sam. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Australian power forward Daniel Johnson (212-88, college: Pepperdine) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). American forward Jahmar Thorpe (198-84, college: Houston) chipped in 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Denzel Bowles (208-89, college: JMU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds. Kanazawa Sam.'s coach Hotta Takeshi rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tokyo Z maintains fourth place with 21-36 record, which they share with Yamagata. Kanazawa Sam. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with 37 games lost. They share it with Ehime OV. Tokyo Z will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kanazawa Sam. will play again at home against Tokyo Z (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Dragonflies (32-25) against fifth ranked Bambitious Nara (19-38) on Saturday night. Visiting Dragonflies were defeated by Bambitious Nara in a tough game in Nara 80-88. It was a good game for American power forward Gary Hamilton (208-84, college: Miami, FL, agency: Inception Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 21 rebounds and 6 assists. Jeffrey Parmer contributed with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American power forward Jamari Traylor (203-92, college: Kansas) answered with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds for Dragonflies. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bambitious Nara maintains fifth place with 19-38 record. Newly promoted Dragonflies keep the third position with 25 games lost. Bambitious Nara will again play against higher ranked Dragonflies (#3) in Hiroshima in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dragonflies will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Gunma. First ranked Gunma faced second-best Sendai 89ers. Host Gunma (42-15) defeated guests from Sendai (37-20) 80-64. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Sendai 89ers. Thomas Kennedy stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. The best for the losing side was Jerome Tillman with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Gunma have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 42-15 record, which they share with Kumamoto V. Sendai 89ers at the other side keep the second position with 20 games lost. Gunma will again meet at home league's second-placed Sendai 89ers in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sendai 89ers will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Nagoya. First ranked Shinshu BW faced second-best Toyotsu FE. Guests from Nagano (46-11) defeated host Toyotsu FE (39-18) 78-60. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Toyotsu FE. The game was dominated by American players. Wayne Marshall nailed a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Shinshu BW. They maintain first place with 46-11 record. Toyotsu FE at the other side keeps the second position with 18 games lost. Shinshu BW will have a break next round. Toyotsu FE will play again at home against the league's leader Shinshu BW and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Shimane. Second ranked Shimane Magic faced 4th placed Orange Vikings. Host Shimane Magic (41-16) defeated guests from Matsuyama (20-37) 88-75. The best player for the winners was Rosco Allen who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shimane Magic maintains second place with 41-16 record behind leader Shinshu BW. Loser Orange Vikings keep the fourth position with 37 games lost. Shimane Magic will face again Orange Vikings (#4) in Matsuyama in the next round.
Nishinomiya S. crushed Tokyo HT in Hyogo 95-73. Tokyo HT was beaten by Nishinomiya S. at home 75-87. Kagawa FA lost to Kumamoto V. on the opponent's court 81-88. Fukushima unfortunately lost to Yamagata in a home game 89-101. Cyberdyne IR managed to beat Aomori Watts on the road 73-60.
There was no surprise when 6th ranked Tokyo HT (11-47) was crushed at home by third ranked Nishinomiya S. (32-26) 95-73 on Friday. Nishinomiya S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. The best player for the winners was point guard Sotaro Uehara (170-94) who had a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. American guard Draelon Burns (194-85, college: DePaul) chipped in a double-double by scoring 23 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Jordan Richard (206-89, college: CS Los Angeles, agency: Slash Sports) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds and the other American import forward Cleanthony Early (203-91, college: Wichita St.) added 14 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. 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 fourth consecutive win for Nishinomiya S.. They maintain third place with 32-26 record having nine points less than leader Shinshu BW. Tokyo HT lost their fifth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the sixth position with 47 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
No shocking result in a game when third ranked Nishinomiya S. (32-26) defeated on the road 6th ranked Tokyo HT (11-47) 87-75 on Saturday. Nishinomiya S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Tokyo HT's players. The best player for the winners was American guard Draelon Burns (194-85, college: DePaul) who had a triple-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Point guard Sotaro Uehara (170-94) chipped in 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Yu Okada (184-83) who recorded 21 points and 4 assists and forward Takafumi Asano (192-85) added 12 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Nishinomiya S.. They maintain third place with 32-26 record having nine points less than leader Shinshu BW. Tokyo HT lost their fifth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the sixth position with 47 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Gunma. First ranked Gunma faced second-best Sendai 89ers. Host Gunma (42-15) defeated guests from Sendai (37-20) 80-64. It ended at the same time the 11-game winning streak of Sendai 89ers. Gunma made 17-of-19 free shots (89.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Thomas Kennedy (201-87, college: Detroit Mercy) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Nigerian forward Abdullahi Kuso (206-84, college: Tallahassee CC) chipped in 20 points and 7 rebounds. Five Gunma players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Jerome Tillman (201-87, college: Ohio, agency: Inception Sports) with 21 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import center Daniel Miller (211-91, college: Georgia Tech) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds. Gunma have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 42-15 record, which they share with Kumamoto V. Sendai 89ers at the other side keep the second position with 20 games lost. Gunma will again meet at home league's second-placed Sendai 89ers in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Sendai 89ers will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Nagoya. First ranked Shinshu BW faced second-best Toyotsu FE. Guests from Nagano (46-11) defeated host Toyotsu FE (39-18) 78-60. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Toyotsu FE. They outrebounded Toyotsu FE 40-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. Shinshu BW players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Center Wayne Marshall (211-86, college: Temple) nailed a double-double by scoring 25 points and 11 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Anthony McHenry (202-83, college: Georgia Tech) accounted for 18 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Josh Hawkinson (208-95, college: WSU) came up with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and center Garrett Stutz (214-90, college: Wichita St.) added 19 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Toyotsu FE in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Shinshu BW. They maintain first place with 46-11 record. Toyotsu FE at the other side keeps the second position with 18 games lost. Shinshu BW will have a break next round. Toyotsu FE will play again at home against the league's leader Shinshu BW and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very expected game when 6th ranked Kagawa FA (18-39) was defeated on the road by first ranked Kumamoto V. (42-15) 88-81 on Saturday. Kumamoto V. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Chehales Tapscott (195-90, college: Portland St.) who scored 38 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Point guard Takumi Furuno (179-93) chipped in 11 points and 8 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Reginald Warren (204-81, college: W.Florida, agency: Inception Sports) who recorded a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import center Eric Thompson (204-93, college: Pacific) added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists respectively. Four Kagawa FA players scored in double figures. Kagawa FA's coach Kohei Etoh let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the ninth consecutive win for Kumamoto V.. They maintain first place with 42-15 record, which they share with Gunma. Loser Kagawa FA keeps the sixth position with 39 games lost. Kumamoto V. will face again Kagawa FA (#6) in Takamatsu in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game.
We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when fifth ranked Yamagata (21-36) beat on the road 4th placed Fukushima (24-33) 101-89 on Saturday. Yamagata shot 63.6 percent from the field and made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 68.4 percentage. Yamagata looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. The best player for the winners was American center Will Creekmore (205-89, college: Missouri St.) who had a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 10 assists (perfect behind the arc making all six shots !!!). Point guard Seiji Kouno (172-89) chipped in a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 assists (perfect behind the arc making all five shots). At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-89, college: Ohio St.) who recorded 27 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import center Chris Brady (208-95, college: Monmouth) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Yamagata moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Tokyo Z. Loser Fukushima keeps the fourth position with 33 games lost. Yamagata will have a break next round. Fukushima will play again at home against Yamagata (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Aomori Watts (14-43) were defeated at home by third ranked Cyberdyne IR (35-22) 73-60 on Saturday. Aomori Watts were plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The best player for the winners was American forward Scootie Randall (198-90, college: Temple) who had a double-double by scoring 10 points and 19 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Connor Lammert (206-94, college: Texas) chipped in a double-double by scoring 13 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Five Cyberdyne IR players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Cullen Russo (206-94, college: Fresno St.) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and Lithuanian power forward Julius Jucikas (205-89, agency: Octagon Europe) added 12 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Cyberdyne IR maintains third place with 35-22 record having seven points less than leader Shinshu BW. Loser Aomori Watts keep the sixth position with 43 games lost. Cyberdyne IR will have a break next round. Aomori Watts will play again at home against Cyberdyne IR (#3) and hope to win that game.
The biggest surprise of round 57 was guest Tokyo Z's (#4) road victory over Kanazawa Sam. (#5) 95-82 on Saturday evening. Tokyo Z made 25-of-28 free shots (89.3 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Kanazawa Sam. helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was Australian power forward Daniel Johnson (212-88, college: Pepperdine) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line). American forward Jahmar Thorpe (198-84, college: Houston) chipped in a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Denzel Bowles (208-89, college: JMU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds and guard Yuuji Ide (181-88) added 14 points respectively. Five Tokyo Z and four Kanazawa Sam. players scored in double figures. Kanazawa Sam.'s coach Hotta Takeshi rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Tokyo Z maintains fourth place with 21-36 record, which they share with Yamagata. Kanazawa Sam. lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth position with 37 games lost. They share it with Ehime OV. Tokyo Z will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kanazawa Sam. will play again at home against Tokyo Z (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Shimane. Second ranked Shimane Magic faced 4th placed Orange Vikings. Host Shimane Magic (41-16) defeated guests from Matsuyama (20-37) 88-75. Shimane Magic made 17-of-18 free shots (94.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was Hungarian-American Rosco Allen (208-93, college: Stanford, agency: Pensack Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Venezuelan center Gregory Echenique (206-90, college: Creighton, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds. Four Shimane Magic players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-90, college: Oklahoma) who recorded 33 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds and the other American import swingman Lakeem Jackson (195-90, college: S.Carolina, agency: SDJ Sports) added 17 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shimane Magic maintains second place with 41-16 record behind leader Shinshu BW. Loser Orange Vikings keep the fourth position with 37 games lost. Shimane Magic will face again Orange Vikings (#4) in Matsuyama in the next round.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Dragonflies (32-25) against fifth ranked Bambitious Nara (19-38) on Saturday night. Visiting Dragonflies were defeated by Bambitious Nara in a tough game in Nara 80-88. Bambitious Nara made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. It was a good game for American power forward Gary Hamilton (208-84, college: Miami, FL, agency: Inception Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 21 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import forward Jeffrey Parmer (203-85, college: FAU) contributed with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four Bambitious Nara players scored in double figures. American power forward Jamari Traylor (203-92, college: Kansas) answered with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Shunto Murakami (183-96) added 8 points and 4 assists in the effort for Dragonflies. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bambitious Nara maintains fifth place with 19-38 record. Newly promoted Dragonflies keep the third position with 25 games lost. Bambitious Nara will again play against higher ranked Dragonflies (#3) in Hiroshima in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dragonflies will have a break next round.

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