Nagasaki Velca Clinch Historic First B.LEAGUE Championship Berth in Thriller Against Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Japan — In a game defined by high-stakes tension and a frantic final ten seconds, Nagasaki Velca secured a milestone in franchise history on Sunday, April 12. With a narrow 90-89 victory over Levanga Hokkaido at Hokkai Kitayell, Nagasaki officially punched its first-ever ticket to the B.LEAGUE Championship since the club’s founding.

The win serves as a crowning achievement for the West District leaders, who managed to withstand a fierce late-game surge from Hokkaido to maintain their grip on the standings and secure their spot in the “Resona Group B.LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025-26.”

Johnson and Lee Power Early Lead

Nagasaki controlled the tempo for much of the first half, leaning heavily on the offensive versatility of Stanley Johnson and Lee Hyung-jun. The Velca opened the contest with an aggressive attack, ending the first quarter with a 25-20 lead. Lee continued to ignite the offense in the second frame, scoring eight points in the quarter alone to push Nagasaki’s lead to 48-36 by halftime.

Stanley Johnson proved to be the dominant force of the afternoon, finishing the game with a team-high 29 points and 9 rebounds. His ability to score from multiple levels kept the Hokkaido defense reactive rather than proactive during the opening 20 minutes.

Tominaga’s Third-Quarter Surge

The momentum shifted violently in the third quarter as Levanga Hokkaido mounted a desperate rally. Keisei Tominaga took over the game for the home side, scoring 14 points in the third quarter alone. His perimeter shooting and aggressive driving narrowed the gap significantly, leaving Nagasaki with a slim 69-65 lead heading into the final period.

Hokkaido’s Jarell Okafor provided critical support, contributing 22 points to the effort, while Tominaga finished the day as the team’s leading scorer with 24 points. The atmosphere at Hokkai Kitayell grew electric as the home crowd sensed a potential comeback.

A Two-Second Heartbreaker

The fourth quarter devolved into a tactical grind, with neither side able to establish a sustainable lead. The tension peaked in the closing seconds when Levanga Hokkaido managed to tie the game with only nine seconds remaining on the clock.

With the game on the line and the championship berth hanging in the balance, Jarrell Bruntley stepped to the charity stripe. With just two seconds left in the game, Bruntley sank a clutch free throw to reclaim the lead, sealing the 90-89 victory and ending Hokkaido’s hopes of a home-court winning streak.

By the Numbers: Game Breakdown

• Final Score: Nagasaki Velca 90, Levanga Hokkaido 89
• Nagasaki Top Performers: Stanley Johnson (29 pts, 9 reb), Lee Hyung-jun (23 pts)
• Hokkaido Top Performers: Keisei Tominaga (24 pts), Jarell Okafor (22 pts)
• Key Sequence: Jarrell Bruntley’s winning free throw with 2 seconds remaining
• Milestone: First B.LEAGUE Championship (CS) appearance in club history

Looking Ahead

For Nagasaki Velca, this victory is more than just a win in the standings; It’s a validation of the club’s growth since its inception. While the team celebrates this historic qualification, they remain focused on maintaining their position at the top of the West District as they prepare for the postseason.

The club also looks toward a bittersweet conclusion to the season for some of its veterans. Earlier this month, on April 3, it was announced that Masaya Karigata, a figure deeply tied to the club’s founding era, will retire at the conclude of the current season.

Nagasaki will now shift its focus toward the “Resona Group B.LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025-26,” where they will aim to translate their regular-season dominance into a title run.

What do you think of Nagasaki’s chances in their first-ever CS appearance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.