B3 League Round 50: Chiba defeat Nagasaki

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Nagasaki (37-4) on the court of second ranked Chiba on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Chiba 93-89. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Nagasaki. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Chiba had a 32-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Kevin Kotzur (203-1989, college: St.Mary's, TX) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The other American import power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American-Panamanian center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds for Nagasaki. Nagasaki's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Chiba maintains second position with 31-5 record having eleven points less than leader Nagasaki. Nagasaki at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still keeps top place with four games lost. Chiba are again looking forward to face league's leader Nagasaki at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nagasaki will have a break next round.
The game in Iwate was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Shizuoka (29-9) played at the court of 6th ranked Iwate (26-16). Shizuoka managed to secure a 6-point victory 78-72. Argentinian forward Alexis Elsener (195-1988, agency: Interperformances) scored 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Ryan Stephan chipped in 9 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shizuoka have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 29-9 record. Iwate lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 16 games lost. Shizuoka will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Iwate will play again at home against Shizuoka (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Tokyo between Yokohama EX and Tokyo HT. Eleventh ranked Yokohama EX (14-28) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Tokyo HT (22-17). Yokohama EX managed to escape with a 2-point win 91-89 on Saturday evening. Mamadou Gueye notched a double-double by scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even a double-double of 26 points and 23 rebounds by John Fields did not help to save the game for Tokyo HT. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yokohama EX maintains eleventh position with 14-28 record. Loser Tokyo HT dropped to the eighth place with 17 games lost. 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 50: Tokyo HT beat Yokohama EX on the road 70-63. Aisin AW won against Kanazawa on its own court 87-80. Okayama outscored Yamaguchi in a road game 114-57. Saitama recorded a loss to Kagoshima at home 87-94.
The most impressive performance of 50th round was 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists by Christian Cunningham of Kagoshima.

Yokohama EX - Tokyo HT 63-70

No shocking result in a game when ninth ranked Tokyo HT (22-17) beat on the road 11th ranked Yokohama EX (14-28) 70-63 on Friday. American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) notched a double-double by scoring 22 points and 20 rebounds to lead the effort and Senegalese forward Bamba Diouf (198-1993) supported him with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Four Tokyo HT players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds by Canadian forward Mamadou Gueye (201-1993, college: Alberta) did not help to save the game for Yokohama EX. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) added 8 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tokyo HT moved-up to eighth place. Loser Yokohama EX keeps the eleventh position with 28 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: M.Gueye 15+14reb+3ast, I.Copeland 12+7reb, T.Yutaka 11+3reb+3ast, E.Ross 8+11reb+5ast, M.Mitchell 6+4reb, O.Shota 5+1reb
Tokyo HT: J.Fields 22+20reb+2ast, D.Bamba 11+5reb+2ast, C.Washburn 11+3reb+3ast, S.Takeshi 10+1reb+2ast, H.Ogane 7+2reb, Y.Takehiro 6+1reb+2ast

Aisin AW - Kanazawa 87-80

Very expected game when 15th ranked Kanazawa (1-42) lost to fifth ranked Aisin AW (28-15) in Aichi 80-87 on Saturday. Aisin AW outrebounded Kanazawa 49-33 including 34 on the defensive glass. American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) notched a double-double by scoring 38 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 5 assists (on 16-of-19 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and the other American import center Nigel Spikes (208-1989, college: Marshall) supported him with 10 points and 16 rebounds. Even 12 points and 6 assists by point guard Daichi Tomioka (165-1995) did not help to save the game for Kanazawa. Power forward Blake Aoki (202-1993) added 14 points and 6 rebounds for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Aisin AW have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 28-15 record. Kanazawa lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 42 lost games. Aisin AW will again meet at home bottom-ranked Kanazawa (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Kanazawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: B.Aoki 14+6reb, D.Tomioka 12+4reb+6ast, T.Shodai 11+7reb+1ast, I.Harumichi 11+2reb+2ast, K.Takuto 9+4reb, Y.Hikaru 7+1reb
Aisin AW: J.Faison 38+11reb+5ast, Y.Ishihara 16+1reb+1ast, S.Sora 15+5reb+2ast, N.Spikes 10+16reb+1ast, R.Takahashi 3+3reb, K.Kenshin 3+7reb

Yokohama EX - Tokyo HT 91-89

A very close game took place in Tokyo between Yokohama EX and Tokyo HT. Eleventh ranked Yokohama EX (14-28) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Tokyo HT (22-17). Yokohama EX managed to escape with a 2-point win 91-89 on Saturday evening. Yokohama EX looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Canadian forward Mamadou Gueye (201-1993, college: Alberta) notched a double-double by scoring 22 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) supported him with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Even a double-double of 26 points and 23 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) by American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) did not help to save the game for Tokyo HT. His fellow American import forward Chris Washburn (203-1993, college: TCU) added 17 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yokohama EX maintains eleventh position with 14-28 record. Loser Tokyo HT dropped to the eighth place with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: J.Fields 26+23reb+3ast, C.Washburn 17+9reb+3ast, H.Ogane 11+3reb+4ast, H.Furuhashi 10+4reb+2ast, S.Sawaji 7+1reb, O.Yusaku 5+1reb+1ast
Yokohama EX: M.Gueye 22+12reb+6ast, O.Shota 21, E.Ross 13+5reb+4ast, I.Copeland 13+7reb+2ast, S.Makoto 9+4reb, D.Taguchi 6+2reb+5ast

Chiba - Nagasaki 93-89

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Nagasaki (37-4) on the court of second ranked Chiba on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Chiba 93-89. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Nagasaki. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. Chiba had a 32-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American forward Kevin Kotzur (203-1989, college: St.Mary's, TX) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The other American import power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) contributed with 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American-Panamanian center Javier Carter (203-1991, college: USA, agency: Slash Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Matt Bonds (196-1995, college: St.Michael's, agency: Duran International) added 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Nagasaki. Four Chiba and five Nagasaki players scored in double figures. Nagasaki's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Chiba maintains second position with 31-5 record having eleven points less than leader Nagasaki. Nagasaki at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still keeps top place with four games lost. Chiba are again looking forward to face league's leader Nagasaki at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nagasaki will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Nagasaki: J.Carter 23+10reb, M.Bonds 19+8reb+4ast, J.Gibbs 15+4reb+3ast, M.Karimata 13+4reb+6ast, K.Matsumoto 13+2reb+2ast, E.Yamamoto 3
Chiba: E.Ravenel 20+5reb+2ast, K.Kotzur 18+15reb+1ast, Y.Otsuka 17+3reb, F.Kota 14+7reb+6ast, Y.Okada 8+1reb, D.Kobayashi 7+3reb+2ast

Iwate - Shizuoka 72-78

The game in Iwate was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Shizuoka (29-9) played at the court of 6th ranked Iwate (26-16). Shizuoka managed to secure a 6-point victory 78-72. Argentinian forward Alexis Elsener (195-1988, agency: Interperformances) scored 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American center Ryan Stephan (208-1994, college: CMU) chipped in 9 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Elsener is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds and point guard Toshiki Yokogawa (177-1995) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shizuoka have an impressive 11-game winning streak. They maintain fourth position with 29-9 record. Iwate lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 16 games lost. Shizuoka will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Iwate will play again at home against Shizuoka (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Iwate: Y.Toshiki 17+5reb+10ast, T.King 17+13reb+2ast, K.Richardson 14+13reb, K.Takabatake 8+1reb+3ast, J.Taniguchi 6+1ast, A.Osawa 5+2reb+1ast
Shizuoka: A.Elsener 18+5reb+5ast, S.Kanou 14, Y.Kentaro 11+2reb+1ast, Y.Okada 9+1reb+6ast, R.Stephan 9+14reb+1ast, R.Otomo 8+2reb

Yamaguchi - Okayama 57-114

Very predictable result when seventh ranked Okayama (25-11) rolled over on the road 12th ranked Yamaguchi (11-34) 114-57 on Saturday. Okayama dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Yamaguchi's 24. Okayama forced 22 Yamaguchi turnovers and outrebounded them 54-32 including a 43-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) notched a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 rebounds (on 14-of-15 shooting from the field) to lead the effort and Nigerian forward Chukwudiebere Maduabum (206-1991) supported him with 21 points and 11 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Four Okayama players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 14 points and 17 rebounds by American forward Robert Sampson (203-1992, college: Georgia Tech) did not help to save the game for Yamaguchi. Point guard Rikiya Yamaguchi (180-1996) added 9 points and 5 assists for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Okayama have an impressive five-game winning streak. They maintain seventh position with 25-11 record. Yamaguchi lost fourteenth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the twelfth place with 34 games lost. Okayama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play again against Okayama (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: R.Sampson 14+17reb, H.Doi 12+2reb, R.Yamaguchi 9+5ast, Y.Ide 6+5reb+2ast, K.Shuntaro 6+1reb, T.Issei 5+1reb+1ast
Okayama: C.Olivier 32+10reb+3ast, C.Maduabum 21+11reb+2ast, J.Parmer 14+9reb+2ast, K.Tsubasa 11+2reb+2ast, M.Yusuke 9+3reb, S.Hasegawa 8+3reb+2ast

Saitama - Kagoshima 87-94

Not a big story in a game when 9th ranked Saitama (21-16) lost at home to third ranked Kagoshima (31-9) 94-87 on Saturday. Kagoshima made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. Kagoshima outrebounded Saitama 45-33 including a 34-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. American players dominated the game. Swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) notched 25 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the effort and forward Christian Cunningham (201-1997, college: JSU) supported him with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Five Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 27 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists by center Will Creekmore (205-1989, college: Missouri St.) did not help to save the game for Saitama. Power forward Ryan Watkins (206-1991, college: Boise St., agency: Slash Sports) added 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kagoshima maintains third position with 31-9 record having seven points less than leader Nagasaki. Saitama lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth place with 16 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Saitama: W.Creekmore 27+11reb+4ast, R.Watkins 22+6reb+4ast, K.Shinkawa 14+1reb+1ast, K.Nakano 8+1reb+3ast, S.Fumiya 8, M.Okamoto 5+1reb
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 25+9reb+7ast, C.Cunningham 19+15reb+4ast, S.Muto 14+3reb+5ast, H.Aruma 12+1reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 10+1reb, D.Vicentic 5+5reb



Tags : KEVIN KOTZUR, ALTIRI CHIBA, JAPANESE BASKETBALL