B3 League Round 27 (Regular Season): Yokohama lose to Tokushima Gam.

The Regular Season in B3 League is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Excellence (41-5) recorded its fifth loss in Tokushima on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by eleventh ranked Gambarous (22-26) 99-82. It ended at the same time the 15-game winning streak of Excellence. Tokushima Gam. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Excellence's 40. Tokushima Gam. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who scored 28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) chipped in 24 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) who recorded 26 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokushima Gam. moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Yamaguchi. Yokohama at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yokohama will play at home against Kanazawa and is hoping to win this game.
Leader Excellence delivered the 41th victory. This time they beat 11th ranked Gambarous (22-26) 92-78 in Tokushima. The game was also dominated by American players. It was a good game for forward Cherif Sow (201-1992) who led his team to a victory with 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Elyjah Williams contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) answered with 23 points and 8 rebounds for Tokushima Gam.Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Excellence (41-5) have an impressive series of fifteen victories in a row. Yokohama maintains first place. Tokushima Gam. at the other side dropped to the ninth position with 26 games lost. They share it with Yamaguchi. Yokohama will play against Kanazawa (#15) in Ishikawa in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round.
Thirteenth-ranked Hachioji Trains (20-28) made lots of trouble for fifth ranked Swoops (27-19) in Tokyo on Saturday. The visitors from Gifu managed to secure only two-point victory 73-71. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for Ryan Logan who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Taren Sullivan with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Swoops. Gifu maintains fifth place with 27-19 record. Loser Hachioji Trains keeps the thirteenth position with 28 games lost. Gifu will meet at home Shinagawa (#8) in the next round. 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 Utd.

Other games of round 27 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Yamaguchi crushed Shinagawa in a road game 82-63. Iwate beat Saitama at home 84-81. Niigata A. won against Tachikawa on the opponent's court 73-65. Kanazawa was outscored by Tokyo Utd in a home game 58-79. Kagawa rolled over Veertien Mie on the road 79-59. Iwate defeated Saitama on its own court 71-56. Okayama was beaten by Tokyo Z in a road game 90-82. Tachikawa lost to Niigata A. at home 48-61. Gifu managed to outperform Tokyo on the opponent's court 79-76. Kanazawa was rolled over Tokyo Utd in a home game 70-101. Kagawa defeated Veertien Mie on the road 80-71. Tokyo Z beat Okayama on its own court 94-85. Yamaguchi won against Shinagawa in a road game 77-71.
The best stats of 27th round was 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks by Hayden Koval of Shinagawa.



Shinagawa - Yamaguchi 63-82

There was a minor upset when 8th ranked Shinagawa (22-25) was crushed at home by eleventh ranked Pats Five (22-26) 82-63 on Friday. Yamaguchi looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American players dominated the game. It was a great evening for forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds. Center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) helped adding 11 points and 13 rebounds. Four Pats Five players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists and center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 8 points and 15 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Pats Five. Yamaguchi moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Tokushima Gam. Shinagawa lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 25 games lost. Yamaguchi will meet at home higher ranked Tokyo Z (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinagawa will play against Gifu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: H.Higashi 18+2reb+1ast, J.Faison 13+11reb+9ast, I.Ryota 10, H.Koval 8+15reb+1ast, S.Horiuchi 6+1ast, T.Ochiai 2+8reb+3ast
Yamaguchi: B.Preston 19+11reb+2ast, I.Tomida 16+3reb+4ast, F.McSwain Jr. 14+2reb+4ast, A.Collum 11+13reb+1ast, J.Yoshikawa 7+2reb+5ast, Y.Shigetomi 7+3reb+4ast

Iwate - Saitama 84-81

No shocking result in a game in Iwate where fourth ranked Big Bulls (31-15) edged 12th ranked Broncos (20-26) 84-81 on Saturday. However just three-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Iwate made 16-of-19 free shots (84.2 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Point guard Sogo Yamagiwa (179-2002) helped adding 10 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Big Bulls' coach Yukinori Suzuki used entire bench in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American power forward Ryan Watkins (206-1991, college: Boise St., agency: Slash Sports) with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian-Montenegrin forward Milko Bjelica (207-1984, agency: BIG) scored 17 points. Five Iwate and four Saitama players scored in double figures. Iwate maintains fourth place with 31-15 record. Saitama lost their third game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with 26 games lost. Iwate will meet Tachikawa (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Saitama will play against Okayama and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Saitama: M.Bjelica 17+2reb, F.Sato 14+2reb, K.Matsui 13+2reb+1ast, R.Watkins 11+18reb+4ast, R.Kawabe 10+1reb, S.Imaike 7+2reb+4ast
Iwate: C.Mounce 19+11reb+5ast, T.Haymond 14+6reb+2ast, K.Galloway 13+4reb+1ast, H.Ishikawa 11+3ast, S.Yamagiwa 10+6reb+8ast, T.Nihira 6+1reb

Tachikawa - Niigata A. 65-73

Very expected game when 14th ranked Tachikawa (17-31) was defeated at home by sixth ranked Niigata A. (25-22) 73-65 on Saturday. Niigata A. outrebounded Tachikawa 37-25 including a 15-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Niigata A. made 7 blocks. It was a great evening for center Mutombo Jean-Pierre (206-2002) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. American forward Worth Smith (198-1993, college: Navy) helped adding 13 points and 6 rebounds. Four Niigata A. players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American power forward Michael Phillips (202-1990, college: Howard) with 14 points and 7 rebounds and Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati) scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Niigata A.. Despite that victory Niigata A. went down to seventh position due to points difference. Tachikawa lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the fourteenth place with 31 games lost. Niigata A. will meet at home bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#17) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tachikawa will play against Iwate and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: M.Phillips 14+7reb+1ast, C.Mbodj 12+9reb+1ast, K.Takano 9+2reb+3ast, M.Kai 9+1reb+5ast, T.Morimoto 6, M.Sato 5+2reb
Niigata A.: A.Nelson 17+1reb+1ast, M.Jean-Pierre 16+11reb+1ast, W.Smith 13+6reb+2ast, D.Tomioka 12+5reb+3ast, S.Tanaka 5+5reb+2ast, A.Higuchi 5+3reb+1ast

Tokyo HT - Gifu 71-73

Thirteenth-ranked Hachioji Trains (20-28) made lots of trouble for fifth ranked Swoops (27-19) in Tokyo on Saturday. The visitors from Gifu managed to secure only two-point victory 73-71. However their fans expected much easier game. Gifu outrebounded Tokyo 48-27 including a 20-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for American forward Ryan Logan (200-1994, college: Stonehill) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 6 rebounds. Guard Morito Koga (190-1998) helped adding 14 points and 10 rebounds. Four Swoops players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and guard Hiroya Ogane (180-1989) scored 11 points and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Swoops. Gifu maintains fifth place with 27-19 record. Loser Hachioji Trains keeps the thirteenth position with 28 games lost. Gifu will meet at home Shinagawa (#8) in the next round. 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 Utd.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 19+7reb+5ast, H.Ogane 11+1reb+4ast, L.Gill 9+4reb, S.Kubema 9+3reb, Y.Takahashi 6+1reb+2ast, S.Ito 5+2reb+2ast
Gifu: R.Logan 20+6reb+2ast, K.Urabe 15+4reb+1ast, M.Koga 14+10reb+3ast, D.Fotu 13+3reb+1ast, Z.Edosomwan 5+10reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 3+7reb+9ast

Kanazawa - Tokyo Utd 58-79

Very predictable result in Ishikawa where second ranked United (38-8) outscored 15th ranked Kanazawa (16-32) 79-58 on Saturday. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Kanazawa's 28. Tokyo Utd forced 21 Kanazawa turnovers. It was a great evening for Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. Point guard Ren Kawashima (180-1994) helped adding 12 points. The best for the losing side was American guard Steven Green (196-1993, college: OKBU) with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals and the other American import forward Kevin Kotzur (203-1989, college: St.Mary's, TX) scored 8 points and 8 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. Tokyo Utd maintains second place with 38-8 record having just three points less than leader Yokohama EX. Kanazawa lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with 32 games lost. Tokyo Utd'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:
Kanazawa: S.Green 15+12reb+4ast, K.Kotzur 8+8reb+2ast, K.Higashino 8+3reb+2ast, H.Ito 5+3reb, Y.Hanada 5+2reb+1ast, S.Ogawa 5+1reb+2ast
Tokyo Utd: R.Vague 13+11reb+2ast, R.Kawashima 12+2reb+3ast, A.Chol 10+6reb, D.Taguchi 10+1ast, M.Ueda 8+2reb+1ast, M.Nagao 8+3reb+5ast

Veertien Mie - Kagawa FA 59-79

Not a big story in a game in Yokkaichi where 17th ranked Veertien Mie (6-40) was outplayed by third ranked Five Arrows (35-11) 79-59 on Saturday. It was a great evening for American forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 12 points and 9 rebounds. His fellow American import center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) helped adding 14 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was New Zealand center Callum McRae (216-1999, college: Sacramento St.) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and guard Yasuyuki Miyazaki (170-1986) scored 20 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kagawa maintains third place with 35-11 record having six points less than leader Yokohama EX. Veertien Mie lost their fourteenth game in a row. They stay dead last with 40 lost games. Kagawa will meet at home Shanan Utd (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Veertien Mie will play against Niigata A. (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: Y.Miyazaki 20+4reb+2ast, C.McRae 16+10reb+2ast, T.Sawaki 9+2reb, D.Dodd 5+10reb, T.Kimura 3, D.Kawata 2+2ast
Kagawa FA: K.Lawson 14+7reb, B.Chapman 13+5reb+1ast, A.Davis 12+9reb+1ast, T.Kobayashi 9+1reb+4ast, I.Takahashi 8+2reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 7+1reb+2ast

Tokushima Gam. - Yokohama EX 78-92

Leader Excellence delivered the 41th victory. This time they beat 11th ranked Gambarous (22-26) 92-78 in Tokushima. The game was also dominated by American players. It was a good game for forward Cherif Sow (201-1992) who led his team to a victory with 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Four Excellence players scored in double figures. Power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) answered with 23 points and 8 rebounds and power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) added 19 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Tokushima Gam.Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Excellence (41-5) have an impressive series of fifteen victories in a row. Yokohama maintains first place. Tokushima Gam. at the other side dropped to the ninth position with 26 games lost. They share it with Yamaguchi. Yokohama will play against Kanazawa (#15) in Ishikawa in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: J.Combs 23+8reb+3ast, T.Dawson 19+5reb+1ast, K.Stockman Jr. 11+3reb+2ast, A.Kuerban 8+3reb, B.Aoki 5+2reb+2ast, Y.Tsukamoto 4+4reb+5ast
Yokohama EX: T.Boyd III 20+2reb+3ast, C.Sow 19+8reb+1ast, E.Williams 15+8reb+3ast, S.Itabashi 14+1reb+1ast, K.Ali 9+6reb, H.Ohashi 4+1reb+2ast

Iwate - Saitama 71-56

Everything went according to plan in Iwate where fourth ranked Big Bulls (31-15) won against 12th ranked Broncos (20-26) 71-56 on Sunday. Iwate dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Broncos's 18. It was a great evening for American forward Clay Mounce (199-1998, college: Furman) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 13 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) helped adding 21 points and 9 rebounds. Big Bulls' coach Yukinori Suzuki used entire bench saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was point guard Shota Imaike (169-2001) with 17 points and 5 assists and guard Ryohei Kawabe (188-1995) scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. Iwate maintains fourth place with 31-15 record. Saitama lost their third game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with 26 games lost. Iwate will meet Tachikawa (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Saitama will play against Okayama and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Saitama: S.Imaike 17+3reb+5ast, R.Kawabe 12+9reb+1ast, M.Bjelica 7+5reb, F.Sato 6, M.Morgan 6+4reb+1ast, R.Watkins 4+13reb+1ast
Iwate: C.Mounce 29+13reb+3ast, T.Haymond 21+9reb+3ast, H.Usui 7+2reb+1ast, S.Yamagiwa 6+5reb+4ast, H.Ishikawa 4+4reb+5ast, Y.Nakano 2+1reb

Tokyo Z - Okayama 90-82

There was no surprise in Tokyo where 16th ranked Try Hoop (11-39) was defeated by seventh ranked Earthfriends (26-22) 90-82 on Sunday. Tokyo Z looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who led his team to a victory scoring 26 points and 5 rebounds (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field). Guard Sho Shimodaira (186-2001) helped adding 17 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and New Zealand power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) scored 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Five Tokyo Z and four Okayama players scored in double figures. Try Hoop's coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. The victory was the third consecutive win for Earthfriends. Tokyo Z moved-up to sixth place. Okayama lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixteenth position with 39 games lost. Tokyo Z will meet Yamaguchi (#9) on the road in the next round. Okayama will play against Saitama (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Okayama: K.Hankerson 30+7reb+5ast, S.Timmins 14+9reb+5ast, Y.Mukai 12+1reb, S.Faye 11+6reb, A.Hamada 7+1reb+4ast, E.Maxwell 3+5reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: J.Lampkin 26+5reb+3ast, S.Shimodaira 17+8reb+3ast, J.Hillsman 14+7reb+4ast, Z.Moore 11+6reb+3ast, C.Olivier 10+3reb+2ast, T.Ide 9+1reb+4ast

Tachikawa - Niigata A. 48-61

No shocking result in a game when sixth ranked Niigata A. (25-22) defeated on the road 14th ranked Tachikawa (17-31) 61-48 on Sunday. Niigata A. outrebounded Tachikawa 43-29 including 29 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American guard Anthony Nelson (193-1998, college: Manhattan) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Center Mutombo Jean-Pierre (206-2002) helped adding 9 points and 16 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Senegalese center Cheikh Mbodj (208-1987, college: Cincinnati) with 13 points and 7 rebounds and American power forward Michael Phillips (202-1990, college: Howard) scored 6 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Niigata A.. Despite that victory Niigata A. went down to seventh position due to points difference. Tachikawa lost their seventh game in a row. They keep the fourteenth place with 31 games lost. Niigata A. will meet at home bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#17) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tachikawa will play against Iwate and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: C.Mbodj 13+7reb+1ast, T.Morimoto 8+2reb, M.Sato 7+4reb, M.Phillips 6+7reb+2ast, K.Takano 5+2reb+2ast, O.Mori 4+1reb+2ast
Niigata A.: A.Nelson 21+6reb+6ast, A.Higuchi 13, M.Jean-Pierre 9+16reb, D.Tomioka 7+2reb, T.Kawamura 6+2reb+3ast, W.Smith 4+2reb+1ast

Tokyo HT - Gifu 76-79

Very expected game in Tokyo where 13th ranked Hachioji Trains (20-28) were edged by fifth ranked Swoops (27-19) 79-76 on Sunday. Gifu looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for point guard Kaisei Takahashi (175-2003) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists. New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) helped adding 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward LG Gill (203-1994, college: Maryland) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. Four Tokyo players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Swoops. Gifu maintains fifth place with 27-19 record. Loser Hachioji Trains keeps the thirteenth position with 28 games lost. Gifu will meet at home Shinagawa (#8) in the next round. 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 Utd.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 19+14reb+5ast, L.Gill 18+6reb+1ast, H.Ogane 17+1reb+2ast, S.Ito 11+2reb+4ast, S.Kubema 6+1ast, K.Takahashi 3+2reb+1ast
Gifu: R.Logan 17+6reb+2ast, D.Fotu 16+6reb+3ast, K.Takahashi 14+5reb+12ast, E.Iwamatsu 9, M.Tanaka 8+2reb, K.Urabe 6+3reb+1ast

Kanazawa - Tokyo Utd 70-101

Very predictable result in Ishikawa where second ranked United (38-8) outscored 15th ranked Kanazawa (16-32) 101-70 on Sunday. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Kanazawa's 28 and made 18-of-22 free shots (81.8 percent) during the game. Tokyo Utd forced 21 Kanazawa turnovers. It was a great evening for Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 5 rebounds. Point guard Ren Kawashima (180-1994) helped adding 12 points and 5 assists. Four United players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American guard Steven Green (196-1993, college: OKBU) with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Mali forward Kamissoko Oumar (200-2002) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 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. Tokyo Utd maintains second place with 38-8 record having just three points less than leader Yokohama EX. Kanazawa lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with 32 games lost. Tokyo Utd'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:
Kanazawa: S.Green 18+6reb+6ast, K.Oumar 13+10reb+1ast, A.Ichihashi 12, D.Kokubu 9+1ast, S.Ogawa 6+3reb+1ast, K.Higashino 4+4reb+1ast
Tokyo Utd: R.Vague 18+5reb+2ast, M.Tobin 14+4reb, H.Imabayashi 12+2reb+1ast, D.Taguchi 12+2reb+3ast, R.Kawashima 12+3reb+5ast, A.Chol 9+7reb

Veertien Mie - Kagawa FA 71-80

Not a big story in a game in Yokkaichi where 17th ranked Veertien Mie (6-40) was defeated by third ranked Five Arrows (35-11) 80-71 on Sunday. Kagawa made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American center Kenny Lawson (207-1988, college: Creighton) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 7 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). His fellow American import power forward Brekkott Chapman (206-1996, college: Weber St.) helped adding 12 points and 6 rebounds (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line). Five Five Arrows 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 17 points and 14 rebounds and guard Yasuyuki Miyazaki (170-1986) scored 14 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Kagawa maintains third place with 35-11 record having six points less than leader Yokohama EX. Veertien Mie lost their fourteenth game in a row. They stay dead last with 40 lost games. Kagawa will meet at home Shanan Utd (#11) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Veertien Mie will play against Niigata A. (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: C.McRae 17+14reb, Y.Miyazaki 14+1reb+1ast, T.Sawaki 10+1reb+3ast, T.Kume 9+2reb+3ast, D.Dodd 8+5reb+1ast, C.Maduabum 7+2reb+1ast
Kagawa FA: K.Lawson 19+7reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 12, B.Chapman 12+6reb+1ast, I.Takahashi 11+3ast, A.Davis 10+6reb+2ast, Y.Ukeda 8+2reb+2ast

Tokushima Gam. - Yokohama EX 99-82

Top ranked Excellence (41-5) recorded its fifth loss in Tokushima on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by eleventh ranked Gambarous (22-26) 99-82. It ended at the same time the 15-game winning streak of Excellence. Tokushima Gam. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Excellence's 40. Tokushima Gam. looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The game was dominated by American players. The best player for the winners was power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who scored 28 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) chipped in a double-double by scoring 24 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Elyjah Williams (201-1998, college: Northwestern) who recorded 26 points and 9 rebounds and guard Tray Boyd III (193-1998, college: ETSU) added 25 points and 7 rebounds (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokushima Gam. moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Yamaguchi. Yokohama at the other side still keeps top position with five games lost. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yokohama will play at home against Kanazawa and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Yokohama EX: E.Williams 26+9reb+3ast, T.Boyd III 25+7reb+3ast, C.Sow 11+9reb+2ast, H.Ohashi 5+1reb+1ast, T.Nishiyama 5+4reb, T.Masuko 4+2reb+2ast
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 28+9reb+7ast, J.Combs 24+11reb+6ast, T.Aoyama 11+1ast, K.Wakasa 9+5reb, K.Stockman Jr. 8+2reb+2ast, Y.Tsukamoto 8+5reb+6ast

Tokyo Z - Okayama 94-85

Everything went according to plan in Tokyo where seventh ranked Earthfriends (26-22) won against 16th ranked Try Hoop (11-39) 94-85 on Monday. Tokyo Z looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Jaycee Hillsman (200-1996, college: Illinois St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 6 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) helped adding 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. The best for the losing side was New Zealand power forward Samuel Timmins (211-1997, college: Washington) with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists and American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) scored 18 points and 8 rebounds. Four Okayama players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Earthfriends. Tokyo Z moved-up to sixth place. Okayama lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixteenth position with 39 games lost. Tokyo Z will meet Yamaguchi (#9) on the road in the next round. Okayama will play against Saitama (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Okayama: K.Hankerson 18+8reb+3ast, S.Timmins 17+11reb+5ast, E.Maxwell 14+6reb+1ast, Y.Mukai 14+1reb, M.Fofana 9+2reb+1ast, A.Hamada 8+1reb+8ast
Tokyo Z: J.Hillsman 27+6reb+2ast, J.Lampkin 16+9reb+5ast, C.Olivier 12+6reb+2ast, J.Spencer 9+1reb+1ast, Z.Moore 9+1reb+1ast, T.Ide 8+2reb+10ast

Shinagawa - Yamaguchi 71-77

There was a minor upset when 8th ranked Shinagawa (22-25) was defeated at home by eleventh ranked Pats Five (22-26) 77-71 on Saturday. Yamaguchi outrebounded Shinagawa 54-40 including a 23-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Yamaguchi looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 12 points, 23 rebounds and 6 assists. Kiichi Kawakami (188-1995) helped adding 15 points and 7 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) with a double-double by scoring 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 blocks (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Canadian center Renaldo Dixon (206-1990, college: NM State) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Pats Five. Yamaguchi moved-up to ninth place, which they share with Tokushima Gam. Shinagawa lost their third game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 25 games lost. Yamaguchi will meet at home higher ranked Tokyo Z (#6) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinagawa will play against Gifu and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: H.Koval 17+12reb+4ast, S.Horiuchi 16+2reb+6ast, R.Dixon 12+10reb+2ast, H.Higashi 11+3reb, T.Ochiai 7+4reb+2ast, I.Ryota 6+7reb+5ast
Yamaguchi: K.Kawakami 15+7reb+3ast, R.Yamaguchi 14+2reb+1ast, I.Tomida 13+3reb, B.Preston 12+23reb+6ast, A.Collum 10+9reb+5ast, J.Yoshikawa 9+6reb+6ast