B3 League Round 27 (Regular Season): Okayama beat Kagawa 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 Takamatsu. Third ranked Try Hoop faced second-best Five Arrows. Guests from Okayama (18-10) defeated host Five Arrows (17-7) 74-60. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Okayama outrebounded Kagawa 36-23 including 25 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) who scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Koyo Takahashi (192-1994) who recorded 8 points and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Try Hoop have a solid series of three victories in a row. Okayama moved-up to second place. Kagawa at the other side dropped to the third position with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game in Saitama was also worth to mention about. 4th placed Hachioji Trains (16-8) played at the court of sixth ranked Broncos (16-8). Broncos managed to secure a 9-point victory 77-68. The game was dominated by American players. It was a good game for Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) who led his team to a victory with 15 points and 9 rebounds. TJ Nesmith contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) answered with 21 points and 5 rebounds for Tokyo. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Saitama moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Tokyo. Saitama will play against Kanazawa (#11) in Ishikawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo will play at home against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Other games of round 27 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Shinagawa defeated Tokyo Z in a road game 79-72. Tachikawa beat Tokyo Utd at home 86-78. Shanan Utd won against Yamaguchi on the opponent's court 80-73. Tokyo Z managed to outperform Shinagawa in a home game 77-64.
The best stats of 27th round was 15 points and 9 rebounds by Marius Grazulis of Shinagawa.



Saitama - Tokyo HT 77-68

The game in Saitama was also worth to mention about. 4th placed Hachioji Trains (16-8) played at the court of sixth ranked Broncos (16-8). Broncos managed to secure a 9-point victory 77-68. The game was dominated by American players. It was a good game for Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) who led his team to a victory with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Forward TJ Nesmith (206-2001, college: Radford) contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) answered with 21 points and 5 rebounds and swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) added 15 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Tokyo. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Saitama moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Tokyo. Saitama will play against Kanazawa (#11) in Ishikawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo will play at home against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. (#1) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Saitama: O.Devin 15+9reb+3ast, N.TJ 13+5reb+1ast, K.Ryota 10+3reb, T.Asahi 9+2reb+1ast, B.Trent 8+4reb, S.Imaike 7+1reb
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 21+5reb, D.Clay 15+8reb+2ast, Y.Fuki 12+1reb, K.Steve 9+10reb, O.Hiroya 4+2ast, T.Keitaro 4+1reb+1ast

Tokyo Z - Shinagawa 72-79

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 14th ranked Earthfriends' (8-18) home loss to thirteenth ranked Shinagawa (8-18) 72-79. Shinagawa outrebounded Tokyo Z 45-32 including 33 on the defensive glass. Shinagawa players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a good game for American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds. The former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) contributed with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists for the winners. Four Shinagawa players scored in double figures. Shinagawa's coach Tomoro Sano allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) answered with 23 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import guard Jaycee Hillsman (200-1996, college: Illinois St.) added 14 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Tokyo Z. Shinagawa moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with Tokyo Z. Tokyo Z lost third consecutive game. Shinagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play on the road against Niigata A. (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: A.Bagir 22+4reb, H.Victor 19+13reb, G.Marius 11+9reb+2ast, H.Yamane 10+2reb+3ast, T.Ryo 9+7reb+12ast, A.Nohara 4+3reb
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 23+9reb, J.Hillsman 14+6reb+3ast, M.Takumi 10+2reb+3ast, M.Benlevi 7+8reb+2ast, J.Spencer 5+2reb+1ast, H.Doi 5+1reb

Tachikawa - Tokyo Utd 86-78

No shocking result in a game in Tachikawa where seventh ranked Dice (13-11) defeated 10th ranked United (9-17) 86-78. Strangely Tokyo Utd outrebounded Tachikawa 44-30 including a 18-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. Tachikawa players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. It was a good game for American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) who led his team to a victory with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. His fellow American import power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) contributed with 29 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) answered with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) added 13 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Tokyo Utd. Four Tokyo Utd players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Tachikawa maintains seventh place with 13-11 record. Tokyo Utd at the other side keeps the tenth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: F.Andrew 29+7reb, P.LJ 26+5reb+6ast, Y.Makanae 15+2reb, J.Machii 6+5reb+7ast, F.Sato 3+1ast, S.Osaki 3+1reb
Tokyo Utd: R.Vague 17+8reb+6ast, H.Koval 16+5reb, G.Bula 13+6reb+3ast, K.Ren 12+5reb+4ast, H.Hiroki 6+5reb+5ast, K.Stockman Jr. 5+2reb+1ast

Yamaguchi - Shanan Utd 73-80

Rather expected game in Yamaguchi where 12th ranked Pats Five (8-20) was defeated by ninth ranked United (13-13) 80-73. Yamaguchi was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 15 rebounds. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) contributed with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four United players scored in double figures. American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) added 24 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Yamaguchi. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. United have a solid series of three victories in a row. Shanan Utd moved-up to eighth place. Yamaguchi at the other side dropped to the fourteenth position with 20 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: R.Earnest 24+6reb+4ast, P.Jacob 19+15reb+3ast, T.Ishii 11+1reb+1ast, S.Takagi 10+5reb+2ast, C.Christian 7+7reb+1ast, K.Nakano 6+1reb
Yamaguchi: H.Bostyn 25+10reb+5ast, A.Collum 24+12reb+1ast, T.Shodai 11+3reb+2ast, K.Shuto 6+2reb+5ast, T.Enokida 5+4reb+1ast, Y.Rikiya 2

Kagawa FA - Okayama 60-74

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Takamatsu. Third ranked Try Hoop faced second-best Five Arrows. Guests from Okayama (18-10) defeated host Five Arrows (17-7) 74-60. It was a key game for the second position in the league. Okayama outrebounded Kagawa 36-23 including 25 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) who scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. His fellow American import power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Koyo Takahashi (192-1994) who recorded 8 points and 4 assists and added 13 points respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Try Hoop have a solid series of three victories in a row. Okayama moved-up to second place. Kagawa at the other side dropped to the third position with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Okayama: H.Kameron 16+5reb+3ast, S.Josh 10+9reb+5ast, K.Terrance 10+5reb+3ast, K.Wakasa 8+1reb+1ast, M.Fofana 7+3reb+1ast, S.Cherif 7+5reb
Kagawa FA: I.Hajime 13+1reb+1ast, J.Lampkin 11+3reb, A.Davis 10+4reb, K.Takahashi 8+3reb+4ast, U.Yuya 7+1reb+5ast, K.Patrick 5+9reb

Tokyo Z - Shinagawa 77-64

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Tokyo where fourteenth ranked Earthfriends (8-18) beat 13th ranked Shinagawa (8-18) 77-64. Tokyo Z players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. The game was also dominated by American players. It was a good game for power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who led his team to a victory with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) contributed with 10 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Benlevi is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Earthfriends players scored in double figures. Forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) answered with 23 points and 9 rebounds and forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) added 15 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Shinagawa. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokyo Z moved-up to twelfth place, which they share with defeated Shinagawa. Tokyo Z will play against higher ranked Niigata A. (#6) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinagawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: C.Jeremy 19+8reb+2ast, S.Shimodaira 14+3reb, H.Jaycee 11+4reb+4ast, B.Malik 10+8reb+2ast, S.James 9+3reb+1ast, T.Masuko 9+2reb+3ast
Shinagawa: V.Hart 23+9reb+1ast, M.Grazulis 15+9reb, O.Tomoya 8+4reb, H.Seiya 6+1ast, B.Ali 4+2reb, R.Tawatari 3+2reb+8ast