B3 League Round 10: Toyoda Gosei lose to Tokyo EX

There were many interesting games last round. The round ended with change at the leadership position, favorites losing the games and even winless team recording their first victory. Here is the last round review presented by ESL.

The biggest surprise took place in Tokyo where host Tokyo EX (12-3) beat league's leader Toyoda Gosei (13-5) 90-81 on Saturday evening. Tokyo EX outrebounded Toyoda Gosei 36-18 including a 26-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American swingman Michael Craig (196-91, college: Southern Miss) fired a double-double by scoring 29 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Terrance King (198-90, college: ESU) chipped in 26 points and 8 rebounds. Tokyo EX's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American center CJ Gettys (213-94, college: Rutgers, agency: Haylett Sports) produced 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Tokyo EX have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 12-3 record. Toyoda Gosei at the other side still keeps top place with five games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Aisin AW who have the same record. Toyoda Gosei will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Tokyo EX will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Toyoda Gosei in Aichi.
The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Aisin AW as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader's (Toyoda Gosei) loss. Aisin AW smashed 10th ranked Kagoshima in Aichi 106-71. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Markhuri Sanders-Frison (203-88, college: California) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kyle Richardson contributed with 12 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. point guard Aruma Hamada (178-97) replied with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for Kagoshima. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Aisin AW (13-5) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 3 other teams. Kagoshima lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 18 games lost. Kagoshima will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Aisin AW will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Gifu on the road.
Top ranked Toyoda Gosei (13-5) recorded its fifth loss on the court of fifth ranked Tokyo EX on Sunday night. Visitors were rolled over by Tokyo EX 108-74. Terrance King had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners. Tokyo EX's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side CJ Gettys responded with 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Tokyo EX (12-3) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position. Loser Toyoda Gosei still keeps top place with five games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Tokyo EX will again meet higher ranked Toyoda Gosei (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Toyoda Gosei will have a break next round.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Iwate (13-5) against sixth ranked Shizuoka (11-7) on Saturday night. Visiting Iwate was crushed by Shizuoka in Shizuoka 91-67. Novar Gadson notched 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Shizuoka have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 11-7 record. Iwate at the other side still keeps top place with five games lost. Shizuoka's next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Saitama (#11) at home where they are favorite. Iwate will play against Tokyo HT (#9) and hope to win that game.
Saitama can celebrate finally their first win this season after 16 consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Tokyo HT (4-10) 85-75 on Saturday. Will Creekmore fired a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Saitama maintains eleventh position with 1-16 record. Loser Tokyo HT keeps the ninth place with ten games lost. Saitama will face higher ranked Shizuoka (#6) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game.

Rest of the games of round 10 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Gifu crushed Kanazawa in a road game 98-64. Aisin AW beat Kagoshima at home 85-81. Iwate won against Shizuoka on the opponent's court 89-83. Bottom-ranked Saitama unfortunately lost to Tokyo HT in a home game 74-78. Gifu recorded a loss to Kanazawa on the road 76-82.
The best stats of 10th round was 27 points and 15 rebounds by Mamadou Gueye of Gifu.

Kanazawa - Gifu 64-98

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Kanazawa's (6-12) home loss to seventh ranked Gifu (9-11) 64-98 on Saturday. Gifu dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Kanazawa's 36 and made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Gifu forced 19 Kanazawa turnovers. American forward Worth Smith (198-93, college: Navy) fired 20 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Canadian forward Mamadou Gueye (201-93, college: Alberta) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds. Hiroto Tamada (179-93) produced 9 points and 7 rebounds and the former international forward Kohei Takahashi (197-96) added 6 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Gifu have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 9-11 record. Kanazawa lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 12 games lost. Gifu will face league's leader Aisin AW in Aichi in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Kanazawa will play on the road against Okayama (#4) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Gifu: W.Smith 20+9reb+1ast, M.Gueye 18+5reb, T.Masahiro 12+1reb, A.Floresca 9+9reb+1ast, Y.Kentaro 9+2reb+3ast, I.Eitaro 8+2reb+2ast
Kanazawa: M.Yuki 10+1reb, S.Kotaro 10+1ast, N.Ren 9+3reb+1ast, H.Tamada 9+7reb, D.Tomioka 7+2reb+1ast, Y.Kota 6+7reb

Tokyo EX - Toyoda Gosei 90-81

The biggest surprise took place in Tokyo where host Tokyo EX (12-3) beat league's leader Toyoda Gosei (13-5) 90-81 on Saturday evening. Tokyo EX outrebounded Toyoda Gosei 36-18 including a 26-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. American swingman Michael Craig (196-91, college: Southern Miss) fired a double-double by scoring 29 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners. The other American import forward Terrance King (198-90, college: ESU) chipped in 26 points and 8 rebounds. Tokyo EX's coach used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American center CJ Gettys (213-94, college: Rutgers, agency: Haylett Sports) produced 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and point guard Eiji Sumihiro (171-89) added 15 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Five Toyoda Gosei players scored in double figures. Tokyo EX have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 12-3 record. Toyoda Gosei at the other side still keeps top place with five games lost. They were joined at the leadership position by Aisin AW who have the same record. Toyoda Gosei will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Tokyo EX will try to continue on its current victory against third ranked Toyoda Gosei in Aichi.
Top scorers:
Tokyo EX: M.Craig 29+16reb+7ast, T.King 26+8reb+1ast, K.Nagasawa 11+2reb+2ast, J.Kaiki 8+1reb, D.Taguchi 6+2reb+5ast, S.Deguara 6+2reb
Toyoda Gosei: C.Gettys 30+8reb+6ast, E.Sumihiro 15+4reb+5ast, R.Yanagiuchi 11+2reb+3ast, H.Hiroki 11+2reb+6ast, Y.Ibayashi 10+2ast, T.Tachino 2+1reb

Aisin AW - Kagoshima 106-71

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Aisin AW as it allowed them to take a leadership position after previous leader's (Toyoda Gosei) loss. Aisin AW smashed 10th ranked Kagoshima in Aichi 106-71. Aisin AW dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Kagoshima's 42. They outrebounded Kagoshima 42-29 including 28 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Markhuri Sanders-Frison (203-88, college: California) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import Kyle Richardson (200-91, college: Portland St.) contributed with 12 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Five Aisin AW players scored in double figures. Point guard Aruma Hamada (178-97) replied with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Senegalese center Diop Cheikh (210-97) added 7 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Kagoshima. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Aisin AW (13-5) have an impressive seven-game winning streak. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 3 other teams. Kagoshima lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 18 games lost. Kagoshima will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest in order to get back on the winning path. Aisin AW will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Gifu on the road.
Top scorers:
Aisin AW: F.Shunsuke 18+2reb+1ast, Y.Okada 15+1reb+3ast, J.Peppers 14+5reb+2ast, M.Sanders-Frison 12+10reb+3ast, K.Richardson 12+9reb+1ast, Y.Ishihara 10+2reb+2ast
Kagoshima: H.Aruma 12+5reb+4ast, R.Dixon 12+2reb+1ast, Y.Nagayama 8+2reb, K.Matsuzaki 8+2reb+2ast, C.Diop 7+8reb+1ast, K.Kiichi 6+2reb+1ast

Shizuoka - Iwate 91-67

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Iwate (13-5) against sixth ranked Shizuoka (11-7) on Saturday night. Visiting Iwate was crushed by Shizuoka in Shizuoka 91-67. Shizuoka forced 25 Iwate turnovers. 25 personal fouls committed by Iwate helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Novar Gadson (201-89, college: Rider) notched 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the effort and Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-96, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) supported him with 16 points and 5 assists. Five Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Even 21 points and 6 rebounds by American forward Chris Olivier (202-92, college: OK State) did not help to save the game for Iwate. His fellow American import forward Robert Dozier (206-85, college: Memphis) added 11 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Shizuoka have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 11-7 record. Iwate at the other side still keeps top place with five games lost. Shizuoka's next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Saitama (#11) at home where they are favorite. Iwate will play against Tokyo HT (#9) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: N.Gadson 18+8reb+4ast, M.Dama 16+4reb+5ast, F.Yohei 12+1ast, L.Evans 12+6reb+2ast, M.Ojo 10+3reb+3ast, O.Shinnosuke 8+1reb+1ast
Iwate: C.Olivier 21+6reb, R.Dozier 11+7reb+3ast, R.Aoki 7, Y.Toshiki 6+3reb+3ast, R.Ito 5+2reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 4+1reb+1ast

Saitama - Tokyo HT 85-75

Saitama can celebrate finally their first win this season after 16 consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Tokyo HT (4-10) 85-75 on Saturday. American center Will Creekmore (205-89, college: Missouri St.) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Forward Keita Shinkawa (183-95) chipped in 22 points and 6 rebounds. American-Thailand power forward Jalen Robinson (206-93, college: Dalton St.) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 16 rebounds and guard Hiroya Ogane (180-89) added 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Five Saitama and four Tokyo HT players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Saitama maintains eleventh position with 1-16 record. Loser Tokyo HT keeps the ninth place with ten games lost. Saitama will face higher ranked Shizuoka (#6) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game.
Top scorers:
Saitama: K.Shinkawa 22+6reb, W.Creekmore 15+13reb+1ast, N.Nakano 15+3reb+1ast, Y.Jo 12+3reb+7ast, M.Eric 10+9reb, H.Tomoya 6+4reb+1ast
Tokyo HT: J.Robinson 18+16reb+2ast, H.Ogane 17+7reb+4ast, S.Sawaji 13+4reb, M.Ueda 10+1reb+2ast, O.Yusaku 5+2ast, T.Sano 4

Tokyo EX - Toyoda Gosei 108-74

Top ranked Toyoda Gosei (13-5) recorded its fifth loss on the court of fifth ranked Tokyo EX on Sunday night. Visitors were rolled over by Tokyo EX 108-74. They dominated down low during the game scoring 74 of its points in the paint compared to Toyoda Gosei's 44. They outrebounded Toyoda Gosei 41-16 including a 28-10 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tokyo EX looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. American forward Terrance King (198-90, college: ESU) had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 12 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import swingman Michael Craig (196-91, college: Southern Miss) chipped in 16 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. Four Tokyo EX players scored in double figures. Tokyo EX's coach felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side American center CJ Gettys (213-94, college: Rutgers, agency: Haylett Sports) responded with 33 points (!!!), 7 rebounds and 5 assists and point guard Hiroki Higashi (185-95) scored 12 points and 5 assists. Tokyo EX (12-3) have an impressive eight-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position. Loser Toyoda Gosei still keeps top place with five games lost. They share the position with 3 other teams. Tokyo EX will again meet higher ranked Toyoda Gosei (#3) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Toyoda Gosei will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo EX: T.King 23+12reb+2ast, S.Deguara 20+7reb, M.Craig 16+9reb+9ast, K.Ogura 15+3reb, Y.Saito 11+2ast, D.Uematsu 8+1ast
Toyoda Gosei: C.Gettys 33+7reb+5ast, H.Hiroki 12+5ast, Y.Ibayashi 10+1reb+3ast, E.Sumihiro 9+2reb, K.Fujita 5, R.Yanagiuchi 3+3reb+4ast

Aisin AW - Kagoshima 85-81

No shocking result in a game in Aichi where fourth ranked Aisin AW (13-5) defeated 10th ranked Kagoshima (2-18) 85-81 on Sunday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Aisin AW dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Kagoshima's 36. American center Markhuri Sanders-Frison (203-88, college: California) fired a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. The other American import Kyle Richardson (200-91, college: Portland St.) chipped in 19 points and 7 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Five Aisin AW players scored in double figures. Canadian center Renaldo Dixon (206-90, college: NM State) produced 22 points and 7 rebounds and Kiichi Kawakami (188-95) added 13 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Aisin AW have an impressive seven-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Kagoshima lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 18 games lost. Aisin AW will face Gifu (#7) on the road in the next round where they are favorite.
Top scorers:
Aisin AW: K.Richardson 19+7reb, F.Shunsuke 16+3reb+3ast, J.Peppers 14+2reb+4ast, M.Sanders-Frison 12+11reb+3ast, Y.Okada 10+1reb+2ast, K.Kenshin 5+1reb+1ast
Kagoshima: R.Dixon 22+7reb+1ast, K.Kiichi 13+1reb+3ast, K.Matsuzaki 8+1ast, K.Sameshima 7+2reb+4ast, C.Diop 7+6reb+1ast, H.Aruma 7+1ast

Shizuoka - Iwate 83-89

Rather expected game when 6th ranked Shizuoka (11-7) was defeated at home by third ranked Iwate (13-5) 89-83 on Sunday. Iwate made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. Naturalized American point guard Ryuji Aoki (183-98, college: Rose-Hulman) fired 46 points (!!!) for the winners. American forward Robert Dozier (206-85, college: Memphis) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-96, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) produced 23 points and 9 rebounds and naturalized American Luke Evans (203-91, college: CBU) added 21 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Iwate keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Shizuoka keeps the sixth place with seven games lost. Iwate will face Tokyo HT (#9) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shizuoka will play against Saitama and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Iwate: R.Aoki 46+1reb, R.Dozier 14+10reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 7+2ast, E.Nissen 6+1reb+1ast, C.Olivier 6+8reb+1ast, D.Bamba 5+5reb
Shizuoka: M.Dama 23+9reb+2ast, M.Ojo 23, L.Evans 21+10reb+1ast, N.Gadson 14+6reb+2ast, N.Ishikawa 2+2reb+1ast, F.Yohei 0

Saitama - Tokyo HT 74-78

Rather predictable result when ninth ranked Tokyo HT (4-10) beat on the road bottom-ranked Saitama (1-16) 78-74 on Sunday. Saitama was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Guard Hiroya Ogane (180-89) fired 22 points for the winners. American-Thailand power forward Jalen Robinson (206-93, college: Dalton St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Tokyo HT players scored in double figures. American center Will Creekmore (205-89, college: Missouri St.) produced a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds and point guard Nakano Nakano (182-94) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tokyo HT maintains ninth position with 4-10 record. Loser Saitama stay at the bottom place with 16 games lost. Tokyo HT will face league's second-placed Iwate at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Saitama will play against Shizuoka (#6) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: H.Ogane 22+4reb+3ast, Y.Takehiro 14+1reb+1ast, J.Robinson 10+12reb+4ast, M.Ueda 10+6reb+2ast, Y.Niyokwizera 8+7reb+2ast, S.Sawaji 6+3reb
Saitama: W.Creekmore 34+10reb, N.Nakano 13+5reb+3ast, M.Eric 7+5reb+1ast, Y.Jo 7+4reb+3ast, K.Shinkawa 6+10reb+4ast, F.Kosuke 4+1reb+3ast

Kanazawa - Gifu 82-76

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Ishikawa where 7th ranked Gifu (9-11) was defeated by eighth ranked Kanazawa (6-12) 82-76 on Sunday. American guard Andre Murray (188-87, college: Portland St.) fired 36 points (!!!) and 9 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Kohei Takahashi (197-96) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. Canadian forward Mamadou Gueye (201-93, college: Alberta) produced a double-double by scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds and American forward Worth Smith (198-93, college: Navy) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Kanazawa maintains eighth position with 6-12 record. Loser Gifu keeps the seventh place with 11 games lost. Kanazawa will face higher ranked Okayama (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: A.Murray 36+9reb, K.Takahashi 14+5reb+1ast, D.Tomioka 8+3reb+6ast, N.Ren 7+1reb+2ast, S.Kotaro 7+6reb+1ast, H.Tamada 6+4reb+2ast
Gifu: M.Gueye 27+15reb+3ast, W.Smith 12+8reb+2ast, T.Masahiro 9+1reb, M.Yuta 8+2reb, Y.Kentaro 7+3reb+1ast, P.Abu 4+2reb



Tags : MICHAEL CRAIG, TOKYO EXCELLENCE, JAPANESE BASKETBALL