Darryl Webb is a 24 year old 198cm forward from Elkridge, Maryland. He is playing his first season in Germany in the PRO A for the Crailsheim Merlins. He played at Indiana, PA (NCAA2) from 2007-2011 playing a total of 126 NCAA 2 games. In his senior season, he played 32 games: 17.4ppg, 10.1rpg, 1.6apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3Pts: 29.1%, 72.6%. He helped carry the Crailsheim Merlins past the Webmoebel Baskets in game 4 with 39 points. He spoke to German Hoops about game 4 and the next series against the Mitteldeutscher BC.
Congrats to the 111-77 win against the Webmoebel Baskets and advancing to the semifinals. How pissed was the team after losing game three by three points?
They weren’t really pissed, I think they were a little more disappointed if anything because they wanted to force a game 5 which was something we didn’t want especially since that is one heck of a drive.

Crailsheim had the 47-41 lead at halftime. What did Ingo Enskat tell the team to do better in the second half?
We needed to get more stops and get out in transition. Also our 1 on 1 defense not letting them penetrate and kick it out to the shooters or even get to the rim for easy layups.

His words must of sunk in with the team as the team exploded and won the second half 64-36. What was key for getting the win in the last 20 minutes?
It was just a matter of getting stops, getting out in transition and knocking down our shots and finishing at the rim. Also we’ve been struggling as far as free throws so going 19-24 helped as well.

You have been solid all season long and had some high scoring games including scoring in double figures 24 times. You seemed to save your best for last with 39 points. Were you feeling like you were in the zone?
Yea I was really feeling it getting rebounds, hitting some 3’s, and knocking down all of my free throws, but when it comes down to it was the guards who really helped me have a big night, every time they drove the lane they were always looking for me, and also calling a lot of plays for me.

Crailsheim outrebounded Paderborn and dished out 20 assists. What was another big strength in this game that helped the Merlins to win the game?
Having 20 assists was really big because we just shared the ball really well but it was our defense in the second half that really got us going on offense and knocking down shots.

Your 39 points were big and might have kept the performance of your teammate Aaron Cook in the shadows. How big was the production of Cook on this night?
Him having 26 and 8 was big he was all over the court defensively, and on offense. He was knocking down 3’s getting into the lane and looking to dish it out to one of our shooters or drop it off to one of the centers.

How much fun was it dueling against American Jefferson Mason?
I didn’t have the chance of getting to guard him except a few times, but to me he’s really good. He rebounds, can get to the rim and can knock down the 3. With his size and his skills he’s definitely going to help a lot of teams out especially with what he can do.

How exciting is it for you to be able to playoffs coming from the NCAA? How was the atmosphere in game four and what was your favorite play in the game?
The atmosphere last was great, but then again the Merlins fans always are crazy every home game and even away games they’re always creating a great atmosphere for us. As for my favorite play of the game I would have to say the 3 I made at the end of the shot clock but the referees took it away haha.

What in this 4 game series was key for being able to advance to the next round?
They’re the best 3 point shooting team in the league I think and the main thing they do is penetrate and kick it out to the shooters, so that’s something we really couldn’t let them do, staying out on the shooters and fake helping when a guard penetrated really worked well for us.

Crailsheim split the season series against MBC 1-1. What will be key to winning this series against the best team in the PRO A?

We’re going to have to really play defense and rebound well against them they have home court advantage so we can’t get out of sync when they are making runs at us. We have to play team basketball like we did in the first round and really work when it comes down to playing 1 on 1 defense.

How hungry are the Melrins to beat MBC? Aaron Cook will be playing against his old team and see if he can cage the wolves! Lol
Me personally I think MBC is very much beatable and I think we can steal a road win this series. Aaron going back to MBC I’m sure he’s excited and ready even though he’s not showing it.

How dangerous can it be to be an NBA mascot? David West accidently sent the Cavaliers mascot moondog to the hospital with an eye injury. How have you been taken by the mascots in the PRO A?
I haven’t really seen any mascots but if I did I probably just didn’t pay attention to them but having mascots can always be a good thing especially for the younger kids. as for the NBA mascots those guys are out there doing all types of crazy stuff so yea I think it is dangerous but they’re doing something they love.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?
The last movie I watched was Billy Madison one of my favorite Adam Sandler movies .

Thanks Darryl for the chat.