B3 League Round 44 (Regular Season): Kagawa lose to Fukui B. in the game between Top 4 teams

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 10 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Takamatsu. Second-ranked host Five Arrows (31-10) lost to first ranked Blowinds (38-3) 91-81. 28 personal fouls committed by Kagawa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) who added 21 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Blowinds' coach Tsutomu Isa used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 16 rebounds. Blowinds have an impressive 31-game winning streak. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains first position with 38-3 record. Kagawa at the other side dropped to the third place with ten games lost. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa will play at home against the league's leader Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Saitama (#4) was upset in Tokyo by eighth ranked Tokyo Utd 81-69. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Broncos. The winners were led by American swingman Michael Craig (196-1991, college: Southern Miss) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists and Masaya Ueda supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Even 22 points by forward Ryutaro Noguchi (197-1997) did not help to save the game for Broncos. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tokyo Utd (23-18) moved-up to seventh place. Saitama at the other side dropped to the fifth position with 15 games lost. Tokyo Utd will play against higher ranked Saitama (#5) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Saitama will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Kanazawa managed to get a sixth victory on Friday night. This time they outleveled twelfth-ranked Swoops in Ishikawa 116-90. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 26-point difference proves that Kanazawa was well-prepared to that game. The best player for the winners was Chris Olivier who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 10 assists. Baylee Steele produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kanazawa maintains eighteenth position with 6-29 record. Gifu lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with 26 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 44: Tokushima Gam. won against Tokyo on the opponent's court 84-77. Shanan Utd managed to outperform Veertien Mie in a home game 92-77. Yokohama rolled over Tokyo Z on the road 85-60. Bottom-ranked Kanazawa was crushed by Gifu on its own court 73-98. Okayama smashed Yamaguchi in a road game 95-74. Kagoshima won against Toyoda at home 99-86. Veertien Mie unfortunately lost to Shanan Utd on the opponent's court 86-92. Tokyo recorded a loss to Tokushima Gam. in a home game 72-77. Tachikawa was defeated by Shinagawa on the road 92-89.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists by DeVaughn Washington of Tachikawa.



Tokyo HT - Tokushima Gam. 77-84

Very expected game in Tokyo where 10th ranked Hachioji Trains (20-23) were defeated by fifth ranked Gambarous (29-15) 84-77 on Friday. Strangely Tokyo outrebounded Tokushima Gam. 42-29 including a 20-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Tokushima Gam. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who scored 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Point guard Yutaka Tsukamoto (177-1997) chipped in 18 points and 6 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds and Nigerian power forward Martins Igbanu (203-1997, college: Tulsa) added 17 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Five Tokushima Gam. and four Tokyo players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Gambarous have an impressive five-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. moved-up to fourth place. Loser Hachioji Trains keeps the tenth position with 23 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 21+8reb+5ast, T.Yutaka 18+4reb+6ast, K.Naito 13+1ast, J.Combs 12+6reb, W.Kouki 11+1reb+3ast, C.Coleman 7+4reb+2ast
Tokyo HT: M.Igbanu 17+9reb+2ast, D.Doblas 15+13reb, K.Takahashi 13+2reb+3ast, D.Bamba 13+1reb+3ast, O.Yusaku 7+4reb+2ast, T.Edogi 6+6reb

Kanazawa - Gifu 116-90

Bottom-ranked Kanazawa managed to get a sixth victory on Friday night. This time they outleveled twelfth-ranked Swoops in Ishikawa 116-90. It's especially surprising that the victory came too easily and 26-point difference proves that Kanazawa was well-prepared to that game. They shot 68.3 percent from the field. Kanazawa had a 28-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 66.7 percentage. Kanazawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!), 8 rebounds and 10 assists. Senegalese forward Dou Gueye (206-1997, college: Louisiana) chipped in a double-double by scoring 28 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. American center Baylee Steele (213-1997, college: Duquesne, agency: One Motive Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and guard Hunter Cort (191-1999) added 14 points and 11 assists respectively for the guests. Five Kanazawa and four Gifu players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kanazawa maintains eighteenth position with 6-29 record. Gifu lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh place with 26 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: C.Olivier 34+8reb+10ast, D.Gueye 28+11reb+7ast, I.Ayumu 22+2reb, H.Koki 11+1ast, S.Sekiguchi 10+1reb, K.Wataru 4+1reb+1ast
Gifu: A.Bramah 22+3reb+3ast, B.Steele 18+10reb+2ast, H.Cort 14+4reb+11ast, I.Eitaro 12+1reb+2ast, T.Masahiro 9+4ast, S.Andre 5+5reb

Shanan Utd - Veertien Mie 92-77

Very predictable result in Kanagawa where tenth ranked Shanan Utd (21-23) defeated 16th ranked Veertien Mie (12-32) 92-77 on Friday. Shanan Utd made 16-of-21 free shots (76.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) who had a double-double by scoring 20 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Ukrainian forward Oleksandr Antypov (203-1995, agency: BIG) chipped in a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds. Five Shanan Utd players scored in double figures. American guard Justin Pierce (201-1998, college: UNC, agency: Inception Sports) produced 27 points and 5 rebounds and his fellow American import power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) added 9 points and 12 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Shanan Utd have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to ninth place. Veertien Mie lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 32 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: O.Antypov 20+11reb+2ast, R.Gustys 20+15reb+5ast, I.Shinpei 16+1reb+2ast, J.Narcis 12+5reb, A.Tanno 10+2reb+5ast, T.Shinya 6+5reb+2ast
Veertien Mie: J.Pierce 27+5reb+3ast, K.Ryu 10+2reb+1ast, P.Abu 9+1reb+1ast, D.Dodd 9+12reb+1ast, S.Takaya 6+1reb, J.Martin 6+8reb+2ast

Tokyo Z - Yokohama EX 60-85

Not a big story in a game in Tokyo where 11th ranked Earthfriends (17-26) were rolled over by sixth ranked Excellence (27-16) 85-60 on Saturday. Yokohama dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Earthfriends's 32. Yokohama outrebounded Tokyo Z 44-31 including 16 on the offensive glass. Yokohama looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was point guard Yuki Ide (178-1996) who scored 24 points and 7 assists. Latvian center Klavs Cavars (208-1996) chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. Four Excellence players scored in double figures. The former international guard Zack Moore (196-1997, college: UCSB) produced 15 points and 6 rebounds and American guard Cameron Parker (188-1998, college: Portland St.) added 16 points respectively for the hosts. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Yokohama maintains sixth position with 27-16 record. Tokyo Z lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the twelfth place with 26 games lost. Yokohama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play against Yokohama (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: Y.Ide 24+3reb+7ast, A.Kovalov 12+6reb+1ast, K.Cavars 11+8reb+1ast, B.Olumuyiwa 10+7reb, T.Ozawa 9+4reb+4ast, T.Masuko 7+4reb+5ast
Tokyo Z: C.Parker 16+3reb+3ast, Z.Moore 15+6reb+2ast, U.Yuya 9+2reb+2ast, J.Lampkin 8+6reb+3ast, S.Faye 5+2reb, S.Sho 3

Kanazawa - Gifu 73-98

Everything went according to plan in Ishikawa where twelfth ranked Swoops (18-26) outscored bottom-ranked Kanazawa (6-29) 98-73 on Saturday. Gifu dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Kanazawa's 42. They outrebounded Kanazawa 49-24 including a 36-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Gifu looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was American-Dominican forward AJ Bramah (201-1999, college: Nevada) who had a double-double by scoring 26 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). American center Baylee Steele (213-1997, college: Duquesne, agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Senegalese forward Dou Gueye (206-1997, college: Louisiana) produced 21 points and 9 rebounds and American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Octagon Europe) added 15 points respectively for the hosts. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Gifu moved-up to eleventh place. Loser Kanazawa stay dead last with 29 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Gifu: A.Bramah 26+10reb+5ast, B.Steele 22+10reb+5ast, T.Masahiro 13+1reb+2ast, S.Andre 8+3reb, N.Dahlman 8+6reb+3ast, H.Cort 7+10reb+3ast
Kanazawa: D.Gueye 21+9reb+2ast, C.Olivier 15+3reb+3ast, I.Boyarkin 11+2reb+8ast, S.Park 6+2reb, H.Koki 5+2reb+1ast, T.Shodai 4+1reb

Yamaguchi - Okayama 74-95

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 14th ranked Pats Five's (14-29) home loss to thirteenth ranked Try Hoop (16-27) 74-95 on Saturday. Okayama dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Pats Five's 32. Okayama outrebounded Yamaguchi 37-23 including 27 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was New Zealand forward Taane Samuel (200-1999) who scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Point guard Taito Urano (170-1999) chipped in 15 points and 7 assists. Five Try Hoop players scored in double figures. American forward Deandre Abram (203-1997, college: Milwaukee) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds and his fellow American import swingman Jelan-Miguel Kendrick (201-1991, college: UNLV) added 20 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Okayama maintains thirteenth position with 16-27 record. Yamaguchi lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 29 games lost. They share the position with Shinagawa. Okayama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play against Okayama (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Okayama: T.Samuel 23+5reb+6ast, U.Taito 15+4reb+7ast, M.Lado 14+3reb, J.Parmer 14+8reb+3ast, M.Phillips 10+6reb, S.Taisei 7+6reb
Yamaguchi: D.Abram 22+11reb+1ast, J.Kendrick 20+8reb, R.Yamaguchi 11+1reb+4ast, D.Shimoyama 7, T.Konosuke 5+4ast, S.Yuuki 4+2reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Fukui B. 81-91

The game between Top Four teams took place in Takamatsu. Second-ranked host Five Arrows (31-10) lost to first ranked Blowinds (38-3) 91-81. 28 personal fouls committed by Kagawa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import forward Perry Ellis (203-1993, college: Kansas) who added 21 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Blowinds' coach Tsutomu Isa used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 16 rebounds and American forward Andrew Randall (198-1990, college: Temple) scored 23 points and 7 assists. Five Fukui B. and four Kagawa players scored in double figures. Blowinds have an impressive 31-game winning streak. Newly promoted Fukui B. maintains first position with 38-3 record. Kagawa at the other side dropped to the third place with ten games lost. Fukui B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa will play at home against the league's leader Fukui B. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fukui B.: T.Boyd III 24+7reb+2ast, P.Ellis 21+7reb, D.Simon 18+7reb+2ast, M.Hosoya 14+1reb+4ast, R.Watanabe 10+4reb+1ast, T.Hasegawa 2+1reb+2ast
Kagawa FA: A.Randall 23+4reb+7ast, M.Dama 21+16reb, S.Jr Kedrick 13+5reb+2ast, E.Ravenel 13+6reb, M.Fofana 7+1reb, U.Junki 2+2reb+1ast

Kagoshima - Toyoda 99-86

No shocking result in a game in Renova where third ranked Kagoshima (32-12) won against 17th ranked Scorpions (10-31) 99-86 on Saturday. Kagoshima dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Scorpions's 34. Kagoshima had a 30-19 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American swingman Anthony Gaines Jr (195-1993, college: LCU) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import guard Tim Guers (190-1996, college: St.Anselm, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 17 points. Five Kagoshima players scored in double figures. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) produced 27 points and 9 rebounds and American Daniel Laster (199-1996, college: Gardner-Webb) added 21 points respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Kagoshima have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Loser Scorpions keeps the seventeenth position with 31 games lost. Kagoshima will meet at home Toyoda (#17) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Toyoda will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagoshima: A.Gaines Jr. 28+10reb+1ast, T.Guers 17+1reb+2ast, L.Routt 11+8reb, K.Richardson 10+6reb+1ast, M.Yuji 10+3reb+5ast, Y.Nakajima 8+1reb+3ast
Toyoda: E.Ross 27+9reb+3ast, D.Laster 21+3reb, D.Kokubu 17+1reb+1ast, K.Taiki 8+2reb+1ast, A.Ferguson 7+5reb+5ast, T.Ren 3+2reb+5ast

Shanan Utd - Veertien Mie 92-86

Very expected game in Kanagawa where 16th ranked Veertien Mie (12-32) was defeated by tenth ranked Shanan Utd (21-23) 92-86 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 looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists. Point guard Shinpei Itabashi (168-1998) chipped in 27 points and 5 assists. Five Shanan Utd players scored in double figures. American guard Justin Pierce (201-1998, college: UNC, agency: Inception Sports) produced 41 points (!!!) and his fellow American import power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) added 4 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Shanan Utd have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to ninth place. Veertien Mie lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 32 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: I.Shinpei 27+1reb+5ast, O.Antypov 17+6reb+2ast, T.Shinya 16+4reb+1ast, J.Narcis 14+3reb+1ast, R.Gustys 12+16reb+6ast, A.Tanno 4+1ast
Veertien Mie: J.Pierce 41+2reb+2ast, S.Takaya 10+2reb, K.Tatsuya 6+3ast, P.Abu 6+2reb, K.Adeison 5+2reb+2ast, J.Martin 5+8reb+1ast

Tokyo Utd - Saitama 81-69

Saitama (#4) was upset in Tokyo by eighth ranked Tokyo Utd 81-69. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Broncos. The winners were led by American swingman Michael Craig (196-1991, college: Southern Miss) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 12 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists and Masaya Ueda (177-1993) supported him with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Even 22 points by forward Ryutaro Noguchi (197-1997) did not help to save the game for Broncos. Nigerian-American power forward Maxie Esho (206-1991, college: UMass) added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tokyo Utd (23-18) moved-up to seventh place. Saitama at the other side dropped to the fifth position with 15 games lost. Tokyo Utd will play against higher ranked Saitama (#5) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Saitama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: M.Ueda 17+5reb+3ast, C.Maduabum 15+2reb+1ast, M.Craig 12+12reb+7ast, I.Hajime 8+3reb, K.Ren 7+1reb+1ast, G.Bula 6+6reb
Saitama: N.Ryutaro 22+4reb, M.Esho 14+10reb+1ast, R.Watkins 10+11reb+1ast, J.Faison 6+5reb+3ast, Y.Reo 5+3reb+2ast, Y.Takahashi 4+2reb+3ast

Tokyo HT - Tokushima Gam. 72-77

Very predictable result in Tokyo where fifth ranked Gambarous (29-15) defeated 10th ranked Hachioji Trains (20-23) 77-72 on Friday. Strangely Tokyo outrebounded Tokushima Gam. 53-36 including a 23-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds. The other American import power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in 13 points and 8 rebounds. Nigerian power forward Martins Igbanu (203-1997, college: Tulsa) produced a double-double by scoring 29 points and 14 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) added 9 points and 15 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Gambarous have an impressive five-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. moved-up to fourth place. Loser Hachioji Trains keeps the tenth position with 23 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: J.Combs 21+12reb+3ast, T.Dawson 13+8reb+2ast, A.Kuerban 11+4reb+3ast, W.Kouki 8+4reb+2ast, C.Coleman 6+3ast, B.Aoki 5+3reb
Tokyo HT: M.Igbanu 29+14reb, T.Edogi 15+10reb, H.Ogane 10+2reb, D.Doblas 9+15reb+1ast, O.Yusaku 8+2reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 1+2reb+2ast

Shinagawa - Tachikawa 92-89

There was an upset when higher ranked Tachikawa (23-20) was edged on the road by fifteenth ranked Shinagawa (14-29) 92-89 on Friday. Shinagawa made 25-of-30 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was guard Ikumi Takahashi (186-1998) who scored 23 points and 7 rebounds. Canadian center Renaldo Dixon (206-1990, college: NM State) chipped in 22 points and 8 rebounds. Four Shinagawa players scored in double figures. American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) produced a double-double by scoring 32 points and 11 rebounds and his fellow American import power forward DeVaughn Washington (203-1989, college: Ohio, agency: Mansfield and Associates) added 21 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Shinagawa moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Yamaguchi. Newly promoted Tachikawa keeps the eighth position with 20 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: T.Ikumi 23+7reb+3ast, R.Dixon 22+8reb+2ast, R.Ito 14+1reb+7ast, R.Richards 11+3reb+1ast, H.Koval 7+6reb+2ast, O.Kunitatsu 5+2ast
Tachikawa: A.Fitzgerald 32+11reb+1ast, D.Washington 21+10reb+7ast, M.Sei 11+1reb, A.Yoshiki 7+7reb+4ast, A.Kouta 7+2reb, I.Ryuuki 4+1reb