B3 League Round 23 (Regular Season): Tokushima Gam. defeat Yamaguchi in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fourteenth-ranked Pats Five (6-18) gave a tough game to first ranked Gambarous (18-4) in Yamaguchi on Sunday. The visitors from Tokushima managed to secure only two-point victory 111-109. However their fans expected much easier game. Tokushima Gam. looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. It was a great evening for Canadian center Chris McLaughlin (208-1992, college: Victoria, agency: Starting 5) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 6 rebounds. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) helped adding 24 points. American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 15 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field). Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gambarous have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Tokushima Gam. maintains first place with 18-4 record. Yamaguchi at the other side keeps the fourteenth position with 18 games lost. Tokushima Gam. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Niigata A. at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Yamaguchi will play against Tokyo Z (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Niigata. Second-ranked host Albirex (16-8) lost to third ranked Five Arrows (15-5) 91-76. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Albirex. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) who led the winners and scored 25 points and 9 rebounds. Jacob Lampkin accounted for 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds for Niigata A. in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kagawa maintains third place with 15-5 record having five points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Niigata A. at the other side keeps the second position with eight games lost. Kagawa will play against Gifu (#8) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Niigata A. will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
13th ranked Shinagawa (6-16) was outscored at home by sixth ranked Broncos (13-7) with the biggest margin this round 85-54 on Tuesday night. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was TJ Nesmith who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Victor Hart produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 16 rebounds for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Broncos. Saitama maintains sixth place with 13-7 record. Loser Shinagawa keeps the thirteenth position with 16 games lost. Saitama will meet at home Shanan Utd (#9) in the next round. Shinagawa will play against Tokyo Utd (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 23: Tokyo Z was destroyed by Gifu on the opponent's court 86-62. Okayama outscored Kanazawa in a home game 88-58. Saitama managed to beat Shinagawa on the road 75-65.



Niigata A. - Kagawa FA 76-91

The game between Top Four teams took place in Niigata. Second-ranked host Albirex (16-8) lost to third ranked Five Arrows (15-5) 91-76. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Albirex. Kagawa dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Albirex's 36. Kagawa players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) who led the winners and scored 25 points and 9 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) accounted for 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) came up with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 11 rebounds and American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) added 17 points respectively for Niigata A. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kagawa maintains third place with 15-5 record having five points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Niigata A. at the other side keeps the second position with eight games lost. Kagawa will play against Gifu (#8) at home in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Niigata A. will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. (#1) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: E.Phelps 18+11reb, H.Tomonobu 17+3ast, H.Aruma 14+1reb+2ast, B.Mack 13+1reb+2ast, N.Mitsuki 8+1reb+6ast, J.Mutombo 6+9reb+1ast
Kagawa FA: H.Tucker 25+9reb+3ast, L.Jacob 12+10reb+4ast, D.Alex 12+2reb+3ast, H.Imabayashi 11+3ast, T.Koyo 7+2reb+4ast, P.Kalonji 7+5reb+3ast

Gifu - Tokyo Z 86-62

Rather expected game in Gifu where 11th ranked Earthfriends (7-15) were crushed by eighth ranked Swoops (12-10) 86-62 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) who scored 14 points and 9 rebounds. Andre Sambou chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds. Four Swoops players scored in double figures. American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) produced a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds and the other American import forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) added 7 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the guests. Earthfriends' coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Gifu maintains eighth place with 12-10 record. Loser Earthfriends keeps the eleventh position with 15 games lost. They share it with Tokyo Utd. Gifu will meet higher ranked Kagawa (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tokyo Z will play against Yamaguchi (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 21+10reb+3ast, J.Spencer 12, M.Benlevi 7+8reb+3ast, K.Kazuma 6+2reb+1ast, J.Bruner 6+3reb, F.Ryoga 6+4reb+3ast
Gifu: M.Koga 15+3reb+2ast, F.Daniel 14+9reb+1ast, A.Sambou 14+7reb, K.Takahashi 12+3reb+3ast, S.Okubo 10+2ast, Y.Reo 9+7reb+3ast

Okayama - Kanazawa 88-58

Very predictable result in Okayama where fifth ranked Try Hoop (15-9) smashed 10th ranked Samuraiz (8-14) 88-58 on Sunday. Okayama outrebounded Kanazawa 42-26 including a 28-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) who scored 22 points and 8 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Cherif Sow (201-1992) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds. Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and added 8 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Okayama moved-up to fourth place. Kanazawa lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the tenth position with 14 games lost. Okayama will meet at home bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#15) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Kanazawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: J.Cordilia 13+11reb+2ast, H.Koki 9+1ast, C.Diop 8+7reb+1ast, T.Issei 8+1reb+1ast, O.Takayuki 7+1reb, M.Ryuji 6+2reb+2ast
Okayama: K.Terrance 22+8reb, S.Cherif 11+9reb+1ast, Y.Mukai 10, K.Wakasa 10+1reb+1ast, A.Hikaru 9+4reb+3ast, K.Takabatake 8+5reb+4ast

Yamaguchi - Tokushima Gam. 109-111

Fourteenth-ranked Pats Five (6-18) gave a tough game to first ranked Gambarous (18-4) in Yamaguchi on Sunday. The visitors from Tokushima managed to secure only two-point victory 111-109. However their fans expected much easier game. Tokushima Gam. looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists. It was a great evening for Canadian center Chris McLaughlin (208-1992, college: Victoria, agency: Starting 5) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 6 rebounds. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) helped adding 24 points. Four Gambarous players scored in double figures. American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 15 rebounds (on 13-of-17 shooting from the field) and scored 34 points (!!!) and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gambarous have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Tokushima Gam. maintains first place with 18-4 record. Yamaguchi at the other side keeps the fourteenth position with 18 games lost. Tokushima Gam. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Niigata A. at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Yamaguchi will play against Tokyo Z (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: Y.Rikiya 34+2reb+4ast, E.Brauns 31+15reb+2ast, H.Bostyn 28+3reb+1ast, T.Enokida 7+1reb+4ast, K.Shuto 3+3reb+6ast, A.Collum 2+2reb+2ast
Tokushima Gam.: M.Chris 24+6reb+3ast, D.Tavrion 24+4reb+3ast, A.Roosevelt 18+8reb+1ast, M.Naoto 10+2reb+4ast, L.Ryan 10+4reb+4ast, Y.Tsunai 9+3ast

Shinagawa - Saitama 65-75

Not a big story in a game when 13th ranked Shinagawa (6-16) was defeated at home by sixth ranked Broncos (13-7) 75-65 on Monday. Saitama looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Shinagawa's players. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) who scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. Four Broncos players scored in double figures. Forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) produced a double-double by scoring 33 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds and forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) added 2 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Broncos. Saitama maintains sixth place with 13-7 record. Loser Shinagawa keeps the thirteenth position with 16 games lost. Saitama will meet at home Shanan Utd (#9) in the next round. Shinagawa will play against Tokyo Utd (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: V.Hart 33+14reb, O.Tomoya 7+2reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 5+3reb+4ast, O.Kunitatsu 5+7reb, B.Ali 3+3reb, H.Seiya 3
Saitama: O.Devin 16+7reb+5ast, K.Ryota 12+2reb+1ast, N.TJ 11+7reb, B.Trent 10+13reb+2ast, Y.Matsushita 6+1reb+3ast, K.Matsui 6

Shinagawa - Saitama 54-85

13th ranked Shinagawa (6-16) was outscored at home by sixth ranked Broncos (13-7) with the biggest margin this round 85-54 on Tuesday night. Saitama held Shinagawa to an opponent 24.6 percent shooting from the field compared to 47.6 percent accuracy of the winners. It was a great shooting night for Saitama especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 52.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Americans were the main players on the court. The best player for the winners was forward TJ Nesmith (206-2001, college: Radford) who had a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) chipped in a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 16 rebounds and forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) added 14 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Broncos. Saitama maintains sixth place with 13-7 record. Loser Shinagawa keeps the thirteenth position with 16 games lost. Saitama will meet at home Shanan Utd (#9) in the next round. Shinagawa will play against Tokyo Utd (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: V.Hart 20+16reb, M.Grazulis 14+7reb+3ast, G.Vasiliauskas 11+4reb+1ast, H.Seiya 3+1ast, R.Tawatari 3+3reb+4ast, N.Akihisa 2
Saitama: K.Ryohei 16+1reb+2ast, N.TJ 15+12reb+1ast, B.Trent 15+12reb+1ast, O.Devin 9+3reb+6ast, T.Asahi 8+1reb+5ast, M.Kataoka 6+2reb