B3 League Round 31 (Regular Season): Kagawa lose to Tokyo Z

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked Five Arrows (22-7) and twelfth ranked Earthfriends (14-17) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Five Arrows were defeated by Earthfriends in Tokyo 70-83. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Five Arrows. Tokyo Z outrebounded Kagawa 37-22 including 26 on the defensive glass. Tokyo Z looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Cameron Parker (188-1998, college: Portland St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 assists. His fellow American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) contributed with 13 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) answered with 15 points and 5 rebounds for Kagawa. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokyo Z moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Tokyo. Kagawa at the other side keeps the third position with seven games lost. Tokyo Z is looking forward to face higher ranked Kagawa (#3) in Takamatsu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kagawa will have a break next round.
Thirteenth-ranked Pats Five (11-20) used its home court advantage to challenge eighth ranked Tachikawa (16-15) in Yamaguchi. The visitors from Tachikawa managed to secure only three-point victory 81-78. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!) and 20 rebounds. Aaron Falzon helped adding 17 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side American forward Deandre Abram (203-1997, college: Milwaukee) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Tachikawa maintains eighth place with 16-15 record. Yamaguchi at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 20 games lost. They share it with Okayama. Tachikawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play again at home against Tachikawa (#8) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Yokkaichi between Try Hoop and Veertien Mie. Fourteenth ranked Try Hoop (11-20) got a very close victory on the road over 15th ranked Veertien Mie (9-22). Try Hoop managed to escape with a 3-point win 68-65 on Saturday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Taane Samuel who led the winners and scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. Josh Martin came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists for Veertien Mie in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Okayama moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Yamaguchi. Veertien Mie lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth position with 22 games lost. Okayama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play against Okayama (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games in round 31 were not that significant. Tokushima Gam. smashed Shinagawa on the road 101-78. Shanan Utd won against Toyoda on its own court 81-73. Tokyo unfortunately lost to Kagoshima in Renova 76-82. Shanan Utd managed to beat Toyoda at home 86-80. Saitama defeated Gifu on the opponent's court 76-68.



Shinagawa - Tokushima Gam. 78-101

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Gambarous (21-10) crushed on the road 16th ranked Shinagawa (8-23) 101-78 on Saturday. Tokushima Gam. outrebounded Shinagawa 46-31 including a 33-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tokushima Gam. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 14 rebounds. His fellow American import power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) accounted for 15 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Gambarous players scored in double figures. Canadian center Renaldo Dixon (206-1990, college: NM State) came up with 22 points and 6 rebounds and guard Ikumi Takahashi (186-1998) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively for Shinagawa in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokushima Gam. moved-up to fourth place. Loser Shinagawa keeps the sixteenth position with 23 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinagawa will play against Tokushima Gam. (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: R.Dixon 22+6reb+1ast, T.Ikumi 17+3reb+4ast, S.Jules 10+9reb, H.Seiya 9+1ast, U.Sotaro 5+1ast, K.Steve 4+2reb+2ast
Tokushima Gam.: C.Coleman 18+2reb+2ast, T.Dawson 15+9reb+5ast, J.Combs 14+14reb+3ast, A.Teruya 11+4reb+1ast, W.Kouki 11+2reb, A.Kuerban 9+1reb

Shanan Utd - Toyoda 81-73

Very expected game when 17th ranked Scorpions (7-23) lost to tenth ranked Shanan Utd (15-17) in Kanagawa 73-81 on Friday. It was an exceptional evening for point guard Aiki Tanno (172-1995) who led the winners and scored 31 points. Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) accounted for 14 points and 15 rebounds for the winning side. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) came up with 30 points and 9 rebounds and Australian center Andrew Ferguson (213-1998, college: CS Monterey) added 8 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Toyoda in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shanan Utd have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to ninth place. Toyoda lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventeenth position with 23 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Toyoda: E.Ross 30+9reb+2ast, D.Laster 12+2reb, A.Ferguson 8+10reb+3ast, D.Kokubu 7+2reb, M.Getto 6+2reb+2ast, H.Doi 4+1reb+1ast
Shanan Utd: A.Tanno 31+1reb+3ast, K.Nakano 18+3reb+1ast, R.Gustys 14+15reb+3ast, O.Antypov 9+13reb+2ast, I.Shinpei 9+3reb+8ast, T.Shinya 0+1reb+1ast

Tokyo Z - Kagawa FA 83-70

The game between third ranked Five Arrows (22-7) and twelfth ranked Earthfriends (14-17) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Five Arrows were defeated by Earthfriends in Tokyo 70-83. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Five Arrows. Tokyo Z outrebounded Kagawa 37-22 including 26 on the defensive glass. Tokyo Z looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Cameron Parker (188-1998, college: Portland St.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 assists. His fellow American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Five Earthfriends players scored in double figures. Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) answered with 15 points and 5 rebounds and American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) added 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Kagawa. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokyo Z moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Tokyo. Kagawa at the other side keeps the third position with seven games lost. Tokyo Z is looking forward to face higher ranked Kagawa (#3) in Takamatsu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kagawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: U.Junki 15+1reb+2ast, M.Dama 15+5reb+1ast, E.Ravenel 9+7reb+4ast, S.Jr Kedrick 9+1reb+3ast, A.Randall 8+4reb+4ast, K.Matsui 5+2reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: U.Yuya 16+2reb+5ast, C.Parker 15+2reb+10ast, N.Allen 15+4reb, J.Lampkin 13+10reb+3ast, Z.Moore 11+11reb+2ast, K.Ryota 9+2reb+3ast

Yamaguchi - Tachikawa 78-81

Thirteenth-ranked Pats Five (11-20) used its home court advantage to challenge eighth ranked Tachikawa (16-15) in Yamaguchi. The visitors from Tachikawa managed to secure only three-point victory 81-78. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!) and 20 rebounds. Maltese-American forward Aaron Falzon (203-1996, college: Quinnipiac) helped adding 17 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side American forward Deandre Abram (203-1997, college: Milwaukee) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import guard Desmond Jackson (185-1992, college: AAMU) scored 14 points. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Newly promoted Tachikawa maintains eighth place with 16-15 record. Yamaguchi at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 20 games lost. They share it with Okayama. Tachikawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play again at home against Tachikawa (#8) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: D.Abram 26+17reb+4ast, D.Jackson 14+3reb, J.Kendrick 13+2reb+1ast, R.Yamaguchi 6+1reb+2ast, Y.Jo 6+3reb+3ast, D.Shimoyama 5+3ast
Tachikawa: A.Fitzgerald 41+20reb+3ast, A.Falzon 17+6reb+3ast, M.Ousu 5+2reb+1ast, M.Jouta 5+3reb+5ast, A.Kouta 5+2reb+3ast, F.Kouhei 3+1reb

Kagoshima - Tokyo HT 82-76

Very predictable result when second ranked Kagoshima (24-7) won against 9th ranked Hachioji Trains (14-17) in Renova 82-76 on Saturday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Kagoshima made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who led the winners and scored 18 points and 8 rebounds. His fellow American import Kyle Richardson (200-1991, college: Portland St.) accounted for 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Kodai Takahashi (180-1991) came up with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) added 20 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for Tokyo in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kagoshima maintains second place with 24-7 record having just two points less than leader Fukui B. Tokyo lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Tokyo Z. Kagoshima will meet at home Tokyo (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: D.Doblas 20+5reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 19+7reb+4ast, T.Edogi 10+7reb, D.Bamba 7+5reb+3ast, M.Igbanu 6+6reb, O.Yusaku 5+1reb+3ast
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 18+8reb+3ast, K.Richardson 14+5reb+3ast, T.Guers 9+4ast, M.Yuji 8+2reb+4ast, F.Kota 7+1reb+1ast, Y.Nakajima 7+2reb+1ast

Shanan Utd - Toyoda 86-80

Not a big story in a game when 17th ranked Scorpions (7-23) lost to tenth ranked Shanan Utd (15-17) in Kanagawa 80-86 on Saturday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Shanan Utd outrebounded Toyoda 36-24 including 26 on the defensive glass. It was an exceptional evening for Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 18 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). Point guard Shinpei Itabashi (168-1998) accounted for 31 points for the winning side. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) came up with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and American Daniel Laster (199-1996, college: Gardner-Webb) added 16 points respectively for Toyoda in the defeat. Five Toyoda players scored in double figures. Scorpions' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Shanan Utd have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They moved-up to ninth place. Toyoda lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the seventeenth position with 23 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Toyoda: D.Laster 16+4reb+1ast, A.Ferguson 14+3reb+2ast, E.Ross 14+8reb+5ast, H.Doi 12+1reb+2ast, D.Kokubu 10+2reb+1ast, S.Yuto 7+2reb
Shanan Utd: I.Shinpei 31+2reb+3ast, R.Gustys 27+18reb+3ast, O.Antypov 14+10reb+2ast, A.Tanno 9+6ast, K.Nakano 3, S.Takuya 2+2reb

Gifu - Saitama 68-76

Everything went according to plan when seventh ranked Broncos (18-13) defeated 11th ranked Swoops (13-18) in Gifu 76-68 on Saturday. They outrebounded Gifu 45-32 including 34 on the defensive glass. It was an exceptional evening for naturalized American center Will Creekmore (205-1989, college: Missouri St.) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 11 rebounds. Point guard Hikaru Akiyama (174-1995) accounted for 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Four Broncos players scored in double figures. American center Baylee Steele (213-1997, college: Duquesne, agency: One Motive Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 17 rebounds and American-Dominican forward AJ Bramah (201-1999, college: Nevada) added 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for Gifu in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Saitama maintains seventh place with 18-13 record. Loser Swoops dropped to the twelfth position with 18 games lost. Saitama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gifu will play against Saitama (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gifu: B.Steele 26+17reb+1ast, A.Bramah 20+9reb+5ast, T.Kaisei 7+4ast, H.Cort 7+4reb+7ast, T.Masahiro 3, I.Eitaro 3+1reb+1ast
Saitama: W.Creekmore 28+11reb+3ast, A.Hikaru 17+5reb+2ast, J.Faison 12+9reb+2ast, M.Esho 10+10reb+1ast, R.Watkins 6+3reb, N.Ryutaro 3+3reb

Veertien Mie - Okayama 65-68

A very close game took place in Yokkaichi between Try Hoop and Veertien Mie. Fourteenth ranked Try Hoop (11-20) got a very close victory on the road over 15th ranked Veertien Mie (9-22). Try Hoop managed to escape with a 3-point win 68-65 on Saturday evening. It was an exceptional evening for New Zealand forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) who led the winners and scored 21 points and 9 rebounds. American forward Jeffrey Parmer (203-1985, college: FAU) accounted for 8 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. American forward Josh Martin (201-1995, college: Santa Clara) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) added 9 points and 14 rebounds respectively for Veertien Mie in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Okayama moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Yamaguchi. Veertien Mie lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth position with 22 games lost. Okayama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play against Okayama (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: J.Martin 19+16reb+5ast, K.Tatsuya 10+1reb+1ast, D.Dodd 9+14reb+2ast, T.Yuki 6+2reb, Y.Miyazaki 6, S.Riku 6+2reb
Okayama: T.Samuel 21+9reb+3ast, M.Yusuke 14+2reb, J.Parmer 8+6reb+3ast, S.Sora 7+1reb+2ast, K.Takabatake 6+3reb, O.Rikuto 6+2reb