B3 League Round 19 of Regular Season

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game in Gifu supposed to be quite interesting. Sixth ranked Dice (12-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Swoops (9-9). Dice did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 87-67 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Swoops. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds. contributed with 5 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Dice's coach Takeo Mabashi used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) answered with 9 points and 14 rebounds for Gifu. Tachikawa moved-up to fifth place. Gifu at the other side keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. They share it with Shanan Utd. Tachikawa are looking forward to face higher ranked Kagawa (#3) in Takamatsu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gifu will play on the road against Kanazawa (#10) in Ishikawa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Worth to mention about the upset in a game between United (9-9) and Shinagawa (5-13), which took place in Kanagawa. Higher ranked United lost at home to fourteenth ranked Shinagawa 84-91. It was a great evening for American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Hibiki Yamane helped adding 20 points. At the losing side American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Shinagawa moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Tokyo Z. Shanan Utd at the other side dropped to the eighth position with nine games lost. They share it with Gifu. Shinagawa will play against higher ranked Okayama (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shanan Utd will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. having rather not much hope for a victory.

Other games in round 19 were not that significant. Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie was beaten by Saitama on the road 73-62. Kanazawa lost to Niigata A. on its own court 70-75. Tokyo managed to outperform Yamaguchi in a road game 74-70. Kagawa managed to beat Tokyo Utd at home 70-54.
The most impressive performance of 19th round was 10 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists by Hajime Imabayashi of Kagawa FA.



Saitama - Veertien Mie 73-62

No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Broncos (11-7) beat bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (3-15) in Saitama 73-62. Saitama forced 21 Veertien Mie turnovers. Veertien Mie was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) who led his team to a victory scoring 27 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) helped adding 18 points and 7 rebounds. Broncos' coach Shugaku Izumi used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. At the losing side Latvian Matiss Kulackovskis (203-1997, college: BGSU) responded with 18 points and 9 rebounds and American power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) scored 12 points and 8 rebounds. Saitama maintains seventh place with 11-7 record. Veertien Mie lost third consecutive game. They stay at the bottom position with 15 games lost. Saitama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play at home against Tokyo Z (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Saitama: O.Devin 27+7reb+1ast, B.Trent 18+7reb+2ast, Y.Matsushita 8+2reb+1ast, T.Asahi 7+2reb+3ast, K.Ryota 4+2ast, K.Ryohei 3+3reb+1ast
Veertien Mie: M.Kulackovskis 18+9reb+3ast, D.Dodd 12+8reb+2ast, K.Takao 10+2reb+1ast, A.Fuga 6+3reb+2ast, K.Ryu 5+1reb+1ast, W.Shogo 4+3reb+1ast

Shanan Utd - Shinagawa 84-91

Worth to mention about the upset in a game between United (9-9) and Shinagawa (5-13), which took place in Kanagawa. Higher ranked United lost at home to fourteenth ranked Shinagawa 84-91. Shinagawa outrebounded Shanan Utd 42-30 including 18 on the offensive glass. It was a great evening for American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Hibiki Yamane helped adding 20 points. At the losing side American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 14 rebounds and the other American import forward Christian Cunningham (201-1997, college: Jax State) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Five Shanan Utd players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Shinagawa moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Tokyo Z. Shanan Utd at the other side dropped to the eighth position with nine games lost. They share it with Gifu. Shinagawa will play against higher ranked Okayama (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shanan Utd will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: H.Victor 24+8reb+7ast, H.Yamane 20+2reb+1ast, V.Grantas 14+6reb, T.Ochiai 9+7reb+4ast, S.Horiuchi 9+2reb, G.Marius 8+10reb+3ast
Shanan Utd: J.Polakovich 17+14reb+3ast, C.Cunningham 16+5reb+2ast, T.Iju 14+2reb+3ast, U.Akito 12+2reb+2ast, T.Shinya 12+4reb+4ast, S.Shuki 7+9ast

Kanazawa - Niigata A. 70-75

Very expected game when 10th ranked Samuraiz (8-10) lost to second ranked Albirex (13-7) in Ishikawa 70-75. Niigata A. made 23-of-28 charity shots (82.1 percent) during the game. Niigata A. outrebounded Kanazawa 37-26 including a 28-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kanazawa was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who led his team to a victory scoring 19 points and 9 rebounds. American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) helped adding 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. At the losing side New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) responded with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and scored 15 points. Four Kanazawa players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Niigata A. maintains second place with 13-7 record behind leader Tokushima Gam. Kanazawa at the other side keeps the tenth position with ten games lost. Niigata A. will play against Tokyo (#4) at home in the next round. Kanazawa will play against Gifu (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: P.Eugene 19+9reb+1ast, M.BJ 10+8reb+4ast, A.Hamada 9+3reb+3ast, K.Igarashi 8+2reb+1ast, T.Hasegawa 8+3reb+2ast, M.Jean-Pierre 7+8reb
Kanazawa: H.Harris 16+5reb+4ast, T.Issei 15+2reb+2ast, M.Ryuji 12+2reb+2ast, K.Allen 10+1reb, I.Ayumu 4+1reb, M.Gashu 3+2reb+1ast

Gifu - Tachikawa 67-87

The game in Gifu supposed to be quite interesting. Sixth ranked Dice (12-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Swoops (9-9). Dice did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 87-67 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Swoops. Worth to mention a great performance of American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds. Rokas Gustys contributed with 5 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Dice's coach Takeo Mabashi used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) answered with 9 points and 14 rebounds and New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) added 14 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Gifu. Tachikawa moved-up to fifth place. Gifu at the other side keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. They share it with Shanan Utd. Tachikawa are looking forward to face higher ranked Kagawa (#3) in Takamatsu in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gifu will play on the road against Kanazawa (#10) in Ishikawa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: P.LJ 33+10reb+1ast, F.Andrew 16+2reb, J.Machii 8+2reb+2ast, F.Sato 8+1reb, Y.Makanae 7+4reb+1ast, R.Gustys 5+11reb+3ast
Gifu: K.Morito 17+3reb, D.Fotu 14+7reb+2ast, T.Kodai 10+4reb+2ast, B.Preston 9+14reb, S.Andre 6+4reb, R.Yamazaki 4+3ast

Yamaguchi - Tokyo HT 70-74

Very predictable result when fifth ranked Hachioji Trains (12-4) won against 13th ranked Pats Five (5-15) in Yamaguchi 74-70. Tokyo players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was a great evening for American swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 9 rebounds. Dutch-New Zealand Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college: HPU) helped adding 16 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 24 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) scored 10 points and 8 rebounds. Four Yamaguchi players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tokyo moved-up to third place, which they share with Kagawa. Yamaguchi lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourteenth position with 15 games lost. Tokyo will play against league's second-placed Niigata A. on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Yamaguchi will play against Tokyo Utd (#11) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: C.Donovan 18+9reb, J.Jonathan 16+9reb+1ast, S.Ito 12+1ast, T.Kudou 7+1reb+2ast, K.Takaoka 7+1reb, S.Kubema 5+5reb
Yamaguchi: E.Brauns 24+9reb, H.Bostyn 13+4reb+1ast, A.Collum 10+8reb+2ast, Y.Rikiya 10+4reb+2ast, T.Shodai 5+2reb, T.Yuki 4+1reb+2ast

Kagawa FA - Tokyo Utd 70-54

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked United (6-12) lost to fourth ranked Five Arrows (12-4) in Takamatsu 54-70. Kagawa outrebounded Tokyo Utd 38-24 including a 30-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tokyo Utd was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a great evening for American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) helped adding 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side American center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 8 points and 8 rebounds and Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) scored 0 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players saving starting five for next games. Five Arrows have a solid series of three victories in a row. Kagawa moved-up to third place, which they share with Tokyo. Tokyo Utd at the other side keeps the eleventh position with 12 games lost. Kagawa will play against Tachikawa (#5) on the road in the next round. Tokyo Utd will play against Yamaguchi (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: L.Jacob 15+11reb, H.Tucker 12+8reb+5ast, T.Koyo 12+1ast, H.Imabayashi 10+5reb+7ast, D.Alex 8+5reb+1ast, P.Kalonji 7+5reb+1ast
Tokyo Utd: K.Stockman Jr. 10+1reb+1ast, T.Konosuke 9+1reb+2ast, K.Ren 8+2reb+2ast, H.Koval 8+8reb+2ast, G.Bula 7+2reb+1ast, T.Shinnosuke 6+1reb