Aranmare Akita faced the final game of the season and was defeated by Fujitsu 45-70. Ayaka Ozawa (27) scored 15 points with 5 3-point shots (3P), the most in both teams, but was pushed out of the 3rd quarter (Q) chasing an 11-point difference, ending the season with 7 consecutive losses. Although they missed the goal of advancing to the playoffs (PO), they made a leap forward from 2 wins and 22 losses in the first year of entry to 8 wins and 18 losses. Japan’s northernmost W-League team is steadily growing.

It was Akita who wanted to end the breakthrough season with a victory, but it was not so easy. At the beginning of the 3rd quarter, he lost 15 points in a row and requested a timeout (TO) immediately. Head coach Yujiko Kojima (HC, 55) gave instructions and tried to rebuild, but when he conceded a goal in a hasty attack, it was the second TO in the second half. Immediately after that, the bad flow continued with a goal conceded. At one point, Ozawa’s 3-point shot narrowed the point difference, but he couldn’t finish the shot and allowed consecutive goals in the final stage, and the “tie” gradually went away.

Overwhelmed by the level of the league last season, he felt the difference with 2 wins and 22 losses, including 16 consecutive losses at the opening. Even so, this season, with the addition of five university graduates, including Yui Kakazu (23), and Airi Kitagawa (24), the team’s strength has improved dramatically. Even if he lost to other teams in height, he showed rebounds involving multiple players, mobility and 3P, and the PO battle was played until the end of the league. HC Kojima summarized, “There are still a lot of waves, but it was a season that made me realize that if everyone hits a good peak, we can get some strength.”

This season’s slogan is “Break through progress.” Just like the slogan that the athletes came up with before the season opener, they aimed for higher ranks despite adversity. Asuka Hiramatsu (28) said, “I feel very frustrated that I couldn’t achieve my goal, and I feel very sorry for everyone who supported me. I can appreciate the gradual progress.” The end of this season is the beginning of next season. Continue to move forward to greater heights.