B3 League Round 43 (Regular Season): Yokohama beat Kagawa by one after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 43 in the B3 League took place in Takamatsu. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of much higher ranked Five Arrows (31-9) to sixth ranked Excellence (26-16) 76-75 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Latvian center Klavs Cavars (208-1996) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds. American center Babatunde Olumuyiwa (203-1992, college: USC Upstate) contributed with 12 points and 13 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winners. Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) answered with 19 points and 9 rebounds for Kagawa. Yokohama maintains sixth place with 26-16 record. Kagawa at the other side keeps the second position with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Important game to mention about took place in Tachikawa. Eighth ranked Tachikawa (23-19) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 7th ranked United (22-18) 69-68 in the fight for the seventh place. 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 scoring 26 points and 7 rebounds. Emondre Rickman helped adding 7 points and 11 rebounds. At the losing side point guard Hajime Imabayashi (184-1999) responded with 16 points and 7 rebounds. United's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Tachikawa moved-up to seventh place. Tokyo Utd lost third consecutive game. Tokyo Utd at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the eighth position with 18 games lost. Tachikawa will play against Shinagawa (#15) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo Utd will have a break next round.
B3 League top team - Blowinds (37-3) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed eighteenth ranked Kanazawa (5-28) in Fukui 104-65. It was a quality performance for Tray Boyd III who led the winners and scored 27 points. Chris Olivier came up with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds for Kanazawa 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. Blowinds have an impressive series of thirty victories in a row. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains first place with 37-3 record. Kanazawa lost fifth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 28 lost games. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kanazawa will play against Gifu (#11) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 43 were not that significant. Veertien Mie was beaten by Saitama on the road 100-86. Okayama lost to Shanan Utd on its own court 74-89. Yamaguchi was outscored by Tokushima Gam. in a road game 68-105. Toyoda recorded a loss to Shinagawa at home 78-87. Tokyo defeated Gifu on the opponent's court 82-81.



Saitama - Veertien Mie 100-86

No shocking result in a game when fourth ranked Broncos (28-14) beat 16th ranked Veertien Mie (12-30) in Saitama 100-86 on Sunday. Saitama looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) who led the winners and scored 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) accounted for 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field) for the winning side. American forward Josh Martin (201-1995, college: Santa Clara) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds and the other American import guard Justin Pierce (201-1998, college: UNC, agency: Inception Sports) added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for Veertien Mie in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Broncos have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Saitama maintains fourth place with 28-14 record. Veertien Mie lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 30 games lost. Saitama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play against Shanan Utd (#10) in Kanagawa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: J.Pierce 20+5reb+7ast, J.Martin 19+15reb+3ast, P.Abu 11+5reb+1ast, K.Tatsuya 10+1ast, S.Takaya 9, K.Adeison 7+4reb
Saitama: M.Esho 23+7reb+4ast, J.Faison 21+5reb+5ast, A.Hikaru 14+3reb+1ast, Y.Takahashi 12+3reb+4ast, S.Fumiya 9+2reb, R.Watkins 9+8reb

Okayama - Shanan Utd 74-89

Rather expected game when 13th ranked Try Hoop (15-27) lost to tenth ranked Shanan Utd (19-23) in Okayama 74-89 on Sunday. Shanan Utd made 25-of-32 free shots (78.1 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for Ukrainian forward Oleksandr Antypov (203-1995, agency: BIG) who led the winners and scored 24 points and 7 rebounds. Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) accounted for 11 points and 17 rebounds for the winning side. American power forward Michael Phillips (202-1990, college: Howard) came up with 17 points and 8 rebounds and New Zealand forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Okayama in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Newly promoted Shanan Utd maintains tenth place with 19-23 record. Loser Try Hoop keeps the thirteenth position with 27 games lost. Shanan Utd will meet at home Veertien Mie (#16) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Okayama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Okayama: M.Phillips 17+8reb+2ast, T.Samuel 15+7reb+4ast, M.Lado 8, J.Parmer 8+1reb, O.Rikuto 8+1reb+3ast, K.Takabatake 5+1reb
Shanan Utd: O.Antypov 24+7reb+2ast, I.Shinpei 16+2reb+5ast, R.Gustys 11+17reb+2ast, K.Nakano 9+1reb+2ast, H.Reiji 8+1reb+3ast, J.Narcis 7+5reb+1ast

Tokushima Gam. - Yamaguchi 105-68

Very predictable result when fifth ranked Gambarous (27-15) rolled over 14th ranked Pats Five (14-28) in Tokushima 105-68 on Sunday. Tokushima Gam. outrebounded Yamaguchi 45-26 including a 33-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tokushima Gam. shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 54.3 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. American players dominated the game. It was an exceptional evening for power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. Power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) accounted for 16 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Gambarous players scored in double figures. Forward Deandre Abram (203-1997, college: Milwaukee) came up with 23 points and 8 rebounds and swingman Jelan-Miguel Kendrick (201-1991, college: UNLV) added 13 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Yamaguchi 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. Gambarous have a solid series of three victories in a row. Tokushima Gam. maintains fifth place with 27-15 record. Loser Pats Five keeps the fourteenth position with 28 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will meet Tokyo (#9) on the road in the next round. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: D.Abram 23+8reb+1ast, J.Kendrick 13+6reb+1ast, Y.Jo 10+1reb+7ast, T.Issei 7+2reb, S.Yuuki 4+1reb, D.Shimoyama 3+2reb+1ast
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 24+10reb+2ast, W.Kouki 19+3reb+2ast, J.Combs 16+11reb+5ast, C.Coleman 14+3reb+1ast, T.Yutaka 9+1reb+5ast, D.Joseph 8+3reb+2ast

Toyoda - Shinagawa 78-87

Not a big story in a game when 17th ranked Scorpions (10-30) lost to fifteenth ranked Shinagawa (13-29) in Aichi 78-87 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for American center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Ito Ryota (177-1992) accounted for 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. Four Shinagawa players scored in double figures. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) came up with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian center Andrew Ferguson (213-1998, college: CS Monterey) added 9 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Toyoda in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Shinagawa maintains fifteenth place with 13-29 record. Loser Scorpions keeps the seventeenth position with 30 games lost. Shinagawa will meet at home higher ranked Tachikawa (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Toyoda will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Toyoda: E.Ross 25+12reb+5ast, D.Laster 13+1reb, M.Getto 11+4reb, D.Kokubu 9+2reb+3ast, A.Ferguson 9+9reb+1ast, T.Shunsuke 5+3reb+4ast
Shinagawa: H.Koval 22+10reb+3ast, R.Ito 21+5reb+4ast, T.Ikumi 16+3reb+2ast, R.Dixon 12+7reb+2ast, K.Steve 8+5reb, O.Kunitatsu 6+6reb+3ast

Tachikawa - Tokyo Utd 69-68

Important game to mention about took place in Tachikawa. Eighth ranked Tachikawa (23-19) saved a 1-point victory at home edging 7th ranked United (22-18) 69-68 in the fight for the seventh place. Tachikawa made 21-of-27 charity shots (77.8 percent) during the game, while Tokyo Utd only scored two points from the stripe. Tokyo Utd was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. 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 scoring 26 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import center Emondre Rickman (208-1996, college: Indiana St., agency: One Motive Sports) helped adding 7 points and 11 rebounds. At the losing side point guard Hajime Imabayashi (184-1999) responded with 16 points and 7 rebounds and American swingman Michael Craig (196-1991, college: Southern Miss) scored 2 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Tokyo Utd players scored in double figures. United's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Tachikawa moved-up to seventh place. Tokyo Utd lost third consecutive game. Tokyo Utd at the other side, also newcomer in the league, dropped to the eighth position with 18 games lost. Tachikawa will play against Shinagawa (#15) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo Utd will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: I.Hajime 16+7reb+2ast, C.Maduabum 11+4reb+1ast, M.Ueda 10+1ast, G.Bula 10+1reb, K.Ren 7+1reb+2ast, T.Shinnosuke 5+2ast
Tachikawa: A.Fitzgerald 26+7reb+3ast, A.Yoshiki 11+6reb+2ast, A.Kouta 10+2reb+2ast, M.Taiga 8+2reb+1ast, E.Rickman 7+11reb+1ast, M.Ousu 5+4ast

Fukui B. - Kanazawa 104-65

B3 League top team - Blowinds (37-3) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed eighteenth ranked Kanazawa (5-28) in Fukui 104-65. Fukui B. dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Kanazawa's 44. They outrebounded Kanazawa 38-20 including a 27-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Fukui B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a quality performance for American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who led the winners and scored 27 points. British forward Benjamin Lawson (216-1995, college: WKU) accounted for 12 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Blowinds players scored in double figures. American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with a double-double by scoring 28 points and 12 rebounds and guard Takuto Kubo (186-1999) added 11 points respectively for Kanazawa 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. Blowinds have an impressive series of thirty victories in a row. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains first place with 37-3 record. Kanazawa lost fifth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 28 lost games. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kanazawa will play against Gifu (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: C.Olivier 28+12reb+2ast, K.Takuto 11+2reb, K.Kakeru 5, D.Gueye 5+2reb+1ast, T.Shimon 4+1ast, S.Park 3
Fukui B.: T.Boyd III 27+4reb+3ast, P.Ellis 20+5reb+1ast, B.Lawson 12+13reb+5ast, D.Simon 11+6reb+2ast, M.Hosoya 7+1reb+3ast, J.Mitsuda 7+2ast

Gifu - Tokyo HT 81-82

Everything went according to plan when ninth ranked Hachioji Trains (20-21) edged 11th ranked Swoops (17-25) in Gifu 82-81 on Sunday. It was an exceptional evening for Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Senegalese forward Bamba Diouf (198-1993) accounted for 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. Four Hachioji Trains players scored in double figures. American-Dominican forward AJ Bramah (201-1999, college: Nevada) came up with a double-double by scoring 27 points and 16 rebounds and Senegalese power forward Andre Sambou (203-1999) added 14 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Gifu in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Tokyo maintains ninth place with 20-21 record. Loser Swoops keeps the eleventh position with 25 games lost. They share it with Tokyo Z. They will meet at home higher ranked Tokushima Gam. (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gifu will play against Kanazawa (#18) in Ishikawa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gifu: A.Bramah 27+16reb+3ast, S.Andre 14+10reb, T.Kaisei 9+2reb+3ast, A.Ryoya 8+1reb+1ast, M.Yuta 6+2ast, T.Masahiro 6
Tokyo HT: D.Doblas 17+11reb, T.Edogi 14+7reb, M.Igbanu 13+5reb+4ast, D.Bamba 13+7reb+4ast, K.Takahashi 8+7reb+4ast, H.Ogane 6+3reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Yokohama EX 75-76

The most exciting game of round 43 in the B3 League took place in Takamatsu. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of much higher ranked Five Arrows (31-9) to sixth ranked Excellence (26-16) 76-75 on Sunday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Latvian center Klavs Cavars (208-1996) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 14 rebounds. American center Babatunde Olumuyiwa (203-1992, college: USC Upstate) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winners. Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) answered with 19 points and 9 rebounds and American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) added 18 points and 7 assists in the effort for Kagawa. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Yokohama maintains sixth place with 26-16 record. Kagawa at the other side keeps the second position with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: M.Dama 19+9reb+1ast, A.Randall 18+4reb+7ast, E.Ravenel 11+10reb+1ast, K.Matsui 10+2reb+1ast, M.Jang 9+5reb, U.Junki 5+2reb
Yokohama EX: K.Cavars 18+14reb+3ast, T.Nishiyama 17+2reb+6ast, Y.Ide 13+4reb+1ast, B.Olumuyiwa 12+13reb, A.Kovalov 7+10reb+1ast, T.Kan 3+1reb+1ast