B3 League Round 20: Top-ranked Nagasaki win another game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

B3 League top team - Nagasaki (18-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Yamaguchi (6-13) 98-73. Nagasaki forced 22 Yamaguchi turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American players dominated the game. Forward Matt Bonds (196-95, college: St.Michael's, agency: Duran International) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-80, college: Otterbein) contributed with 7 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Forward Robert Sampson (203-92, college: Georgia Tech) replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds for Yamaguchi. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nagasaki have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains first position with 18-1 record. Yamaguchi lost third consecutive game. Yamaguchi at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eleventh place with 13 games lost. Nagasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play again at home against the league's leader Nagasaki (#1) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Bottom-ranked Kanazawa is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 20th consecutive match to sixth ranked Okayama (13-5) 94-60. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Chris Olivier (202-92, college: OK State) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds and Chukwudiebere Maduabum who added 16 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Power forward Blake Aoki (202-93) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Okayama have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 13-5 record. Kanazawa at the other side still closes the standings. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bottom-ranked Kanazawa is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 20th consecutive match to sixth ranked Okayama (13-5) 119-87 on Saturday evening. The winners were led by Chris Olivier who had that evening a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Even 25 points by Yuki Matsuya did not help to save the game for Kanazawa. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Okayama have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 13-5 record. Loser Kanazawa still closes the standings. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 20: Aisin AW was beaten by Saitama on the road 85-81. Saitama won against Aisin AW on its own court 87-77. Kagoshima managed to outperform Gifu in Renova 89-78. Toyoda was rolled over Shizuoka at home 68-88. Yokohama EX was defeated by Chiba on the opponent's court 82-78. Shinagawa was smashed by Tokyo HT in a home game 65-97. Tokyo HT destroyed Shinagawa on the road 95-71.
The most impressive performance of 20th round was 17 points and 20 rebounds by John Fields of Tokyo HT.

Saitama - Aisin AW 85-81

The game between closely ranked teams ended with seventh ranked Saitama's (13-7) home victory over 8th ranked Aisin AW (11-9) 85-81 on Friday. American players dominated also this game. The winners were led by power forward Ryan Watkins (206-91, college: Boise St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 27 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists and center Will Creekmore (205-89, college: Missouri St.) supported him with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Four Saitama players scored in double figures. Even 27 points and 5 assists by forward Jordan Faison (201-94, college: CPP) did not help to save the game for Aisin AW. Center Nigel Spikes (208-89, college: Marshall) added 8 points and 11 rebounds for the guests. Aisin AW's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Saitama maintains seventh position with 13-7 record. Loser Aisin AW keeps the eighth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Aisin AW: J.Faison 27+3reb+5ast, T.Watanabe 12+3reb+1ast, F.Shunsuke 12+2reb+1ast, S.Sora 11+4reb+1ast, N.Spikes 8+11reb+2ast, M.Dove 6+11reb+1ast
Saitama: R.Watkins 27+16reb+4ast, W.Creekmore 18+15reb+3ast, K.Shinkawa 13+4reb+1ast, N.Ren 11+1reb+6ast, S.Fumiya 7+2reb+3ast, K.Nakano 6

Okayama - Kanazawa 94-60

Bottom-ranked Kanazawa is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 20th consecutive match to sixth ranked Okayama (13-5) 94-60. Okayama dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Kanazawa's 30. Okayama forced 25 Kanazawa turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Chris Olivier (202-92, college: OK State) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds and Nigerian forward Chukwudiebere Maduabum (206-91) who added 16 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Power forward Blake Aoki (202-93) responded with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds and Hiroto Tamada (179-93) scored 8 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Okayama have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 13-5 record. Kanazawa at the other side still closes the standings. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: B.Aoki 14+14reb+1ast, T.Shodai 9+2reb, H.Tamada 8+6reb+5ast, D.Vicentic 6+1reb, S.Kotaro 6+2reb, D.Tomioka 6+2reb+7ast
Okayama: C.Olivier 20+13reb+3ast, C.Maduabum 16+7reb+2ast, I.Eitaro 9+2reb+1ast, J.Parmer 9+10reb+3ast, M.Higuchi 8+1ast, H.Cort 8+5reb+2ast

Okayama - Kanazawa 119-87

Bottom-ranked Kanazawa is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their 20th consecutive match to sixth ranked Okayama (13-5) 119-87 on Saturday evening. Okayama dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Kanazawa's 38. They outrebounded Kanazawa 48-22 including a 16-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Okayama looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Kanazawa's players. The winners were led by American forward Chris Olivier (202-92, college: OK State) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Jeffrey Parmer (203-85, college: FAU) supported him with 7 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Okayama players scored in double figures. Even 25 points by point guard Yuki Matsuya (170-98) did not help to save the game for Kanazawa. Kotaro Suda (184-95) added 18 points for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Okayama have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain sixth position with 13-5 record. Loser Kanazawa still closes the standings. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: M.Yuki 25+2reb, S.Kotaro 18+1reb+2ast, D.Tomioka 17+1reb+2ast, K.Kakeru 7+3reb+2ast, B.Aoki 7+4reb+2ast, Y.Hikaru 7+1reb+1ast
Okayama: C.Olivier 23+10reb+5ast, M.Yusuke 14+3reb+3ast, M.Higuchi 13+4reb+3ast, C.Maduabum 13+6reb+1ast, K.Tsubasa 10+4reb, I.Eitaro 9+1ast

Saitama - Aisin AW 87-77

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 8th ranked Aisin AW's (11-9) road loss to seventh ranked Saitama (13-7) 77-87 on Saturday. Saitama shot 31 for 44 from the free-throw line, while Aisin AW only scored twelve points from the stripe. They outrebounded Aisin AW 40-28 including 29 on the defensive glass. Saitama looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The winners were led by American power forward Ryan Watkins (206-91, college: Boise St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and point guard Ren Nagashima (177-97) supported him with 16 points and 6 assists. Even 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists by American forward Jordan Faison (201-94, college: CPP) did not help to save the game for Aisin AW. His fellow American import center Nigel Spikes (208-89, college: Marshall) added 10 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Aisin AW's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Saitama maintains seventh position with 13-7 record. Loser Aisin AW keeps the eighth place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Aisin AW: J.Faison 25+5reb+4ast, S.Sora 13+2reb+2ast, N.Spikes 10+6reb+2ast, M.Dove 9+5reb, F.Shunsuke 9+2reb+3ast, T.Watanabe 7+3reb+3ast
Saitama: R.Watkins 21+12reb+3ast, S.Fumiya 19+1reb+3ast, N.Ren 16+4reb+6ast, K.Nakano 7+1ast, N.Akihisa 6+1reb, W.Creekmore 5+6reb

Gifu - Kagoshima 78-89

Very predictable result when fourth ranked Kagoshima (14-5) won against on the road 10th ranked Gifu (7-14) 89-78 on Saturday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Kagoshima made 7 blocks. American players dominated also this game. The winners were led by forward Christian Cunningham (201-97, college: JSU) who scored that evening 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks and swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-93, college: LCU) supported him with 24 points. Even a double-double of 29 points and 19 rebounds by center Jayce Johnson (213-97, college: Marquette) did not help to save the game for Gifu. Forward Alex Floresca (203-96, college: San Diego) added 7 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Kagoshima have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Shizuoka. Gifu lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 14 games lost. Kagoshima will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gifu will play again against Kagoshima (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gifu: J.Johnson 29+19reb, A.Ryoya 15+1reb+2ast, K.Morito 9+2reb+5ast, J.Wright 9+7reb, A.Floresca 7+8reb+4ast, T.Masahiro 7+2ast
Kagoshima: K.Bishop 25+2reb, A.Gaines Jr. 24+3reb+2ast, C.Cunningham 19+9reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 9+4reb+4ast, K.Kiichi 6+2reb, K.Matsuzaki 3

Toyoda - Shizuoka 68-88

Not a big story in a game when 13th ranked Toyoda (3-16) was outscored by fifth ranked Shizuoka (14-5) in Aichi 88-68 on Saturday. Shizuoka forced 24 Toyoda turnovers. The winners were led by American center Ryan Stephan (208-94, college: CMU) who scored that evening 17 points and 6 rebounds and Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-96, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) supported him with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Five Shizuoka players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds by American center CJ Gettys (213-94, college: Rutgers, agency: Haylett Sports) did not help to save the game for Toyoda. His fellow American import power forward Jalen Billups (200-92, college: NKU, agency: BIG) added 19 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Shizuoka moved-up to third place, which they share with Kagoshima. Toyoda lost third consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 16 games lost. Shizuoka will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Toyoda will play again against Shizuoka (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyoda: J.Billups 19+6reb, C.Gettys 17+16reb+1ast, H.Hiroki 10, T.Ren 8+2reb+4ast, J.Wolfinger 6+2reb+1ast, R.Yanagiuchi 3+1reb+1ast
Shizuoka: R.Stephan 17+6reb+2ast, M.Dama 15+8reb+2ast, Y.Okada 13+3reb+3ast, Y.Kentaro 12+1ast, A.Elsener 11+6reb+2ast, S.Kanou 8+1reb

Chiba - Yokohama EX 82-78

Everything went according to plan when second ranked Chiba (17-2) defeated at home 12th ranked Yokohama EX (5-14) 82-78 on Saturday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Chiba looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-89, college: Ohio St.) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Kevin Kotzur (203-89, college: St.Mary's, TX) supported him with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 19 points by Canadian forward Mamadou Gueye (201-93, college: Alberta) did not help to save the game for Yokohama EX. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-91, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) added 15 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. Yokohama EX's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Chiba have a solid four-game winning streak. Newly promoted Chiba maintains second position with 17-2 record behind leader Nagasaki. Loser Yokohama EX keeps the twelfth place with 14 games lost. Chiba will again meet at home Yokohama EX (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Yokohama EX will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: M.Gueye 19+4reb+1ast, E.Ross 15+5reb+1ast, A.Hayate 9+1reb+3ast, H.Higuchi 8+1reb, O.Shota 7+1reb, I.Copeland 6+7reb+4ast
Chiba: E.Ravenel 22+10reb+4ast, K.Kotzur 20+9reb+4ast, D.Kobayashi 13+1reb+3ast, Y.Otsuka 9+7reb+1ast, A.Hikaru 6+1reb+1ast, K.Sugimoto 5+1reb+8ast

Yamaguchi - Nagasaki 73-98

B3 League top team - Nagasaki (18-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed eleventh ranked Yamaguchi (6-13) 98-73. Nagasaki forced 22 Yamaguchi turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American players dominated the game. Forward Matt Bonds (196-95, college: St.Michael's, agency: Duran International) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-80, college: Otterbein) contributed with 7 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Forward Robert Sampson (203-92, college: Georgia Tech) replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds and center Nicholas Evans (210-88, college: S.Indiana) added 11 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Yamaguchi. Four Yamaguchi players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Nagasaki have an impressive five-game winning streak. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains first position with 18-1 record. Yamaguchi lost third consecutive game. Yamaguchi at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eleventh place with 13 games lost. Nagasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play again at home against the league's leader Nagasaki (#1) and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: R.Sampson 20+14reb+1ast, R.Yamaguchi 17+5reb+2ast, A.Yamada 11+1reb+2ast, N.Evans 11+13reb+4ast, H.Yamashita 6+2reb+5ast, M.Aiken 2+1ast
Nagasaki: M.Bonds 27+10reb+6ast, J.Carter 12+8reb+1ast, M.Tomoya 9+1reb, T.Dickson 9+4reb+2ast, T.Kanji 7+1reb+3ast, D.Noguchi 7+1ast

Shinagawa - Tokyo HT 65-97

There was no surprise when 14th ranked Shinagawa (2-20) was outleveled at home by ninth ranked Tokyo HT (11-11) 97-65 on Friday. Tokyo HT looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Shinagawa's players. The winners were led by American power forward John Fields (205-88, college: Tennessee) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import forward Chris Washburn (203-93, college: TCU) supported him with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Tokyo HT players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds by forward Abu Philip (198-97) did not help to save the game for Shinagawa. Point guard Kunitatsu Ogata (179-97) added 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Shinagawa's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Tokyo HT have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 11-11 record. Shinagawa lost sixteenth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fourteenth place with 20 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: P.Abu 16+16reb+3ast, B.Gjio 12+3reb, S.Yusuke 9+6reb, O.Kunitatsu 9+6reb+4ast, S.Taira 7+2reb+2ast, K.Ogawa 4+1ast
Tokyo HT: J.Fields 18+12reb+2ast, Y.Takehiro 11+1reb+4ast, M.Fofana 11+2reb+2ast, D.Bamba 10+6reb+2ast, M.Ueda 10+2reb+5ast, H.Ogane 10+3reb+2ast

Shinagawa - Tokyo HT 71-95

No shocking result in a game when ninth ranked Tokyo HT (11-11) crushed on the road 14th ranked Shinagawa (2-20) 95-71 on Saturday. They outrebounded Shinagawa 40-26 including 27 on the defensive glass. Tokyo HT looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American power forward John Fields (205-88, college: Tennessee) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points and 20 rebounds and Masaya Ueda (177-93) supported him with 21 points and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Five Tokyo HT players scored in double figures. Even 18 points and 7 assists by guard Shogo Taira (170-97) did not help to save the game for Shinagawa. Point guard Kunitatsu Ogata (179-97) added 14 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Shinagawa's coach gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win. Tokyo HT have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain ninth position with 11-11 record. Shinagawa lost sixteenth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fourteenth place with 20 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: S.Taira 18+4reb+7ast, P.Abu 17+4reb+2ast, O.Kunitatsu 14+7reb+3ast, Y.Masuda 8+1reb+2ast, B.Gjio 6+6reb, S.Yusuke 5+2reb
Tokyo HT: M.Ueda 21+1reb+4ast, J.Fields 17+20reb, D.Bamba 16+6reb+2ast, Y.Takehiro 13+3reb+1ast, H.Ogane 12+2reb+8ast, C.Washburn 7+4reb+4ast



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