B3 League Round 13 (Regular Season): Okayama beat Gifu by one after a very close game

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 13 in the B3 League took place in Gifu. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 8th ranked Swoops (6-6) to fourth ranked Try Hoop (10-4) 65-64 on Sunday evening. Okayama outrebounded Gifu 44-29 including 31 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) contributed with 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) answered with 20 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for Gifu. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Okayama moved-up to third place. Gifu at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Shanan Utd. Okayama are looking forward to face Niigata A. (#6) on the road in the next round. Gifu will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Five Arrows (9-3) against fifth ranked Broncos (8-4) on Sunday night. Host Five Arrows were defeated by Broncos in a tough game in Takamatsu 78-82. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Five Arrows. American players dominated the game. Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and Trent Buttrick chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds. Broncos' coach Shugaku Izumi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Saitama maintains fifth place with 8-4 record. Kagawa at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Saitama will play against Tachikawa (#7) on the road in the next round. Kagawa will play against Tokyo Z and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Earthfriends managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of four consecutive losses on Sunday night. This time they won against twelfth-ranked Pats Five in Yamaguchi 73-65. American players dominated also this game. Jeremy Combs nailed a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Antavion Collum came up with 15 points and 8 rebounds for Yamaguchi in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokyo Z (2-10) moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Veertien Mie. Loser Pats Five keeps the twelfth position with ten games lost. Tokyo Z will meet higher ranked Kagawa (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Yamaguchi will play against Shanan Utd (#8) in Kanagawa and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 13 were not that significant. Veertien Mie was smashed by Tokyo on the road 103-60. Niigata A. won against Tokyo Utd on its own court 69-57. Tachikawa outscored Kanazawa in a road game 101-79.



Tokyo HT - Veertien Mie 103-60

No shocking result in a game when third ranked Hachioji Trains (10-2) crushed 13th ranked Veertien Mie (2-10) in Tokyo 103-60 on Sunday. Tokyo shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 60.9 percentage. Dutch-New Zealand Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college: HPU) nailed 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winning side and Fuki Yamamoto accounted for 16 points and 6 assists. Five Hachioji Trains players scored in double figures. Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) came up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds and American power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) added 16 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Veertien Mie in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokyo moved-up to second place. Veertien Mie lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with ten games lost. They share it with Tokyo Z. They will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play against Shinagawa (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: D.Dodd 16+7reb, D.Doblas 10+13reb, A.Fuga 9+5ast, S.Takaya 7+2reb+1ast, K.Ryu 7+4reb+7ast, W.Shogo 5+1reb
Tokyo HT: J.Jonathan 19+9reb, T.Kudou 17+4reb, F.Yamamoto 16+2reb+6ast, C.Donovan 15+7reb+2ast, S.Taren 13+5reb+2ast, H.Ogane 7+1reb+3ast

Niigata A. - Tokyo Utd 69-57

Very expected game when 11th ranked United (4-8) lost to sixth ranked Albirex (8-6) in Niigata 57-69 on Sunday. Isaiah Powell nailed 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) accounted for 10 points and 7 rebounds. Albirex's coach Jun Uzawa used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) came up with 15 points and 5 rebounds and Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) added 9 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Tokyo Utd in the defeat. Niigata A. maintains sixth place with 8-6 record. Loser United keeps the eleventh position with eight games lost. Niigata A. will meet at home higher ranked Okayama (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tokyo Utd will play against Kanazawa (#10) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: H.Koval 15+5reb+2ast, K.Stockman Jr. 12+5reb, R.Vague 9+7reb+2ast, K.Ren 8+2reb+3ast, G.Bula 4+8reb+1ast, T.Konosuke 4+5ast
Niigata A.: I.Powell 15+8reb+1ast, M.BJ 10+7reb+2ast, M.Nagao 8+2ast, P.Pogue 8+4reb, M.Jean-Pierre 8+10reb, A.Hamada 6+4reb+3ast

Kanazawa - Tachikawa 79-101

Rather predictable result when seventh ranked Dice (7-5) rolled over 10th ranked Samuraiz (6-8) in Ishikawa 101-79 on Sunday. Tachikawa forced 23 Kanazawa turnovers. Rokas Gustys nailed a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds for the winning side and American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) accounted for 19 points and 7 rebounds. New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) came up with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds and Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) added 16 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) respectively for Kanazawa in the defeat. Five Tachikawa and four Kanazawa 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. Tachikawa maintains seventh place with 7-5 record. Loser Samuraiz keeps the tenth position with eight games lost. Tachikawa will meet at home higher ranked Saitama (#5) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Kanazawa will play against Tokyo Utd (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: J.Cordilia 16+7reb+2ast, M.Gashu 12+3reb+2ast, T.Issei 12+4reb+1ast, M.Ryuji 12+3reb+2ast, H.Harris 10+13reb+3ast, K.Allen 8+5reb+5ast
Tachikawa: F.Andrew 23+3reb, P.LJ 19+7reb, O.Mori 13+2reb+3ast, R.Gustys 12+13reb+2ast, F.Sato 12+3reb, Y.Makanae 8+2reb+2ast

Gifu - Okayama 64-65

The most exciting game of round 13 in the B3 League took place in Gifu. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of 8th ranked Swoops (6-6) to fourth ranked Try Hoop (10-4) 65-64 on Sunday evening. Okayama outrebounded Gifu 44-29 including 31 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 15 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) contributed with 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) answered with 20 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and American forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) added 17 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Gifu. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Okayama moved-up to third place. Gifu at the other side keeps the eighth position with six games lost. They share it with Shanan Utd. Okayama are looking forward to face Niigata A. (#6) on the road in the next round. Gifu will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Gifu: D.Fotu 20+6reb, J.Giles 17+7reb+1ast, K.Morito 11+2reb+2ast, B.Preston 6+6reb+2ast, A.Ryoya 3+2reb+4ast, O.Souta 3
Okayama: S.Josh 18+15reb+3ast, H.Kameron 12+5reb+3ast, K.Terrance 9+7reb+2ast, K.Wakasa 7+2reb+1ast, S.Cherif 6+2reb+1ast, Y.Mukai 6+2reb

Yamaguchi - Tokyo Z 65-73

Bottom-ranked Earthfriends managed to get a second victory, breaking the series of four consecutive losses on Sunday night. This time they won against twelfth-ranked Pats Five in Yamaguchi 73-65. They outrebounded Yamaguchi 38-24 including 27 on the defensive glass. American players dominated also this game. Power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) nailed a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) accounted for 13 points and 7 rebounds. Benlevi is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) came up with 15 points and 8 rebounds and center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Yamaguchi in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokyo Z (2-10) moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Veertien Mie. Loser Pats Five keeps the twelfth position with ten games lost. Tokyo Z will meet higher ranked Kagawa (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Yamaguchi will play against Shanan Utd (#8) in Kanagawa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: A.Collum 15+8reb+1ast, E.Brauns 12+7reb+3ast, H.Bostyn 10+2reb+1ast, K.Shuto 9+1reb+6ast, Y.Rikiya 7+1ast, T.Enokida 4+4reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: C.Jeremy 24+10reb+3ast, B.Malik 13+7reb+1ast, B.Jordan 9+5reb, K.Kanemoto 9+4reb+4ast, S.James 8+4reb+1ast, S.Shimodaira 5+2reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Saitama 78-82

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Five Arrows (9-3) against fifth ranked Broncos (8-4) on Sunday night. Host Five Arrows were defeated by Broncos in a tough game in Takamatsu 78-82. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Five Arrows. Saitama made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. American players dominated the game. Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) chipped in 22 points and 9 rebounds. Broncos' coach Shugaku Izumi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. At the losing side power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with 19 points and 5 rebounds and forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) scored 8 points and 11 rebounds. Saitama maintains fifth place with 8-4 record. Kagawa at the other side dropped to the fourth position with three games lost. Saitama will play against Tachikawa (#7) on the road in the next round. Kagawa will play against Tokyo Z and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: T.Katsumi 19+5reb, T.Haymond 14+3reb+1ast, U.Yuya 8+1reb+6ast, K.Takahashi 8+3reb+5ast, A.Davis 8+11reb+2ast, I.Hajime 7+7reb+1ast
Saitama: B.Trent 22+9reb, O.Devin 16+14reb+6ast, Y.Matsushita 10+1reb+3ast, S.Konishi 9+1reb+4ast, N.TJ 8+1reb+1ast, K.Ryota 7+2reb+1ast