B3 League Round 14 (Regular Season): #1 Tokushima Gam. is defeated by Gifu

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Gambarous (12-3) in Tokushima on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by ninth ranked Swoops (7-6) 87-81. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gambarous. Gifu looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gifu moved-up to eighth place. Tokushima Gam. at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Gifu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokushima Gam. will play at home against Gifu and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Try Hoop (10-5) against sixth ranked Albirex (9-6) on Saturday night. Visiting Try Hoop was crushed by Albirex in Niigata 82-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Try Hoop. American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) notched a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and Eugene Phelps supported him with 14 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Even 12 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for Okayama. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Niigata A. moved-up to fifth place. Okayama at the other side keeps the third position with five games lost. Niigata A. will play against higher ranked Okayama (#3) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Okayama will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Shinagawa managed to get the second consecutive victory on Saturday night. This time they edged fourteenth-ranked Veertien Mie in Yokkaichi 83-80. The best player for the winners was Victor Hart who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals. Damonte Dodd produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shinagawa (3-12) moved-up to fourteenth place. Veertien Mie lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 11 games lost. Shinagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play again against Shinagawa (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 14: Kanazawa won against Tokyo Utd on the opponent's court 70-59. Tachikawa outscored Saitama in a home game 105-85. Yamaguchi managed to beat Shanan Utd on the road 79-71. Kagawa was defeated by Tokyo Z on its own court 61-68.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points and 12 rebounds by Jeremy Combs of Tokyo Z.



Tokyo Utd - Kanazawa 59-70

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 11th ranked United's (4-9) home loss to tenth ranked Samuraiz (7-8) 59-70 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) who had a double-double by scoring 13 points and 14 rebounds. Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Samuraiz's coach Takaaki Matsufuji used entire bench saving starting five for next games. American center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds and Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) added 11 points and 12 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Kanazawa moved-up to ninth place. Loser United dropped to the twelfth position with nine games lost. Kanazawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Utd will play against Kanazawa (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: H.Koval 22+10reb, R.Vague 11+12reb+2ast, R.Sasayama 10+4reb, K.Ren 8+2reb+3ast, G.Bula 4+4reb+1ast, F.Wesley 3+2reb+1ast
Kanazawa: C.Jediael 14+7reb+2ast, H.Hyrum 13+14reb+3ast, I.Tomida 10+5reb+1ast, A.Ichihashi 9, G.Matsuo 8+1reb+3ast, R.Mitsuo 5+5reb+3ast

Tachikawa - Saitama 105-85

There was a small surprise in Tachikawa where seventh ranked Dice (8-5) smashed 5th ranked Broncos (8-5) 105-85 on Saturday. Tachikawa made 28-of-36 free shots (77.8 percent) during the game, while Saitama only scored six points from the stripe. Tachikawa had a 31-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) who scored 32 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field). Rokas Gustys chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds and his fellow American import forward TJ Nesmith (206-2001, college: Radford) added 11 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Five Tachikawa and four Saitama players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Tachikawa moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Saitama. Tachikawa will meet at home Saitama (#7) in the next round. Saitama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saitama: T.Buttrick 22+10reb+3ast, R.Kondo 12+1ast, T.Nesmith 11+9reb, M.Yuta 10+4reb+4ast, D.Oliver 10+5reb+1ast, I.Shota 6+1reb+1ast
Tachikawa: P.LJ 32+8reb+4ast, R.Gustys 14+12reb+4ast, F.Sato 13+2reb, Y.Makanae 12+3reb+1ast, F.Andrew 11+6reb+2ast, J.Machii 11+5reb+7ast

Shanan Utd - Yamaguchi 71-79

There was an upset in Kanagawa where higher ranked United (6-7) was defeated by twelfth ranked Pats Five (5-10) 79-71 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) who scored 18 points and 7 rebounds. Shuto Kishinaga chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) produced 28 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Christian Cunningham (201-1997, college: Jax State) added 11 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Yamaguchi moved-up to eleventh place. Loser United dropped to the tenth position with seven games lost. Yamaguchi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shanan Utd will play against Yamaguchi (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: J.Polakovich 28+8reb+2ast, T.Iju 12+4ast, C.Cunningham 11+8reb+2ast, I.Tomohiro 11+4reb+1ast, T.Aiki 5+1ast, U.Akito 2+2reb
Yamaguchi: B.Even 18+7reb, R.Yamaguchi 16+4reb, C.Antavion 12+4reb+2ast, S.Kishinaga 10+6reb+5ast, E.Takuma 7+3reb+2ast, B.Holt 5+3reb+1ast

Niigata A. - Okayama 82-62

Very important is a road loss of third ranked Try Hoop (10-5) against sixth ranked Albirex (9-6) on Saturday night. Visiting Try Hoop was crushed by Albirex in Niigata 82-62. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Try Hoop. Niigata A. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Try Hoop's 24. American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) notched a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the effort and American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) supported him with 14 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Even 12 points and 8 rebounds by American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for Okayama. His fellow American import guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) added 13 points for the guests. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Niigata A. moved-up to fifth place. Okayama at the other side keeps the third position with five games lost. Niigata A. will play against higher ranked Okayama (#3) at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Okayama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Okayama: K.Hankerson 13+4reb+2ast, T.King 12+8reb+1ast, M.Yusuke 6, J.Scott 6+10reb+3ast, T.Keisuke 6+1reb+2ast, H.Akiyama 5+1reb+3ast
Niigata A.: M.BJ 25+10reb+5ast, P.Eugene 14+9reb+1ast, M.Jean-Pierre 11+6reb, T.Hasegawa 9+2reb+3ast, P.Pogue 8+1reb, A.Higuchi 5+2ast

Veertien Mie - Shinagawa 80-83

Bottom-ranked Shinagawa managed to get the second consecutive victory on Saturday night. This time they edged fourteenth-ranked Veertien Mie in Yokkaichi 83-80. Shinagawa forced 21 Veertien Mie turnovers. The best player for the winners was American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals. The other American import forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. American power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists and Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) added 17 points and 16 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shinagawa (3-12) moved-up to fourteenth place. Veertien Mie lost sixth consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom position with 11 games lost. Shinagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play again against Shinagawa (#14) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: D.Dodd 17+13reb+7ast, D.Doblas 17+16reb, K.Tatsuya 11+1reb+1ast, S.Takaya 10+1reb, K.Takao 9+3reb, A.Fuga 8+3reb+2ast
Shinagawa: H.Victor 28+12reb+6ast, G.Marius 15+10reb, T.Ryo 10+4reb+6ast, T.Ochiai 9+2reb, S.Horiuchi 8+1reb, V.Grantas 8+4reb

Tokushima Gam. - Gifu 81-87

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Gambarous (12-3) in Tokushima on Saturday night. Hosts were defeated by ninth ranked Swoops (7-6) 87-81. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Gambarous. Gifu looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) scored 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and American forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds and American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) scored 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Five Gifu and four Tokushima Gam. players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gifu moved-up to eighth place. Tokushima Gam. at the other side still keeps top position with three games lost. Gifu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokushima Gam. will play at home against Gifu and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: R.Adams 18+5reb+1ast, N.Moriyama 15+3reb, T.Dawson 15+8reb+3ast, R.Logan 15+2ast, C.McLaughlin 9+4reb, A.Teruya 7+1reb+3ast
Gifu: G.Jordan 15+5reb+2ast, F.Daniel 12+7reb+4ast, K.Takahashi 12+2reb+5ast, Y.Reo 11+3reb+5ast, P.Blake 10+8reb+1ast, K.Urabe 9+1reb

Kagawa FA - Tokyo Z 61-68

There was a surprise result in Takamatsu where thirteenth ranked Earthfriends (3-10) beat higher ranked Five Arrows (9-4) 68-61 on Saturday. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Jordan Bruner (208-1997, college: Alabama, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 19 points and 4 steals. Forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) produced 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) added 9 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Five Arrows' coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Tokyo Z maintains thirteenth position with 3-10 record. Loser Five Arrows keeps the fourth place with four games lost. Tokyo Z will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kagawa will play against Tokyo Z (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: A.Davis 14+9reb+4ast, T.Katsumi 14+1ast, K.Patrick 9+3reb, J.Lampkin 9+6reb+3ast, K.Takumi 5+3ast, U.Yuya 4+3reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: C.Jeremy 21+12reb, B.Jordan 19+3reb, B.Malik 10+7reb, K.Kanemoto 8+1reb+9ast, R.Fujiwara 7+4ast, S.Shimodaira 3+1reb