B3 League Round 15 (Regular Season): Okayama is upset by Niigata A.

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between third ranked Try Hoop (10-6) and fifth ranked Albirex (10-6) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Try Hoop was defeated by Albirex in Niigata 88-72. 27 personal fouls committed by Okayama helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds. chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) who recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Albirex have a solid series of three victories in a row. Niigata A. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Okayama. Niigata A. is looking forward to face Tokyo Z (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Okayama will play against the league's second-placed Tokyo (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Leader Gambarous delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they beat 8th ranked Swoops (7-7) 72-66 in Tokushima. It was a good game for American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who led his team to a victory with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Chris McLaughlin contributed with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds for Gifu. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tokushima Gam. maintains first place with 13-3 record. Gifu at the other side keeps the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with Shanan Utd. Tokushima Gam. will play against Saitama (#7) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Gifu will play against Shanan Utd and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Tokyo between United and Samuraiz. Twelfth ranked United (5-9) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Samuraiz (7-9). United managed to escape with a 1-point win 73-72 on Sunday evening. It was a great evening for Rhys Vague who led his team to a victory scoring 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The best for the losing side was Hyrum Harris with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists. Samuraiz's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Tokyo Utd moved-up to eleventh place. Loser Samuraiz dropped to the tenth position with nine games lost. Tokyo Utd will meet bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#15) in the next round. Kanazawa will have a break next round.

Other games of round 15 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Saitama was crushed by Tachikawa in a road game 104-78. Shanan Utd beat Yamaguchi at home 78-66. Shinagawa won against Veertien Mie on the opponent's court 80-71. Kagawa outscored Tokyo Z in a home game 78-52.
The best stats of 15th round was 18 points and 7 rebounds by Jacob Lampkin of Kagawa FA.



Tokyo Utd - Kanazawa 73-72

A very close game took place in Tokyo between United and Samuraiz. Twelfth ranked United (5-9) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Samuraiz (7-9). United managed to escape with a 1-point win 73-72 on Sunday evening. It was a great evening for Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) who led his team to a victory scoring 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Konosuke Tanaka helped adding 17 points and 4 assists. The best for the losing side was New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 17 rebounds and 6 assists and American forward KJ Allen (198-2000, college: Portland St.) scored 7 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Samuraiz's coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Tokyo Utd moved-up to eleventh place. Loser Samuraiz dropped to the tenth position with nine games lost. Tokyo Utd will meet bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#15) in the next round. Kanazawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: K.Tanaka 17+3reb+4ast, R.Kawashima 14+3reb+4ast, V.Rhys 12+8reb+6ast, B.Glorida 11+6reb, S.Riku 8+3reb+1ast, K.Hayden 7+10reb
Kanazawa: I.Ayumu 14+1reb+1ast, M.Gashu 12+2ast, H.Harris 11+17reb+6ast, O.Takayuki 10+1reb+6ast, J.Cordilia 8+2reb+1ast, K.Allen 7+8reb+3ast

Tachikawa - Saitama 104-78

Everything could happen in Tachikawa at the game between two tied teams. Both sixth ranked Dice and 7th ranked Broncos had identical 8-5 record. This time Dice used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Saitama 104-78 on Sunday night. Tachikawa made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. Tachikawa had a 31-17 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was dominated by American players. It was a great evening for swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) helped adding 18 points and 6 rebounds. Five Dice players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) with 20 points and 5 rebounds and forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) scored 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 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. Dice have a solid series of three victories in a row. Tachikawa maintains sixth place with 9-5 record. Loser Broncos keeps the seventh position with six games lost. Tachikawa will meet at home Yamaguchi (#12) in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Saitama will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: P.LJ 23+6reb+4ast, F.Andrew 18+6reb+2ast, O.Mori 13+2reb+2ast, F.Sato 13+1reb, R.Gustys 12+11reb+1ast, Y.Makanae 11+4reb+2ast
Saitama: D.Oliver 20+5reb+3ast, T.Buttrick 12+9reb+5ast, M.Yuta 8+1reb+4ast, R.Kawabe 8+5reb+2ast, R.Kondo 7+1reb+1ast, I.Shota 6+1reb+1ast

Shanan Utd - Yamaguchi 78-66

The game between closely ranked teams ended with tenth ranked United's (7-7) home victory over 11th ranked Pats Five (5-11) 78-66 on Sunday. Shanan Utd outrebounded Yamaguchi 47-34 including 34 on the defensive glass. It was a great evening for American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds. Shuki Shigetomi helped adding 15 points and 5 assists. Four United players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) with 12 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) scored 8 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shanan Utd moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Gifu. Loser Pats Five dropped to the twelfth position with 11 games lost. Shanan Utd will meet Gifu (#9) on the road in the next round. Yamaguchi will play against Tachikawa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: P.Jacob 18+17reb+3ast, S.Shigetomi 15+1reb+5ast, T.Ishii 14+5reb, R.Earnest 12+7reb, S.Takagi 6+4reb, R.Sakamoto 5+2ast
Yamaguchi: K.Shuto 13+3reb+3ast, Y.Rikiya 12+3reb+1ast, E.Brauns 12+8reb+1ast, T.Shodai 8, A.Collum 8+8reb+3ast, H.Bostyn 6+3reb+1ast

Niigata A. - Okayama 88-72

The game between third ranked Try Hoop (10-6) and fifth ranked Albirex (10-6) was the most important one in the last round on Sunday night. Try Hoop was defeated by Albirex in Niigata 88-72. 27 personal fouls committed by Okayama helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds. Aruma Hamada chipped in 16 points and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) who recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) added 13 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Albirex have a solid series of three victories in a row. Niigata A. moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Okayama. Niigata A. is looking forward to face Tokyo Z (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Okayama will play against the league's second-placed Tokyo (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: P.Eugene 21+15reb+1ast, A.Hamada 16+3reb+5ast, M.Jean-Pierre 14+9reb, K.Igarashi 9+2ast, M.BJ 7+9reb, M.Nagao 6+1reb+3ast
Okayama: T.King 13+9reb, T.Keisuke 10+2reb, K.Hankerson 10+8reb+4ast, M.Yusuke 8+1reb, J.Scott 8+10reb+3ast, N.Mizuki 7

Veertien Mie - Shinagawa 71-80

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 15th ranked Veertien Mie's (2-12) home loss to fourteenth ranked Shinagawa (4-12) 71-80 on Sunday. It was a great evening for American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 29 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. His fellow American import forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) helped adding 13 points and 8 rebounds. Four Shinagawa players scored in double figures. Shinagawa's coach Tomoro Sano used a ten-player rotation saving starting five for next games. The best for the losing side was Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists and American power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists. Shinagawa have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to thirteenth place. Veertien Mie lost seventh consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 12 games lost. Shinagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play against Tokyo Utd (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: H.Victor 29+17reb+4ast, T.Ryo 17+1reb+3ast, G.Marius 13+8reb+2ast, A.Bagir 12+1ast, A.Nohara 3+2reb, K.Ogata 2+2reb
Veertien Mie: D.Doblas 26+13reb+4ast, D.Dodd 16+13reb+4ast, S.Takaya 10+2ast, K.Tatsuya 6+1reb+1ast, A.Fuga 5+1reb+6ast, W.Shogo 3

Tokushima Gam. - Gifu 72-66

Leader Gambarous delivered the thirteenth victory. This time they beat 8th ranked Swoops (7-7) 72-66 in Tokushima. Gambarous brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. It was a good game for American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who led his team to a victory with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Canadian center Chris McLaughlin (208-1992, college: Victoria, agency: Starting 5) contributed with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four Gambarous players scored in double figures. American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds and the other American import forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) added 14 points in the effort for Gifu. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tokushima Gam. maintains first place with 13-3 record. Gifu at the other side keeps the eighth position with seven games lost. They share it with Shanan Utd. Tokushima Gam. will play against Saitama (#7) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Gifu will play against Shanan Utd and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: D.Tavrion 23+9reb+2ast, Y.Tsukamoto 13+2reb+3ast, M.Chris 12+9reb+4ast, A.Roosevelt 10+3reb, L.Ryan 6+3reb+1ast, Y.Tsunai 4+3reb
Gifu: B.Preston 16+16reb+2ast, J.Giles 14+4reb+2ast, R.Yamazaki 7+1reb+4ast, U.Kenshin 6+4reb, S.Andre 6+4reb, D.Fotu 6+5reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Tokyo Z 78-52

Very predictable result in Takamatsu where fourth ranked Five Arrows (10-4) outscored 13th ranked Earthfriends (3-11) 78-52 on Sunday. Kagawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Tokyo Z's players. It was a great evening for American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) helped adding 14 points and 5 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) with 11 points and 6 rebounds and his fellow the other American import import forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) scored 8 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kagawa moved-up to third place. Loser Earthfriends dropped to the fourteenth position with 11 games lost. Kagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play against Niigata A. (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: L.Jacob 18+7reb+2ast, D.Alex 14+5reb+2ast, H.Tucker 13+2reb+4ast, P.Kalonji 9+6reb, I.Takahashi 6+1reb+1ast, T.Koyo 5+3reb+3ast
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 11+6reb, M.Benlevi 9+5reb, F.Ryoga 8+4reb+3ast, S.Sho 6+1reb, J.Spencer 6+1ast, K.Kazuma 5+1reb+3ast