B3 League Round 31 (Regular Season): #1 Tokushima Gam. is defeated by Kagawa

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Gambarous (24-6) in Takamatsu on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by third ranked Five Arrows (21-7) 61-59. Kagawa had a 31-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. 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 10 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) helped adding 8 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Five Arrows have a solid series of four victories in a row. Kagawa maintains third place with 21-7 record having five points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Tokushima Gam. at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. Kagawa are looking forward to face league's leader Tokushima Gam. at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round.
The game in Tokyo supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Broncos (22-8) played at the court of 6th ranked Hachioji Trains (17-13). Broncos smashed Hachioji Trains 77-54. Americans were the main players on the court. It was an exceptional evening for forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC, agency: Diamond Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds. Devin Oliver accounted for 15 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) came up with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists for Tokyo in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Broncos have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Saitama maintains second place with 22-8 record having just two points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Tokyo at the other side keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Gifu. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game in Tokyo was also quite interesting. Second ranked Broncos (22-8) played at the court of 6th ranked Hachioji Trains (17-13). Broncos defeated Hachioji Trains 84-68 on Saturday. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Kennedy Meeks fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Donovan Clay produced 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Broncos. Saitama maintains second place with 22-8 record having just two points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Loser Hachioji Trains keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Gifu. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 31: Tokyo Utd won against Shanan Utd on the opponent's court 84-71. Shinagawa was outscored by Gifu in a home game 72-91. Tokyo Z recorded a loss to Tachikawa on the road 93-84. Shanan Utd was defeated by Tokyo Utd on its own court 73-74. Kanazawa beat Niigata A. in Ishikawa 92-89.



Tokyo HT - Saitama 54-77

The game in Tokyo supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Broncos (22-8) played at the court of 6th ranked Hachioji Trains (17-13). Broncos smashed Hachioji Trains 77-54. Americans were the main players on the court. It was an exceptional evening for forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC, agency: Diamond Sports) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 14 rebounds. Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) accounted for 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side. Forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) came up with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) added 11 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Tokyo in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Broncos have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. Saitama maintains second place with 22-8 record having just two points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Tokyo at the other side keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Gifu. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 12+7reb+8ast, D.Clay 11+8reb, O.Hiroya 7, Y.Fuki 7+1reb+1ast, J.Bruner 6+7reb, T.Keitaro 5+2reb+1ast
Saitama: M.Kennedy 16+14reb+1ast, O.Devin 15+5reb+3ast, K.Ryohei 8+2reb+3ast, S.Konishi 7+4reb+1ast, Y.Matsushita 6+2reb+4ast, B.Trent 6+10reb

Shanan Utd - Tokyo Utd 71-84

There was a minor upset in Kanagawa where 9th ranked United (13-17) was defeated by eleventh ranked United (11-19) 84-71 on Friday. Tokyo Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) fired 25 points and 4 assists for the winners. American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Four United players scored in double figures. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and guard Shinya Takagi (187-1997) added 11 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokyo Utd maintains eleventh place with 11-19 record. Shanan Utd lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: J.Polakovich 16+10reb+1ast, T.Shinya 11+1reb+3ast, I.Tomohiro 10+1reb+1ast, E.Ross 7+6reb+1ast, T.Iju 7+1reb+2ast, S.Shuki 5+1reb+4ast
Tokyo Utd: V.Rhys 25+3reb+4ast, F.Jordan 14+6reb+7ast, S.Kedrick 12+5reb+2ast, K.Hayden 10+10reb+1ast, H.Higashi 6+1reb+2ast, K.Tanaka 6+2reb+4ast

Shinagawa - Gifu 72-91

Very predictable result when seventh ranked Swoops (17-13) smashed on the road 14th ranked Shinagawa (8-22) 91-72 on Saturday. Point guard Reo Yamazaki (179-1999) fired 19 points and 5 assists for the winners. American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. The former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) produced 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Marius Grazulis (211-2002, college: GVSU, agency: Diamond Sports) added 15 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Five Gifu and four Shinagawa players scored in double figures. Shinagawa's coach Tomoro Sano rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win. Gifu moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Tokyo. Shinagawa lost their third game in a row. They keep the fourteenth position with 22 games lost. Gifu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinagawa will play against Gifu (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: R.Tawatari 21+5reb+4ast, M.Grazulis 15+8reb+3ast, S.Horiuchi 14+1reb+1ast, G.Vasiliauskas 11+10reb+2ast, O.Kunitatsu 5+2reb+5ast, K.Yudai 4+2reb+2ast
Gifu: Y.Reo 19+3reb+5ast, P.Blake 16+7reb+1ast, K.Takahashi 11+5reb+2ast, F.Daniel 10+6reb+2ast, G.Jordan 10+3reb+5ast, M.Koga 10+3reb+2ast

Tachikawa - Tokyo Z 93-84

Not a big story in a game in Tachikawa where 12th ranked Earthfriends (10-22) were defeated by eighth ranked Dice (15-13) 93-84 on Saturday. Tachikawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 29 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Dice players scored in double figures. Dice's coach Takeo Mabashi used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and guard Jaycee Hillsman (200-1996, college: Illinois St.) added 13 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Tachikawa maintains eighth place with 15-13 record. Tokyo Z lost their third game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with 22 games lost. Tachikawa will meet at home Tokyo Z (#12) in the next round. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 22+10reb+2ast, J.Hillsman 13+10reb+3ast, M.Benlevi 12+2reb+4ast, H.Doi 9+4reb, T.Ide 8+1reb+9ast, J.Spencer 7+3reb+1ast
Tachikawa: F.Andrew 29+6reb+2ast, F.Sato 18+4reb+1ast, P.LJ 18+5reb+6ast, J.Machii 11+3reb+9ast, J.Yoshikawa 6+2ast, R.Gustys 5+11reb+1ast

Tokyo HT - Saitama 68-84

The game in Tokyo was also quite interesting. Second ranked Broncos (22-8) played at the court of 6th ranked Hachioji Trains (17-13). Broncos defeated Hachioji Trains 84-68 on Saturday. Saitama looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC, agency: Diamond Sports) fired a double-double by scoring 15 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) chipped in 21 points and 6 rebounds. Four Broncos players scored in double figures. Swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) produced 21 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Broncos. Saitama maintains second place with 22-8 record having just two points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Loser Hachioji Trains keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Gifu. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: D.Clay 21+7reb+6ast, T.Sullivan 15+8reb+4ast, T.Keitaro 11+1reb+1ast, K.Takaya 8+7reb+1ast, Y.Fuki 7+3reb+2ast, T.Kohei 3+3reb
Saitama: O.Devin 21+6reb, M.Kennedy 15+14reb+4ast, M.Kataoka 14+1ast, Y.Matsushita 12+2reb+1ast, H.Gondo 9+1reb+2ast, B.Trent 4+5reb

Shanan Utd - Tokyo Utd 73-74

There was a small surprise in Kanagawa where eleventh ranked United (11-19) edged 9th ranked United (13-17) 74-73 on Saturday. Strangely Shanan Utd outrebounded Tokyo Utd 44-30 including 35 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tokyo Utd made 7 blocks. Guard Shinnosuke Tokugawa (187-1993) fired 14 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 19 rebounds and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Tokyo Utd maintains eleventh place with 11-19 record. Shanan Utd lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: E.Ross 17+2reb+4ast, J.Polakovich 11+19reb+2ast, I.Tomohiro 10+7reb+3ast, T.Shinya 9+7reb, C.Tapscott 8+5reb+1ast, N.Kodai 6
Tokyo Utd: S.Tokugawa 14+6reb+2ast, F.Jordan 12+5reb+4ast, V.Rhys 10+6reb+1ast, H.Higashi 8+4reb+1ast, R.Kawashima 8+2ast, K.Tanaka 8+2reb+4ast

Niigata A. - Kanazawa 89-92

There was an upset in Niigata where higher ranked Albirex (19-13) was edged by tenth ranked Samuraiz (11-17) 92-89 on Saturday. Kanazawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) fired a double-double by scoring 16 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. point guard Gashu Matsuo (183-2002) chipped in 25 points and 7 rebounds. American Dominique Morrison (198-1989, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) produced 30 points and 9 rebounds (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and center Mutombo Jean-Pierre (206-2002) added 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Kanazawa maintains tenth place with 11-17 record. Loser Albirex keeps the fifth position with 13 games lost. Kanazawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Niigata A. will play against Kanazawa (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: D.Morrison 30+9reb+1ast, J.Mutombo 22+12reb, N.Mitsuki 15+3reb+6ast, H.Aruma 8+1reb+3ast, I.Kei 5+3reb+1ast, H.Tomonobu 3+4reb+4ast
Kanazawa: G.Matsuo 25+7reb+2ast, H.Hyrum 16+14reb+9ast, C.Jediael 13+4reb, A.Ichihashi 11, B.Mark 9+5reb+5ast, I.Tomida 8+2reb+2ast

Kagawa FA - Tokushima Gam. 61-59

The most crucial game of the last round was another loss of top-ranked Gambarous (24-6) in Takamatsu on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by third ranked Five Arrows (21-7) 61-59. Kagawa had a 31-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. 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 10 points and 10 rebounds. His fellow American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) helped adding 8 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds and swingman Naoto Moriyama (195-1996) scored 14 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Five Arrows have a solid series of four victories in a row. Kagawa maintains third place with 21-7 record having five points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Tokushima Gam. at the other side still keeps top position with six games lost. Kagawa are looking forward to face league's leader Tokushima Gam. at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 15+6reb+3ast, N.Moriyama 14+2reb+1ast, R.Logan 7+5reb+4ast, H.Cort 6+1reb, D.Kongolo 5+8reb+2ast, T.Yutaka 5+2reb
Kagawa FA: L.Jacob 10+10reb+2ast, D.Alex 8+6reb+3ast, H.Imabayashi 8+4reb+4ast, T.Kobayashi 8+4reb+1ast, I.Takahashi 8+2reb, T.Koyo 6+4reb+3ast