B3 League Round 36: Kagoshima is defeated by Iwate

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most important game in the last round took place in Iwate between second ranked Kagoshima (23-6) and fourth ranked Iwate (23-12) on Saturday night. Kagoshima was crushed by Iwate on the road 96-68. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Kagoshima. Iwate dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Kagoshima's 48. They outrebounded Kagoshima 45-22 including a 30-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. Iwate looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Kagoshima helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of Kyle Richardson (200-91, college: Portland St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds and forward Terrance King (198-90, college: ESU) who added 23 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-93, college: LCU) with 21 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Iwate have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 23-12 record. Kagoshima at the other side dropped to the third place with six games lost. Iwate are again looking forward to face higher ranked Kagoshima (#3) in Renova in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
B3 League top team - Nagasaki (28-3) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Tokyo HT (15-12) 111-60. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tokyo HT. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The winners were led by forward Matt Bonds (196-95, college: St.Michael's, agency: Duran International) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds and Jeffrey Gibbs supported him with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Even a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds by power forward John Fields (205-88, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Tokyo HT. 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. Nagasaki have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains first position with 28-3 record. Tokyo HT at the other side keeps the ninth place with 12 games lost. Nagasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo HT will play again at home against the league's leader Nagasaki (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

In the last two games of round 36 Gifu was destroyed by Saitama on the opponent's court 102-62. Toyoda was outscored by Chiba in a home game 79-99.

Saitama - Gifu 102-62

Rather expected game when 10th ranked Gifu (11-20) was crushed on the road by seventh ranked Saitama (18-11) 102-62. Saitama dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Gifu's 30. Saitama forced 23 Gifu turnovers. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Gifu's players. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The winners were led by power forward Ryan Watkins (206-91, college: Boise St., agency: Slash Sports) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and center Will Creekmore (205-89, college: Missouri St.) supported him with 23 points (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). Four Saitama players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds by forward Alex Floresca (203-96, college: San Diego) did not help to save the game for Gifu. Center Jayce Johnson (213-97, college: Marquette) added 5 points and 10 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. Saitama maintains seventh position with 18-11 record. Gifu at the other side dropped to the eleventh place with 20 games lost. Saitama will again play against Gifu (#11) at home in the next round. Gifu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Gifu: A.Floresca 15+10reb+3ast, M.Yuta 11+1reb+1ast, J.Wright 10+4reb, F.Kosuke 8+1ast, J.Johnson 5+10reb+2ast, K.Morito 4
Saitama: W.Creekmore 23+2reb+3ast, R.Watkins 17+12reb+1ast, K.Nakano 15+2ast, S.Fumiya 14+2ast, N.Akihisa 11+1reb, K.Shinkawa 7+2reb+1ast

Toyoda - Chiba 79-99

Very predictable result in Aichi where third ranked Chiba (23-4) smashed 13th ranked Toyoda (6-27) 99-79. They outrebounded Toyoda 38-24 including 25 on the defensive glass. Chiba players were unselfish on offense dishing 25 assists. Toyoda was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The winners were led by forward Kevin Kotzur (203-89, college: St.Mary's, TX) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 19 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists and power forward Evan Ravenel (204-89, college: Ohio St.) supported him with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Even a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds by power forward Jalen Billups (200-92, college: NKU, agency: BIG) did not help to save the game for Toyoda. Guard Tucker Haymond (198-94, college: W.Michigan) added 13 points and 4 assists. Four Chiba and five Toyoda players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Chiba moved-up to second place. Toyoda lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 27 games lost. Chiba will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Toyoda will play again at home against the league's second-placed Chiba (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Toyoda: J.Billups 18+10reb+1ast, T.Haymond 13+2reb+4ast, H.Hiroki 13+2reb+4ast, H.Kenya 12+2ast, J.Wolfinger 12+4reb, E.Sumihiro 4+1ast
Chiba: E.Ravenel 22+11reb+5ast, K.Kotzur 19+15reb+5ast, D.Kobayashi 15+3reb+4ast, F.Kota 13+1reb+3ast, Y.Otsuka 9+2reb+2ast, Y.Okada 9+2reb+1ast

Tokyo HT - Nagasaki 60-111

B3 League top team - Nagasaki (28-3) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed ninth ranked Tokyo HT (15-12) 111-60. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Tokyo HT. Nagasaki dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Tokyo HT's 34. Nagasaki forced 19 Tokyo HT turnovers and outrebounded them 43-27 including a 31-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three nailing 15 long-distance shots on high 51.7 percentage. Nagasaki players were unselfish on offense dishing 29 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Tokyo HT's players. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. The winners were led by forward Matt Bonds (196-95, college: St.Michael's, agency: Duran International) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds and forward Jeffrey Gibbs (188-80, college: Otterbein) supported him with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Five Nagasaki players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds by power forward John Fields (205-88, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Tokyo HT. Forward Chris Washburn (203-93, college: TCU) added 9 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. 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. Nagasaki have an impressive nine-game winning streak. Newly promoted Nagasaki maintains first position with 28-3 record. Tokyo HT at the other side keeps the ninth place with 12 games lost. Nagasaki will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo HT will play again at home against the league's leader Nagasaki (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: J.Fields 16+11reb, O.Yusaku 11+1ast, C.Washburn 9+8reb+5ast, A.Murray 8+1reb+1ast, H.Furuhashi 7+1reb+2ast, S.Takeshi 5+1reb+2ast
Nagasaki: M.Bonds 24+13reb+3ast, E.Yamamoto 18+5reb+1ast, J.Gibbs 15+7reb+8ast, J.Carter 14+7reb, T.Dickson 13+4reb+6ast, K.Matsumoto 9+2reb+3ast

Iwate - Kagoshima 96-68

The most important game in the last round took place in Iwate between second ranked Kagoshima (23-6) and fourth ranked Iwate (23-12) on Saturday night. Kagoshima was crushed by Iwate on the road 96-68. It ended at the same time the 12-game winning streak of Kagoshima. Iwate dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Kagoshima's 48. They outrebounded Kagoshima 45-22 including a 30-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. Iwate looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Kagoshima helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Americans were the main players on the court. Worth to mention a great performance of Kyle Richardson (200-91, college: Portland St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 17 rebounds and forward Terrance King (198-90, college: ESU) who added 23 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-93, college: LCU) with 21 points and 6 rebounds and forward Christian Cunningham (201-97, college: JSU) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Iwate have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 23-12 record. Kagoshima at the other side dropped to the third place with six games lost. Iwate are again looking forward to face higher ranked Kagoshima (#3) in Renova in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Kagoshima will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 21+6reb+1ast, C.Cunningham 13+5reb+1ast, C.Diop 10+5reb+1ast, S.Muto 7+1ast, H.Fujita 5+2reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 4+2reb+4ast
Iwate: K.Richardson 33+17reb+3ast, T.King 23+7reb+1ast, A.Jones 13+10reb+1ast, K.Takabatake 7+4reb+3ast, A.Osawa 6+1ast, S.Chiba 6+2reb+1ast



Tags : KYLE RICHARDSON, IWATE BIG BULLS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL