Basketball / B. League Mar 6, 2021
Crane Thunders veteran Michael Parker still going strong at nearly 40
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Michael Parker is seen by many as “the heart” of the Gunma Crane Thunders.
Basketball / B. League Mar 3, 2021
B. League may need to review early entry system after injuries to young players
by Kaz Nagatsuka
B. League officials may be forced to re-evaluate the process in the wake of significant injuries suffered by some players this year.
Basketball / B. League Jul 3, 2020
Former baseball prospect Tsuyoshi Akuzawa takes over Crane Thunders
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Gunma Prefecture native has been tapped to run the B. League second-division side, four decades after he became a local legend for his Koshien heroics.
Basketball / B. League May 23, 2019
High-scoring forward Thomas Kennedy joins Hiroshima Dragonflies
by Ed Odeven
Thomas Kennedy, a dynamic scorer for the Gunma Crane Thunders for four seasons, has joined the Hiroshima Dragonflies. The move was announced by Hiroshima on Thursday. Kennedy led the B. League second division in scoring (27.9 points per game) this past season and started all 60 ...
Basketball / B. League May 4, 2019
Alvark, Jets post victories in semifinal series openers
by Ed Odeven
The Alvark Tokyo scratched and clawed their way to a third-place finish in the brutal East Division during the regular season. Forty-four wins in 60 games was what they accomplished. Indeed, it wasn't easy. On Saturday, the resilient defending champions moved a step closer to achieving ...
Basketball / B. League | B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK May 2, 2019
Chiba set for semifinal clash with Tochigi; Ryukyu faces Tokyo
by Ed Odeven
Motivation can be a powerful emotion in sports. For the Chiba Jets Funabashi, last season's defeat in the B. League Championship final to the Alvark Tokyo has been their motivational force throughout this season. Jets shooting guard Kosuke Ishii admitted as much after Chiba's 96-85, series-clinching ...
Basketball / B. League Oct 5, 2018
Crane Thunders, 89ers triumph in second-flight series openers
by Ed Odeven
The Gunma Crane Thunders had a solid first half to set the tone and a strong rebounding effort in Friday's 76-68 series-opening victory over the Earthfriends Tokyo Z. Gunma (2-1) led 42-32 at halftime at Ota City General Gymnasium. The Crane Thunders outrebounded their second-division rivals ...
Basketball / B. League | B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Sep 20, 2018
Kumamoto ready to stake claim on upcoming B2 season
by Ed Odeven
A week before the B. League's top flight gets underway, the second division opens its 2018-19 campaign on Sept. 28. The promoted Hachioji Bee Trains play host to the Earthfriends Tokyo Z and the Ehime Orange Vikings face the visiting Hiroshima Dragonflies in the evening's ...
Basketball / B. League | B. LEAGUE NOTEBOOK Mar 22, 2018
NeoPhoenix star Robert Dozier provides leadership, confidence for club
by Ed Odeven
With power forward Robert Dozier in the lineup, the San-en NeoPhoenix are a more complete team. A more balanced team. A more dangerous team. Dozier improves San-en's offense and defense and rhythm at both ends of the floor. A natural leader, the veteran is a tone-setter ...
Basketball / B. League Nov 17, 2017
Marc Trasolini's all-around spark leads Levanga past Alvark
by Ed Odeven
Veteran forward/center Marc Trasolini's banner performance ignited the Levanga Hokkaido offense in an 81-76 triumph over the Alvark Tokyo on Friday evening. The Santa Clara University product scored a game-high 28 points on 12-for-18 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, handed out four assists and swatted two ...
Basketball / B. League Nov 10, 2017
Hot-shooting Volters overpower Crane Thunders
by Ed Odeven
In a game showcasing two of the top teams in the second division, the Kumamoto Volters ran past the visiting Gunma Crane Thunders on Friday night, winning 98-78. Backup shooting guard Terrance Woodbury, doing his best Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson impersonation, sparked the Volters off ...
Basketball / B. League May 12, 2017
Storks storm past Crane Thunders to reach second-flight title game against TBD foe
by Ed Odeven
The Central Division champion Nishinomiya Storks defeated the visiting Gunma Crane Thunders 70-60 victory in Game 2 of the B. League second-division semifinals on Friday night. With the win, the Storks advance to the B2 final at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 2, where they will ...