B3 League Round 34 (Regular Season): Leader Tokushima Gam. gets another victory

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Leader Gambarous delivered the twenty sixth win on Sunday night. This time they crushed 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-23) 88-61 in Yokkaichi. Tokushima Gam. forced 19 Veertien Mie turnovers. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) fired 16 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Swingman Naoto Moriyama (195-1996) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from downtown making all five shots). Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) produced 15 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokushima Gam. maintains first position with 26-6 record. Veertien Mie at the other side stay dead last with 23 lost games. Tokushima Gam. are looking forward to face Tachikawa (#8) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Veertien Mie will play against Tokyo Z (#12) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Thirteenth-ranked Pats Five (9-25) made lots of trouble for third ranked Five Arrows (23-7) in Yamaguchi. The visitors from Takamatsu managed to secure only three-point victory 94-91. However their fans expected much easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Alex Davis contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Five Arrows' coach Koki Yabuuchi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. point guard Takuma Enokida (184-1998, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 24 points for Yamaguchi. Five Arrows have an impressive six-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains third position with 23-7 record having five points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Yamaguchi lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with 25 games lost. Kagawa will play against Shinagawa (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Yamaguchi will play against Gifu and hopes to get back on the winning track.
We should mention about the upset which took place in Tachikawa, where 8th ranked Dice (16-14) was outleveled at home by eleventh ranked Samuraiz (12-18) 121-76 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Dice. KJ Allen scored 31 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners. At the losing side Andrew Fitzgerald responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kanazawa moved-up to tenth place. Loser Dice keeps the eighth position with 14 games lost. Kanazawa will meet at home Tokyo Utd (#11) in the next round. Tachikawa will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. having rather not much hope for a victory.

Rest of the games of round 34 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Gifu was defeated by Saitama in a road game 71-67. Tokyo Utd was beaten by Niigata A. at home 72-80. Tokyo destroyed Shinagawa on the opponent's court 102-61. Shanan Utd was outscored by Okayama in a home game 72-93.



Saitama - Gifu 71-67

There was no surprise in Saitama where 7th ranked Swoops (17-15) were defeated by second ranked Broncos (24-8) 71-67 on Sunday. However just four-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Saitama forced 21 Gifu turnovers. The game was dominated by American players. Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) had a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Broncos' coach Shugaku Izumi used entire bench in such tough game. At the losing side forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points and 15 rebounds. Broncos have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Saitama maintains second position with 24-8 record having just two points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Loser Swoops keeps the seventh place with 15 games lost. Saitama will meet at home Okayama (#4) in the next round. Gifu will play against Yamaguchi and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gifu: J.Giles 16+10reb+2ast, B.Preston 11+15reb+2ast, K.Morito 11+1reb, D.Fotu 9+4reb, R.Yamazaki 8+2reb+2ast, T.Kodai 6+5reb+3ast
Saitama: O.Devin 17+12reb+2ast, Y.Matsushita 13+2reb+2ast, M.Kennedy 11+8reb+1ast, B.Trent 8+6reb+2ast, M.Kataoka 7+1reb+2ast, T.Asahi 7+3reb+1ast

Tokyo Utd - Niigata A. 72-80

No shocking result in a game in Tokyo where fifth ranked Albirex (20-14) defeated 10th ranked United (12-20) 80-72 on Sunday. Niigata A. forced 19 Tokyo Utd turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) scored 24 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and center Mutombo Jean-Pierre (206-2002) chipped in 12 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Albirex's coach Jun Uzawa used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP, agency: 011 Sports) responded with 12 points and 7 rebounds and forward Wesley Furukawa (196-1999) scored 13 points and 6 rebounds. Niigata A. maintains fifth position with 20-14 record. Loser United dropped to the eleventh place with 20 games lost. Niigata A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Utd will play against Kanazawa (#10) in Ishikawa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: F.Wesley 13+6reb+1ast, J.Faison 12+7reb+2ast, R.Vague 12+5reb+2ast, K.Ren 11+2reb+2ast, K.Stockman Jr. 9+3reb+4ast, T.Konosuke 6+1reb+5ast
Niigata A.: M.BJ 24+4reb+5ast, M.Nagao 16+1ast, M.Jean-Pierre 12+14reb, T.Hasegawa 8+1reb+2ast, P.Pogue 6+2reb+1ast, Y.Hamataka 5+3reb+3ast

Shinagawa - Tokyo HT 61-102

Very expected game when 14th ranked Shinagawa (8-24) was rolled over at home by sixth ranked Hachioji Trains (19-13) 102-61 on Sunday. Tokyo shot 65.5 percent from the field. They also forced 20 Shinagawa turnovers and had a 23-12 advantage in offensive rebounds. Tokyo shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 62.1 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Shinagawa's players. American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 16 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import swingman Donovan Clay (203-2001, college: Missouri St.) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. Four Hachioji Trains players scored in double figures. At the losing side Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) responded with 15 points and 7 rebounds and the former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) scored 13 points and 6 assists. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokyo maintains sixth position with 19-13 record. Shinagawa lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 24 games lost. Tokyo will meet at home Shanan Utd (#9) in the next round. Shinagawa will play against Kagawa (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: G.Vasiliauskas 15+7reb+2ast, R.Tawatari 13+2reb+6ast, S.Horiuchi 10+1ast, M.Grazulis 8+8reb+2ast, B.Ali 5+3reb, K.Yudai 5+2reb
Tokyo HT: F.Yamamoto 23+1ast, S.Taren 20+4reb+16ast, C.Donovan 16+7reb+2ast, K.Takaoka 12+6reb+1ast, O.Yusaku 10+1reb+1ast, T.Ishibashi 9

Tachikawa - Kanazawa 76-121

We should mention about the upset which took place in Tachikawa, where 8th ranked Dice (16-14) was outleveled at home by eleventh ranked Samuraiz (12-18) 121-76 on Sunday. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Dice. Kanazawa dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Dice's 32 and had 25 for 34 from the free-throw line, while Tachikawa only scored five points from the stripe. Kanazawa forced 21 Tachikawa turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American forward KJ Allen (198-2000, college: Portland St.) scored 31 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) chipped in 17 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. At the losing side American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds and guard Yuto Makanae (186-2001) scored 11 points and 5 rebounds. Five Kanazawa and four Tachikawa players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Kanazawa moved-up to tenth place. Loser Dice keeps the eighth position with 14 games lost. Kanazawa will meet at home Tokyo Utd (#11) in the next round. Tachikawa will play against the league's leader Tokushima Gam. having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: A.Fitzgerald 14+5reb+1ast, S.Fumiya 12+1reb+3ast, M.Yuto 11+5reb+1ast, L.Peak 11+3reb+3ast, O.Shota 9, Y.Jo 6+3reb+1ast
Kanazawa: A.KJ 31+7reb+4ast, B.Mark 19+1reb+5ast, I.Tomida 17+6reb+2ast, H.Hyrum 17+7reb+9ast, C.Jediael 15+9reb+1ast, A.Ichihashi 9

Shanan Utd - Okayama 72-93

Very predictable result in Kanagawa where fourth ranked Try Hoop (21-11) outscored 9th ranked United (14-18) 93-72 on Sunday. Okayama dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to United's 32 and made 17-of-22 free shots (77.3 percent) during the game. Okayama outrebounded Shanan Utd 35-20 including a 14-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Okayama looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) had a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 20 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) responded with 17 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Shuki Shigetomi (174-1998) scored 9 points and 5 assists. Five Okayama and four Shanan Utd players scored in double figures. 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. Okayama maintains fourth position with 21-11 record. Loser United keeps the ninth place with 18 games lost. Okayama will meet league's second-placed Saitama on the road in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Shanan Utd will play against Tokyo (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: J.Polakovich 17+8reb, C.Tapscott 14+2ast, T.Iju 10+1reb+3ast, I.Tomohiro 10+2reb, S.Shuki 9+3reb+5ast, E.Ross 6+3reb+1ast
Okayama: K.Terrance 20+9reb, H.Kameron 15+2reb+2ast, S.Josh 13+16reb+1ast, T.Yokogawa 11+1reb+1ast, K.Wakasa 10+2reb+2ast, S.Ishihara 9+3ast

Veertien Mie - Tokushima Gam. 61-88

Leader Gambarous delivered the twenty sixth win on Sunday night. This time they crushed 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-23) 88-61 in Yokkaichi. Tokushima Gam. forced 19 Veertien Mie turnovers. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) fired 16 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Swingman Naoto Moriyama (195-1996) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from downtown making all five shots). Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) produced 15 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Fuga Aramoto (171-2002) added 19 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokushima Gam. maintains first position with 26-6 record. Veertien Mie at the other side stay dead last with 23 lost games. Tokushima Gam. are looking forward to face Tachikawa (#8) at home in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Veertien Mie will play against Tokyo Z (#12) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: A.Fuga 19+3reb+2ast, D.Doblas 15+8reb+2ast, S.Yusei 11+2reb, D.Dodd 8+5reb+1ast, P.Abu 4, K.Takao 2+1reb
Tokushima Gam.: M.Naoto 19+6reb, D.Tavrion 16+8reb+2ast, Y.Tsukamoto 8+2ast, T.Aoyama 8, K.David 8+6reb, M.Tsuruta 7

Yamaguchi - Kagawa FA 91-94

Thirteenth-ranked Pats Five (9-25) made lots of trouble for third ranked Five Arrows (23-7) in Yamaguchi. The visitors from Takamatsu managed to secure only three-point victory 94-91. However their fans expected much easier game. Kagawa dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Pats Five's 28 and made 16-of-16 charity shots (100 percent !!!) during the game. Kagawa outrebounded Yamaguchi 47-14 including a 40-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kagawa players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. The other American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Five Arrows' coach Koki Yabuuchi allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. point guard Takuma Enokida (184-1998, agency: Octagon Europe) replied with 24 points and point guard Rikiya Yamaguchi (180-1996) added 24 points in the effort for Yamaguchi. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Five Arrows have an impressive six-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains third position with 23-7 record having five points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Yamaguchi lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth place with 25 games lost. Kagawa will play against Shinagawa (#14) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Yamaguchi will play against Gifu and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: T.Enokida 24+3reb+2ast, Y.Rikiya 24+2reb+1ast, K.Shuto 13+7ast, A.Collum 10+3reb+8ast, H.Bostyn 9+5reb+4ast, T.Shodai 8+1reb
Kagawa FA: L.Jacob 21+15reb+4ast, D.Alex 15+8reb+2ast, I.Takahashi 15+4reb+1ast, H.Imabayashi 14+2reb+3ast, T.Kobayashi 9+1reb+2ast, T.Koyo 7+4reb+4ast