B3 League Round 53 (Regular Season): Kanazawa defeat Kagawa

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in B3 League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Five Arrows (42-8) in Ishikawa on Sunday night. Visitors were rolled over by ninth ranked Samuraiz (26-24) 94-64. It ended at the same time the 26-game winning streak of Five Arrows. Kanazawa dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Five Arrows's 26. Kanazawa outrebounded Kagawa 47-33 including a 35-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kanazawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Kagawa's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Kanazawa made 7 blocks. 25 personal fouls committed by Kagawa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 13 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). American forward KJ Allen (198-2000, college: Portland St.) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. point guard Hajime Imabayashi (184-1999) answered with 20 points for Kagawa. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kanazawa moved-up to eighth place. Kagawa at the other side still keeps top position with eight games lost. Kanazawa are looking forward to face Gifu (#10) on the road in the next round. Kagawa will play against Yamaguchi (#13) and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Gambarous (38-12) against sixth ranked Dice (28-22) on Sunday night. Visiting Gambarous were defeated by Dice in Tachikawa 87-74. American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up and scored 25 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Rokas Gustys chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tachikawa maintains sixth place with 28-22 record. Tokushima Gam. at the other side keeps the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Saitama. Tachikawa will play against bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#15) in Yokkaichi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokushima Gam. will play at home against Okayama (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Kanagawa between Earthfriends and United. Twelfth ranked Earthfriends (16-34) got a very close victory on the road over 11th ranked United (18-32). Earthfriends managed to escape with a 1-point win 86-85 on Sunday evening. Jeremy Combs nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side. Jacob Polakovich came up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds for Shanan Utd in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tokyo Z maintains twelfth place with 16-34 record. Loser United keeps the eleventh position with 32 games lost. Tokyo Z's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Tokyo Utd.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 53: Gifu was beaten by Tokyo Utd on the road 80-68. Niigata A. destroyed Veertien Mie on its own court 84-62. Shinagawa unfortunately lost to Yamaguchi in a road game 76-84.



Tokyo Utd - Gifu 80-68

No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked United (27-23) beat 10th ranked Swoops (21-29) in Tokyo 80-68 on Sunday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Tokyo Utd made 7 blocks. American forward Jordan Faison (201-1994, college: CPP) nailed 15 points and 4 assists (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) for the winning side and Australian forward Rhys Vague (206-1996) accounted for 15 points. New Zealand forward Daniel Fotu (203-1999, college: SMC) came up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 10 rebounds and American forward Blake Preston (206-2000, college: Northwestern) added 10 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Gifu in the defeat. Four Gifu players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. United have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Tokyo Utd maintains seventh place with 27-23 record. Gifu lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 29 games lost. Tokyo Utd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Tokyo to the arena Tokyo Z.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Utd: V.Rhys 15+4reb+1ast, F.Jordan 15+3reb+4ast, R.Kawashima 13+4reb+2ast, K.Hayden 9+6reb+2ast, S.Tokugawa 8+5reb, S.Kedrick 8+1reb+1ast
Gifu: D.Fotu 19+10reb, M.Koga 13+4reb+1ast, J.Giles 13+6reb+3ast, B.Preston 10+11reb+2ast, T.Ryo 5+2reb+2ast, R.Yamazaki 4+5ast

Tachikawa - Tokushima Gam. 87-74

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Gambarous (38-12) against sixth ranked Dice (28-22) on Sunday night. Visiting Gambarous were defeated by Dice in Tachikawa 87-74. They made 20-of-25 charity shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Tokushima Gam. was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. American power forward Andrew Fitzgerald (202-1990, college: Oklahoma, agency: Octagon Europe) stepped up and scored 25 points and 9 rebounds for the winners and Lithuanian power forward Rokas Gustys (206-1994, college: Hofstra) chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Four Dice players scored in double figures. American power forward Tavrion Dawson (202-1996, college: CSUN, agency: One Motive Sports) responded with 33 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds and swingman Naoto Moriyama (195-1996) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tachikawa maintains sixth place with 28-22 record. Tokushima Gam. at the other side keeps the second position with 12 games lost. They share it with Saitama. Tachikawa will play against bottom-ranked Veertien Mie (#15) in Yokkaichi in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tokushima Gam. will play at home against Okayama (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tachikawa: F.Andrew 25+9reb+2ast, R.Gustys 13+10reb+2ast, F.Sato 12+3reb, P.LJ 11+3reb+3ast, J.Machii 9+1reb+5ast, M.Edward 7+8reb+3ast
Tokushima Gam.: T.Dawson 33+5reb+2ast, N.Moriyama 16+6reb+2ast, T.Yutaka 12+1reb+1ast, D.Kongolo 5+8reb+1ast, H.Cort 4+4reb+4ast, I.Eitaro 2+1reb

Shanan Utd - Tokyo Z 85-86

A very close game took place in Kanagawa between Earthfriends and United. Twelfth ranked Earthfriends (16-34) got a very close victory on the road over 11th ranked United (18-32). Earthfriends managed to escape with a 1-point win 86-85 on Sunday evening. American power forward Jeremy Combs (201-1995, college: Texas Southern) nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side and his fellow American import guard Jaycee Hillsman (200-1996, college: Illinois St.) accounted for 24 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Four Earthfriends players scored in double figures. American center Jacob Polakovich (208-2000, college: S.Indiana) came up with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 12 rebounds and Guamanian-American guard Earnest Ross (198-1991, college: Missouri, agency: Haylett Sports) added 13 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals respectively for Shanan Utd in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tokyo Z maintains twelfth place with 16-34 record. Loser United keeps the eleventh position with 32 games lost. Tokyo Z's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Tokyo Tokyo Utd.
Top scorers:
Tokyo Z: H.Jaycee 24+3reb+1ast, C.Jeremy 21+15reb+7ast, S.James 18+4reb, R.Fujiwara 11+2ast, Y.Takemoto 5+5reb, I.Takumi 4+1reb+7ast
Shanan Utd: J.Polakovich 26+12reb+3ast, N.Kodai 15+2reb, E.Ross 13+6reb+7ast, I.Tomohiro 8+3reb, J.Parmer 7+1reb+1ast, T.Iju 5+3reb+7ast

Niigata A. - Veertien Mie 84-62

Very expected game when 15th ranked Veertien Mie (7-43) was smashed by fifth ranked Albirex (31-19) in Niigata 84-62 on Sunday. Niigata A. shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 52.0 percentage. American forward BJ Mack (203-2000, college: S.Carolina) nailed 21 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side and American-Filipino forward Eugene Phelps (198-1990, college: LBSU) accounted for 11 points and 13 rebounds. Four Albirex players scored in double figures. American forward Chris Olivier (202-1992, college: OK State, agency: Diamond Sports) came up with 20 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import power forward Damonte Dodd (211-1994, college: Maryland) added 13 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Veertien Mie in the defeat. 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. Niigata A. maintains fifth place with 31-19 record. Veertien Mie lost twenty second consecutive game. They stay dead last with 43 lost games. Niigata A. will meet higher ranked Saitama (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Veertien Mie will play against Tachikawa (#6) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Niigata A.: M.BJ 21+6reb+1ast, P.Eugene 11+13reb+1ast, M.Dominique 10+3reb+2ast, M.Nagao 10+1reb+2ast, A.Higuchi 9+2reb+4ast, A.Hamada 8+1reb+2ast
Veertien Mie: C.Olivier 20+9reb+2ast, D.Dodd 13+8reb+1ast, S.Yusei 9+2ast, D.Doblas 7+11reb, S.Takaya 5+3ast, A.Fuga 4+3reb+5ast

Yamaguchi - Shinagawa 84-76

Everything could happen in Yamaguchi at the game between two tied teams. Both fourteenth ranked Pats Five and 13th ranked Shinagawa had identical 12-37 record. This time Pats Five used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Shinagawa 84-76 on Sunday night. Strangely Shinagawa outrebounded Yamaguchi 37-25 including 24 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. American center Even Brauns (206-2002, college: Iowa, agency: Diamond Sports) nailed 26 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side and his fellow American import center Antavion Collum (206-2000, college: McNeese St.) accounted for 15 points and 5 assists. Four Pats Five players scored in double figures. American forward Victor Hart (203-2001, college: Southern Miss) came up with a double-double by scoring 34 points (!!!) and 12 rebounds and Lithuanian Grantas Vasiliauskas (204-1999) added 7 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Shinagawa in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Yamaguchi (13-37) moved-up to thirteenth place. Loser Shinagawa dropped to the fourteenth position with 38 games lost. Yamaguchi will meet league's leader Kagawa in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Shinagawa will play against Shanan Utd (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Yamaguchi: B.Even 26+8reb+3ast, C.Antavion 15+3reb+5ast, Y.Ide 13+3reb+1ast, S.Kishinaga 10+7ast, S.Tanaka 8+2reb+2ast, E.Takuma 6+6reb+2ast
Shinagawa: V.Hart 34+12reb+3ast, G.Vasiliauskas 7+11reb+3ast, N.Akihisa 6+2reb+1ast, R.Tawatari 5+3reb+5ast, K.Yudai 5, M.Grazulis 5+1reb+1ast

Kanazawa - Kagawa FA 94-64

The most surprising game was a loss of top-ranked Five Arrows (42-8) in Ishikawa on Sunday night. Visitors were rolled over by ninth ranked Samuraiz (26-24) 94-64. It ended at the same time the 26-game winning streak of Five Arrows. Kanazawa dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Five Arrows's 26. Kanazawa outrebounded Kagawa 47-33 including a 35-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Kanazawa looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists comparing to just 7 passes made by Kagawa's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Kanazawa made 7 blocks. 25 personal fouls committed by Kagawa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Dutch forward Jediael Cordilia (206-2002, college: Mt.St.Mary's) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 13 rebounds (on 10-of-12 shooting from the field). American forward KJ Allen (198-2000, college: Portland St.) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Five Samuraiz players scored in double figures. point guard Hajime Imabayashi (184-1999) answered with 20 points and American guard Tucker Haymond (195-1994, college: W.Michigan) added 10 points in the effort for Kagawa. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Kanazawa moved-up to eighth place. Kagawa at the other side still keeps top position with eight games lost. Kanazawa are looking forward to face Gifu (#10) on the road in the next round. Kagawa will play against Yamaguchi (#13) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Kanazawa: C.Jediael 26+13reb, A.KJ 19+8reb+1ast, B.Mark 12+1reb+3ast, H.Hyrum 12+8reb+5ast, R.Mitsuo 12+6reb+2ast, I.Tomida 5+3reb+1ast
Kagawa FA: I.Hajime 20+2reb+1ast, T.Haymond 10+2reb, T.Ikumi 6+1reb, F.Kento 5+5reb+1ast, K.Takumi 5, D.Sato 5+2reb+1ast