B3 League Round 49 (Regular Season): Leader Kagawa gets another victory

The Regular Season in B3 League is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 6 rounds. The round 49 was rather boring as all games ended with very predictable results. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Leader Five Arrows delivered the 39th win on Sunday night. This time they crushed 7th ranked Hachioji Trains (24-24) 100-68 in Tokyo. Kagawa had a 29-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Tokyo helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) fired 20 points for the winners. His fellow American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. U.S. Virgin Islands-Puerto Rican forward Ivan Aska (201-1990, college: Murray St., agency: 011 Sports) produced 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals 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. Five Arrows (39-7) have an impressive series of twenty three victories in a row. Kagawa maintains first place. Tokyo lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 24 games lost. Kagawa are looking forward to face Shanan Utd (#11) in Kanagawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo will play on the road against Gifu (#10) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Niigata. Local Albirex (28-18) outscored 10th ranked Swoops (21-25) 82-49. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Swoops. Worth to mention a great performance of American Dominique Morrison (198-1989, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 6 rebounds. Eugene Phelps contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) answered with 10 points and 9 rebounds for Gifu. 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. Niigata A. maintains fifth place with 28-18 record. Gifu at the other side keeps the tenth position with 25 games lost. Niigata A. will play against Shinagawa (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Gifu will play against Tokyo (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Other games of round 49 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Shinagawa was defeated by Saitama in a road game 87-80. Tokyo Z was smashed by Tachikawa at home 76-102. Shanan Utd was destroyed by Kanazawa on the opponent's court 96-68. Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie was outscored by Okayama in a home game 56-85. Tokyo Utd rolled over Yamaguchi on the road 93-62.
The best stats of 49th round was 19 points and 8 rebounds by Hayden Koval of Tokyo Utd.



Saitama - Shinagawa 87-80

There was no surprise in Saitama where 14th ranked Shinagawa (10-36) was defeated by second ranked Broncos (38-10) 87-80. Shinagawa was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Trent Buttrick (206-1998, college: UMass) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) answered with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds and Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) added 13 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Shinagawa. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for Broncos. Saitama maintains second place with 38-10 record behind leader Kagawa FA. Shinagawa lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the fourteenth position with 36 games lost. Saitama will play against Tokushima Gam. (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Shinagawa will play against Niigata A. (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Shinagawa: V.Hart 23+13reb+2ast, G.Vasiliauskas 13+6reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 13+2reb+4ast, B.Ali 12+5reb, H.Yamane 8+3reb+2ast, M.Grazulis 6+2reb+1ast
Saitama: B.Trent 18+7reb+2ast, M.Kennedy 13+7reb, Y.Matsushita 11+3reb+1ast, O.Devin 11+10reb+3ast, M.Kataoka 10+1reb, K.Ryota 9+2ast

Tokyo Z - Tachikawa 76-102

No shocking result in a game in Tokyo where sixth ranked Dice (26-20) smashed 12th ranked Earthfriends (15-31) 102-76. Tachikawa outrebounded Tokyo Z 47-26 including a 34-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tachikawa players were unselfish on offense dishing 31 assists comparing to just 18 passes made by Tokyo Z's players. 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 15 points and 20 rebounds. American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) contributed with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four Dice players scored in double figures. American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) answered with 31 points and 8 rebounds and the other American import guard Jaycee Hillsman (200-1996, college: Illinois St.) added 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Tokyo Z. 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. The victory was the third consecutive win for Dice. Tachikawa maintains sixth place with 26-20 record. Tokyo Z lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with 31 games lost. Tachikawa will play against higher ranked Okayama (#4) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tokyo Z will play against Kanazawa (#8) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: J.Combs 31+8reb+1ast, J.Hillsman 18+8reb+4ast, S.Sho 7+1reb, M.Takumi 7+3reb+3ast, F.Ryoga 5+2reb+2ast, J.Spencer 5+1reb+2ast
Tachikawa: F.Andrew 21+5reb+4ast, P.LJ 21+3ast, Y.Makanae 19+2reb+4ast, R.Gustys 15+20reb+3ast, M.Edward 7+11reb+4ast, J.Machii 5+2reb+6ast

Tokyo HT - Kagawa FA 68-100

Leader Five Arrows delivered the 39th win on Sunday night. This time they crushed 7th ranked Hachioji Trains (24-24) 100-68 in Tokyo. Kagawa had a 29-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Tokyo helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) fired 20 points for the winners. His fellow American import forward Alex Davis (206-1992, college: Fresno St., agency: Diamond Sports) chipped in 15 points and 7 rebounds. Four Five Arrows players scored in double figures. U.S. Virgin Islands-Puerto Rican forward Ivan Aska (201-1990, college: Murray St., agency: 011 Sports) produced 13 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals and point guard Fuki Yamamoto (177-1998) added 17 points and 4 assists 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. Five Arrows (39-7) have an impressive series of twenty three victories in a row. Kagawa maintains first place. Tokyo lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh position with 24 games lost. Kagawa are looking forward to face Shanan Utd (#11) in Kanagawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokyo will play on the road against Gifu (#10) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: Y.Fuki 17+4reb+4ast, I.Aska 13+7reb+6ast, K.Steve 12+7reb+2ast, J.Janssen 8+4reb+3ast, T.Keitaro 8+3reb, I.Shuto 4+1ast
Kagawa FA: H.Tucker 20+3reb+1ast, D.Alex 15+7reb+1ast, T.Kobayashi 11+1reb+2ast, K.Takahashi 11+1reb+1ast, I.Takahashi 11+4reb+2ast, H.Imabayashi 9+1reb+2ast

Niigata A. - Gifu 82-49

The game with biggest result difference took place in Niigata. Local Albirex (28-18) outscored 10th ranked Swoops (21-25) 82-49. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Swoops. Worth to mention a great performance of American Dominique Morrison (198-1989, college: ORU, agency: Haylett Sports) who helped to win the game recording 16 points and 6 rebounds. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Albirex players scored in double figures. American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) answered with 10 points and 9 rebounds and New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) added 11 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Gifu. 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. Niigata A. maintains fifth place with 28-18 record. Gifu at the other side keeps the tenth position with 25 games lost. Niigata A. will play against Shinagawa (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Gifu will play against Tokyo (#7) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Gifu: D.Fotu 11+6reb+1ast, B.Preston 10+9reb, M.Koga 9+1reb+2ast, T.Ryo 7+1ast, J.Giles 6+7reb+1ast, U.Kenshin 3
Niigata A.: M.Dominique 16+6reb+2ast, P.Eugene 15+7reb+1ast, K.Igarashi 12+1ast, A.Hamada 11+3reb+6ast, M.BJ 9+5reb, M.Jean-Pierre 6+7reb

Kanazawa - Shanan Utd 96-68

Rather expected game in Ishikawa where 11th ranked United (17-29) was rolled over by eighth ranked Samuraiz (23-23) 96-68. Kanazawa made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. Kanazawa outrebounded Shanan Utd 37-26 including a 28-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a very good performance for Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and 8 rebounds. American point guard Mark Burton (183-1998, college: Fayetteville St., agency: Haylett Sports) contributed with 21 points for the winners. Four Samuraiz players scored in double figures. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) answered with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Takaya Iju (179-1993) added 9 points and 6 assists in the effort for Shanan Utd. 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. The victory was the fourth consecutive win for Samuraiz. Kanazawa maintains eighth place with 23-23 record, which they share with Tokyo Utd. Shanan Utd lost their third game in a row. They keep the eleventh position with 29 games lost. Kanazawa will play against Tokyo Z (#12) on the road in the next round. Shanan Utd will play against the league's leader Kagawa having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Shanan Utd: J.Polakovich 29+10reb+2ast, E.Ross 12+2reb+2ast, T.Iju 9+2reb+6ast, I.Tomohiro 9+1ast, T.Shinya 4+5reb+2ast, S.Ryoga 3+1reb+1ast
Kanazawa: B.Mark 21+3reb+1ast, C.Jediael 17+8reb+1ast, R.Mitsuo 13+1reb+2ast, A.Shimizu 12+1reb+1ast, A.KJ 11+8reb+1ast, H.Hyrum 6+8reb+3ast

Veertien Mie - Okayama 56-85

Very predictable result in Yokkaichi where fourth ranked Try Hoop (29-17) outscored bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (7-39) 85-56. Okayama made 17-of-21 charity shots (81.0 percent) during the game. They also forced 25 Veertien Mie turnovers. Veertien Mie was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a very good performance for American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) who helped to win the game recording 18 points. His fellow American import forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 14 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Diamond Sports) answered with 25 points and 7 rebounds and Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) added 4 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Veertien Mie. 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 place with 29-17 record. Veertien Mie lost their eighteenth game in a row. They stay dead last with 39 lost games. Okayama will play against Tachikawa (#6) at home in the next round. Veertien Mie will play against Tokyo Utd (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Veertien Mie: C.Olivier 25+7reb+2ast, S.Yusei 11+4reb+3ast, S.Takaya 5+3reb, D.Doblas 4+9reb+6ast, D.Dodd 4+4reb, H.Shota 3+1reb+1ast
Okayama: H.Kameron 18+3reb+2ast, K.Terrance 14+5reb+1ast, A.Hikaru 10, M.Fofana 10+3reb+2ast, S.Cherif 9+8reb+1ast, S.Josh 6+11reb+2ast

Yamaguchi - Tokyo Utd 62-93

Not a big story in a game in Yamaguchi where 13th ranked Pats Five (12-36) was outplayed by ninth ranked United (23-23) 93-62. Tokyo Utd dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Pats Five's 28. Tokyo Utd outrebounded Yamaguchi 50-28 including a 38-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tokyo Utd players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists. It was a very good performance for American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP, agency: 011 Sports) who helped to win the game recording 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!). His fellow American import center Hayden Koval (216-1997, college: Cincinnati, agency: Diamond Sports) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) for the winners. American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) answered with 15 points and 8 rebounds and point guard Shuto Kishinaga (181-2000) added 11 points and 6 assists in the effort for Yamaguchi. 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. Tokyo Utd moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Kanazawa. Yamaguchi lost their third game in a row. They keep the thirteenth position with 36 games lost. Tokyo Utd will play against bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#15) in Yokkaichi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Yamaguchi will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: E.Brauns 15+8reb, K.Shuto 11+2reb+6ast, Y.Rikiya 8, T.Shodai 6+2reb, T.Enokida 5+2reb+2ast, B.Holt 5+7reb+2ast
Tokyo Utd: F.Jordan 21+6reb+4ast, K.Hayden 19+8reb+3ast, V.Rhys 12+12reb+4ast, H.Higashi 10+1reb, R.Kawashima 9+5reb+3ast, D.Taguchi 7+3ast