[Gunma Crane Thunders: Game Result] 4/22 (Wed) vs Kyoto Hannaryz | Resona Group B.LEAGUE 2025-26 Season
Gunma Crane Thunders secured a vital win in the mid-week B.LEAGUE game, putting them just one win away from clinching a spot in the Championship playoffs. Young prospect Kenny Asano played significant minutes, showcasing the team's growing depth.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 08:35
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 05:03 (5h 0m after Collected)
## Starting 5
■ Gunma Crane Thunders
#0 Yuki Fujii
#6 Takuto Nakamura
#8 Kelly Blackshear Jr.
#9 Naoto Tsuji
#32 Johannes Thiemann
■ Utsunomiya Brex
#7 Shuma Seibu
#10 Charles Jackson
#12 Asato Ogawa
#32 Gavin Edwards
#39 Mone Alex Hall
## Main Stats
#0 Yuki Fujii: 8 pts, 2 ast
#1 Koh Flippin: 9 pts, 4 reb
#6 Takuto Nakamura: 10 pts, 5 ast
#8 Kelly Blackshear Jr.: 17 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl
#9 Naoto Tsuji: 2 reb, 2 ast
#15 EJ Edu: 4 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast
#16: 8 pts, 3 reb
#29 Kazuki Hosokawa: 9 pts, 3P (3/4)
#32 Johannes Thiemann: 10 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl
#55 Daichi Taniguchi: 9 pts, 3P (3/6), 2 reb
## Kyle Milling, Head Coach
"We had a very high-intensity game against Utsunomiya last weekend, and I think it was very difficult to replicate that again on Wednesday. Consequently, our start was a bit slow, but I'm glad our bench players stepped up and kept us in it, leading to a good victory."
(On why he continued to use Asano)
"We have a big game coming up this weekend, so I felt we needed our bench members today. Asano has shown so much growth lately. For a player to develop, they need playing time, so I gave him a lot of minutes today."
(On Asano's performance evaluation)
"I think he was very good. He's getting better and better."
(On being one win away from clinching a CS spot and the next game against Hokkaido)
"Hokkaido is in a position where they can't afford to lose, so it's going to be a tough game. I want the players to rest well now. The travel to Hokkaido is very long, so we will prepare thoroughly to win that game."
## Kenny Asano, Player
"There were times throughout the game where we couldn't quite find our rhythm. Although we finished the first half with an 11-point lead, there were moments we could have extended it further. Being blocked by the opponent hurt us. However, we had a good start in the 3rd quarter and brought the game into our rhythm, which I think was the key to the win."
(Was it tiring to have your longest playing time of the season?)
"Yes, it was tiring (laughs). We're in the fourth week of playing three games a week (Wed, Sat, Sun), and my playing time has been gradually increasing. I didn't expect to be out there this long, but it's really fun to play in front of the fans, and I'm happy to have a place where I can feel my growth every day."
(How did you switch gears after struggling with your shots in the previous Utsunomiya game?)
"I'm not the type who takes many attempts, so my first touch is often my first shot, which makes switching gears difficult. I missed a 3-pointer at the end today, but I believe I just have to keep shooting. Shooting is one of my weapons, so I want to stay consistent and keep at it."
(The HC praised your defensive improvement. What do you think about your defensive growth?)
"Throughout this season, I've been working out with the coaches and trainers, especially on footwork. I feel like the results are finally showing over the last 2-3 months. I believe if my defense is good, my playing time will increase, and offensive opportunities will follow, so I want to keep growing for the rest of the season."
(Is it difficult to execute the team's complex defense?)
"Due to my size, I sometimes switch with big men and other times I'm treated as a guard, so I'm in a difficult position. It wasn't clear to me in the beginning, but now it's sorted out. There are still mistakes, but I see that as room for growth and will keep working on it."
(How do you feel about being part of the rotation in the final stretch?)
"I'm really happy. We made the Championship last year, but I didn't get to participate personally. So right now..."
■ Gunma Crane Thunders
#0 Yuki Fujii
#6 Takuto Nakamura
#8 Kelly Blackshear Jr.
#9 Naoto Tsuji
#32 Johannes Thiemann
■ Utsunomiya Brex
#7 Shuma Seibu
#10 Charles Jackson
#12 Asato Ogawa
#32 Gavin Edwards
#39 Mone Alex Hall
## Main Stats
#0 Yuki Fujii: 8 pts, 2 ast
#1 Koh Flippin: 9 pts, 4 reb
#6 Takuto Nakamura: 10 pts, 5 ast
#8 Kelly Blackshear Jr.: 17 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl
#9 Naoto Tsuji: 2 reb, 2 ast
#15 EJ Edu: 4 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast
#16: 8 pts, 3 reb
#29 Kazuki Hosokawa: 9 pts, 3P (3/4)
#32 Johannes Thiemann: 10 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl
#55 Daichi Taniguchi: 9 pts, 3P (3/6), 2 reb
## Kyle Milling, Head Coach
"We had a very high-intensity game against Utsunomiya last weekend, and I think it was very difficult to replicate that again on Wednesday. Consequently, our start was a bit slow, but I'm glad our bench players stepped up and kept us in it, leading to a good victory."
(On why he continued to use Asano)
"We have a big game coming up this weekend, so I felt we needed our bench members today. Asano has shown so much growth lately. For a player to develop, they need playing time, so I gave him a lot of minutes today."
(On Asano's performance evaluation)
"I think he was very good. He's getting better and better."
(On being one win away from clinching a CS spot and the next game against Hokkaido)
"Hokkaido is in a position where they can't afford to lose, so it's going to be a tough game. I want the players to rest well now. The travel to Hokkaido is very long, so we will prepare thoroughly to win that game."
## Kenny Asano, Player
"There were times throughout the game where we couldn't quite find our rhythm. Although we finished the first half with an 11-point lead, there were moments we could have extended it further. Being blocked by the opponent hurt us. However, we had a good start in the 3rd quarter and brought the game into our rhythm, which I think was the key to the win."
(Was it tiring to have your longest playing time of the season?)
"Yes, it was tiring (laughs). We're in the fourth week of playing three games a week (Wed, Sat, Sun), and my playing time has been gradually increasing. I didn't expect to be out there this long, but it's really fun to play in front of the fans, and I'm happy to have a place where I can feel my growth every day."
(How did you switch gears after struggling with your shots in the previous Utsunomiya game?)
"I'm not the type who takes many attempts, so my first touch is often my first shot, which makes switching gears difficult. I missed a 3-pointer at the end today, but I believe I just have to keep shooting. Shooting is one of my weapons, so I want to stay consistent and keep at it."
(The HC praised your defensive improvement. What do you think about your defensive growth?)
"Throughout this season, I've been working out with the coaches and trainers, especially on footwork. I feel like the results are finally showing over the last 2-3 months. I believe if my defense is good, my playing time will increase, and offensive opportunities will follow, so I want to keep growing for the rest of the season."
(Is it difficult to execute the team's complex defense?)
"Due to my size, I sometimes switch with big men and other times I'm treated as a guard, so I'm in a difficult position. It wasn't clear to me in the beginning, but now it's sorted out. There are still mistakes, but I see that as room for growth and will keep working on it."
(How do you feel about being part of the rotation in the final stretch?)
"I'm really happy. We made the Championship last year, but I didn't get to participate personally. So right now..."