B3 League Round 48 (Regular Season): No surprise as #1 Kagawa defeats Tokyo

The games are now more important than at the beginning of the Regular Season. We may still expect few shocking results in upcoming 7 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

B3 League top team - Five Arrows (38-7) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat seventh ranked Hachioji Trains (24-23) in Tokyo 82-73. They outrebounded Tokyo 34-19 including 22 on the defensive glass. Kagawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) who helped to win the game recording 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who added 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Five Arrows' coach Koki Yabuuchi used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was point guard Fuki Yamamoto (177-1998) with 23 points and 6 assists. Five Arrows have an impressive 22-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains first position with 38-7 record. Tokyo at the other side keeps the seventh place with 23 games lost. Kagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo will play at home against the league's leader Kagawa (#1) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
An interesting game took place in Niigata where higher ranked Albirex (27-18) was upset on its own court by tenth ranked Swoops (21-24) 75-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Albirex. The winners were led by American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) who scored that evening 9 points and 17 rebounds and Jordan Giles supported him with 11 points. Even 17 points and 8 rebounds by American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) did not help to save the game for Niigata A.. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Swoops have a solid three-game winning streak. Gifu maintains tenth position with 21-24 record. Niigata A. at the other side dropped to the fifth place with 18 games lost. Gifu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Niigata A. will play at home against Gifu (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
12th ranked Earthfriends (15-30) were outscored at home by sixth ranked Dice (25-20) with the biggest margin this round 90-59 on Saturday night. The best player for the winners was Rokas Gustys who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 28 rebounds and 6 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Jeremy Combs who recorded 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. 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 sixth position with 25-20 record. Tokyo Z lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with 30 games lost. Tachikawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play against Tachikawa (#6) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 48: Shinagawa was destroyed by Saitama on the opponent's court 93-72. Kanazawa outscored Shanan Utd in a home game 87-65. Okayama rolled over Veertien Mie on the road 105-76. Yamaguchi was crushed by Tokyo Utd on its own court 61-87.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists by Rhys Vague of Tokyo Utd.



Saitama - Shinagawa 93-72

Very expected game in Saitama where 14th ranked Shinagawa (10-35) was crushed by second ranked Broncos (37-10) 93-72 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) who had a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds. The other American import forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC) chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds. Four Broncos players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds and Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) added 11 points and 10 rebounds respectively. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Saitama maintains second position with 37-10 record behind leader Kagawa FA. Shinagawa lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 35 games lost. Saitama will again meet at home Shinagawa (#14) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Shinagawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: V.Hart 16+11reb+1ast, S.Shuichiro 11+1reb+4ast, G.Vasiliauskas 11+10reb+1ast, M.Grazulis 8+4reb+1ast, B.Ali 8+1reb, K.Yudai 7+1ast
Saitama: M.Kennedy 19+9reb+3ast, B.Trent 18+13reb, K.Ryota 14+2reb+1ast, O.Devin 13+10reb+3ast, M.Kataoka 8+1reb+1ast, Y.Matsushita 7+2reb+1ast

Tokyo Z - Tachikawa 59-90

12th ranked Earthfriends (15-30) were outscored at home by sixth ranked Dice (25-20) with the biggest margin this round 90-59 on Saturday night. Tachikawa dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Earthfriends's 32. Tachikawa outrebounded Tokyo Z 55-32 including a 17-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Tachikawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. The best player for the winners was Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 28 rebounds and 6 assists. American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) who recorded 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Takumi Ide (174-1999) added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists respectively. Four Tokyo Z players scored in double figures. 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 sixth position with 25-20 record. Tokyo Z lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with 30 games lost. Tachikawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play against Tachikawa (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 18+8reb+4ast, J.Hillsman 13+6reb+1ast, T.Ide 11+5reb+6ast, J.Spencer 10+5reb+2ast, F.Ryoga 3+2reb+1ast, M.Takumi 2+2reb+1ast
Tachikawa: R.Gustys 28+28reb+6ast, F.Andrew 15+6reb+5ast, P.LJ 11+7reb+1ast, M.Edward 8+3reb, F.Sato 6+1reb+3ast, J.Ouchi 6+1ast

Tokyo HT - Kagawa FA 73-82

B3 League top team - Five Arrows (38-7) managed to deliver another win on Saturday. This time they beat seventh ranked Hachioji Trains (24-23) in Tokyo 82-73. They outrebounded Tokyo 34-19 including 22 on the defensive glass. Kagawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a quality performance of American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) who helped to win the game recording 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who added 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Five Arrows players scored in double figures. Five Arrows' coach Koki Yabuuchi used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was point guard Fuki Yamamoto (177-1998) with 23 points and 6 assists and Dutch-New Zealand Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college: HPU) scored 13 points and 5 rebounds. Five Arrows have an impressive 22-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains first position with 38-7 record. Tokyo at the other side keeps the seventh place with 23 games lost. Kagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo will play at home against the league's leader Kagawa (#1) and is hoping to prove to their fans that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: Y.Fuki 23+2reb+6ast, J.Janssen 13+5reb+3ast, M.Ryugo 7, K.Steve 7+6reb, Y.Oshiro 7+1reb, I.Aska 5+3reb+4ast
Kagawa FA: K.Takahashi 16+3reb+2ast, L.Jacob 13+6reb+2ast, H.Tucker 11+7reb+5ast, Y.Ukeda 10+1ast, D.Alex 10+6reb+1ast, T.Koyo 8+1reb+2ast

Niigata A. - Gifu 63-75

An interesting game took place in Niigata where higher ranked Albirex (27-18) was upset on its own court by tenth ranked Swoops (21-24) 75-63. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Albirex. The winners were led by American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) who scored that evening 9 points and 17 rebounds and the other American import forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) supported him with 11 points. Even 17 points and 8 rebounds by American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) did not help to save the game for Niigata A.. Center Mutombo Jean-Pierre (206-2002) added 12 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Swoops have a solid three-game winning streak. Gifu maintains tenth position with 21-24 record. Niigata A. at the other side dropped to the fifth place with 18 games lost. Gifu will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Niigata A. will play at home against Gifu (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: E.Phelps 17+8reb, J.Mutombo 12+13reb, N.Mitsuki 11+1ast, H.Aruma 8+2ast, D.Morrison 7+8reb, H.Tomonobu 6+4reb+5ast
Gifu: G.Jordan 11+4reb+2ast, F.Daniel 10+5reb+1ast, K.Morito 10+1reb+5ast, R.Takagi 9+3reb+4ast, S.Okubo 9+4reb, P.Blake 9+17reb+2ast

Kanazawa - Shanan Utd 87-65

Rather predictable result in Ishikawa where eighth ranked Samuraiz (22-23) smashed 11th ranked United (17-28) 87-65 on Saturday. Kanazawa dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to United's 18. Kanazawa forced 22 Shanan Utd turnovers. The best player for the winners was New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) who scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward KJ Allen (198-2000, college: Portland St.) chipped in 15 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). At the other side the best for losing team was Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) who recorded 22 points and 5 rebounds and guard Shinya Takagi (187-1997) added 12 points and 5 rebounds respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Samuraiz have a solid three-game winning streak. Kanazawa maintains eighth position with 22-23 record, which they share with Tokyo Utd. Loser United keeps the eleventh place with 28 games lost. Kanazawa will meet at home Shanan Utd (#11) in the next round. Shanan Utd will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: E.Ross 22+5reb+3ast, T.Iju 12, T.Shinya 12+5reb+1ast, I.Tomohiro 7+2reb+1ast, J.Polakovich 4+6reb, N.Kodai 3+1reb
Kanazawa: H.Hyrum 15+7reb+5ast, A.KJ 15+2reb+1ast, B.Mark 9+3reb+3ast, C.Jediael 8+7reb+1ast, K.Higashino 7+1reb+1ast, R.Mitsuo 7+2reb+4ast

Veertien Mie - Okayama 76-105

Not a big story in a game in Yokkaichi where 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-38) was rolled over by fifth ranked Try Hoop (28-17) 105-76 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was American forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) who scored 21 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). The other American import power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 18 points and 9 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). At the other side the best for losing team was Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) who recorded 15 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Yusei Sano (173-2002) added 12 points respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Okayama moved-up to fourth place. Veertien Mie lost seventeenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 38 lost games. Okayama will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Veertien Mie will play against Okayama (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: C.Olivier 15+1reb, D.Doblas 15+7reb+1ast, S.Yusei 12+3reb+3ast, D.Dodd 9+7reb, K.Tatsuya 9+1reb, S.Takaya 6+2reb+2ast
Okayama: K.Terrance 21+6reb+1ast, S.Josh 18+9reb, H.Kameron 17+5reb+3ast, A.Hikaru 8+2reb+1ast, M.Fofana 8+2reb+1ast, M.Nakamura 8+2reb

Yamaguchi - Tokyo Utd 61-87

Everything went according to plan in Yamaguchi where ninth ranked United (22-23) outscored 13th ranked Pats Five (12-35) 87-61 on Saturday. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Pats Five's 20. Tokyo Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. The best player for the winners was Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) who had a double-double by scoring 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP, agency: 011 Sports) chipped in 12 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Four United players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) who recorded 8 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and his fellow American import guard Bostyn Holt (201-1999, college: FSU) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Tokyo Utd moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Kanazawa. Loser Pats Five keeps the thirteenth position with 35 games lost. Tokyo Utd will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play against Tokyo Utd (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: B.Holt 14+6reb, I.Yuki 9+4reb+2ast, T.Shodai 9, A.Collum 8+12reb+5ast, K.Shuto 7+1reb+5ast, E.Brauns 6+5reb
Tokyo Utd: K.Hayden 17+6reb+1ast, V.Rhys 17+13reb+5ast, F.Jordan 12+7reb+7ast, S.Kedrick 12+1reb+1ast, S.Tokugawa 7+3reb+4ast, K.Tanaka 7+2reb+2ast