B3 League Round 21 (Regular Season): Niigata A. edges Tokyo by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 21 in the B3 League took place in Niigata. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Hachioji Trains (12-6) to second ranked Albirex (15-7) 70-68 on Sunday evening. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Niigata A. made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds. American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Dutch-New Zealand Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college: HPU) who recorded 19 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Albirex have a solid series of three victories in a row. Niigata A. maintains second place with 15-7 record behind leader Tokushima Gam. Tokyo at the other side keeps the fifth position with six games lost. Niigata A. are looking forward to face Kagawa (#3) in Takamatsu in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Tokyo's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Tokyo Utd.
Leader Gambarous delivered the sixteenth victory. This time they beat 9th ranked United (9-11) 76-63 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 26 points and 5 rebounds. Ryan Logan contributed with 10 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 19 rebounds for Shanan Utd. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gambarous have a solid series of three victories in a row. Tokushima Gam. maintains first place with 16-4 record. Shanan Utd lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will play against Yamaguchi (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Shanan Utd will play against Veertien Mie (#15) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Tachikawa supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Five Arrows (14-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Dice (12-8). Five Arrows smashed Dice 95-72 on Sunday. The game was dominated by American players. Jacob Lampkin stepped up and scored 21 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. The best for the losing side was LJ Peak with 25 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. Five Arrows have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Kagawa maintains third place with 14-4 record having 2 victories less than leader Tokushima Gam. Loser Dice keeps the sixth position with eight games lost. Kagawa will meet league's second-placed Niigata A. on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tachikawa will have a break next round.

Other games of round 21 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Yamaguchi defeated Tokyo Utd in a road game 71-66. Kanazawa was beaten by Gifu at home 74-81. Tokyo Z destroyed Veertien Mie on the opponent's court 88-67. Okayama unfortunately lost to Shinagawa in a home game 79-82.



Tokyo Utd - Yamaguchi 66-71

There was a minor upset in Tokyo where 11th ranked United (7-13) was defeated by fourteenth ranked Pats Five (6-16) 71-66 on Sunday. American center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners and Bostyn Holt chipped in 17 points and 5 steals. The best for the losing side was point guard Kedrick Stockman Jr (183-2000) with 14 points and 6 assists and Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds. Four Tokyo Utd players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Yamaguchi maintains fourteenth place with 6-16 record. Loser United keeps the eleventh position with 13 games lost. Yamaguchi will meet at home league's leader Tokushima Gam. in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tokyo Utd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Tokyo.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: K.Stockman Jr. 14+4reb+6ast, H.Hiroki 14+6reb+2ast, R.Vague 11+10reb+3ast, H.Koval 10+10reb, G.Bula 7+5reb, K.Ren 4+5reb+4ast
Yamaguchi: C.Antavion 28+13reb+4ast, B.Holt 17+4reb+3ast, R.Yamaguchi 9+1reb+1ast, E.Takuma 6+1reb, Y.Tanaka 5+2ast, A.Singh 4+9reb+1ast

Tachikawa - Kagawa FA 72-95

The game in Tachikawa supposed to be also quite interesting. Third ranked Five Arrows (14-4) played at the court of 6th ranked Dice (12-8). Five Arrows smashed Dice 95-72 on Sunday. Kagawa outrebounded Tachikawa 37-22 including a 31-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kagawa shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 61.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) stepped up and scored 21 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 11 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Four Five Arrows players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) with 25 points and power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 18 points and 6 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Five Arrows have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Kagawa maintains third place with 14-4 record having 2 victories less than leader Tokushima Gam. Loser Dice keeps the sixth position with eight games lost. Kagawa will meet league's second-placed Niigata A. on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tachikawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: L.Peak 25+3reb+2ast, A.Fitzgerald 18+6reb, M.Ousu 10+1ast, M.Jota 7+2reb+4ast, S.Fumiya 6+1reb, E.Morris 2+1reb+1ast
Kagawa FA: L.Jacob 21+9reb+2ast, H.Imabayashi 13+2reb+1ast, P.Kalonji 11+8reb+1ast, D.Alex 11+8reb+7ast, T.Kobayashi 9+2reb+4ast, I.Takahashi 7+2reb

Niigata A. - Tokyo HT 70-68

The most exciting game of round 21 in the B3 League took place in Niigata. This derby game ended with only two-point defeat on the road of 5th ranked Hachioji Trains (12-6) to second ranked Albirex (15-7) 70-68 on Sunday evening. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Niigata A. made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who had a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds. American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) chipped in 16 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Dutch-New Zealand Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college: HPU) who recorded 19 points and 7 rebounds and added 10 points and 12 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Albirex have a solid series of three victories in a row. Niigata A. maintains second place with 15-7 record behind leader Tokushima Gam. Tokyo at the other side keeps the fifth position with six games lost. Niigata A. are looking forward to face Kagawa (#3) in Takamatsu in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Tokyo's supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Tokyo Utd.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: J.Janssen 19+7reb, Y.Fuki 15+3reb+1ast, K.Steve 10+12reb, O.Hiroya 6+1reb+4ast, D.Clay 5+2reb, Y.Oshiro 4+1ast
Niigata A.: M.BJ 16+6reb+1ast, P.Eugene 12+12reb+1ast, A.Hamada 12+2reb+2ast, I.Powell 6+2reb, K.Igarashi 6+2reb+3ast, M.Nagao 5+2reb+1ast

Kanazawa - Gifu 74-81

No shocking result in a game in Ishikawa where eighth ranked Swoops (11-9) defeated 10th ranked Samuraiz (8-12) 81-74 on Sunday. New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) stepped up and scored 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winners and American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) with 24 points and 7 rebounds and American forward KJ Allen (198-2000, college: Portland St.) scored 13 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Samuraiz's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Gifu maintains eighth place with 11-9 record. Kanazawa lost their third game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 12 games lost. Gifu will meet at home Tokyo Z (#13) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Kanazawa will play against Okayama and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: J.Cordilia 24+7reb, M.Gashu 14+2reb+1ast, K.Allen 13+8reb+3ast, M.Ryuji 12+3reb+2ast, T.Issei 5+1reb+1ast, C.Diop 2+2reb+1ast
Gifu: F.Daniel 17+6reb+2ast, M.Koga 15+2reb+2ast, P.Blake 11+11reb+2ast, G.Jordan 10+4reb+1ast, Y.Reo 9+1reb+2ast, S.Okubo 8+2reb+3ast

Veertien Mie - Tokyo Z 67-88

Rather expected game in Yokkaichi where 15th ranked Veertien Mie (4-16) was rolled over by thirteenth ranked Earthfriends (6-14) 88-67 on Sunday. American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) stepped up and scored 23 points and 7 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field) for the winners and his fellow American import forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds. Benlevi is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was Latvian Matiss Kulackovskis (203-1997, college: BGSU) with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) scored 17 points and 5 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Tokyo Z moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Shinagawa. Loser Veertien Mie stay at the bottom position with 16 games lost. Tokyo Z will meet higher ranked Gifu (#8) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Veertien Mie will play against Shanan Utd (#9) in Kanagawa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: W.Shogo 17+5reb, M.Kulackovskis 16+10reb, S.Takaya 14+3ast, D.Doblas 6+7reb+2ast, K.Ryu 4+4ast, K.Tatsuya 4+1reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: C.Jeremy 23+7reb+1ast, B.Malik 16+5reb+1ast, B.Jordan 12+9reb, K.Kanemoto 8+2reb+8ast, S.James 8+3reb, S.Shimodaira 7

Okayama - Shinagawa 79-82

There was a surprise result in Okayama where twelfth ranked Shinagawa (6-14) edged 4th placed Try Hoop (13-9) 82-79 on Sunday. The game was also dominated by American players. Forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) stepped up and scored 30 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 27 points and 9 rebounds. The best for the losing side was power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) with a double-double by scoring 10 points and 14 rebounds and guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) scored 13 points and 6 assists. Four Okayama players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shinagawa maintains twelfth place with 6-14 record, which they share with Tokyo Z. Loser Try Hoop keeps the fourth position with nine games lost. Shinagawa will meet at home higher ranked Saitama (#7) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Okayama will play against Kanazawa and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Okayama: M.Yusuke 19+2reb, K.Hankerson 13+3reb+6ast, F.Mamadou 13+1ast, J.Scott 10+14reb+2ast, C.Sow 8+6reb+2ast, W.Kouki 7+3reb+1ast
Shinagawa: H.Victor 30+8reb+3ast, G.Marius 27+9reb+2ast, H.Yamane 12+3reb+5ast, T.Ochiai 9+4reb, V.Grantas 2+2reb, A.Bagir 2+1ast

Tokushima Gam. - Shanan Utd 76-63

Leader Gambarous delivered the sixteenth victory. This time they beat 9th ranked United (9-11) 76-63 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 26 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Ryan Logan (200-1994, college: Stonehill) contributed with 10 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) answered with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 19 rebounds and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) added 8 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Shanan Utd. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gambarous have a solid series of three victories in a row. Tokushima Gam. maintains first place with 16-4 record. Shanan Utd lost third consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 11 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will play against Yamaguchi (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Shanan Utd will play against Veertien Mie (#15) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: J.Polakovich 17+19reb+1ast, I.Tomohiro 15+1reb, S.Shuki 12+1reb+4ast, E.Ross 8+9reb+2ast, T.Shinya 4+2reb, N.Kodai 3+1reb
Tokushima Gam.: D.Tavrion 26+5reb+1ast, A.Roosevelt 10+4reb, L.Ryan 10+5reb+3ast, M.Naoto 7+6reb+1ast, T.Aoyama 4+3reb+1ast, K.David 4+6reb