B3 League Round 24 (Regular Season): Tokushima Gam. beat Niigata A. in the most crucial game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Tokushima. First ranked Gambarous faced 3rd ranked Albirex. Host Gambarous (19-4) defeated guests from Niigata (16-9) 87-82. The best player for the winners was American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who scored 26 points and 6 rebounds. Canadian center Chris McLaughlin (208-1992, college: Victoria, agency: Starting 5) chipped in 14 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gambarous have an impressive six-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. maintains first position with 19-4 record. Niigata A. at the other side dropped to the fourth place with nine games lost. Tokushima Gam. are looking forward to face Niigata A. (#4) at home in the next round. Niigata A. will have a break next round.
Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie managed to get the second consecutive victory. This time they won against fifth-ranked Try Hoop in Okayama 83-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Try Hoop. It was a good game for Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) who led his team to a victory with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Damonte Dodd contributed with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds for Okayama. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Veertien Mie maintains fifteenth position with 6-17 record. Okayama at the other side keeps the fifth place with ten games lost. Veertien Mie will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Okayama will play again at home against Veertien Mie (#15) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Tokyo between Pats Five and Earthfriends. Fourteenth ranked Pats Five (7-18) got a very close victory on the road over 12th ranked Earthfriends (7-16). Pats Five managed to escape with a 3-point win 87-84 on Saturday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of Even Brauns who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Jeremy Combs with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Yamaguchi maintains fourteenth position with 7-18 record. Loser Earthfriends dropped to the eleventh place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Shinagawa and Tokyo Utd. Yamaguchi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play against Yamaguchi (#14) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 24 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Tachikawa was defeated by Tokyo in a road game 86-77. Tokyo smashed Tachikawa at home 99-72. Shinagawa won against Tokyo Utd on the opponent's court 88-77. Kagawa managed to outperform Gifu in a home game 83-69. Shanan Utd recorded a loss to Saitama on the road 84-78.
The best stats of 24th round was 20 points and 9 rebounds by Trent Buttrick of Saitama.



Tokyo HT - Tachikawa 86-77

There was no surprise in Tokyo where 7th ranked Dice (12-10) was defeated by fourth ranked Hachioji Trains (16-6) 86-77 on Thursday. Tokyo made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 9 rebounds and swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) who added 18 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) with 24 points and 5 rebounds and power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 10 points and 9 rebounds. Four Tachikawa players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Hachioji Trains have a solid three-game winning streak. Tokyo moved-up to third place. Tachikawa lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: S.Taren 30+9reb+2ast, C.Donovan 18+6reb+1ast, F.Yamamoto 14+4reb+1ast, K.Takaoka 9+1reb+1ast, T.Kudou 6+4reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 3+1ast
Tachikawa: L.Peak 24+5reb+1ast, S.Fumiya 13+1reb, M.Yuto 10+3reb+1ast, A.Fitzgerald 10+9reb+3ast, Y.Jo 7+4reb+4ast, E.Morris 6+4reb

Tokyo HT - Tachikawa 99-72

No shocking result in a game in Tokyo where fourth ranked Hachioji Trains (16-6) smashed 7th ranked Dice (12-10) 99-72 on Friday. Tokyo outrebounded Tachikawa 47-27 including 32 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tokyo made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Steve Kubema who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds and American swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) who added 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four Hachioji Trains players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and his fellow American import swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) scored 21 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. Hachioji Trains have a solid three-game winning streak. Tokyo moved-up to third place. Tachikawa lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with ten games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: S.Ito 18+2reb+2ast, C.Donovan 18+5reb+3ast, H.Ogane 16+7reb+3ast, S.Kubema 16+15reb, S.Taren 8+4reb+7ast, T.Kudou 7+1reb+1ast
Tachikawa: L.Peak 21+3reb+1ast, A.Fitzgerald 13+11reb+1ast, M.Ousu 12+3ast, E.Shouta 8+4reb+1ast, S.Fumiya 6+1reb, M.Yuto 6

Tokyo Utd - Shinagawa 77-88

There was a minor upset in Tokyo where 11th ranked United (7-16) was defeated by thirteenth ranked Shinagawa (7-16) 88-77 on Saturday. Shinagawa shot 25 for 36 from the free-throw line, while Tokyo Utd only scored eight points from the stripe. Shinagawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 21 rebounds and forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) who added 14 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Shinagawa players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds and swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shinagawa moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Tokyo Z and Tokyo Utd. Tokyo Utd lost fourth consecutive game. Shinagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Utd will play again against Shinagawa (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: H.Victor 24+21reb+1ast, T.Ochiai 15+1reb+2ast, T.Ryo 15+2reb+8ast, G.Marius 14+8reb+4ast, A.Bagir 6+1reb, K.Ogata 6+1reb+2ast
Tokyo Utd: H.Koval 19+15reb+2ast, G.Bula 14+10reb, H.Hiroki 10+3reb+3ast, K.Stockman Jr. 8+7reb+3ast, F.Wesley 7+2ast, T.Shinnosuke 6+2reb+4ast

Tokyo Z - Yamaguchi 84-87

A very close game took place in Tokyo between Pats Five and Earthfriends. Fourteenth ranked Pats Five (7-18) got a very close victory on the road over 12th ranked Earthfriends (7-16). Pats Five managed to escape with a 3-point win 87-84 on Saturday evening. Yamaguchi looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 26 points and 15 rebounds and Bostyn Holt who added 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and his fellow American import forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Yamaguchi maintains fourteenth position with 7-18 record. Loser Earthfriends dropped to the eleventh place with 16 games lost. They share the position with Shinagawa and Tokyo Utd. Yamaguchi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play against Yamaguchi (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: B.Holt 27+6reb+4ast, B.Even 26+15reb+2ast, R.Yamaguchi 13+1reb+2ast, S.Kishinaga 6+3reb+6ast, S.Tanaka 6+1ast, E.Takuma 5+3reb+3ast
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 23+8reb+7ast, M.Benlevi 16+11reb+4ast, J.Hillsman 13+10reb+3ast, S.Sho 12+4reb+1ast, F.Ryoga 8+1reb+2ast, M.Takumi 8+3reb+4ast

Okayama - Veertien Mie 79-83

Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie managed to get the second consecutive victory. This time they won against fifth-ranked Try Hoop in Okayama 83-79. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Try Hoop. Veertien Mie players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. It was a good game for Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) who led his team to a victory with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). American power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 11 rebounds and Canadian center Chris McLaughlin (208-1992, college: Victoria, agency: Starting 5) added 19 points in the effort for Okayama. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Veertien Mie maintains fifteenth position with 6-17 record. Okayama at the other side keeps the fifth place with ten games lost. Veertien Mie will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Okayama will play again at home against Veertien Mie (#15) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: D.David 22+8reb+4ast, Y.Sano 16+3reb+1ast, T.Kume 14+2reb+6ast, D.Damonte 12+11reb+1ast, T.Sawaki 8+3reb+1ast, S.Watanabe 5+1reb+1ast
Okayama: T.King 19+11reb+1ast, M.Yusuke 19+3reb+2ast, F.Mamadou 16+3reb+1ast, N.Mizuki 10+1reb+1ast, J.Scott 6+5reb+7ast, W.Kouki 4+2reb

Tokushima Gam. - Niigata A. 87-82

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Tokushima. First ranked Gambarous faced 3rd ranked Albirex. Host Gambarous (19-4) defeated guests from Niigata (16-9) 87-82. The best player for the winners was American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who scored 26 points and 6 rebounds. Canadian center Chris McLaughlin (208-1992, college: Victoria, agency: Starting 5) chipped in 14 points and 9 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and added 17 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Gambarous have an impressive six-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. maintains first position with 19-4 record. Niigata A. at the other side dropped to the fourth place with nine games lost. Tokushima Gam. are looking forward to face Niigata A. (#4) at home in the next round. Niigata A. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: D.Tavrion 26+6reb+1ast, M.Chris 14+9reb+2ast, Y.Tsunai 10+6reb+4ast, E.Iwamatsu 10+2reb, C.Hunter 8+2reb+4ast, A.Roosevelt 6+3reb+1ast
Niigata A.: N.Mitsuki 17+1reb+2ast, E.Phelps 16+11reb, B.Mack 12+3reb, P.Pogue 11+3reb, I.Kei 9+2reb+2ast, H.Aoi 7+1reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Gifu 83-69

Rather predictable result in Takamatsu where fourth ranked Five Arrows (16-5) beat 8th ranked Swoops (12-11) 83-69 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who helped to win the game recording 9 points and 10 rebounds and Yuya Ukeda who added 12 points during the contest. Five Arrows' coach Koki Yabuuchi used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds and New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Kagawa moved-up to second place. Loser Swoops keeps the eighth position with 11 games lost. Kagawa will meet at home Gifu (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Gifu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: H.Imabayashi 13+1reb, I.Takahashi 12+2reb, Y.Ukeda 12+4reb+2ast, H.Tucker 9+2reb+1ast, L.Jacob 9+10reb+3ast, D.Alex 8+3reb+5ast
Gifu: B.Preston 20+13reb+2ast, D.Fotu 14+5reb+1ast, J.Giles 13+4reb+1ast, T.Kodai 6+2reb+5ast, R.Yamazaki 5+1reb+3ast, S.Andre 3+4reb

Saitama - Shanan Utd 84-78

Not a big story in a game in Saitama where 9th ranked United (10-13) was defeated by sixth ranked Broncos (14-7) 84-78 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) who added 13 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Four Broncos players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Broncos have an impressive five-game winning streak. Saitama maintains sixth position with 14-7 record. Loser United keeps the ninth place with 13 games lost. Saitama will meet at home Shanan Utd (#9) in the next round. Shanan Utd will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Saitama: B.Trent 20+9reb+2ast, N.TJ 15+6reb, T.Asahi 14+1reb+4ast, O.Devin 13+8reb+3ast, S.Konishi 9+1reb+2ast, K.Matsui 5+1reb
Shanan Utd: E.Ross 20+6reb+2ast, J.Polakovich 18+12reb, I.Tomohiro 12+2reb+1ast, S.Ryoga 9+1ast, T.Shinya 8+4reb, C.Cunningham 4+4reb+2ast