B3 League Round 38 (Regular Season): Saitama edge Niigata A. by two points

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fifth-ranked Albirex (21-15) made lots of trouble for third ranked Broncos (27-9) in Niigata on Sunday. The visitors from Saitama managed to secure only two-point victory 106-104. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Albirex. Saitama forced 20 Niigata A. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC, agency: Diamond Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) chipped in 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) produced a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Saitama maintains third position with 27-9 record having just two points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Niigata A. at the other side keeps the fifth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Tokyo. Saitama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Niigata A. will play on the road against Shanan Utd (#11) in Kanagawa and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Leader Gambarous delivered the twenty ninth victory. This time they crushed 13th ranked Pats Five (10-28) 84-61 in Tokushima. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points and 9 rebounds. Ryan Logan contributed with 15 points for the winners. Guard Bostyn Holt (201-1999, college: FSU) replied with 20 points and 9 rebounds for Yamaguchi. 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 29-7 record. Yamaguchi at the other side keeps the thirteenth place with 28 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will play against Okayama (#4) on the road in the next round. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Ishikawa. Local Samuraiz (15-19) outscored 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-27) 97-64 on Sunday night. Hyrum Harris had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. David Doblas responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 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. Samuraiz have a solid three-game winning streak. Kanazawa maintains ninth position with 15-19 record. Veertien Mie lost sixth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 27 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Rest of the games of round 38 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Tokyo Z was defeated by Tokyo Utd in a road game 81-65. Tachikawa smashed Shinagawa at home 99-77. Gifu lost to Okayama on the opponent's court 75-92. Kagawa outscored Tokyo in a home game 94-72.
The best stats of 38th round was 15 points and 8 rebounds by Ivan Aska of Tokyo HT.



Tokyo Utd - Tokyo Z 81-65

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 12th ranked Earthfriends' (12-24) road loss to eleventh ranked United (15-21) 65-81 on Sunday. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to Earthfriends's 26. Tokyo Utd outrebounded Tokyo Z 47-25 including a 17-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Tokyo Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The game was also dominated by American players. Forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP, agency: 011 Sports) scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds and forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) scored 17 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tokyo Utd moved-up to tenth place. Loser Earthfriends keeps the twelfth position with 24 games lost. Tokyo Utd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Tokyo.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: F.Jordan 20+5reb+5ast, K.Hayden 14+10reb+2ast, S.Kedrick 10+7reb+5ast, R.Kawashima 9+1reb+1ast, V.Rhys 7+10reb+1ast, D.Taguchi 6+3reb+1ast
Tokyo Z: M.Benlevi 17+3reb, J.Combs 15+9reb+1ast, M.Takumi 10+2ast, H.Doi 8+2reb+3ast, J.Hillsman 7+4reb+2ast, S.Sho 3

Tachikawa - Shinagawa 99-77

No shocking result in a game in Tachikawa where seventh ranked Dice (19-15) smashed 14th ranked Shinagawa (8-28) 99-77 on Sunday. Tachikawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) had a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. Four Dice players scored in double figures. Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) responded with 24 points and 9 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and the former international point guard Ryo Tawatari (180-1993, college: Dominican, CA) produced a double-double by scoring 23 points and 11 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. Dice have a solid three-game winning streak. Tachikawa maintains seventh position with 19-15 record. Shinagawa lost ninth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 28 games lost. Tachikawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinagawa will play against Tokyo Z (#12) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: R.Gustys 19+13reb+1ast, F.Andrew 18+9reb+4ast, F.Sato 17+2reb+2ast, Y.Makanae 11+3reb+3ast, P.LJ 9+3reb+2ast, J.Yoshikawa 8+1reb+3ast
Shinagawa: G.Vasiliauskas 24+9reb+2ast, R.Tawatari 23+1reb+11ast, B.Ali 10+1reb+1ast, S.Shuichiro 7+2reb+1ast, M.Grazulis 7+7reb+1ast, K.Yudai 4+1reb+1ast

Niigata A. - Saitama 104-106

Fifth-ranked Albirex (21-15) made lots of trouble for third ranked Broncos (27-9) in Niigata on Sunday. The visitors from Saitama managed to secure only two-point victory 106-104. However their fans expected easier game. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Albirex. Saitama forced 20 Niigata A. turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was American forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC, agency: Diamond Sports) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) chipped in 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) produced a double-double by scoring 30 points and 10 rebounds and American Dominique Morrison (198-1989, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) added 22 points respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Saitama maintains third position with 27-9 record having just two points less than leader Tokushima Gam. Niigata A. at the other side keeps the fifth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Tokyo. Saitama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Niigata A. will play on the road against Shanan Utd (#11) in Kanagawa and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Saitama: M.Kennedy 28+10reb+2ast, Y.Matsushita 18+3reb+4ast, B.Trent 16+8reb+1ast, O.Devin 15+8reb+5ast, M.Kataoka 9+1reb, K.Ryota 7
Niigata A.: E.Phelps 30+10reb, D.Morrison 22+2reb+3ast, J.Mutombo 18+8reb, H.Tomonobu 10+3reb+7ast, B.Mack 6+2reb, I.Kei 5+2ast

Kanazawa - Veertien Mie 97-64

The game with biggest result difference took place in Ishikawa. Local Samuraiz (15-19) outscored 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-27) 97-64 on Sunday night. New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) had a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Samuraiz players scored in double figures. Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) responded with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 13 rebounds and forward Abu Philip (198-1997) produced a double-double by scoring 11 points, 13 rebounds and 4 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. Samuraiz have a solid three-game winning streak. Kanazawa maintains ninth position with 15-19 record. Veertien Mie lost sixth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 27 lost games. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: C.Jediael 16+5reb+1ast, H.Hyrum 14+11reb+3ast, I.Tomida 13+1reb+2ast, R.Mitsuo 12+3reb+2ast, G.Matsuo 10, B.Mark 9+2reb+4ast
Veertien Mie: D.Doblas 22+13reb+2ast, S.Takaya 19+1reb+2ast, P.Abu 11+13reb+4ast, M.Yasuyuki 5+1ast, S.Yusei 3+3reb+3ast, A.Fuga 2+1reb+3ast

Okayama - Gifu 92-75

Very expected game in Okayama where 8th ranked Swoops (18-18) were defeated by fourth ranked Try Hoop (23-13) 92-75 on Sunday. Okayama outrebounded Gifu 45-14 including a 19-5 advantage in offensive rebounds. American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 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 15 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Try Hoop players scored in double figures. Try Hoop's coach Keisuke Nomura used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. point guard Reo Yamazaki (179-1999) responded with 18 points and 5 steals and American forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) scored 19 points. Okayama maintains fourth position with 23-13 record. Gifu lost third consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 18 games lost. Okayama will meet at home league's leader Tokushima Gam. in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Gifu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Okayama: K.Takabatake 18+2reb, S.Josh 16+15reb+2ast, K.Terrance 15+6reb+1ast, H.Kameron 14+1reb+5ast, S.Cherif 9+6reb, M.Fofana 8+4reb
Gifu: J.Giles 19+1ast, R.Yamazaki 18+1reb+1ast, D.Fotu 9+3reb, K.Morito 8+1ast, T.Kodai 6+5reb, T.Ryo 6+1ast

Tokushima Gam. - Yamaguchi 84-61

Leader Gambarous delivered the twenty ninth victory. This time they crushed 13th ranked Pats Five (10-28) 84-61 in Tokushima. Tokushima Gam. players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists comparing to just 9 passes made by Yamaguchi's players. The game was dominated by American players. Power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 22 points and 9 rebounds. Forward Ryan Logan (200-1994, college: Stonehill) contributed with 15 points for the winners. Guard Bostyn Holt (201-1999, college: FSU) replied with 20 points and 9 rebounds and center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) added 11 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Yamaguchi. 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 29-7 record. Yamaguchi at the other side keeps the thirteenth place with 28 games lost. Tokushima Gam. will play against Okayama (#4) on the road in the next round. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: D.Tavrion 22+9reb+1ast, L.Ryan 15+4reb+2ast, T.Nakatsuka 11+3reb, M.Naoto 11+1reb+1ast, T.Aoyama 9+2reb+3ast, K.David 5+4reb
Yamaguchi: H.Bostyn 20+9reb+3ast, E.Brauns 11+9reb, Y.Rikiya 10+1reb+1ast, K.Shuto 5+1reb, T.Shodai 5+3reb+2ast, T.Enokida 3+1reb+1ast

Kagawa FA - Tokyo HT 94-72

Rather predictable result in Takamatsu where second ranked Five Arrows (27-7) outscored 6th ranked Hachioji Trains (21-15) 94-72 on Sunday. Kagawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Tokyo's players. American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 15 points and 4 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. U.S. Virgin Islands-Puerto Rican forward Ivan Aska (201-1990, college: Murray St., agency: 011 Sports) responded with 15 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) scored 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Both teams had four players each who 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. Five Arrows have an impressive ten-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains second position with 27-7 record having 2 victories less than leader Tokushima Gam. Loser Hachioji Trains dropped to the fifth place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Niigata A.. Kagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Tokyo Utd.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: D.Alex 15+3reb+4ast, H.Imabayashi 15+2reb+2ast, L.Jacob 12+7reb+3ast, H.Tucker 12+4reb+3ast, I.Takahashi 10+1reb+2ast, Y.Ukeda 9+2reb+7ast
Tokyo HT: I.Aska 15+8reb+3ast, Y.Fuki 15+4ast, T.Sullivan 12+5reb+6ast, D.Clay 11+7reb+1ast, I.Towa 9+1reb, K.Takaya 6+2reb+1ast