North Riku High School secured the Group C championship of the U18 Nisshin Foods Top League 2026 Division 2 with a decisive 99-60 victory over Niigata Commercial High School on November 7,
The win sends North Riku to the U18 Nisshin Foods Top League 2027 Promotion Playoff, scheduled for April 10-11, 2027, at the Daiwa Kogyo Arena in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. The team will aim to return to the Top League’s top tier for the first time since the 2023 season.
North Riku Builds Dominant Lead
In the match that clinched the title, North Riku established control from the opening tip. They dominated the first quarter, outscoring Niigata Commercial 28-14. The defensive intensity continued in the second quarter, as North Riku held their opponent to just 11 points, taking a 47-25 lead into halftime.
The second half followed a similar pattern. North Riku did not relent offensively, adding 25 points in the third quarter and 27 in the fourth. They successfully fended off any attempt at a comeback from Niigata Commercial, securing the 39-point victory with a final score of 99-60.
A Perfect Run Against Strong Competition
North Riku's perfect 7-0 record (14 points) in Group C was particularly significant given the caliber of opponents they faced. Despite this challenging competition, North Riku showcased consistent and dominant strength throughout all seven games, solidifying their position as the undisputed group leader with a massive +196 point differential.
Captain Reflects on Team Growth
Following the championship-clinching game, North Riku’s captain, Iwamon Kazuki, spoke about the team’s journey and philosophy. “Of course, winning was a prerequisite,” Iwamon said, according to a statement released by the Japan Basketball Association (JBA). “But in the league, even if you lose, there’s always a next game, so we challenged ourselves with various things.”
Iwamon highlighted the team’s commitment to their established style of play, which emphasizes defense-to-fastbreak offense and three-point shooting. This season, however, they added new dimensions. “We focused on how to score points using different variations and improving our communication,” he explained. “I believe that’s why, in our first game against Seishin Fukaya, we were able to get into a good rhythm with solid defense, and that led to this seven-game winning streak.”
The captain also pointed to the team’s improved internal dynamics as a key takeaway from the league campaign. “One of our gains from this league was that student coaches and underclassmen had more opportunities to voice their opinions, and we upperclassmen also started sharing ours,” Iwamon stated. “This has made communication much smoother. I want them to compete in the U18 Nisshin Foods Top League Division 1.”
The Path to Promotion
By winning the Group C title, North Riku has earned the right to compete in the U18 Nisshin Foods Top League 2027 Promotion Playoff. The playoff will be held on April 10 and 11, 2027, at the Daiwa Kogyo Arena in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. This two-day event will determine which teams will advance to the top division for the following season. North Riku’s goal is to win this playoff and secure a return to the U18 Nisshin Foods Top League Division 1, marking their first appearance in the top tier since 2023.
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