B3 League Round 40 (Regular Season): Tokushima Gam. lose to Shanan Utd

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Gambarous (31-9) recorded its ninth loss in Kanagawa on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by eleventh ranked United (16-22) 74-70. Shanan Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. American forward Ryan Logan (200-1994, college: Stonehill) produced 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Shanan Utd maintains eleventh position with 16-22 record. Tokushima Gam. at the other side still keeps top place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Leader Gambarous delivered the 31th victory. This time they beat 11th ranked United (16-22) 93-87 in Kanagawa. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who helped to win the game recording 41 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds (on 16-of-21 shooting from the field). Ryan Logan contributed with 13 points and 7 assists for the winners. Gambarous' coach Kobayashi Yasunori allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) replied with 23 points for Shanan Utd. Tokushima Gam. maintains first position with 31-9 record. Shanan Utd at the other side keeps the eleventh place with 22 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game in Tokyo was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Albirex (23-16) played at the court of 6th ranked Hachioji Trains (21-18). Albirex managed to secure a 8-point victory 78-70 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of Mutombo Jean-Pierre who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks. At the losing side Taren Sullivan responded with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Niigata A. maintains fifth position with 23-16 record. Tokyo lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 18 games lost. Niigata A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo will play against Niigata A. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rest of the games of round 40 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Tokyo Z was crushed by Saitama in a road game 95-69. Shinagawa was beaten by Yamaguchi at home 68-71. Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie was destroyed by Tachikawa on the opponent's court 93-65. Kanazawa unfortunately lost to Okayama in a home game 69-76. Kagawa managed to beat Gifu on the road 97-88.
The best stats of 40th round was 24 points and 5 rebounds by Tucker Haymond of Kagawa FA.



Shanan Utd - Tokushima Gam. 74-70

Top ranked Gambarous (31-9) recorded its ninth loss in Kanagawa on Friday night. Visitors were defeated by eleventh ranked United (16-22) 74-70. Shanan Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. American forward Ryan Logan (200-1994, college: Stonehill) produced 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) added 11 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Shanan Utd maintains eleventh position with 16-22 record. Tokushima Gam. at the other side still keeps top place with nine games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: R.Logan 15+6reb+5ast, N.Moriyama 14+3reb, D.Kongolo 13+7reb+1ast, T.Dawson 11+7reb+7ast, H.Cort 9+5reb+4ast, T.Yutaka 5
Shanan Utd: P.Jacob 21+15reb+4ast, R.Earnest 14+5reb+2ast, T.Ishii 12+3reb+3ast, S.Takagi 11+4reb, K.Nakano 9+3reb+1ast, S.Shigetomi 3+2reb+4ast

Saitama - Tokyo Z 95-69

There was no surprise in Saitama where 12th ranked Earthfriends (13-26) were crushed by third ranked Broncos (30-9) 95-69 on Saturday. Saitama dominated down low during the game scoring 62 of its points in the paint compared to Earthfriends's 30. Saitama forced 20 Tokyo Z turnovers and outrebounded them 48-28 including a 34-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds and forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC) who added 20 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. Four Broncos players scored in double figures. Broncos' coach Shugaku Izumi felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) responded with 26 points and 7 rebounds and power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. Broncos have a solid four-game winning streak. Saitama maintains third position with 30-9 record behind leader Tokushima Gam. Loser Earthfriends keeps the twelfth place with 26 games lost. Saitama will meet at home Tokyo Z (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: M.Benlevi 26+7reb+1ast, J.Combs 16+7reb+1ast, T.Ide 8+1reb+1ast, J.Spencer 8+5reb+1ast, M.Takumi 6+2reb+3ast, F.Ryoga 5+2reb+1ast
Saitama: M.Kennedy 20+11reb+1ast, B.Trent 19+10reb+3ast, O.Devin 14+9reb+2ast, T.Asahi 13+1reb+3ast, H.Gondo 9+2reb+3ast, J.Monga 7+4reb

Shinagawa - Yamaguchi 68-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with thirteenth ranked Pats Five's (11-30) road victory over 14th ranked Shinagawa (9-30) 71-68 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Bostyn Holt (201-1999, college: FSU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa) who added 24 points and 5 rebounds (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) during the contest. At the losing side American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) responded with a double-double by scoring 21 points, 18 rebounds and 6 assists and Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Yamaguchi maintains thirteenth position with 11-30 record. Loser Shinagawa keeps the fourteenth place with 30 games lost. Yamaguchi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinagawa will play against Yamaguchi (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: V.Hart 21+18reb+6ast, G.Vasiliauskas 14+5reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 9+4reb+3ast, B.Ali 6+4reb, M.Grazulis 6+5reb+1ast, S.Horiuchi 5
Yamaguchi: B.Even 24+5reb+3ast, B.Holt 21+10reb+5ast, S.Kishinaga 12+2reb+4ast, C.Antavion 5+6reb+3ast, R.Yamaguchi 4+1reb+1ast, Y.Ide 3+1reb+2ast

Tachikawa - Veertien Mie 93-65

Very expected game in Tachikawa where 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-30) was rolled over by seventh ranked Dice (20-17) 93-65 on Saturday. Tachikawa outrebounded Veertien Mie 50-33 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tachikawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 19 points, 23 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) who added 22 points and 7 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) during the contest. Five Dice players scored in double figures. At the losing side guard Yasuyuki Miyazaki (170-1986) responded with 16 points and Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) scored 15 points and 7 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tachikawa maintains seventh position with 20-17 record. Veertien Mie lost ninth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 30 lost games. Tachikawa will again meet at home bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Veertien Mie will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: S.Yusei 16+1ast, M.Yasuyuki 16+4reb+3ast, D.Doblas 15+7reb, S.Takaya 5+1reb+2ast, W.Shogo 4+2reb, T.Misaki 3+4reb+2ast
Tachikawa: F.Andrew 22+7reb+2ast, R.Gustys 19+23reb+5ast, Y.Makanae 15+2reb+1ast, S.Osaki 11+1reb+1ast, P.LJ 11+6reb+3ast, J.Machii 4+2reb+3ast

Tokyo HT - Niigata A. 70-78

The game in Tokyo was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Albirex (23-16) played at the court of 6th ranked Hachioji Trains (21-18). Albirex managed to secure a 8-point victory 78-70 on Saturday. Niigata A. shot 19 for 26 from the free-throw line, while Tokyo only scored three points from the stripe. Niigata A. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of center Mutombo Jean-Pierre (206-2002) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks and American Dominique Morrison (198-1989, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) who added 26 points during the contest. At the losing side American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) responded with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and U.S. Virgin Islands-Puerto Rican forward Ivan Aska (201-1990, college: Murray St., agency: 011 Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Niigata A. maintains fifth position with 23-16 record. Tokyo lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixth place with 18 games lost. Niigata A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo will play against Niigata A. (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 17+5reb+8ast, T.Keitaro 14+2reb+2ast, I.Aska 10+10reb+3ast, K.Takaya 9+4reb, Y.Fuki 8+6reb+5ast, K.Steve 4+5reb+1ast
Niigata A.: M.Dominique 26+4reb+2ast, M.Jean-Pierre 17+16reb, M.BJ 13+2reb, Y.Sato 5+3reb, Y.Hamataka 4+2reb+2ast, P.Pogue 3+8reb+4ast

Shanan Utd - Tokushima Gam. 87-93

Leader Gambarous delivered the 31th victory. This time they beat 11th ranked United (16-22) 93-87 in Kanagawa. Tokushima Gam. dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to United's 36. Shanan Utd was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) who helped to win the game recording 41 points (!!!) and 7 rebounds (on 16-of-21 shooting from the field). The other American import forward Ryan Logan (200-1994, college: Stonehill) contributed with 13 points and 7 assists for the winners. Gambarous' coach Kobayashi Yasunori allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) replied with 23 points and American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) added 16 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Shanan Utd. Four Shanan Utd players scored in double figures. Tokushima Gam. maintains first position with 31-9 record. Shanan Utd at the other side keeps the eleventh place with 22 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: E.Ross 23+3reb+3ast, T.Iju 21+1reb+6ast, J.Polakovich 16+10reb+3ast, C.Tapscott 11+4reb+4ast, N.Kodai 6+3reb+1ast, I.Tomohiro 5+1reb
Tokushima Gam.: D.Tavrion 41+7reb+1ast, L.Ryan 13+4reb+7ast, M.Naoto 11+3reb+1ast, Y.Tsukamoto 7+1reb+4ast, K.David 6+7reb, M.Tsuruta 6+1reb

Kanazawa - Okayama 69-76

Very predictable result in Ishikawa where fourth ranked Try Hoop (25-14) beat 9th ranked Samuraiz (17-20) 76-69 on Saturday. Okayama outrebounded Kanazawa 47-21 including a 19-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who added 11 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Four Try Hoop players scored in double figures. At the losing side New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) responded with 9 points and 8 rebounds and American point guard Mark Burton (183-1998, college: Fayetteville St., agency: Haylett Sports) scored 13 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Okayama maintains fourth position with 25-14 record. Loser Samuraiz keeps the ninth place with 20 games lost. Okayama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Kanazawa will play against Okayama (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: M.Burton 13+1reb+1ast, T.Issei 13+1reb, K.Allen 11+2reb+2ast, H.Harris 9+8reb+2ast, M.Gashu 7+1reb, J.Cordilia 6+3reb
Okayama: K.Terrance 20+9reb, S.Josh 11+9reb, K.Wakasa 11+5reb, A.Hikaru 10+1reb+2ast, S.Cherif 8+9reb+2ast, T.Yokogawa 5+2reb+2ast

Gifu - Kagawa FA 88-97

Not a big story in a game in Gifu where 8th ranked Swoops (18-19) were defeated by second ranked Five Arrows (30-7) 97-88 on Saturday. Kagawa dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Swoops's 36. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) who helped to win the game recording 24 points and 5 rebounds and guard Takumi Kobayashi (183-2002) who added 12 points and 6 assists during the contest. At the losing side American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) responded with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 16 rebounds and point guard Reo Yamazaki (179-1999) scored 18 points. Five Kagawa and four Gifu players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Five Arrows have an impressive 14-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains second position with 30-7 record behind leader Tokushima Gam. Gifu lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eighth place with 19 games lost. Kagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gifu will play against the league's second-placed Kagawa (#2) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gifu: R.Yamazaki 18+1reb+2ast, B.Preston 15+16reb+1ast, J.Giles 14+5reb+1ast, T.Kodai 13+1reb, D.Fotu 9+4reb, T.Ryo 8+2ast
Kagawa FA: H.Tucker 24+5reb+2ast, H.Imabayashi 15+4reb+1ast, L.Jacob 13+4reb+2ast, T.Kobayashi 12+4reb+6ast, D.Alex 10+7reb+2ast, T.Koyo 7+2reb+1ast