B3 League Round 52 (Regular Season): Tachikawa edge Tokushima Gam. by three points

The Regular Season in B3 League is almost over. Almost everything is clear. There are only 3 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 52 in the B3 League took place in Tachikawa. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Gambarous (38-11) to sixth ranked Dice (27-22) 93-90 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Gambarous. Tachikawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tachikawa made 7 blocks. Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) fired a double-double by scoring 28 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) chipped in 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) produced 22 points for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Tachikawa maintains sixth position with 27-22 record. Tokushima Gam. at the other side keeps the second place with 11 games lost. Tachikawa are looking forward to face league's second-placed Tokushima Gam. at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round.
Leader Five Arrows delivered the 42th victory. This time they beat 8th ranked Samuraiz (25-24) 96-91 in Ishikawa. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Samuraiz. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Tucker Haymond contributed with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) replied with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds for Kanazawa. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Five Arrows (42-7) have an impressive 26-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains first position. Kanazawa at the other side dropped to the ninth place with 24 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. Fourth ranked Try Hoop (33-17) played at the court of 7th ranked Hachioji Trains (26-26). Try Hoop defeated Hachioji Trains 81-67 on Friday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hachioji Trains. Worth to mention a great performance of Kameron Hankerson who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. At the losing side Towa Ishibashi responded with 22 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Try Hoop have an impressive six-game winning streak. Okayama maintains fourth position with 33-17 record. Loser Hachioji Trains dropped to the eighth place with 26 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Rest of the games of round 52 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Gifu was defeated by Tokyo Utd in a road game 83-71. Shanan Utd beat Tokyo Z at home 89-82. Bottom-ranked Veertien Mie lost to Niigata A. on the opponent's court 70-85. Yamaguchi unfortunately lost to Shinagawa in a home game 73-77. Okayama managed to beat Tokyo on the road 75-70.
The best stats of 52th round was 13 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists by Josh Scott of Okayama.



Tokyo HT - Okayama 67-81

The game in Tokyo was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Try Hoop (33-17) played at the court of 7th ranked Hachioji Trains (26-26). Try Hoop defeated Hachioji Trains 81-67 on Friday. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Hachioji Trains. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Kameron Hankerson (196-1998, college: Green Bay, agency: 011 Sports) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and the other American import power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who added 13 points and 14 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) during the contest. Five Try Hoop players scored in double figures. At the losing side point guard Towa Ishibashi (180-2002) responded with 22 points and U.S. Virgin Islands-Puerto Rican forward Ivan Aska (201-1990, college: Murray St., agency: 011 Sports) scored 11 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Try Hoop have an impressive six-game winning streak. Okayama maintains fourth position with 33-17 record. Loser Hachioji Trains dropped to the eighth place with 26 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: I.Towa 22, Y.Fuki 13+2reb+1ast, I.Aska 11+6reb+1ast, J.Janssen 7+2reb+1ast, S.Kubema 6+9reb+1ast, T.Keitaro 2
Okayama: H.Kameron 22+7reb+5ast, S.Cherif 14+1reb+1ast, M.Fofana 13+4reb, S.Josh 13+14reb+1ast, K.Terrance 10+3reb+1ast, T.Yokogawa 4+2reb+7ast

Kanazawa - Kagawa FA 91-96

Leader Five Arrows delivered the 42th victory. This time they beat 8th ranked Samuraiz (25-24) 96-91 in Ishikawa. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Samuraiz. Kagawa made 28-of-35 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Kanazawa was plagued by 29 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jacob Lampkin (206-1996, college: Alaska-Anch.) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) contributed with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. New Zealand forward Hyrum Harris (204-1996, college: Umpqua CC) replied with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) added 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) in the effort for Kanazawa. Four Kagawa and five Kanazawa players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Five Arrows (42-7) have an impressive 26-game winning streak. Kagawa maintains first position. Kanazawa at the other side dropped to the ninth place with 24 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: J.Cordilia 18+5reb+1ast, H.Harris 15+10reb+3ast, M.Gashu 14+3reb, T.Issei 14+2reb+2ast, K.Allen 12+6reb+1ast, O.Takayuki 6+1reb
Kagawa FA: H.Tucker 22+5reb+4ast, L.Jacob 18+10reb+3ast, T.Kobayashi 15+1reb+2ast, I.Takahashi 11+2reb, K.Takahashi 10+3reb+2ast, D.Alex 7+5reb+2ast

Tokyo Utd - Gifu 83-71

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 10th ranked Swoops' (21-28) road loss to ninth ranked United (26-23) 71-83 on Saturday. Tokyo Utd made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game, while Gifu only scored one point from the stripe. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) who helped to win the game recording 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Hiroki Higashi (184-1995) who added 19 points during the contest. At the losing side New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) responded with 15 points and 9 rebounds and American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) scored 9 points and 11 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. United have an impressive five-game winning streak. Tokyo Utd moved-up to seventh place. Gifu lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 28 games lost. Tokyo Utd will meet at home Gifu (#10) in the next round. Gifu will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Gifu: D.Fotu 15+9reb, M.Koga 13+1reb+6ast, B.Preston 9+11reb+2ast, O.Souta 8, T.Kodai 8+1reb+3ast, T.Ryo 6+1reb+2ast
Tokyo Utd: H.Hiroki 19+2reb+2ast, F.Jordan 17+9reb+4ast, S.Kedrick 12+1reb, S.Tokugawa 9+3reb, V.Rhys 9+5reb+1ast, K.Hayden 8+9reb+1ast

Tachikawa - Tokushima Gam. 93-90

The most exciting game of round 52 in the B3 League took place in Tachikawa. This derby game ended with only three-point defeat on the road of much higher ranked Gambarous (38-11) to sixth ranked Dice (27-22) 93-90 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Gambarous. Tachikawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tachikawa made 7 blocks. Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) fired a double-double by scoring 28 points, 19 rebounds and 4 assists (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winners. American swingman LJ Peak (196-1996, college: Georgetown) chipped in 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) produced 22 points and American-Filipino guard Roosevelt Adams (196-1998, college: Idaho Coll.) added 18 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Tachikawa maintains sixth position with 27-22 record. Tokushima Gam. at the other side keeps the second place with 11 games lost. Tachikawa are looking forward to face league's second-placed Tokushima Gam. at home in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Tokushima Gam. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 22+4reb+1ast, R.Adams 18+4reb, R.Logan 15+2reb+1ast, N.Moriyama 10+3reb+1ast, T.Yutaka 7+8ast, A.Alexander 5+2reb+1ast
Tachikawa: R.Gustys 28+19reb+4ast, P.LJ 25+5reb+5ast, F.Andrew 12+1reb+2ast, S.Osaki 9+2reb+1ast, J.Machii 8+2reb+6ast, Y.Makanae 5+3reb+2ast

Shanan Utd - Tokyo Z 89-82

The game between closely ranked teams ended with eleventh ranked United's (18-31) home victory over 12th ranked Earthfriends (15-34) 89-82 on Saturday. Shanan Utd looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) who added 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American forward Malik Benlevi (198-1997, college: Georgia St.) responded with 19 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) scored 19 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Shanan Utd maintains eleventh position with 18-31 record. Tokyo Z lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the twelfth place with 34 games lost. Shanan Utd will meet at home Tokyo Z (#12) in the next round. Tokyo Z will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: M.Benlevi 19+7reb+1ast, J.Combs 19+3reb+2ast, J.Hillsman 16+7reb, H.Doi 8+3reb, T.Yoshi 8+1reb, T.Ide 6+5reb+11ast
Shanan Utd: P.Jacob 20+11reb+2ast, T.Ishii 20+4reb, R.Earnest 15+5reb+4ast, S.Takagi 10+1ast, I.Takaya 7+2reb+10ast, P.Jeffrey 7+7reb+4ast

Niigata A. - Veertien Mie 85-70

Very expected game in Niigata where 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-42) was defeated by fifth ranked Albirex (30-19) 85-70 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Mitsuki Nagao (174-1999) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and 9 assists and American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) who added 12 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 16 points and 7 rebounds and his fellow American import power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) scored 12 points and 7 rebounds. Five Niigata A. and four Veertien Mie players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Niigata A. maintains fifth position with 30-19 record. Veertien Mie lost twenty first consecutive game. They stay dead last with 42 lost games. Niigata A. 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: C.Olivier 16+7reb, S.Takaya 13+1ast, D.Dodd 12+7reb+2ast, D.Doblas 11+5reb+4ast, K.Tatsuya 8+1reb+3ast, A.Fuga 5+5reb+5ast
Niigata A.: M.Nagao 20+2reb+9ast, M.BJ 12+6reb+1ast, P.Eugene 12+8reb+1ast, A.Higuchi 10+1ast, M.Jean-Pierre 10+7reb+1ast, A.Hamada 5+2ast

Yamaguchi - Shinagawa 73-77

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Yamaguchi where fourteenth ranked Shinagawa (12-37) beat 13th ranked Pats Five (12-37) 77-73 on Saturday. Shinagawa outrebounded Yamaguchi 41-29 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists and Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) who added 12 points and 8 rebounds during the contest. Four Shinagawa players scored in double figures. At the losing side American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) responded with 24 points and 7 rebounds and point guard Shuto Kishinaga (181-2000) scored 16 points and 5 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Shinagawa moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi lost fourth consecutive game. Shinagawa will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Yamaguchi will play again against Shinagawa (#13) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: E.Brauns 24+7reb+2ast, K.Shuto 16+5reb+3ast, Y.Rikiya 12+1reb+2ast, A.Collum 7+8reb+4ast, I.Yuki 5+3reb+1ast, B.Holt 4+1reb+3ast
Shinagawa: H.Victor 18+15reb+5ast, T.Ryo 18+1reb+3ast, A.Nohara 14+2reb+1ast, V.Grantas 12+8reb+3ast, T.Ochiai 8+1reb+3ast, H.Seiya 3

Tokyo HT - Okayama 70-75

Not a big story in a game in Tokyo where 7th ranked Hachioji Trains (26-26) were defeated by fourth ranked Try Hoop (33-17) 75-70 on Saturday. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Josh Scott (210-1993, college: Colorado, agency: Pensack Sports) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Toshiki Yokogawa (177-1995) who added 20 points during the contest. At the losing side power forward Steve Kubema (204-2001) responded with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 16 rebounds and American forward Taren Sullivan (198-1995, college: Findlay, OH) scored 18 points and 4 steals. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Try Hoop have an impressive six-game winning streak. Okayama maintains fourth position with 33-17 record. Loser Hachioji Trains dropped to the eighth place with 26 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Tokyo HT: T.Sullivan 18+4reb+2ast, S.Kubema 13+16reb+3ast, Y.Fuki 12+2reb+3ast, T.Keitaro 12+3reb+1ast, J.Janssen 6+2reb, I.Aska 4+3reb+1ast
Okayama: T.Yokogawa 20+4reb+1ast, K.Takabatake 15+1reb+1ast, S.Josh 13+14reb+4ast, H.Kameron 10+3reb+3ast, M.Fofana 6+2reb, A.Hikaru 4