B3 League Round 38 (Regular Season): Kagoshima lose to Fukui B. in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Renova. 3rd ranked host Kagoshima (27-12) lost to first ranked Blowinds (33-3) 82-73. Fukui B. had a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) scored 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) responded with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Blowinds have an impressive 26-game winning streak. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains first position with 33-3 record. Kagoshima at the other side keeps the third place with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Tokushima Gam. (#4) was upset in Tokushima by eighth ranked Tokyo Utd 88-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Gambarous. Point guard Ren Kawashima (180-1994) notched 20 points, 5 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and Marcus Dove supported him with 13 points and 7 rebounds. United's coach Masaki Hayamizu allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 28 points and 15 rebounds by American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) did not help to save the game for Gambarous. Tokyo Utd (21-15) moved-up to seventh place. Tokushima Gam. at the other side keeps the fourth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Saitama and Yokohama. Tokyo Utd will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokushima Gam. will play on the road against Yokohama (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Shinagawa between Shinagawa and Earthfriends. Sixteenth ranked Shinagawa (11-27) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Earthfriends (16-22). Shinagawa managed to escape with a 3-point win 80-77 on Sunday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. The best player for the winners was Ikumi Takahashi who scored 35 points (!!!) and 4 steals (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Cameron Parker produced 15 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Shinagawa maintains sixteenth position with 11-27 record. Loser Earthfriends dropped to the tenth place with 22 games lost. They share the position with Gifu and Shanan Utd. Shinagawa will meet at home league's second-placed Kagawa in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 38: Tokyo lost to Saitama on the opponent's court 83-97. Yamaguchi was outscored by Toyoda in a home game 84-104. Bottom-ranked Kanazawa recorded a loss to Veertien Mie on the road 100-93. Gifu was defeated by Yokohama on its own court 76-90. Kagawa beat Okayama in Takamatsu 77-65. Okayama was destroyed by Kagawa at home 71-96.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 30 points and 5 rebounds by Renaldo Dixon of Shinagawa.



Saitama - Tokyo HT 97-83

Rather expected game in Saitama where 9th ranked Hachioji Trains (17-20) were defeated by sixth ranked Broncos (24-14) 97-83 on Sunday. Saitama looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was naturalized American center Will Creekmore (205-1989, college: Missouri St.) who scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Point guard Hikaru Akiyama (174-1995) chipped in 9 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Nigerian power forward Martins Igbanu (203-1997, college: Tulsa) produced 23 points and 6 rebounds and Nigerian-American power forward TK Edogi (203-1994, college: Iona) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Saitama moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Yokohama and Tokushima Gam. Loser Hachioji Trains keeps the ninth position with 20 games lost. Saitama will meet bottom-ranked Kanazawa (#18) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Tokyo will play against Yamaguchi (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Saitama: M.Esho 18+4reb, S.Fumiya 17+1reb+1ast, W.Creekmore 17+9reb+2ast, R.Watkins 14+5reb+1ast, J.Faison 9+4reb+6ast, A.Hikaru 9+6reb+7ast
Tokyo HT: M.Igbanu 23+6reb, T.Edogi 18+6reb+3ast, D.Bamba 15+2reb+1ast, N.Ishikawa 8+2reb+1ast, D.Doblas 7+8reb+3ast, H.Ogane 5+4reb

Yamaguchi - Toyoda 84-104

There was a small surprise in Yamaguchi where seventeenth ranked Scorpions (9-27) smashed 14th ranked Pats Five (13-25) 104-84 on Sunday. Toyoda outrebounded Yamaguchi 46-33 including 33 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. American Daniel Laster (199-1996, college: Gardner-Webb) chipped in 31 points. American forward Deandre Abram (203-1997, college: Milwaukee) produced 39 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 4 blocks and his fellow American import swingman Jelan-Miguel Kendrick (201-1991, college: UNLV) added 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Toyoda maintains seventeenth position with 9-27 record. Loser Pats Five dropped to the thirteenth place with 25 games lost. They share the position with Okayama. Toyoda will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play against Tokyo (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Toyoda: D.Laster 31+4reb, E.Ross 26+15reb+4ast, D.Kokubu 16+5reb+1ast, W.Shogo 7+1reb+1ast, H.Doi 7+3reb, A.Ferguson 6+7reb+1ast
Yamaguchi: D.Abram 39+8reb+1ast, J.Kendrick 14+8reb+4ast, K.Kiichi 8+1reb, S.Yuuki 7+5reb+2ast, H.Makoto 5+2ast, D.Shimoyama 3+3reb

Tokushima Gam. - Tokyo Utd 76-88

Tokushima Gam. (#4) was upset in Tokushima by eighth ranked Tokyo Utd 88-76. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Gambarous. United players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Gambarous were plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Point guard Ren Kawashima (180-1994) notched 20 points, 5 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and American Marcus Dove (206-1985, college: OK State) supported him with 13 points and 7 rebounds. United's coach Masaki Hayamizu allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even a double-double of 28 points and 15 rebounds by American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) did not help to save the game for Gambarous. His fellow American import Cameron Coleman (198-1992, college: York, NE, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) added 16 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts. Tokyo Utd (21-15) moved-up to seventh place. Tokushima Gam. at the other side keeps the fourth position with 14 games lost. They share it with Saitama and Yokohama. Tokyo Utd will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokushima Gam. will play on the road against Yokohama (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: K.Ren 20+3reb+5ast, M.Dove 13+7reb+1ast, T.Shinnosuke 12+2ast, C.Maduabum 10+6reb+1ast, I.Hajime 8+5reb+3ast, Y.Narumi 8+2reb
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 28+15reb+1ast, C.Coleman 16+5reb+2ast, A.Kuerban 10+5ast, W.Kouki 8+5reb+2ast, D.Joseph 6+3reb, T.Yutaka 5+6reb+7ast

Kagoshima - Fukui B. 73-82

The game between Top Four teams took place in Renova. 3rd ranked host Kagoshima (27-12) lost to first ranked Blowinds (33-3) 82-73. Fukui B. had a 18-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) scored 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Four Blowinds players scored in double figures. Swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) responded with 24 points and 8 rebounds and forward Logan Routt (211-1997, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Blowinds have an impressive 26-game winning streak. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains first position with 33-3 record. Kagoshima at the other side keeps the third place with 12 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: T.Boyd III 18+8reb+5ast, M.Hosoya 17+1reb+1ast, P.Ellis 14+12reb+3ast, J.Mitsuda 13+3reb+2ast, T.Hasegawa 9+4reb+1ast, R.Watanabe 4+7reb+1ast
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 24+8reb+3ast, L.Routt 18+15reb+1ast, T.Guers 10+3reb+1ast, S.Muto 6+1reb+1ast, Y.Nakajima 6+1reb+1ast, M.Yuji 4+1reb+5ast

Veertien Mie - Kanazawa 100-93

Not a big story in a game in Yokkaichi where 18th ranked Kanazawa (5-24) was defeated by fifteenth ranked Veertien Mie (12-26) 100-93 on Sunday. Veertien Mie looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Josh Martin (201-1995, college: Santa Clara) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 16 rebounds. The other American import guard Justin Pierce (201-1998, college: UNC, agency: Inception Sports) chipped in 20 points and 5 rebounds. Four Veertien Mie players scored in double figures. Senegalese forward Dou Gueye (206-1997, college: Louisiana) produced a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) added 23 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Veertien Mie maintains fifteenth position with 12-26 record. Loser Kanazawa stay dead last with 24 lost games. Veertien Mie will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kanazawa will play against Saitama (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: J.Martin 21+16reb+1ast, J.Pierce 20+5reb+1ast, Y.Miyazaki 17+1reb+5ast, S.Riku 15+4reb+2ast, D.Dodd 6+5reb+4ast, K.Ryu 6+4reb+2ast
Kanazawa: D.Gueye 24+10reb+1ast, C.Olivier 23+6reb+2ast, I.Boyarkin 14+1reb+5ast, K.Takuto 9+1reb+1ast, I.Ayumu 6+3reb+1ast, K.Wataru 4+1reb

Gifu - Yokohama EX 76-90

Everything went according to plan in Gifu where fifth ranked Excellence (24-14) beat 10th ranked Swoops (16-22) 90-76 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was Latvian center Klavs Cavars (208-1996) who had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 14 rebounds (perfect from the field making all nine shots !!!). Guard Takumi Masuko (186-1991) chipped in 23 points and 4 assists. American-Dominican forward AJ Bramah (201-1999, college: Nevada) produced 22 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Noah Dahlman (202-1989, college: Wofford) added 11 points, 9 assists and 6 steals respectively for the hosts. Five Gifu players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Yokohama moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Saitama and Tokushima Gam. Loser Swoops keeps the tenth position with 22 games lost. They share it with Tokyo Z and Shanan Utd. Yokohama will meet at home Tokushima Gam. (#6) in the next round. Gifu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: T.Masuko 23+2reb+4ast, K.Cavars 22+14reb, A.Kovalov 19+3reb+2ast, T.Nishiyama 8+3reb+9ast, C.Sow 4, B.Olumuyiwa 4+4reb
Gifu: A.Bramah 22+8reb+1ast, S.Andre 15+4reb+1ast, S.Asuka 12+1reb+4ast, N.Dahlman 11+3reb+9ast, H.Cort 11+4reb+4ast, I.Eitaro 3+2reb+3ast

Okayama - Kagawa FA 65-77

There was no surprise in Okayama where 13th ranked Try Hoop (13-25) was defeated by second ranked Five Arrows (29-7) 77-65 on Monday. Kagawa outrebounded Okayama 37-23 including 25 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) who scored 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. Four Five Arrows players scored in double figures. New Zealand forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) produced 23 points and 6 rebounds and guard Keisuke Takabatake (183-1990) added 11 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Five Arrows have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains second position with 29-7 record having four points less than leader Fukui B. Okayama lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with 25 games lost. They share the position with Yamaguchi. Kagawa will meet Shinagawa (#16) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Okayama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: E.Ravenel 19+8reb+3ast, S.Jr Kedrick 18+3reb, M.Dama 14+10reb+1ast, A.Randall 12+8reb+4ast, U.Junki 6+5reb, K.Kimura 4+1reb
Okayama: T.Samuel 23+6reb+3ast, K.Takabatake 11+3reb+2ast, J.Parmer 9+6reb+1ast, M.Yusuke 6, N.Soichiro 4, O.Rikuto 4+1ast

Okayama - Kagawa FA 71-96

No shocking result in a game in Okayama where second ranked Five Arrows (29-7) outleveled 13th ranked Try Hoop (13-25) 96-71 on Tuesday. Kagawa made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American power forward Evan Ravenel (204-1989, college: Ohio St.) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Five Arrows players scored in double figures. Guard Keisuke Takabatake (183-1990) produced 12 points and 6 assists and American power forward Michael Phillips (202-1990, college: Howard) added 14 points and 5 rebounds respectively 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. Five Arrows have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains second position with 29-7 record having four points less than leader Fukui B. Okayama lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with 25 games lost. They share the position with Yamaguchi. Kagawa will meet Shinagawa (#16) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Okayama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: K.Matsui 21+1reb, E.Ravenel 18+13reb+5ast, A.Randall 17+5reb+7ast, S.Jr Kedrick 12+1ast, K.Kimura 7+2ast, M.Fofana 6+3reb
Okayama: M.Phillips 14+5reb+1ast, K.Takabatake 12+3reb+6ast, M.Lado 10+9reb, T.Samuel 9+3reb+1ast, S.Taisei 6+2reb, M.Yusuke 5

Shinagawa - Tokyo Z 80-77

A very close game took place in Shinagawa between Shinagawa and Earthfriends. Sixteenth ranked Shinagawa (11-27) got a very close home victory over higher ranked Earthfriends (16-22). Shinagawa managed to escape with a 3-point win 80-77 on Sunday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the guest team. Shinagawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was guard Ikumi Takahashi (186-1998) who scored 35 points (!!!) and 4 steals (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Canadian center Renaldo Dixon (206-1990, college: NM State) chipped in 30 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Cameron Parker (188-1998, college: Portland St.) produced 15 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and his fellow American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists respectively for the guests. Five Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Shinagawa maintains sixteenth position with 11-27 record. Loser Earthfriends dropped to the tenth place with 22 games lost. They share the position with Gifu and Shanan Utd. Shinagawa will meet at home league's second-placed Kagawa in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: T.Ikumi 35+1reb+2ast, R.Dixon 30+5reb+2ast, H.Koval 11+5reb+3ast, O.Kunitatsu 2+3reb+1ast, N.Yuma 2, K.Steve 0+6reb
Tokyo Z: C.Parker 15+8reb+8ast, Z.Moore 14+7reb+1ast, N.Allen 12+4reb+1ast, J.Lampkin 12+7reb+6ast, S.Faye 12+8reb+1ast, U.Yuya 8+3ast