B3 League Round 1 (Regular Season): Saitama defeat Kanazawa

The Regular Season in B3 League just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Samuraiz in Saitama on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Broncos 95-90. 25 personal fouls committed by Kanazawa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) contributed with 21 points for the winners. Dutch Jediael Cordilia (200-2002) answered with 27 points and 8 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) for Kanazawa. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Broncos is looking forward to face Kanazawa in Ishikawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Samuraiz will have a break next round.
Another interesting game for Tachikawa which played on the court of Shinagawa. Tachikawa had an easy win 96-82. American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) stepped up and scored 27 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and Andrew Fitzgerald chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tachikawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinagawa will play at home against Tachikawa to get more than just one victory in their record.
An interesting game was also tough home loss of Shanan Utd in a game in Kanagawa versus undefeated Gifu 77-68. Daniel Fotu nailed 17 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side. Jacob Polakovich came up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds for United in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gifu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shanan Utd will play against Gifu and hope to win that game.

Other games in round 1 were not that significant. Tokyo Z lost to Tokyo on the road 70-79. Tokyo won against Tokyo Z on its own court 79-69. Okayama managed to outperform Yamaguchi in a road game 70-65. Tokushima Gam. managed to beat Veertien Mie at home 81-68. Niigata A. lost to Kagawa on the opponent's court 76-93.
The most impressive performance of 1st round was 18 points and 7 rebounds by Tucker Haymond of Kagawa FA.



Tokyo HT - Tokyo Z 79-70

There was a small surprise when Hachioji Trains beat Earthfriends in Tokyo 79-70 on Friday. American players dominated the game. Forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) nailed 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) accounted for 13 points and 5 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Hachioji Trains' coach Mitsuhiro Kamezaki used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) came up with 19 points and power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) added 10 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Tokyo Z in the defeat. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 17+6reb+2ast, D.Clay 13+5reb+2ast, J.Janssen 11+4reb+1ast, S.Kubema 9+9reb+1ast, T.Kudou 9+1reb, K.Takaoka 6+1reb
Tokyo Z: M.Benlevi 19+4reb+3ast, J.Bruner 12+5reb+1ast, J.Spencer 11+3reb, J.Combs 10+7reb+2ast, T.Takagi 9+1reb+2ast, S.Shimodaira 7+3reb+1ast

Saitama - Kanazawa 95-90

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Samuraiz in Saitama on Saturday night. Visitors were defeated by Broncos 95-90. 25 personal fouls committed by Kanazawa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) contributed with 21 points for the winners. Dutch Jediael Cordilia (200-2002) answered with 27 points and 8 rebounds (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field) and New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) added 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Kanazawa. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Broncos is looking forward to face Kanazawa in Ishikawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Samuraiz will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saitama: T.Buttrick 22+10reb+1ast, D.Oliver 21+2reb+2ast, K.Matsui 15+1reb, S.Konishi 11+4reb+4ast, Y.Matsushita 9+2reb+4ast, T.Nesmith 8+4reb
Kanazawa: J.Cordilia 27+8reb, G.Matsuo 18+1ast, H.Harris 17+13reb+4ast, T.Omori 10+1reb, K.Allen 8+4reb, R.Mitsuo 4+2reb+1ast

Shinagawa - Tachikawa 82-96

Another interesting game for Tachikawa which played on the court of Shinagawa. Tachikawa had an easy win 96-82. Dice outrebounded Shinagawa 46-33 including 32 on the defensive glass. Dice players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) stepped up and scored 27 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 16 points and 9 rebounds. Five Dice players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists and Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) scored 23 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tachikawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinagawa will play at home against Tachikawa to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: L.Peak 27+8reb+3ast, A.Fitzgerald 16+9reb+1ast, F.Sato 11+1reb+1ast, O.Mori 11+3reb+2ast, R.Gustys 10+14reb+1ast, Y.Makanae 6+3reb+1ast
Shinagawa: G.Vasiliauskas 23+6reb+3ast, V.Hart 19+17reb+6ast, S.Horiuchi 13+1reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 8+4ast, K.Ogata 7+3reb+1ast, H.Yamane 5+1reb+2ast

Tokyo HT - Tokyo Z 79-69

There was a minor upset when Earthfriends lost to Hachioji Trains in Tokyo 69-79 on Saturday. Tokyo looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American players dominated the game. Swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) nailed 15 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) accounted for 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Hachioji Trains players scored in double figures. Forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Jordan Bruner (208-1997, college: Alabama, agency: Diamond Sports) added 16 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Tokyo Z in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: J.Janssen 18+2reb+1ast, D.Clay 15+6reb+2ast, H.Ogane 14+1reb+1ast, T.Sullivan 12+6reb+5ast, F.Yamamoto 7+2reb+5ast, Y.Oshiro 6+2reb+2ast
Tokyo Z: J.Bruner 16+5reb+2ast, J.Combs 14+4reb, M.Benlevi 14+11reb+4ast, R.Fujiwara 8+2reb+2ast, S.Shimodaira 8+3reb+5ast, J.Spencer 5+3reb

Shanan Utd - Gifu 68-77

An interesting game was also tough home loss of Shanan Utd in a game in Kanagawa versus undefeated Gifu 77-68. New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) nailed 17 points and 8 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side and American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) accounted for 9 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) came up with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) added 15 points and 7 rebounds respectively for United in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gifu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shanan Utd will play against Gifu and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Gifu: D.Fotu 17+8reb, K.Urabe 12+4reb, B.Preston 9+9reb+4ast, K.Takahashi 8+2reb+6ast, R.Yamazaki 7+1reb+2ast, M.Koga 6+1ast
Shanan Utd: J.Polakovich 22+13reb+2ast, E.Ross 15+7reb+2ast, T.Iju 11+5reb+2ast, K.Nakano 6+1ast, S.Takagi 5+3reb, T.Ishii 4+1reb+1ast

Yamaguchi - Okayama 65-70

But Pats Five was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Okayama 70-65 on Saturday night. Okayama outrebounded Yamaguchi 54-41 including 21 on the offensive glass. American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) nailed a double-double by scoring 18 points and 23 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) accounted for 12 points and 9 rebounds. American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa) came up with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Rikiya Yamaguchi (180-1996) added 14 points respectively for Yamaguchi in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Try Hoop will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Pats Five will play against Okayama and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Okayama: J.Scott 18+23reb+1ast, T.King 12+9reb+1ast, K.Hankerson 7+6reb+1ast, M.Fofana 7+6reb+2ast, C.Sow 7+2reb, K.Wakasa 6
Yamaguchi: E.Brauns 15+11reb+4ast, R.Yamaguchi 14+4reb+2ast, S.Kishinaga 9+4reb+5ast, A.Collum 9+8reb+2ast, T.Enokida 8+6reb, Y.Ide 4+2reb+2ast

Tokushima Gam. - Veertien Mie 81-68

Gambarous used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Yokkaichi 81-68 on Saturday night. Tokushima Gam. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) nailed 22 points for the winning side and Canadian center Chris McLaughlin (208-1992, college: Victoria) accounted for 19 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Latvian Matiss Kulackovskis (203-1997, college: BGSU) came up with 16 points and 5 rebounds and American power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) added 6 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Veertien Mie in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gambarous will again meet at home Veertien Mie in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Veertien Mie will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 22+4reb+3ast, C.McLaughlin 19+6reb+1ast, R.Adams 11+8reb+3ast, T.Aoyama 7, N.Moriyama 5+1reb+1ast, Y.Tsukamoto 5+2reb+4ast
Veertien Mie: M.Kulackovskis 16+5reb+2ast, Y.Miyazaki 14+2reb, S.Watanabe 12+2reb, Y.Kolo 7+10reb+1ast, D.Dodd 6+9reb+4ast, T.Kume 6+2reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Niigata A. 93-76

Five Arrows used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Niigata 93-76 on Saturday night. Kagawa shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 57.1 percentage. American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) nailed 18 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) accounted for 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Five Arrows players scored in double figures. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds and center Mutombo Jean-Pierre (206-2002) added 12 points and 9 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) respectively for Niigata A. in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Five Arrows will meet at home Niigata A. in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Albirex will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: T.Haymond 18+7reb+1ast, J.Lampkin 16+5reb+4ast, H.Imabayashi 13+3reb+2ast, A.Davis 13+8reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 10, K.Takahashi 7+1reb+1ast
Niigata A.: E.Phelps 16+8reb+1ast, A.Hamada 14+1reb+1ast, M.Jean-Pierre 12+9reb+1ast, M.Nagao 9+2reb+2ast, K.Igarashi 7+1reb+2ast, B.Mack 6+2reb