B3 League Round 24 (Regular Season): Tokyo Utd edge Kagawa by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 24 in the B3 League took place in Tokyo. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of one of their biggest challengers Five Arrows (31-9) to second ranked United (34-6) 84-82 in the game for the second place. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Five Arrows's 30. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) who scored 9 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Marcus Tobin (198-2001, college: McCook CC) chipped in 17 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Brekkott Chapman (206-1996, college: Weber St.) who recorded 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. United have an impressive 34-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd maintains second position with 34-6 record having just two points less than leader Yokohama EX. Kagawa lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the third place with nine games lost. Tokyo Utd are looking forward to face Shanan Utd (#12) in Kanagawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Kagawa will have a break next round.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Tokyo. Second ranked United faced one of their biggest challengers Five Arrows. Host United (34-6) defeated guests from Takamatsu (31-9) 74-65. It was a good game for point guard Hajime Imabayashi (184-1999) who led his team to a victory with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Rhys Vague contributed with 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) replied with 11 points and 7 rebounds for Kagawa. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. United have an impressive 34-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd maintains second position with 34-6 record having just two points less than leader Yokohama EX. Kagawa lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the third place with nine games lost. Tokyo Utd will play against Shanan Utd (#12) in Kanagawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Kagawa will have a break next round.
Leader Excellence delivered the 36th victory on Saturday night. This time they crushed 17th ranked Veertien Mie (6-36) 87-64 in Yokkaichi. Worth to mention a quality performance of Logan Routt who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Callum McRae with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Excellence (36-4) have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Yokohama maintains first position. Veertien Mie lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 36 lost games. Yokohama will meet at home Tachikawa (#14) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Veertien Mie will play against Saitama and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 24 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Tokyo was crushed by Iwate in a road game 104-60. Tachikawa beat Shinagawa at home 88-79. Okayama won against Kanazawa on the opponent's court 89-77. Gifu outscored Tokyo Z in a home game 81-62. Shanan Utd recorded a loss to Yamaguchi on the road 87-75. Tokushima Gam. crushed Saitama on its own court 65-41. Tokyo was beaten by Iwate in a road game 94-92. Tachikawa was destroyed by Shinagawa at home 64-96. Okayama managed to outperform Kanazawa on the opponent's court 93-78. Gifu managed to beat Tokyo Z in a home game 84-80. Yokohama crushed Veertien Mie on the road 88-55. Yamaguchi beat Shanan Utd on its own court 77-73. Saitama lost to Tokushima Gam. in a road game 53-65.



Iwate - Tokyo HT 104-60

There was no surprise in Iwate where 10th ranked Hachioji Trains (18-24) were crushed by fourth ranked Big Bulls (28-14) 104-60 on Saturday. Iwate forced 19 Tokyo turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Tokyo's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and American-Australian forward Kyrin Galloway (203-1999, college: UNCG) who added 21 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Five Big Bulls players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward LG Gill (203-1994, college: Maryland) with 13 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) scored 7 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Iwate maintains fourth position with 28-14 record. Tokyo at the other side dropped to the eleventh place with 24 games lost. They share the position with Shanan Utd. Iwate will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Tokyo Z.
Top scorers:
Iwate: C.Mounce 23+9reb+5ast, K.Galloway 21+12reb+1ast, X.Oliver 16+1reb+2ast, S.Yamagiwa 14+2reb+5ast, H.Usui 12+6reb, K.Sekiya 7+3reb+3ast
Tokyo HT: L.Gill 13+6reb+3ast, H.Ogane 12+1reb+1ast, K.Takaoka 8+2reb, T.Sullivan 7+9reb+4ast, S.Kubema 7+5reb, Y.Tokashiki 6+2reb+2ast

Tachikawa - Shinagawa 88-79

There was a surprise result when thirteenth ranked Tachikawa (17-25) defeated at home higher ranked Shinagawa (21-22) 88-79 on Saturday. Tachikawa shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. Worth to mention a great performance of Ousu Mori (183-1996) who helped to win the game recording 25 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati) who added 17 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Four Tachikawa players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) with 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists and his fellow American import center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Tachikawa maintains thirteenth position with 17-25 record, which they share with Yamaguchi. Shinagawa lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 22 games lost. Tachikawa will meet league's leader Yokohama on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Shinagawa will play against Okayama (#16) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: O.Mori 25+7reb+5ast, C.Mbodj 17+13reb+3ast, S.Tanaka 13+2reb+4ast, M.Sato 12+4reb+1ast, A.Fitzgerald 9+7reb+4ast, M.Phillips 5+7reb
Shinagawa: J.Faison 33+3reb+4ast, H.Koval 10+15reb+5ast, Y.Komiya 9+6reb+3ast, T.Ochiai 8+1reb+1ast, H.Higashi 8+3reb, H.Yamane 4

Kanazawa - Okayama 77-89

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Ishikawa where 15th ranked Kanazawa (15-27) was defeated by sixteenth ranked Try Hoop (9-35) 89-77 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 5 assists and the other American import power forward Evan Maxwell (208-1995, college: IWU, agency: Players Group) who added 16 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Five Try Hoop players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 14 rebounds and point guard Koki Higashino (183-1999) scored 15 points and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Okayama maintains sixteenth position with 9-35 record. Kanazawa lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth place with 27 games lost. Okayama will meet at home higher ranked Shinagawa (#8) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Kanazawa will play against Gifu (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Okayama: K.Hankerson 26+4reb+5ast, E.Maxwell 16+7reb+1ast, R.Rikuto 11+3reb, A.Hamada 10+4ast, S.Timmins 10+10reb+4ast, Y.Mukai 5
Kanazawa: V.Petrov 29+14reb+3ast, K.Higashino 15+4reb+5ast, S.Green 11+2reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 8+1reb+2ast, A.Ichihashi 6+1ast, S.Ogawa 3

Gifu - Tokyo Z 81-62

Rather predictable result in Gifu where fifth ranked Swoops (23-17) outscored 7th ranked Earthfriends (21-21) 81-62 on Saturday. Gifu forced 22 Tokyo Z turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Zena Edosomwan (206-1993, college: Harvard, agency: Diamond Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds and New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) who added 13 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American guard Jaycee Hillsman (200-1996, college: Illinois St.) with 18 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gifu maintains fifth position with 23-17 record. Tokyo Z at the other side keeps the seventh place with 21 games lost. Gifu will meet at home Kanazawa (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo Z's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Tokyo.
Top scorers:
Gifu: K.Urabe 15+3reb+1ast, D.Fotu 13+4reb+3ast, E.Iwamatsu 11+1ast, Z.Edosomwan 11+12reb, M.Tanaka 9+3reb, H.Cort 7+1reb+5ast
Tokyo Z: J.Hillsman 18+7reb+3ast, D.Shimoyama 12+1reb+2ast, J.Lampkin 12+9reb+1ast, C.Olivier 7+4reb+1ast, Z.Moore 6+3reb+1ast, J.Spencer 5+1reb+1ast

Veertien Mie - Yokohama EX 64-87

Leader Excellence delivered the 36th victory on Saturday night. This time they crushed 17th ranked Veertien Mie (6-36) 87-64 in Yokkaichi. Yokohama forced 20 Veertien Mie turnovers. Worth to mention a quality performance of American forward Logan Routt (211-1997, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) who added 20 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists during the contest. Four Excellence players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was New Zealand center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) and American power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) scored 4 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Excellence (36-4) have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Yokohama maintains first position. Veertien Mie lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 36 lost games. Yokohama will meet at home Tachikawa (#14) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Veertien Mie will play against Saitama and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: L.Routt 21+10reb+3ast, T.Boyd III 20+6reb+7ast, E.Williams 12+10reb+2ast, T.Masuko 10+1reb+2ast, H.Ohashi 7, C.Sow 6+7reb+1ast
Veertien Mie: C.McRae 22+10reb, A.Philip 8+1reb+1ast, T.Sawaki 6+2reb, T.Kume 6+1reb+2ast, T.Kimura 5+3reb, S.Watanabe 5

Yamaguchi - Shanan Utd 87-75

There was a minor upset in Yamaguchi where 11th ranked Shanan Utd (18-24) was defeated by fourteenth ranked Pats Five (17-25) 87-75 on Saturday. Yamaguchi forced 22 Shanan Utd turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and point guard Yuuki Shigetomi (174-1998) who added 14 points during the contest. Five Pats Five players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American center Michael Hughes (203-1998, college: Duquesne) with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks and swingman Makoto Kamata (193-2000) scored 18 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Pats Five have a solid three-game winning streak. Yamaguchi moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Tachikawa. Shanan Utd at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 24 games lost. They share it with Tokyo. Yamaguchi will meet at home higher ranked Niigata A. (#6) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Shanan Utd will play against the league's second-placed Tokyo Utd (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: B.Preston 20+11reb+3ast, R.Yamaguchi 14+1reb+3ast, Y.Shigetomi 14+3reb+3ast, F.McSwain Jr. 12+5reb+1ast, K.Kawakami 11+2reb+2ast, J.Yoshikawa 6+3ast
Shanan Utd: M.Hughes 18+16reb+1ast, M.Kamata 18+4reb+3ast, S.Shigetomi 11+3reb+5ast, K.Nakano 9+1ast, J.Parmer 7+2reb+4ast, T.Ishii 6

Tokushima Gam. - Saitama 65-41

There was a small surprise in Tokushima where twelfth ranked Gambarous (19-25) outleveled 9th ranked Broncos (19-21) 65-41 on Saturday. Tokushima Gam. held Saitama to an opponent 23.9 percent shooting from the field compared to 37.1 percent accuracy of the winners. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who helped to win the game recording 19 points and 7 rebounds and DR Congolese center David Kongolo (206-2002) who added 12 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Serbian-Montenegrin forward Milko Bjelica (207-1984, agency: BIG) with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds and American power forward Ryan Watkins (206-1991, college: Boise St., agency: Slash Sports) scored 1 points and 10 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Gambarous have a solid three-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. moved-up to tenth place. Saitama at the other side keeps the ninth position with 21 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Saitama will play against Veertien Mie (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: J.Combs 19+7reb+3ast, D.Kongolo 12+14reb+1ast, J.Martin 10+13reb+1ast, W.Furukawa 7+2reb+3ast, Y.Tsukamoto 6+3reb+5ast, A.Kuerban 5+2reb+2ast
Saitama: M.Bjelica 17+12reb, F.Sato 6+1reb+1ast, M.Morgan 4+2reb, S.Imaike 4+3reb+2ast, H.Shifuta 2+1reb, K.Matsui 2+2reb

Iwate - Tokyo HT 94-92

There was no surprise in Iwate where 10th ranked Hachioji Trains (18-24) were edged by fourth ranked Big Bulls (28-14) 94-92 on Sunday. However just two-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Iwate made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 41 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 6 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and Hong Kong point guard Xu Oliver (190-1996, college: Rice) who added 12 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and his fellow American import forward LG Gill (203-1994, college: Maryland) scored 15 points and 8 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Four Tokyo players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Iwate maintains fourth position with 28-14 record. Tokyo at the other side dropped to the eleventh place with 24 games lost. They share the position with Shanan Utd. Iwate will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Tokyo Z.
Top scorers:
Iwate: C.Mounce 41+15reb+6ast, X.Oliver 12+3reb, K.Sekiya 9+1reb+3ast, K.Galloway 8+4reb, H.Ishikawa 6+1reb+3ast, M.Tsukino 6+3reb
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 17+13reb+4ast, D.Hikaru 16+3reb+4ast, L.Gill 15+8reb+2ast, S.Ito 11+3ast, K.Takaoka 9+1ast, H.Ogane 8+1reb+3ast

Tachikawa - Shinagawa 64-96

No shocking result in a game when eighth ranked Shinagawa (21-22) smashed on the road 13th ranked Tachikawa (17-25) 96-64 on Sunday. Shinagawa made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Shinagawa made 8 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) who helped to win the game recording 35 points (!!!), 9 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) who added 12 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocks during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Michael Phillips (202-1990, college: Howard) with 11 points and 8 rebounds and guard Makoto Sato (189-1997) scored 13 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Shinagawa maintains eighth position with 21-22 record. Tachikawa at the other side keeps the thirteenth place with 25 games lost. They share the position with Yamaguchi. Shinagawa will meet Okayama (#16) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tachikawa will play against the league's leader Yokohama where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: J.Faison 35+9reb+5ast, I.Ryota 17+1reb+1ast, H.Higashi 13+2reb+1ast, H.Koval 12+10reb+3ast, R.Dixon 5+4reb+1ast, T.Ochiai 5+2reb+2ast
Tachikawa: M.Sato 13+2reb+3ast, S.Tanaka 11+3ast, M.Phillips 11+8reb+1ast, O.Mori 10+2reb+4ast, A.Fitzgerald 7+4reb+3ast, C.Mbodj 4+6reb

Kanazawa - Okayama 78-93

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Ishikawa where 15th ranked Kanazawa (15-27) was defeated by sixteenth ranked Try Hoop (9-35) 93-78 on Sunday. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Mamadou Fofana (185-1998) who helped to win the game recording 25 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and New Zealand power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) who added 17 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Four Try Hoop players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Steven Green (196-1993, college: OKBU) with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and Ukrainian center Viacheslav Petrov (204-1994, agency: BIG) scored 17 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Okayama maintains sixteenth position with 9-35 record. Kanazawa lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifteenth place with 27 games lost. Okayama will meet at home higher ranked Shinagawa (#8) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Kanazawa will play against Gifu (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Okayama: M.Fofana 25+4reb+1ast, K.Hankerson 18+2reb+1ast, S.Timmins 17+10reb+2ast, E.Maxwell 16+9reb, K.Takabatake 6+1reb+2ast, A.Hamada 5+2reb+3ast
Kanazawa: S.Green 19+8reb+4ast, V.Petrov 17+9reb+3ast, K.Higashino 13+1reb+4ast, A.Ichihashi 9+1reb+1ast, S.Ogawa 5+2reb, K.Takahashi 5+1reb+2ast

Gifu - Tokyo Z 84-80

Rather predictable result in Gifu where fifth ranked Swoops (23-17) beat 7th ranked Earthfriends (21-21) 84-80 on Sunday. Gifu made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Kaisei Takahashi (175-2003) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and American forward Ryan Logan (200-1994, college: Stonehill) who added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) with 18 points and 5 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 15 points and 7 rebounds. Five Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Gifu maintains fifth position with 23-17 record. Tokyo Z at the other side keeps the seventh place with 21 games lost. Gifu will meet at home Kanazawa (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo Z's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Tokyo.
Top scorers:
Gifu: K.Takahashi 23+5reb+5ast, D.Fotu 16+4reb+3ast, R.Logan 13+7reb+5ast, M.Tanaka 9, K.Urabe 8+2reb, Z.Edosomwan 7+9reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: J.Lampkin 18+5reb, C.Olivier 15+7reb, J.Hillsman 14+3reb, T.Ide 11+1reb+6ast, Z.Moore 11+3reb+1ast, D.Shimoyama 6+3reb

Veertien Mie - Yokohama EX 55-88

Not a big story in a game in Yokkaichi where 17th ranked Veertien Mie (6-36) was outplayed by first ranked Excellence (36-4) 88-55 on Sunday. Yokohama dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Veertien Mie's 34. Yokohama forced 33 Veertien Mie turnovers and outrebounded them 38-25 including a 18-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Logan Routt (211-1997, college: WVU, agency: Diamond Sports) who added 16 points and 10 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four Excellence players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was New Zealand center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) with 12 points and 8 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and American power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) scored 6 points and 5 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Excellence have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Yokohama maintains first position with 36-4 record. Veertien Mie lost tenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 36 lost games. Yokohama will meet at home Tachikawa (#14) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Veertien Mie will play against Saitama and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: T.Boyd III 22+1reb+1ast, E.Williams 20+9reb+4ast, L.Routt 16+10reb+3ast, C.Sow 15+11reb+1ast, Y.Sugiyama 5+3reb+2ast, K.Kimura 4+2reb
Veertien Mie: C.McRae 12+8reb+1ast, T.Sawaki 10+1reb, S.Watanabe 7+1reb, D.Dodd 6+5reb, T.Kume 6+2ast, A.Philip 4+3reb

Yamaguchi - Shanan Utd 77-73

There was a small surprise in Yamaguchi where fourteenth ranked Pats Five (17-25) won against 11th ranked Shanan Utd (18-24) 77-73 on Sunday. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import Freddie McSwain Jr (201-1994, college: Indiana, agency: Haylett Sports) who added 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. McSwain Jr. is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Pats Five players scored in double figures. Pats Five's coach Kazuto Samejima used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American center Michael Hughes (203-1998, college: Duquesne) with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks and guard Shinya Takagi (187-1997) scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. Pats Five have a solid three-game winning streak. Yamaguchi moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Tachikawa. Shanan Utd at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 24 games lost. They share it with Tokyo. Yamaguchi will meet at home higher ranked Niigata A. (#6) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Shanan Utd will play against the league's second-placed Tokyo Utd (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: R.Yamaguchi 15+2reb+1ast, B.Preston 14+13reb+2ast, F.McSwain Jr. 13+6reb+1ast, I.Tomida 11+1reb+1ast, J.Yoshikawa 9+1reb+5ast, Y.Shigetomi 8+1reb+3ast
Shanan Utd: M.Hughes 19+12reb+2ast, S.Takagi 18+5reb+1ast, J.Keenan 10+3reb, M.Kamata 8+4reb+1ast, J.Parmer 7+2reb, S.Shigetomi 6+2reb+2ast

Tokushima Gam. - Saitama 65-53

There was a minor upset in Tokushima where 9th ranked Broncos (19-21) were defeated by twelfth ranked Gambarous (19-25) 65-53 on Sunday. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 14 rebounds and the other American import forward Josh Martin (201-1995, college: Santa Clara) who added 9 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was Serbian-Montenegrin forward Milko Bjelica (207-1984, agency: BIG) with 15 points and 9 rebounds and American power forward Ryan Watkins (206-1991, college: Boise St., agency: Slash Sports) scored 4 points and 13 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gambarous have a solid three-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. moved-up to tenth place. Saitama at the other side keeps the ninth position with 21 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Saitama will play against Veertien Mie (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: J.Combs 20+14reb+2ast, A.Kuerban 14+3ast, J.Martin 9+7reb+3ast, D.Kongolo 8+9reb, K.Stockman Jr. 8+1reb+3ast, W.Furukawa 3+2reb
Saitama: M.Bjelica 15+9reb+1ast, F.Sato 11+5reb, K.Matsui 9+4reb+2ast, K.Yoshida 7+4reb, H.Akiyama 5+1reb, R.Watkins 4+13reb+3ast

Tokyo Utd - Kagawa FA 84-82

The most exciting game of round 24 in the B3 League took place in Tokyo. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of one of their biggest challengers Five Arrows (31-9) to second ranked United (34-6) 84-82 in the game for the second place. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Five Arrows's 30. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) who scored 9 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Marcus Tobin (198-2001, college: McCook CC) chipped in 17 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Brekkott Chapman (206-1996, college: Weber St.) who recorded 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) added 8 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. United have an impressive 34-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd maintains second position with 34-6 record having just two points less than leader Yokohama EX. Kagawa lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the third place with nine games lost. Tokyo Utd are looking forward to face Shanan Utd (#12) in Kanagawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Kagawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: M.Nagao 20+1ast, M.Tobin 17+6reb, R.Vague 12+6reb, R.Kawashima 11+3reb+1ast, R.Gustys 9+11reb+4ast, D.Taguchi 8+4reb+3ast
Kagawa FA: R.Kondo 13+5reb, K.Lawson 12+1reb, B.Chapman 10+7reb+6ast, A.Davis 10+3reb+1ast, M.Dama 8+11reb+1ast, T.Kobayashi 7+4reb+3ast

Tokyo Utd - Kagawa FA 74-65

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Tokyo. Second ranked United faced one of their biggest challengers Five Arrows. Host United (34-6) defeated guests from Takamatsu (31-9) 74-65. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Five Arrows's 24. Tokyo Utd forced 22 Kagawa turnovers. It was a good game for point guard Hajime Imabayashi (184-1999) who led his team to a victory with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) contributed with 13 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) replied with 11 points and 7 rebounds and Beninese power forward Muusa Dama (207-1996, college: EIU, agency: Blacktop Management) added 11 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Kagawa. Four Kagawa players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. United have an impressive 34-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd maintains second position with 34-6 record having just two points less than leader Yokohama EX. Kagawa lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the third place with nine games lost. Tokyo Utd will play against Shanan Utd (#12) in Kanagawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Kagawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: H.Imabayashi 16+6reb+3ast, R.Vague 13+8reb, R.Gustys 10+1reb+2ast, A.Chol 9+6reb+1ast, D.Taguchi 9+3reb+2ast, R.Kawashima 9+4reb+3ast
Kagawa FA: I.Takahashi 12+1ast, K.Takahashi 12+3reb, A.Davis 11+7reb+2ast, M.Dama 11+7reb, T.Kobayashi 7+3reb+1ast, R.Mitsuo 4+3reb+2ast