The 77th All-Japan University Basketball Championship (Inter-College) was held for 16 days from November 29th (Saturday), and the final was held on December 14th (Sunday), with the men’s Hakuoh University and the women’s Tokyo Medical and Health University winning, and each being crowned the best in Japan in college basketball. Below are the competition results and comments from the winners.
■77th All Japan University Basketball Championship Tournament Results
[Men’s tournament results]
Winner: Hakuoh University*3rd time in 2 years
Runner-up: Waseda University
3rd place: Nihon Keizai University
4th place: Tokai University
■Men’s individual award
[Best Player Award]Monga Banza Joel (4th year, Hakuoh University)
[Fighting Award]Yori Iwaya (4th year, Waseda University)
[Excellent player award]
Ryusei Sako (4th year, Hakuoh University)
Haruki Naito (3rd year, Hakuoh University)
Kenichi Miura (3rd year, Waseda University)
Hata Matsumoto (1st year, Waseda University)
Taiyo Imaizumi (4th year, Nihon Keizai University)
[Top scorer]Hata Matsumoto (1st year, Waseda University) 57 points
[3 point king]Hata Matsumoto (Waseda University 1st year) 7 points
[Assist King]Eiji Shimoyama (3rd year, Waseda University) 12 assists
[Rebound King]Monga Banza Joel (4th year, Hakuoh University) 35 (14 OF – 21 DE)
[MIP Award]Kenichi Miura (3rd year, Waseda University)
[Clean the Game Award]Tokai University
[Best Director Award]Tomoo Amino (Hakuoh University)
■Hakuoh University Winner Comments
Director Tomoo Amino
“Even if I scored, I thought it would be 90 points, so I’m glad that we were able to score and win.If we don’t score, we won’t be able to do anything, and if we get 10 points in one quarter, it’s going to be tough, so it was really good that we were able to score 20 or more points in all quarters.On defense, I said that we absolutely can’t afford to make three-point shots. We were able to score on a layup, but that was OK for today’s game plan.However, we have a habit of using help rotations on defense, so it was a little difficult for us to get the two points in front of us without getting too close to the opponent, and it was difficult for us to make adjustments against Waseda University because we were trying to protect the ball so hard that we couldn’t catch the shooters behind us.”
Ryusei Sako
“We got beaten up a bit in the first quarter, but I think we were able to win by being patient and scoring points one by one.Last year, I was in the intercollegiate A team, but I couldn’t play in the game, and I couldn’t even be on the bench, which was very frustrating.That’s why this year, my fourth year, I definitely wanted to be on the bench and play in the game.However, (Sato) Suzunari wasn’t scheduled to be gone. I wanted to do everything in my power to support Suzunari.As with the finals, I was nervous because it was my first time on the intercollegiate court.However, I was able to release my nerves by hitting the first 3-point shot, and I was able to play my best.At the end, I wasn’t really feeling it, but I was really happy to win because of my gratitude and Suzunari’s presence.”
[Women’s tournament results]
Winner: Tokyo Medical and Health University*7th time in 3 years
Runner-up: Hakuoh University
3rd place: University of Tsukuba
4th place: Waseda University
■Women’s Individual Award
[Best Player Award]Haru Owaki (4th year, Tokyo Medical and Health University)
[Fighting Award]Rin Ikeda (3rd year, Hakuoh University)
[Excellent player award]
Law job (1st year Tokyo Medical and Health University)
Natsumi Enno (2nd year, Tokyo University of Health Sciences)
Mitsaki Sasaka (4th year, Hakuoh University)
Azusa Asahina (4th year, University of Tsukuba)
Miran Kikuchi (3rd year, Waseda University)
[King of points]Haru Owaki (4th year, Tokyo Medical and Health University) 54 points
[3 point king]Minami Takagi (3rd year at Hakuoh University) 7 points
[Assist King]Rin Ikeda (3rd year at Hakuoh University) 19 assists
[Rebound King]Adam Afodija (3rd year, Hakuoh University) 39 (10 OF – 29 DE)
[MIP Award]Haru Igarashi (3rd year, Tokyo Medical and Health University)
[Clean the Game Award]Nippon Sport Science University
[Best Director Award]Toru Onzuka (Tokyo Medical and Health University)
■Tokyo Medical and Health University Winner Comments
Supervised by Hiroshi Etsuka
“I think we were able to win this championship because we prepared well and built up well.We were able to win the championship by demonstrating our strengths in difficult situations, making fun of difficult situations and continuing to play with good energy.I was happy, and it was truly the fruit of all the hard work we had put in over the past year. I felt a great sense of accomplishment. It was a year where everyone, both those who were playing and those who weren’t, were able to grow. I’m proud of everyone, and as a coach, I always want them to experience something good if they work hard. Honestly, I’m relieved that everyone was able to experience that.”
Natsumi Heno
“This past year, I felt like my time on the court was shorter than ever. Onzuka-san always told me that there is meaning in continuing to be on the court until the end in an intercollegiate school.I went into today with the mindset that I would definitely continue to be on my feet, and by being able to fight until the end, I think I was able to have a little influence on my teammates.I was also able to stand on my feet well. It was my first time to win Japan’s title, so it was a great day for me to feel the joy.I will try my best to have the same experience so that I can win Japan’s title many times in the future.However, I didn’t do much in the final, so next time I will have to practice more so that I can score more points and contribute more.
