Starting 5 ■ Gunma Crane Thunders #0 Fujii Yuma #4 Trey Jones #8 Kelly Blackshear Jr. #15 AJ Edu #29 Kazuki Hosokawa

Shimane Susanoo Magic #1 Cote Clark #4 Nick Kay #5 Shota Arai #15 Ryosuke Shirahama #22 Fumiya Iio

Key Stats #0 Fujii Yuma 9 points 2P (3/6) 2 rebounds #1 Koe Flippin 7 points 2 assists 2 steals #4 Trey Jones 7 points 3 rebounds 5 assists 2 steals #6 Takuto Nakamura 11 points #8 Kelly Blackshear Jr. 17 points 5 rebounds 2 assists #9 Naoto Tsuji 8 points 3P (2/4) 4 rebounds 3 assists #15 AJ Edu 5 points 9 rebounds #29 Kazuki Hosokawa 4 assists #32 Johannes Thiemann 10 points 3P (2/2) 6 rebounds 2 assists

Head Coach Kyle Milling Shimane played very aggressively from the start of the game, and we had a hard time stopping them. At halftime, we talked about wanting to play with more physicality, and in the second half, we were able to do what we wanted and win the game with our defense.

Player Fujii Yuma (Regarding how the team adjusted in the second half) We talked about 'Let's do it again properly.' Since the opponent was coming in hard and aggressively, we discussed in the locker room that we shouldn't be passive and should make physical contact too.

(What is expected of you this season?) It's about balance. We have players who can do everything, so if I try to do too much, other players won't get the ball. On the other hand, if I don't do enough, I lose my strengths. I'm thinking about balance, including when to shoot and when to pass, and how I can contribute to the team.

(About playing in your hometown Shimane) It felt more like home in Matsue (laughs), but Kamiarena was about two years ago, around the time I was in junior high. This is my second time here in two years, so it wasn't that much of a 'nostalgic' feeling. But it's really fun to come back and play basketball like this, so I really enjoyed the game.

(Impressions of matching up against Shota Arai?) He's truly amazing. Despite being young, he's aggressive and fearless. To be able to play with such freedom on this stage, among so many great players in this league, is truly amazing. In the first half, we were really hurt by him, and parts of our defense became soft because of him. But in the second half, we played hard and contained him well. However, being hurt that much in the first half, I realized again that he is a truly amazing player.

(Looking ahead to tomorrow, please give us your motivation.) We were really bad and played too softly for the first 20 minutes of the first half, so tomorrow we want to play like we did in the second half for the full 40 minutes. We want to play with passion again tomorrow.

Next Home Game Information Home game information here: https://g-crane-thunders.jp/lp/game_20260411_20260412/

Keywords: Gunma Crane Thunders, Gunma Prefecture, Ota City, Basketball, Sports, B.League

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News