The Artland Dragons have gotten used to winning a lot in the last months as they have won 13 of their last 15 games, but the 
cozy living room of the Fraport Skyliners hasn´t been as inviting for the Quackenbruck team the last years as the last time that they exited the floor victorious, current dragon Anthony King was still cruising down south beach enjoying the waves and creating havoc under the boards in the NCAA with Miami, the Spanish national soccer team was still dreaming of winning a major title as the 2008 European championships and 2010 World Cup weren´t in their grasp yet and Justin Bieber posters hadn´t been made yet and weren´t filling the bed room walls of teenage girls around the globe yet. The last time the Artland Dragons were able to defeat Frankfurt in Frankfurt, the date was April 15th 2007 as they prevailed 77-69 as Chad Prewitt led them with 15 points and nine rebounds. For a team that averages 88 points a game this season, anyone who came into the Fraport arena in the last minute and saw the score had to rub their eyes first to believe that the Artland Dragons were kept under 50 points, but still won 49-44 in front of 4,860 patrons. It was the first win after losing the last four attempts in Frankfurt and some players had to think strong and hard where they were back that spring day in 2007. “I was a junior
and was averaging 9ppg and 8rpg and was the second best shot blocker in the ACC. Germany was far from my mind, but I was thinking about possibly turning professional after my junior year, but my mom talked me into staying and getting my degree. I am just happy I won here, because my rookie season in Frankfurt was tough”, stressed ex Skyliner Anthony King. Another player that had to take some seconds to recollect where he was in 2007 was Brandon Thomas who had lost twice with Braunschweig in Frankfurt and had unplesant memories of the Fraport arena. “Back in 2007, we beat Alabama and Jermareo Davidson in the NIT with a last second shot by Chris Lowe. Two years ago, we lost in Frankfurt on the last game day and had to watch TV to see if we would get in the playoffs and another team lost so we got in. Last season, Dashaun Wood beat us with a last second shot. It felt good to win here even if it was an ugly win”, commented Artland Dragon Brandon Thomas.
Month: December 2011
Who Needs A Tyrese Rice When The Artland Dragons Have David Holston?
The area of the 12,881 population of frog town Quackenbruck may not be large, but there is still interesting things to do like following the 3,1km Froschpfad to observe the historic sites, chowing down on yummy Buchweizenpfannkuchen a speciality from there, spending a day in the many beautiful parks or in the past seeing a jubilant Darius Hall showcasing his big smile while bicycling from home to practice, but nothing is more exciting than following the basketball team Artland Dragons. The team has stood for success since they arrived in the Beko BBL in 2003 reaching the playoffs 5 times out of 8 times and missing three times on account of a 9th place finish. In the last two seasons the team has had extra suspense as they have had top point guards Tyrese Rice and this season David Holston. The point guard position is the most important position on the floor and with Rice the team had the second best scorer and fourth best assist man. There was a bit of uneasiness at the start of this season if Holston could fill the shoes of Rice, but so far the smallest player in the league from Detroit at 167m, he is second in scoring, assists and steals. Holston has been a big reason for the success as he has scored in double figures every time this season in the Beko BBL except for against BBC Bayreuth who have held him in check. He scored 29 points against Giessen, 26 points against Tuebingen and won both head to head duels against top guards Je Kel Foster and Bobby Brown. Who could forget his four three pointer in overtime against FC Bayern Munich giving Dirk Bauermann a long uncomfortable trip back to Bavaria.” I think Holston has fit in nicely with the team and been able to be one of the leaders on the court. He’s able to score, set up his teammates, and control the game so he’s a really solid PG”, warned ex MBC center Velimir Radinovic. One has to wonder how Stefan Koch knew they were the right players or if a special basketball frog gave him the right slip of paper and name during the summer? “I think he probably has a certain mould that he would like his point guard to fit, and recruits players that fit that profile. Rice and Holston are both capable of controlling the tempo of the game and running the team, but they can also drop 30 on you so you can never relax when defending that type of player. I think Rice had more of a scorer’s mentality and maybe not a pure PG. He was maybe looking to shoot first, pass second.”, added ex Ohio State center Velimir Radinovic.
David Teague: I Played Until My Wheels Didin´t Move Anymore
David Teague is a 28 year old 196cm guard playing his first season for Ass.Pallacanestro Sant’ Antimo (Italy) who is an athletic wing player who possesses an excellent perimeter shot, is a solid penetrator who can get to the basket off the dribble and is a tenacious defender who can shut down dribble penetration. He grew up in Indianapolis and went to Pike high school and at Bridgeton Academy. He played at Purdue from 2002-2007 and In his senior year, he played 34 games averaging 14.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 44.0%, 3Pts: 41.2%, FT: 75.4% Purdue from 2002-2007. In his first professional season, he played in Greece for AEL 1964 playing 23 games averaging 9.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 2FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 78.0%. Last season, he played in France for JA Vichy Val d’Allier Auvergne basket playing 4 EuroChallenge games: averaging 8.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.8spg and playing 29 games in the French League averaging 13.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 73.4%. In 2009-2010, he played for the Giessen 46ers where he led the Beko BBL in scoring playing 2009-2010: LTi Giessen 46ers (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 18 games: Score-1(20.4ppg), 4.7rpg, Steals-4(1.5spg), FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 70.0%. Last season, he played for Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Brazil-NBB, starting five): Liga Americas: 6 games: 16.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 61.1%; Brazilian League: 22 games: 13.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 2FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 81.3%. German Hoops spoke to Teague about his basketball career in Italy during the NBA lockout.
You are playing your first season in Italy in the Lega 2. How would you compare it to the leagues in Greece, France and Germany where you played previously?
It is lot like the France Pro A. There are a lot of good Americans playing in Italy and in the Lega 2.
You have been scoring nicely in the Lega 2. What is your role? Is it similar to what you had with the LTi Giessen 46ers?
It is a little different. As Campbell got hurt, my role sort of changed. Now it is a lot more like with Giessen where I am required to score more and be more aggressive on offense.
The Fraport Skyliners Play Point Guard By Committee Perplexing BG Goettingen 78-65
For some teams performing well and wining in the past in the Lok Halle was equal to basketball cruelty as for some it was as 
difficult to be to deny that actress Lindsay Lohan doesn´t have the arsenal to be called a Playboy success as it is for basketball superstar Kobe Bryant to deny his women exploits to the basketball wives of America, or Tim Tebow supporters recovering after Tom Brady and the New England Patriots brought him the Denver broncos back to reality after the crushing 41-23 loss last weekend. For the Skyliners in the past, winning in the Lok Halle wasn´t always tough as they finished there with a 2-2 record the last four years. Who could forget the 74-67 victory in 2008, where half the team was sick and Maksym Shtein was the hero for 24 hours mowing down the opposition in Ukrainian train style with 24 points or last season their 70-58 win as Dashaun Wood and Roger Powell took control with 18 points a piece. The Lokhalle era came to an end last season as this season, the team moved into the Sparkassen arena and The Fraport Skyliners wanted to send a positive new trend as they left the new home of BG Goettingen with a big 78-65 win. For injured BG Goettingen guard Louis Dale leaving the Lok halle wasn´t easy, but the Sparkassen halle is already stirring up a lot of noise. “We have many new players, so there really wasn´t any adjustment for them as they never played in the Lok Halle. This arena is brighter, but the atmosphere is still good. When the game is on the line, it can get very loud in here”, stressed BG Goettingen American Louis Dale. After the big win, new Skyliner Jacob Burtschi was all smiles and didn´t boast about his hot three point shooting, but was drilled about the new arena. “This is a good arena and can get loud. This arena can be very intimidating, because the ceiling is low and you seem to be packed in. It is more intimidating playing in a smaller packed arena than in Berlin where it is more of an open arena”, warned ex Phoenix Hagen forward Jacob Burtschi.
Will Some Good Luck Finally Arrive For BG Goettingen In Their Current Turbulent Season?
Sometimes in life things turn a complete 180 degrees from comfortable and successful to miserable and unsuccessful like ex NBA star Scottie Pippen who is trying to live a normal life in retirement, but claims he has been unfairly portrayed in the media as a walking financial disaster and suing every media outlet who reported he went bankrupt, the NBA trying to prepare for the upcoming season, but the many cancelled trades seeming to take the spotlight from the whole affair or the current Syracuse sex scandal that has tarnished that schools reputation quicker than Shaq can devour a Big Mac or yell Kazaam. For 2010 Eurochallenge winner BG Goettingen that success seems about as far away as Charles Barton ever returning to the Skyliners as their current season as been like a nightmare first losing their heart and soul John Patrick who led the team into the Beko BBL playoffs in three out of four seasons, their many stars following him to Wurzburg, the Marco Grimaldi tragedy of him losing loved ones in a car accident and on top of that the team living in 18th place for most of the season which might feel the same as if one was deserted in the never revealed Lok Halle dungeon if there ever was one. With the Christmas season nearing its end when the Fraport Skyliners arrive in Goettingen December 26th, BG Goettingen could use some late Christmas gifts from Santa with a win. The team recently replaced head coach Stefan Mienack with assistant coach Michael Meeks and won a game against Tuebingen. Despite all the hard ship that the team has suffered, the atmosphere seems in tact. “When we played in Goettingen, I didn´t sense as much sadness. The fans were good there and there seemed to be a sense of urgency. They played with a chip on their shoulder”, commented Tuebingen guard Josh Young. Nothing comes easy these days in Goettingen as the team plays with a very young and inexperienced team looking to gain experience and getting better while needing to win games each weekend and trying to escape out of the trap door that they have fallen into in the Beko BBL cellar all the while having the misfortune of the current season upon them like a dust cloud. “Every team deals with internal problems, but it seems like BG Goettingen have had to deal with a lot this season. I hope that they can turn their season around. They have to continue to work and do things the right way. I believe that even with bad times, you will always get out what you put in”, warned Tuebingen American Josh Young.
Marquez Haynes(Gran Canaria): Quantez Robertson Is Relentless How He Attacks The Basket
Marquez Haynes is a 24 year old 191 cm guard from Irving Texas that is playing his first season in the ACB for Gran Canara as is their current leading scorer. He played at Boston College from 2005-2007 before transferring to Texas Arlington (NCAA) where he played from 2008-2010. In his senior year he was the third best scorer in the NCAA averaging (22.6ppg), 4.3rpg, 3.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 74.6%. Last season, he started his professional basketball career for ES Chalon-Sur-Saone (France-ProA, starting five): 33 games: 14.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 3.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 73.1%. Currently he is averaging 12,1ppg, 1,8rpg and 2,4apg. He played at the 2011 European championships for Georgia playing 8 games: 8.0ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 53.3%. He reached the NCAA Sweet 16 with Boston College in 2006 and won the French Cup with Chalon. German Hoops spoke with the American before the Eurocup game against the Fraport Skyliners December 20th.
Congrats on the 89-70 win against Blancos de Rueda. What was key for getting this big win?
The key for the win was our rebounding and good shooting. We got off to a hot start shooting and jumped out on them early. It was nice to play with a lead throughout the game.
The team is slowly climbing the ladder back up the ACB standings and are currently at 12th place. What have been the main reasons for the turnaround in the ACB in the last weeks?
The main reasons for the turnaround is that I think we are simply starting to get better. Some teams have perfect chemistry from the get go and we are still searching for ours. We have made some good offensive adjustments also and we are playing faster and with more confidence.
Jermareo Davidson And Michael Thompson Have A Basketball Tattoo Juice Party Leading The Fraport Skyliners Over Braunschweig 77-70
Sometimes early Christmas come early and timely like the NBA season starting up again, The Dallas Mavericks getting older 
and older with Vince Carter and Lamar Odom to the delight of Mavericks bashers, or Charlie Sheen´s cell number being unwantingly being disposed to the world for all his haters to finally spread some vicious words in his direction, but for The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig, the club didn´t get any negative pre Christmas delight, but a positive one as they signed ex Nevada Las Vegas(NCAA) star Michael Umeh to help at the guard position. Umeh is no stranger to the Beko BBL as he shot out the lights in various German arenas for two seasons with the LTi Giessen 46ers. The last time that Umeh did his damage in the Beko BBL, BG Goettingen was still far away from their Eurochallenge win, Braunschweig was still dreaming of landing in the post season since Demond Mallet last had led the team to the promised land in 2003 and guys like Kevin Hmailton and Brandon Thomas were still months away of coming to the Phantoms and Umeh was still playing in the same back court with German national player Heiko I can hit from anywhere on the planet Schaffartzik. Umeh made his debut in a Phantoms jersey, but was unable to help snap the 69 month winless streak in the Volkswagen halle against Frankfurt as the Fraport Skyliners controlled the game and won 77-70. “I am very happy to be back in the Beko BBL playing with Braunschweig. I still have to get settled, but they are a good team. Braunschweig is bigger than Giessen and I am found out quickly why guys like to play here. We played against a very good team today. Frankfurt had us down early an djust were more aggressive and had more intensity than we did”, stressed Nigerian national player Michael Umeh. The Fraport Skylinerswon their fourth game of the season and third on the road and showed their best game of the season topping their road win in Hagen. Skyliner captain Marius Nolte was very emotional after the Hagen win, but seemed more composed after the Braunschweig win. “I was more calm today. A huge burden was lifted off our shoulders in Hagen, but this is still a big win for us. This could be the start of a longer winning streak. We deserved to win today”, stressed ex Paderborn baskets center Marius Nolte.
Jared Reiner: Zach Randolph Was The Hardest To Guard In The NCAA
Jared Reiner is a 29 year old 211cm center from South Dakota. He played for Iowa from 2000-2004. As a rookie, he made the Chicago Bulls roster playing games 19 games averaging 1.1ppg, 2.0rpg; Play-Offs: 3 games: 0pts. In the 2005-2006 season, he was injured and did not play. In 2006-2007, he played for San Antonio Spurs (NBA), only pre-season, in Nov.’06 moved to Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League, starting five): 28 games: 13.8ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 48%, FT: 69.4%; 28 games: 13.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, in Feb.’07 signed at Milwaukee Bucks (NBA): 27 games: 1.2ppg, 2.6rpg. In 2007-2008, he played for Polaris World Murcia (Spain-ACB, starting five): 17 games: 5.5ppg, 4.4rpg, 2FGP: 53.0%, FT: 44.0%, in Feb.’08 moved to Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 20 games: 9.4ppg, Reb-5(6.8rpg), 2FGP: 52.1%, FT: 53.9%. In 2008-2009, he played for the 76ers (NBA), only pre-season, in Dec.’08 moved to Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 12 games: 13.0ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 53.9%, FT: 72.7%. In 2009-2010, he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), only pre-season, in Dec.’09 moved to Fort Wayne Mad Ants (D-League): 17 games: 13.1ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 45.7%, FT: 72.2%,and then moved to Gallitos de Isabela (Puerto Rico-BSN): 8 games: 12.4ppg, 10.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 25.0%. Last season, he played for BBC Bayreuth playing 33 games: 12.6ppg, Reb-3(7.8rpg), 1.2apg, FGP: 49.7%, FT: 63.8%. Jared took some time to talk German Hoops about basketball.
When was the last time that you spent Thanksgiving at home?
Well I played four years in the NCAA and seven professional basketball seasons so 11 years ago.
Does a normal Jared Reiner Thanksgiving involve a big turkey and NFL football?
Yes it does. I get up early, prepare the food, eat the turkey and then watch football all day long.
Can The Fraport Skyliners Ruin The Pre Christmas Feast For The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig December 18?
With Christmas only a week away, folks of all ages will be having the holiday season on their mind, like thinking if there will be a white Christmas in New York city, what one can give Miss have it all Paris Hilton for Christmas, can the Miami Dolphins upend Tom terrific Brady and the New England Patriots on Christmas eve, or who would be the perfect substitute for the white bearded Santa Claus, Mickey Rooney, Leslie Nielsen or Tim Allen? However on December 18th, The Fraport Skyliners will have clash with 2011 beko BBL cup finalist New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig and for at least two hours, stockings, eggnog, presents, Christmas caroling, and Rudolph the Reindeer will be secondary. Young fans in the Volkswagon arena in Braunschweig wont be dreaming of presents an dif Santa Claus can really fit through the chimney with his chubby stomach, but will be hoping of athletic and stimulating take offs to the hoop by Quantez Robertson, no look passes from Immanuel Mcelroy who could ask Jermareo Davidson some advice of how to cover your body correctly with additional tattoos, Robert Kulawick three point bombs from the corner, and making bets when Johannes Herber will cut or trim his overwhelming long beard. Fans come into the arena´s to enjoy basketball anytime and might forget that players this season wont be in their real home for Christmas dinner, but in their home from home in Germany trying to tell their little children that Santa Claus has to use the balcony to distribute presents. “The Beko BBL continues to make it very difficult for the players to find any kind of Christmas spirit. We play in Oldenburg on December 27th and have to practice on the 24th, 25th and 26th. One of my favorite things at Christmas is having home made goose. My mom cooks it and is the best cook in the world”, stressed Walter Tigers Tuebingen forward Ruben Spoden. “Sure it is tough being away from home during the holiday season but it is part of your job and even if you want to be back at home, you have to still perform and make the best out the situations that you are put in”, added TBB Trier guard John Bynum.
Danilo Barthel(Fraport Skyliners): People Underestimate My Ability To Pass The Ball
Danilo Barthel is a 20 year old 206cm forward from Heidelberg Germany and is playing his first season for the Fraport Skyliners. He also has a license to play for the team PRO B team. He started his basketball career with USC Heidelberg in 2008 and played there until 2011. Last season, he played 14 games: 4.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.0apg. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been German U18 National Team -09, European Championships U18 in Metz (France) -09: 8 games: 10.4ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 43.8%, FT: 71.8%, German NBBL All-Star Game -10, German U20 National Team -10-11, European Championships U20 in Croatia -10: 7 games: 0.3ppg, and European Championships U20 in Bilbao (Spain) -11: 9 games: 4.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.0spg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
A tough 79-71 loss against BBC Bayreuth. The team has lost 12 of the last 13 games. How tough is it losing for you?
It has been a tough time. Every athlete hates losing. We can´t hang our heads and have to stay positive.
Muli Katzurin said the team is good enough to come back, but not win. Why can´t the team close the door on opponents?
Often we do a good job hitting our shots at the starts, but at the end are unable t o make our shots or draw fouls.
German Hoops 