The last two times when the Fraport Skyliners and s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg have met they have given the word defense a new meaning the same way ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant could easily have a new middle name as MVP or  New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig point guard Dennis Schroder has given the word NBA prospect a new meaning this season with his rapid development. In the last two games, both teams were only able to score 221 points combined and Frankfurt averaged only 55 points in the two game battle and Wurzburg only 55 points.  The last time that the two teams tangled in Wurzburg, fans witnessed a hard fought battle as no team was willing to give up until the siren sounded. In a game where there were 42 turnovers and steals combined, the only thing missing was the dirt and dust from the ditch and ex Air Force cadet squadron 8 member Jacob Burtschi roaring commands filling in for the infantry, but instead was the master on defense leading the Fraport Skyliners with four steals.  Both teams returned back for a third showdown and didn´t disappoint in the intensity and fight until the end as the Fraport Skyliners got revenge from their loss at home earlier in the season and were able to win the second round of the battle of Wurzburg 60-57. Quantez Robertson was able to depart the floor in Wurzburg as a winner again and saw a distinct difference to last seasons game. “Last year the game was very tight here. Last season they had quick guards that could get to the rim easier while this season, they had guards that shot well from outside. I think that this win was tougher than last years. I love these type of games, because it gets you ready for the playoffs. When you play this aggressive every night, things come easier to the team than when you don´t play aggressive”, stressed Fraport Skyliner forward Quantez Robertson.  New York native Jason Boone fouled out late in the game and knew the reason at the end why Frankfurt prevailed. “Both were tough games here the last two seasons. Frankfurt was even more aggressive this game. I felt that they had a deeper rotation than we did. WE had to play more minutes. It came down to who wanted it more and that was Frankfurt”, added 2010 Eurochallenge winner Jason Boone. “I don´t want to have another defensive battle against Wurzburg again. I would rather win by 15 points. I don´t want any grey hair yet, I am too young for that”, smiled Devin Gibson. Ex Wurzburg American Rickey Harris was at the game supporting his ex team and also had round one of the battle of Wurzburg on his mind. “I remember the game lasts eason as no team that could score. It was a total defensive game. Jimmy Mckinney was knocking down shots in the second half and Jermareo Davidson was blocking shots. It was a huge game and huge win for Frankfurt”, commented Ricky Harris.

It has almost been 49 months since the then rookie Frank Robinson last played a Beko BBL game against the Frankfurt Skyliners as he had arrived late in the season to the EnBW Ludwigsburg having played 8 Euroleague games for Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) and started the season with the Atlanta hawks in training camp tangling with guys like Michael Bibby or Mario West and getting pointers from head coach Mike Woodson. Back in March 2009, when he made his Beko BBL debut, he scored two points in 10 minutes and already then got a taste of how Frankfurt can defend when they want to as his team mustered only 58 points. Robinson had to tangle with a Titus Ivory or Keith Simmons and watched how the muscular bodies of Anthony King and Kelvin Gibbs who seemed twice as wide as Jeff Gibbs battle underneath. Since his rookie season, the California native who had a stellar career at Cal. State Fullerton and was a teammate of Bobby Don´t be cruel Brown went on to play in countries like Israel and Georgia. He played twice in the Eurochallenge in the 2010-2011 season against Frankfurt where he experienced the penetration magic of Dashaun Wood. Last season, he was supposed to head to the Artland Dragons, but the transfer folded at the last second. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg are already his third team this season after having played for  Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-TBL), left in Nov.’12: Euroleague: 7 games: 7.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2FGP: 40.7%, 3FGP: 26.9%, FT: 50.0%; Polish TBL: 8 games: 5.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 23.8%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 68.8%, in Dec.’12 moved to Budivelnyk Kyiv (Ukraine-Superleague): Eurocup: 6 games: 3.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.0apg; Ukrainian Superleague: 9 games: 5.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 44.2%, 3FGP: 5.9%, FT: 46.7%. Most of the team from the Eurochallenge games from two seasons ago have come and gone except for captain Marius Nolte and the speedy Duracell battery bunny from Cincinnati Quantez Robertson who at times seems like he has been on full throttle on the court non stop since entering the Beko BBL in 2009. Robinson who was brought in to help compensate guard injury woes in the last months was playing his fourth game against Frankfurt as a professional and finished with five points and three rebounds and is happy about playing in Wurzburg, but was unfortunate that Quantez Robertson had his number in the game. “I love the city, we have  a great coach and is a good organization. I love my role, but I was not happy with my performance. If I would have played better than the 70% I gave, we would have won. Frankfurt did a good job keeping me out of rhythm. Robertson was a big reason why I only scored five points, but he got a lot of help from his teammates”, added Frank Robinson.

The Fraport Sklyiners arrived in Wurzburg having won five of their last six games and sprouting with a healthy self confidence. They came without German Danilo Barthel who was suffering back problems since the Bremerhaven game, but the club knew exactly what to expect and did a super job with their game plan and didn´t allow the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg to take them out of their game. Fraport Skyliner point guard Dawan Robinson was not fit and played only 13 minutes and couldn´t be the dominant player he was the last weeks, but the team showed that they can win without a top scoring game from the Philadelphia native. “This was a real intense game and very physical. WE stuck together and it felt really good to win this game. They are a very good defensive team, but so are we. The team didn´t need me so much tonight and that is a good thing. It is always good when other guys can step up from the bench. Devin Gibson did a great job on defense and controlling the tempo”, explained Dawan Robinson. Ryan Brooks had a slow first half, but picked it up in the second half and was thrilled by the effort of the team. “They did a good job closing out on me in the first half and I passed up some shots, but I got more aggressive in the second half and started taking shots. We knew it would be a battle against the best defensive team in the league. Everything worked for us at the end staying smart on defense in a very high intensity game. This game really tested our mental toughness. I felt this was the biggest win since I have been here and we can continue to build on that”” expressed ex LTi Giessen 46er Ryan Brooks. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg came into the game riding a four game winning streak and knew what to expect and played a great game, but in the end just weren´t able to catch the Fraport Skyliners napping in key situations. “The fans saw two good defensive teams. We came into the game with a lot of self confidence, but couldn´t make shots at the end. I tip my hat to Frankfurt who have been fighting for their lives and have continued to win”, added Atlanta native Lamont Mcintosh.

The Fraport Skyliners jumped on the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg quickly in the first quarter taking a 6-2 lead. Zack peacock connected on a step back jumper and Quantez Robertson hit a pull up jumper and Peacock hit free throws. Both teams were playing very aggressive defense and the turnovers were happening on a high rate and both teams had to play a more contained offense not risking too much as the intensity level was high. Wurzburg roared back on a mini 4-0 run as Jason Boone showed that he is a lot faster than his big body shows as he spun around Peacock for an easy lay up and 6 time Czech title winner Michael Lenzly hit a jumper as the game was tied at 6-6. Two strong three point snipers Laquan Prowell and Michael Lenzly than traded three pointers as the game was knotted 9-9. Frankfurt got some extra momentum in the last minute closing out the first quarter with a 6-0 run. Peacock made an easy put back inside and Quantez Robertson nailed a three pointer over Alex King. “It was a tight game, but the Skyliners had the better rhythm. Every point was important in a low scoring game”, stressed basketball expert Steven Clauss. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 50% from outside while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 36% from the field and 20% from outside. Frankfurt had the 9-4 rebound edge, but five turnovers while Wurzburg had three turnovers.

The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg came out in the second quarter reborn going on an explosive 9-0 run to take the 18-15 lead. Mcintosh connected on two jumpers, Alex King made a three pointer showing his high rainbow and Dwayne Anderson made a steal and dunked. “Frankfurt passed on many open shots electing to bring the ball inside. A Jason Boone was in the way and it is difficult to run him over. Frankfurt wasn´t making good decisions”, stressed Steven Clauss. The game remained very tight in the second quarter as the Fraport Skyliners were able to retain the lead, but lose it at the end. The Fraport Skyliners had to fight for every basket as Peacock made a pretty hook shot over Anderson and had some fortune that Boone came over one tick to late on the helpside and Robinson made a lay up getting by Boone as Frankfurt led 21-18. Boone and Peacock then traded baskets as Frankfurt still led 23-20. Wurzburg then outscored Frankfurt 6-5 to take a 26-25 lead into halftime. Ex Bremerhaven center Chris Mcnaughton scored inside and Frank Robinson spun around Skyliner captain Marius Nolte for a tough lay in with his left hand. Prowell and Mcnaughton then traded baskets as the second quarter ended. “Frankfurt lost their rhythm a bit in the second quarter and Wurzburg had a better flow in the offense”, stressed Steven Clauss. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 48% from the field and 22% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 45% from the field and 33% from the three point line. Frankfurt led the rebound duel 15-9, but had nine turnovers while Wurzburg had six turnovers.

The third quarter remained razor sharp as there were four lead changes and no team led by more than four points. After Boone made two free throws, Frankfurt made a mini 4-0 run as Peacock made a difficult shot in traffic shoveling the ball into the hoop somehow with his left hand and Ryan Brooks made his first field goal as Frankfurt led 29-28. Wurzburg was able to retake the lead again and lead 34-30 Michael Lenzly dropped another three pointer and ex Villanover forward Dwayne Anderson scored inside. Zach Peacock scored inside showing his immense working qualities inside and Brooks tied the game at 34-34 with a free throw. Brooks then scored a jumper and Prowell made a put back as Frankfurt led 39-36. Wurzburg tied the game with Mcintosh and Lenzly free throws at 39-39. Robertson then suffered a technical foul, but all Wurzburg could do was get two Mcintosh free throws for the 41-39 lead. Frankfurt could have had the lead after 30 minutes, but missed four consecutive free throws from Peacock and Brooks. Peacock dunked at the end of the third quarter getting served from a silver platter from Dawan Robinson as the game was dead locked at 41-41 after 30 minutes. “No team was able to pull away. Brooks was able to find his game more, because Wurzburg was concentrating more on Peacock which gave open space for Brooks. Boone getting his fourth foul hurt Wurzburg”, said basketball expert Steven Clauss. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 41% from the field and 23% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 21-18 rebound edge and both teams coughed up the ball 14 times each.

In the fourth quarter Mcintosh and Robertson traded three pointers as the game was tied at 44-44. Then a few minutes went by as no team could muster any points, but fans saw the second airball by Alex King in the game and Chris Mcnaughton blocked a Quantez Robertson dunk. Muli Katzurin than inserted captian Marius Nolte for Zach peacock giving him a rest and Frankfurt responded with a lightening 6-0 explosion as Ryan Brooks and Quantez Robertson hit back to back three pointers as Frankfurt led 50-44 and they would never trail again in the game. But Wurzburg kept the game exciting as they didn´t allow Frankfurt to pull out the lawn chair as they kept fighting back and pressuring Frankfurt. Lenzly set up Boone for a powerful dunk off the penetration cutting the Frankfurt lead to 53-48. With less than three minutes, Wurzburg still had energy and big shots prepared in their arsenal as Dwayne Anderson hit a clutch bomb form outside as Frankfurt led only 53-52. Gibson and brooks then connected for free throws as Frankfurt led 56-52. However as if Frankfurt hadn´t learned earlier in the game of the shooting deadliness of Lenzly, the 2012 Olympic participant dropped a huge three pointer as Wurzburg trailed 56-55. After Robinson free throws, Wurzburg struck back with 18 seconds to play as Dwayne Anderson went hard to the hoop got his own offensive rebound and made a put back as Frankfurt led 58-57. Peacock then drowned insurance free throws for the 60-57 lead. Wurzburg had one last offensive play and Frankfurt elected not to foul and Lenzly was blocked by Peacock on a step back jumper got the ball back and kicked the ball to the open Mcintsoh who tried to bring the game to overtime, but was denied with his three pointer. “That last shot felt wonderful. I took it with a lot of confidence to take the game to overtime, but it just happens that not all shots go in. Frankfurt made their free throws at the end. I felt that we made enough plays, but just not at the end to win”, stressed Lamont Mcintosh.  “Our defense was key at the end. We did a great job helping on the rotations and switching on the pick and role. They took hard shots at the end and we locked down on offense”, added Dawan Robinson. “The last two minutes was like March Madness. There was so much intensity where every play mattered and one could feel it everywhere on the floor. We did a good job keeping composure for 40 minutes and limiting them from running and getting easy buckets”, added Devin Gibson.

The Fraport Skyliners were led by Zach Peacock with 21 points on seven for nine shooting. One can almost say give Zack the ball and all is good. “Peacock played like  a grown man tonight. Boone is a monster, but he kept his composure and showed the type of player that he is”, added Dawan Robinson. “Peacock was hard to stop. We slowed tempo down too much to help his game in the half court. He always possess match up problems. He hit his jumpers and is a very underrated center in the league”, added Jason Boone. “I really had to work hard on defense. I love to guard the pick and role and the little guards. I love those challenges”, commented Zach Peacock. Ryan Brooks added 13 points and Quantez Robertson had 11 points. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were led by Michael Lenzly with 13 points. Dwayne Anderson produced 11 points and Jason Boone contributed 10 points. Despite the low scoring game, the Fraport Skyliners finshed with 47% shooting from the field and 42% from outside showing that they were picking their spots and taking good shots. Frankfurt also won the rebound battle 29-27 and forced Wurzburg to 15 turnovers. After the win, there was a very reflective Marius Nolte who was thrilled for another big win, but also a bit sad with the whole timing. “The way that we have played recently and compared to earlier in the season is like two worlds. I always had the hope that we could develop like this, but I am a bit unhappy that it happened so late. It is great how Brooks and Prowell fit into the team and the emergence of Robinson. We have shown now that we can fight out of tough situations. This season has been even tougher mentally than last season. We are sticking together now and we continue to be on a good way”, warned Marius Nolte. The Fraport Skyliners welcome the EWE Baskets Oldenburg next weekend.