B3 League Round 19: Tokyo Utd edge Iwate by three points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 19 in the B3 League took place in Iwate. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 3rd placed Iwate (16-4) to seventh ranked Tokyo Utd (11-9) 82-79 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Iwate. Guard Mamadou Fofana (185-1998) fired 25 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American swingman Michael Craig (196-1991, college: Southern Miss) chipped in 7 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. American power forward Gerald Beverly (202-1993, college: Daemen) produced 23 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks for lost side. Iwate's coach Yukinori Suzuki tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Tokyo Utd maintains seventh place with 11-9 record. Iwate at the other side keeps the third position with four games lost. Tokyo Utd are looking forward to face Yamaguchi (#15) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Iwate will play against Yokohama EX (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Leader Kagoshima delivered the eighteenth victory. This time they beat 6th ranked Yokohama EX (14-6) 93-77 in Tokyo. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who helped to win the game recording 38 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. Shuhei Muto contributed with 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. American center Baylee Steele (213-1997, college: Duquesne, agency: One Motive Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds for Yokohama EX. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kagoshima (18-2) have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place, which they share with Shizuoka. Yokohama EX at the other side keeps the sixth position with six games lost. Kagoshima will play against bottom-ranked Shinagawa (#16) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Yokohama EX will play against Iwate (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Shinagawa (0-20) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-83 loss to fifth ranked Saitama (15-5) in Shinagawa on Sunday evening. It was a great evening for Ryan Watkins who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds. At the losing side AJ Bramah responded with 29 points. Shinagawa's coach let to play twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Saitama. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Okayama. Shinagawa lost their twentieth game in a row. They still close the standings. Saitama will meet Tachikawa (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shinagawa will play against the league's leader Kagoshima in Renova and hopes to get finally their first victory.

Other games of round 19 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Toyoda defeated Veertien Mie in Aichi 95-81. Gifu beat Tokyo HT at home 92-78. Tachikawa won against Yamaguchi on the opponent's court 70-62. Shizuoka outscored Shanan Utd in a home game 102-53.
The best stats of 19th round was 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists by Kenny Lawson of Shizuoka.

Shinagawa - Saitama 83-94

Bottom-ranked Shinagawa (0-20) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-83 loss to fifth ranked Saitama (15-5) in Shinagawa on Sunday evening. They made 21-of-23 free shots (91.3 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Shinagawa 38-23 including a 18-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Saitama looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for American power forward Ryan Watkins (206-1991, college: Boise St., agency: Slash Sports) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds. Point guard Taketo Kato (178-2000) helped adding 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. At the losing side American forward AJ Bramah (201-1999, college: Nevada) responded with 29 points and Yuto Sasaki (186-1998) scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Shinagawa's coach let to play twelve players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Saitama. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Okayama. Shinagawa lost their twentieth game in a row. They still close the standings. Saitama will meet Tachikawa (#13) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shinagawa will play against the league's leader Kagoshima in Renova and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Saitama: R.Watkins 23+13reb+1ast, A.Hikaru 15+5reb+1ast, G.Sitton 14+2ast, S.Fumiya 12, K.Taketo 11+5reb+6ast, W.Creekmore 8+7reb+5ast
Shinagawa: A.Bramah 29+3reb+1ast, S.Yuto 18+5reb+1ast, R.Dixon 13+3reb+5ast, T.Ikumi 10+1reb, D.Uematsu 5+4reb+6ast, N.Ryota 3+2reb+2ast

Yokohama EX - Kagoshima 77-93

Leader Kagoshima delivered the eighteenth victory. This time they beat 6th ranked Yokohama EX (14-6) 93-77 in Tokyo. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who helped to win the game recording 38 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. Forward Shuhei Muto (192-1991) contributed with 18 points and 5 assists for the winners. American center Baylee Steele (213-1997, college: Duquesne, agency: One Motive Sports) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 14 rebounds and the other American import forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) added 23 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Yokohama EX. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kagoshima (18-2) have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. They maintain first place, which they share with Shizuoka. Yokohama EX at the other side keeps the sixth position with six games lost. Kagoshima will play against bottom-ranked Shinagawa (#16) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Yokohama EX will play against Iwate (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 38+6reb+1ast, S.Muto 18+4reb+5ast, L.Routt 8+16reb, C.Diop 6+4reb, Y.Nakajima 5+4reb+4ast, M.Yuji 5+2ast
Yokohama EX: B.Steele 25+14reb+3ast, J.Faison 23+7reb+3ast, T.Nishiyama 11+5reb+5ast, T.Masuko 8+1reb+2ast, D.Taguchi 5+2reb+3ast, T.Toshino 5+1reb+2ast

Veertien Mie - Toyoda 81-95

Everything could happen in Yokkaichi at the game between two tied teams. Both fourteenth ranked Toyoda and 12th ranked Veertien Mie had identical 6-13 record. But Veertien Mie was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Aichi 95-81 on Sunday night. Toyoda made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game, while Veertien Mie only scored one point from the stripe. They outrebounded Veertien Mie 35-24 including 27 on the defensive glass. Toyoda looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for German center Yasin Kolo (208-1992, college: Bellarmine) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. American JD Weatherspoon (198-1992, college: Toledo) helped adding 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side American forward Josh Martin (201-1995, college: Santa Clara) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard Tucker Haymond (198-1994, college: W.Michigan) scored 17 points. Four Toyoda and five Veertien Mie players scored in double figures. Veertien Mie's coach Masao Kuda gave the chance to play for eleven players and allowed the starting five to rest. Toyoda (7-13) moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Newly promoted Veertien Mie dropped to the thirteenth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Yamaguchi and Tachikawa. Toyoda will meet at home league's second-placed Shizuoka in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Veertien Mie will play against Okayama (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyoda: Y.Kolo 24+10reb+2ast, J.Weatherspoon 20+10reb+4ast, T.Ren 14+1reb+6ast, I.Hajime 11+5reb+2ast, D.Kokubu 8+1reb, J.Wolfinger 7+1reb
Veertien Mie: T.Haymond 17+3reb+2ast, J.Martin 15+8reb+2ast, K.Tatsuya 12+2ast, E.Artison 11+3reb+2ast, S.Mizoguchi 10+2reb+4ast, S.Takaya 6

Iwate - Tokyo Utd 79-82

The most exciting game of round 19 in the B3 League took place in Iwate. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 3rd placed Iwate (16-4) to seventh ranked Tokyo Utd (11-9) 82-79 on Sunday evening. It ended at the same time the nine-game winning streak of Iwate. Guard Mamadou Fofana (185-1998) fired 25 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American swingman Michael Craig (196-1991, college: Southern Miss) chipped in 7 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Four Tokyo Utd players scored in double figures. American power forward Gerald Beverly (202-1993, college: Daemen) produced 23 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks and the other American import forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) added 13 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. Iwate's coach Yukinori Suzuki tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Newly promoted Tokyo Utd maintains seventh place with 11-9 record. Iwate at the other side keeps the third position with four games lost. Tokyo Utd are looking forward to face Yamaguchi (#15) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Iwate will play against Yokohama EX (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: M.Fofana 25+5reb, B.Bula 16+5reb+1ast, H.Hiroki 14+5reb+3ast, M.Ueda 13+3reb+2ast, M.Craig 7+5reb+10ast, S.Miyata 4+1ast
Iwate: G.Beverly 23+9reb+1ast, K.Doolittle 13+7reb+2ast, Y.Toshiki 11, J.Taniguchi 9+2reb, I.Harumichi 6+3reb, K.Takabatake 6+2ast

Gifu - Tokyo HT 92-78

There was a small surprise when eleventh ranked Gifu (7-13) defeated at home 8th ranked Tokyo HT (7-13) 92-78 on Sunday. They outrebounded Tokyo HT 44-33 including a 31-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American forward Jerrell Wright (204-1991, college: La Salle) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists. Lithuanian center Matas Jucikas (205-1994, agency: BIG) helped adding 20 points and 8 rebounds. Four Gifu players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Robert Sampson (203-1992, college: Georgia Tech) responded with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and Senegalese forward Bamba Diouf (198-1993) scored 24 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Gifu. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with 4 other teams including defeated Tokyo HT. Tokyo HT lost their fourth game in a row. Gifu will meet Shanan Utd (#9) in the next round. Tokyo HT will play against Kanazawa in Ishikawa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gifu: J.Wright 26+18reb+4ast, M.Jucikas 20+8reb+2ast, T.Masahiro 12+3reb+2ast, S.Andre 11+6reb, S.Asuka 9+1ast, K.Morito 7+1reb+3ast
Tokyo HT: D.Bamba 24+3reb+3ast, R.Sampson 18+11reb+1ast, Y.Takehiro 17+1reb, J.Baker 8+3reb, K.Takahashi 4+1reb+3ast, N.Ishikawa 3+3ast

Yamaguchi - Tachikawa 62-70

There was a minor upset when 13th ranked Yamaguchi (6-14) was defeated at home by fifteenth ranked Tachikawa (6-14) 70-62 on Sunday. Tachikawa made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American forward Tristin Walley (201-1996, college: Arkansas St., agency: One Motive Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. His fellow American import forward Scott Blakney (203-1998, college: Montana) helped adding 12 points and 8 rebounds. Four Tachikawa players scored in double figures. Tachikawa's coach Takeo Mabashi used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side Jamaican-British center Ryan Richards (212-1991) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds and American power forward Michael Phillips (202-1990, college: Howard) scored 17 points. Tachikawa moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Yamaguchi and Veertien Mie. Yamaguchi lost their fourth game in a row. Tachikawa will meet at home higher ranked Saitama (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Yamaguchi will play against Tokyo Utd (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: A.Kota 14+4reb, T.Walley 14+8reb+5ast, A.Ryusei 13+2reb+3ast, S.Blakney 12+8reb+1ast, Y.Sakai 7+1reb+4ast, O.Kunitatsu 4+3reb+3ast
Yamaguchi: R.Richards 20+14reb+2ast, M.Phillips 17+4reb+1ast, S.Yuuki 7+1reb+1ast, K.Kiichi 7+2reb+1ast, T.Konosuke 3+1reb+2ast, Y.Jo 3+2reb+3ast

Shizuoka - Shanan Utd 102-53

Very predictable result when second ranked Shizuoka (18-2) outscored at home 9th ranked Shanan Utd (7-13) 102-53 on Sunday. Shizuoka shot 20 for 27 from the free-throw line, while Shanan Utd only scored four points from the stripe. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Shanan Utd's players. It was a great evening for American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Argentinian forward Alexis Elsener (195-1988, agency: Interperformances) helped adding 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Elsener is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Shizuoka players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and forward Abu Philip (198-1997) scored 16 points and 8 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Shizuoka. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Kagoshima. Newly promoted Shanan Utd dropped to the eighth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with 4 other teams. Shizuoka will meet Toyoda (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shanan Utd will play against Gifu and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shizuoka: K.Lawson 19+12reb+5ast, A.Elsener 15+5reb+5ast, Y.Okada 14+5reb+2ast, F.Yohei 14+1ast, K.Murakoshi 11+1reb+1ast, K.Shinkawa 8+1reb+1ast
Shanan Utd: C.Olivier 17+11reb+2ast, P.Abu 16+8reb+1ast, S.Shion 5+1reb+1ast, S.Green 5+4reb+1ast, H.Tamada 3+2reb+2ast, R.Ito 3+2reb+2ast



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