B3 League Round 50 (Regular Season): Tokushima Gam. defeat Saitama in the game between Top 4 teams

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Gambarous (37-10) which hosted in Tokushima second-ranked Broncos (38-11). Third ranked Gambarous managed to get a 8-point victory 94-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Broncos. Tokushima Gam. made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) contributed with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC) replied with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds for Saitama. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gambarous have an impressive six-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. maintains third position with 37-10 record having just three points less than leader Kagawa FA. Saitama at the other side keeps the second place with 11 games lost. Tokushima Gam. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Saitama at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Saitama will have a break next round.
B3 League top team - Five Arrows (40-7) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat eleventh ranked United (17-30) in Takamatsu 82-68. American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) had a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and Tucker Haymond chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Five Arrows have an impressive 24-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains first position with 40-7 record. Shanan Utd lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 30 games lost. Kagawa will play against Shanan Utd (#11) in Kanagawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shanan Utd will have a break next round.
The game between ninth ranked United (24-23) and 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-40) in Tokyo on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. United outscored guests from Yokkaichi 90-57. Rhys Vague notched 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even 16 points and 7 rebounds by Chris Olivier did not help to save the game for Veertien Mie. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. United have a solid three-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Kanazawa. Veertien Mie lost nineteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 40 lost games. Tokyo Utd 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.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 50: Niigata A. beat Shinagawa on the road 77-67. Tokyo Z was destroyed by Kanazawa on its own court 65-90. Tokyo managed to outperform Gifu in a road game 70-64. Okayama managed to beat Tachikawa at home 92-80.



Tokyo Utd - Veertien Mie 90-57

The game between ninth ranked United (24-23) and 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-40) in Tokyo on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. United outscored guests from Yokkaichi 90-57. Tokyo Utd forced 20 Veertien Mie turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 16 passes made by Veertien Mie's players. Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) notched 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP, agency: 011 Sports) supported him with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Even 16 points and 7 rebounds by American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Diamond Sports) did not help to save the game for Veertien Mie. Spanish center David Doblas (208-1981) added 9 points and 9 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. United have a solid three-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Kanazawa. Veertien Mie lost nineteenth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 40 lost games. Tokyo Utd 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:
Tokyo Utd: H.Higashi 14+1ast, V.Rhys 14+8reb+6ast, D.Taguchi 10+3reb+6ast, S.Kedrick 9+2reb+2ast, F.Jordan 9+6reb+4ast, K.Hayden 8+9reb+1ast
Veertien Mie: C.Olivier 16+7reb+2ast, D.Dodd 12+7reb+1ast, D.Doblas 9+9reb+3ast, K.Ryu 4+4reb+1ast, S.Yusei 4+2ast, A.Fuga 3+3reb+2ast

Shinagawa - Niigata A. 67-77

No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Albirex (29-18) beat on the road 14th ranked Shinagawa (10-37) 77-67 on Saturday. Niigata A. shot 26 for 38 from the free-throw line, while Shinagawa only scored four points from the stripe. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Niigata A. made 8 blocks. American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) notched a double-double by scoring 20 points and 17 rebounds to lead the effort and center Mutombo Jean-Pierre (206-2002) supported him with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks. Even a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds by American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) did not help to save the game for Shinagawa. Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) added 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Niigata A. maintains fifth position with 29-18 record. Shinagawa lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 37 games lost. Niigata A. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Shinagawa will play against Niigata A. (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: P.Eugene 20+17reb+1ast, M.Jean-Pierre 13+13reb, M.Dominique 9+2reb, M.BJ 9+5reb, A.Hamada 8, A.Higuchi 6+1reb+5ast
Shinagawa: V.Hart 17+17reb+2ast, R.Tawatari 14+1reb+5ast, G.Vasiliauskas 12+10reb+4ast, O.Tomoya 8+2reb+1ast, H.Yamane 5+2ast, K.Yudai 5+1reb+3ast

Tokyo Z - Kanazawa 65-90

Very expected game when 12th ranked Earthfriends (15-32) were smashed by eighth ranked Samuraiz (24-23) in Tokyo 90-65 on Saturday. Kanazawa dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Earthfriends's 22. Kanazawa forced 22 Tokyo Z turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists. New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) notched a double-double by scoring 11 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort and Senegalese center Diop Cheikh (210-1997) supported him with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Four Samuraiz players scored in double figures. Samuraiz's coach Takaaki Matsufuji felt very confident that he used entire bench and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Even a double-double of 23 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists by American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) did not help to save the game for Tokyo Z. His fellow American import guard Jaycee Hillsman (200-1996, college: Illinois St.) added 23 points and 11 rebounds for the hosts. Samuraiz have an impressive five-game winning streak. Kanazawa maintains eighth position with 24-23 record, which they share with Tokyo Utd. Tokyo Z lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with 32 games lost. Kanazawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tokyo Z will play against Kanazawa (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: D.Cheikh 15+6reb+3ast, B.Mark 14+4reb+4ast, H.Hyrum 11+14reb+6ast, I.Tomida 11+4reb+4ast, C.Jediael 9+3reb+1ast, A.Ichihashi 9
Tokyo Z: J.Hillsman 23+11reb, J.Combs 23+13reb+6ast, N.Ryutaro 8+1reb, S.Sho 6+1reb+1ast, M.Takumi 3+1reb+2ast, F.Ryoga 2+3reb+6ast

Gifu - Tokyo HT 64-70

Rather predictable result when seventh ranked Hachioji Trains (25-24) won against 10th ranked Swoops (21-26) in Gifu 70-64 on Saturday. Strangely Gifu outrebounded Tokyo 41-29 including 29 on the defensive glass. Point guard Towa Ishibashi (180-2002) notched 15 points to lead the effort and point guard Fuki Yamamoto (177-1998) supported him with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Even a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds by American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) did not help to save the game for Gifu. His fellow American import forward Jordan Giles (200-1998, college: UMKC, agency: One Motive Sports) added 13 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Four Gifu players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Tokyo maintains seventh position with 25-24 record. Loser Swoops keeps the tenth place with 26 games lost. Tokyo will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Gifu will play against Tokyo (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: T.Ishibashi 15+3reb+3ast, F.Yamamoto 14+5reb+1ast, S.Kubema 9+3reb, S.Taren 8+7reb+5ast, T.Kudou 7, R.Matsumura 6+1reb+2ast
Gifu: J.Giles 13+7reb+1ast, M.Koga 13+3reb, D.Fotu 12+6reb, B.Preston 11+15reb+3ast, R.Yamazaki 6+1reb+1ast, T.Kodai 4+4reb+4ast

Okayama - Tachikawa 92-80

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Dice (26-21) lost to fourth ranked Try Hoop (30-17) in Okayama 80-92 on Saturday. Okayama outrebounded Tachikawa 43-32 including 35 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Okayama made 8 blocks. American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) notched 25 points and 5 rebounds to lead the effort and the other American import forward Terrance King (198-1990, college: ESU, agency: Diamond Sports) supported him with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Four Try Hoop players scored in double figures. Even 22 points by American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) did not help to save the game for Tachikawa. Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) added 5 points and 14 rebounds for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Try Hoop have a solid three-game winning streak. Okayama maintains fourth position with 30-17 record. Loser Dice keeps the sixth place with 21 games lost. Okayama will meet at home Tachikawa (#6) in the next round. Tachikawa will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Okayama: H.Kameron 25+5reb+2ast, K.Terrance 18+10reb, S.Josh 12+10reb+3ast, S.Cherif 11+4reb+1ast, M.Fofana 8+5reb+1ast, A.Hikaru 5+2reb+1ast
Tachikawa: L.Peak 22+3reb, A.Fitzgerald 16+4reb, M.Jota 9+2reb+6ast, S.Fumiya 8+1reb, M.Yuto 7+1reb, E.Morris 7+4reb

Tokushima Gam. - Saitama 94-86

An interesting game for Gambarous (37-10) which hosted in Tokushima second-ranked Broncos (38-11). Third ranked Gambarous managed to get a 8-point victory 94-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Broncos. Tokushima Gam. made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 27 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!). American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American forward Kennedy Meeks (208-1995, college: UNC) replied with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 12 rebounds and his fellow American import Devin Oliver (203-1992, college: Dayton) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Saitama. Four Tokushima Gam. and five Saitama players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Gambarous have an impressive six-game winning streak. Tokushima Gam. maintains third position with 37-10 record having just three points less than leader Kagawa FA. Saitama at the other side keeps the second place with 11 games lost. Tokushima Gam. are looking forward to face league's second-placed Saitama at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Saitama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: D.Tavrion 27+6reb+4ast, A.Roosevelt 18+10reb+1ast, M.Chris 12+5reb, L.Ryan 11+3reb+1ast, M.Naoto 9+3reb, Y.Tsunai 6+2reb+4ast
Saitama: K.Meeks 21+12reb+3ast, A.Tajima 13+1reb+4ast, D.Oliver 12+9reb+3ast, T.Buttrick 11+9reb, K.Masaharu 10+1reb+1ast, M.Yuta 10+3reb+4ast

Kagawa FA - Shanan Utd 82-68

B3 League top team - Five Arrows (40-7) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat eleventh ranked United (17-30) in Takamatsu 82-68. Kagawa dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to United's 28. Kagawa outrebounded Shanan Utd 49-35 including 16 on the offensive glass. Kagawa players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) had a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. Four Five Arrows players scored in double figures. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) responded with a double-double by scoring 11 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Five Arrows have an impressive 24-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains first position with 40-7 record. Shanan Utd lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 30 games lost. Kagawa will play against Shanan Utd (#11) in Kanagawa in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Shanan Utd will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Kagawa FA: H.Tucker 16+5reb+1ast, L.Jacob 13+16reb, D.Alex 11+4reb+2ast, H.Imabayashi 11+3reb+2ast, T.Kobayashi 7+4reb+6ast, K.Takahashi 5+1reb+1ast
Shanan Utd: E.Ross 14+7reb+2ast, N.Kodai 12+1reb, J.Polakovich 11+12reb+6ast, T.Shinya 8+1reb+2ast, T.Iju 8+1reb+2ast, H.Reiji 6+2reb+2ast