The Regular Season in B2 League is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 4 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game with biggest difference of round 56 was guest Fukushima's (#7) road victory over 4th ranked Fukui B. (30-26)

77-68 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Blowinds. They outrebounded Blowinds 45-30 including a 31-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Firebonds looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) chipped in 22 points and 14 rebounds. The former international forward You Nishino (198-1998) produced 17 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fukushima maintains seventh position with 14-42 record. Newly promoted Fukui B. keeps the fourth place with 26 games lost. Fukushima are looking forward to face league's leader Chiba at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Fukui B. will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Chiba delivered the 53th victory. This time they beat 5th ranked Watts (20-36) 86-75 in Aomori. American center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Trey Porter contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 17 points and 7 rebounds for Aomori W.Watts' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Chiba (53-3) have an impressive 14-game winning streak. They maintain first position. Aomori W. at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 36 games lost. Chiba will play against Fukushima (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Aomori W. will play against Shinshu in Nagano and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Leader Rizing recorded the 39th victory on Sunday night. This time they beat 5th ranked Bambitious (24-32) 90-76 in Nara. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a quality performance of Justin Burrell who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 8 rebounds. Shaquille Hines responded with 20 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Rizing have a solid four-game winning streak. Fukuoka R. maintains first position with 39-17 record. Bambitious lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 32 games lost. Fukuoka R. will meet at home Shizuoka (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Bambitious will play against Kobe S. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 56 Yamagata defeated Kobe S. in a road game 82-73. Shizuoka smashed Ehime at home 82-58.
The best stats of 56th round was 17 points and 11 rebounds by John Harrar of Shizuoka.

Aomori W. - Chiba 75-86

Leader Chiba delivered the 53th victory. This time they beat 5th ranked Watts (20-36)

86-75

in Aomori.

Chiba

made 17-of-21 charity shots (81.0 percent) during the game.

Chiba

outrebounded

Aomori W. 41-29

including 32 on the defensive glass.

Chiba

players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Aomori W. was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. American center Dererk Pardon (203-1996, college: Northwestern) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). The other American import forward Trey Porter (210-1996, college: Nevada) contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Czech Patrik Auda (206-1989, college: Seton Hall, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 17 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Yuichi Ikeda (183-1997) added 15 points and 6 assists in the effort for Aomori W.Five

Chiba

and four

Aomori W.

players scored in double figures. Watts' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help.

Chiba

(53-3) have an impressive 14-game winning streak. They maintain first position.

Aomori W.

at the other side dropped to the sixth place with 36 games lost.

Chiba will play against Fukushima (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Aomori W. will play against Shinshu in Nagano and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Chiba: D.Pardon 22+14reb+3ast, T.Porter 13+5reb+1ast, Y.Otsuka 11+3reb+4ast, K.Kurokawa 11+2reb+4ast, R.Maeda 11+3reb+2ast, N.Kumagae 6+2reb
Aomori W.: P.Auda 17+7reb+3ast, Y.Ikeda 15+2reb+6ast, M.Hall 11+7reb+1ast, R.Kelly 10+4reb+1ast, M.Hisatake 8+3reb, N.Kamizato 6+1reb+3ast

Fukui B. - Fukushima 68-77

The game with biggest difference of round 56 was guest Fukushima's (#7) road victory over 4th ranked Fukui B. (30-26)

77-68

on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Blowinds. They outrebounded

Blowinds 45-30

including a

31-16

advantage in defensive rebounds.

Firebonds

looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian forward Rapolas Ivanauskas (208-1998, college: Cincinnati) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. American-Hungarian forward Mikael Hopkins (206-1993, college: Georgetown) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds. The former international forward You Nishino (198-1998) produced 17 points and 5 rebounds and American Ryan Kelly (211-1991, college: Duke, agency: Slash Sports) added 19 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line) respectively for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.

Fukushima

maintains seventh position with

14-42

record. Newly promoted

Fukui B.

keeps the fourth place with 26 games lost.

Fukushima are looking forward to face league's leader Chiba at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Fukui B. will play against Yamagata and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukushima: M.Hopkins 22+14reb+1ast, R.Ivanauskas 21+12reb+5ast, R.Tawatari 8+5reb+10ast, S.Kanno 7+1reb, S.Sato 7+5ast, K.Kasai 5+4reb+2ast
Fukui B.: R.Kelly 19+1ast, Y.Nishino 17+5reb+1ast, K.Kimura 11+5reb, M.Hosoya 9+1reb+2ast, J.Mitsuda 5+4reb+2ast, E.Naito 3

Kobe S. - Yamagata 73-82

There was a minor upset in Hyogo where their close opponent Storks (23-33) were defeated by sixth ranked Wyverns (21-35)

82-73

on Sunday.

Yamagata

made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American TJ Holyfield (203-1995, college: Texas Tech) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Kazuma Okajima (171-2003, agency: Schafer Sports) who added 14 points during the contest. American-Italian Nathan Adrian (206-1995, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 16 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Noriaki Dohara (178-1989) scored 19 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest.

Yamagata

moved-up to fifth place. Loser Storks keeps the sixth position with 33 games lost.

Yamagata will meet at home higher ranked Fukui B. (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Kobe S. will play against Bambitious in Nara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamagata: T.Holyfield 20+13reb+5ast, K.Okajima 14+2reb+2ast, J.Bell 8+2reb+3ast, S.Murakami 8+1reb+3ast, L.Demetrio 8+1reb+2ast, R.Abe 6+1reb
Kobe S.: N.Dohara 19+4reb+1ast, N.Adrian 16+6reb+2ast, C.Brown Jr. 16+7reb, N.Tani 5+2reb, R.Nomizo 5+2reb, I.Butts 4+5reb+2ast

Bambitious N. - Fukuoka R. 76-90

Leader Rizing recorded the 39th victory on Sunday night. This time they beat 5th ranked Bambitious (24-32)

90-76

in Nara.

Fukuoka R.

dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to

Bambitious N.

' 36 and made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They outrebounded

Bambitious 36-18

including a

29-15

advantage in defensive rebounds.

Fukuoka R.

looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a quality performance of forward Justin Burrell (204-1988, college: St.John's) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 8 rebounds and forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) who added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Shaquille Hines (201-1993, college: UTRGV) responded with 20 points and center Stephen Zimmerman (211-1996, college: UNLV, agency: Slash Sports) scored 9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest.

Rizing

have a solid four-game winning streak.

Fukuoka R.

maintains first position with

39-17

record.

Bambitious

lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with 32 games lost.

Fukuoka R. will meet at home Shizuoka (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Bambitious will play against Kobe S. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukuoka R.: J.Smith 21+4reb+1ast, J.Burrell 20+8reb+3ast, A.Randall 15+8reb+6ast, T.Nakamura 9+2reb+3ast, T.Nishikawa 9+3ast, S.Murakami 5+3reb+4ast
Bambitious N.: S.Hines 20+4reb+2ast, O.Idemudia 9, S.Zimmerman 9+5reb+4ast, E.Hayashi 9+1reb+1ast, M.Komaki 9+1reb+2ast, R.Kobayashi 6+1reb+4ast

Shizuoka - Ehime OV 82-58

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Shizuoka (32-23) smashed at home 7th ranked Orange Vikings (5-50)

82-58

on Sunday.

Shizuoka

dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to

Orange Vikings

's 26.

Shizuoka

outrebounded

Ehime 47-27

including a

33-22

advantage in defensive rebounds.

Shizuoka

looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 14 passes made by

Ehime

's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward John Harrar (205-1999, college: Penn State) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and Australian center Angus Brandt (208-1989, college: Oregon St.) who added 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. American center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) responded with 9 points and 16 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Novar Gadson (201-1989, college: Rider) scored 20 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.

Shizuoka

maintains third position with

32-23

record having eight points less than leader Chiba.

Ehime

lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with 50 games lost.

Shizuoka will meet league's leader Fukuoka R. on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Ehime will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: J.Harrar 17+11reb+2ast, A.Brandt 13+11reb+4ast, F.Delany 11+5reb+3ast, K.Masuda 8+4reb, T.Takumi 7+5reb+1ast, R.Hashimoto 6+2reb+4ast
Ehime OV: N.Gadson 20+2reb+2ast, R.Takeuchi 15+1reb+1ast, N.Spikes 9+16reb+1ast, Y.Okuda 8+1reb+4ast, Y.Harada 4+1reb, R.Taira 2+1reb+2ast