How often does one hear those famous words in sports with “what could have been”. The Fraport Skyliners had game 2 in their hands with 20 seconds to go and the last shot, but couldn´t execute as ex Carleton guard Aiden Warnholtz missed. Frankfurt could of wrapped up the series against Jena tonight, but instead entered the game with the series tied at 1-1. Frankfurt should of won game 2, but also had problems with foul management allowing Jena 35 free throw attempts. In game 3, there was a new dimension in the series as whoever won game 3 would have a match ball in Jena on Friday night. Both teams had a few days to watch film and make the needed adjustments as game 3 shifted back to Frankfurt and this time the Fraport Skyliners stepped up their defense to another level and fans witnessed the Coplin and Muenkat show as they nailed the big shots whenever the team needed it winning 74-63 over Jena and 2-1 series lead. “It was huge for us to react the way we did tonight after allowing 35 free throws in game 2. We were physical, but at the same time kept our identity and played smart. We defended very well and often held them to low in the shot count. We were efficient on offense and our defense allowed us to have extra possessions with their 22 turnovers”, expressed Fraport Skyliners guard Booker Coplin (191-G-1997, college: Augsburg, agency: BIG). Medipolis SC Jena never had a consistent flow on offense as the Frankfurt aggressive defense forced them to more 1-1 play and to many turnovers which allowed Frankfurt to control the game for the most part. “If you have 22 turnovers and only 7 assists, then it will be difficult to win. We had difficultly getting open shots and took too many contested shots. Frankfurt did a good job getting open shots and Muenkat pushed them with his three´s. We just didn´t have enough to get over the hump”. Stressed Medipolis SC Jena forward Stephan Haukohl.

Justin Onyejiaka at the FT line

3,050 people were in the Skyliners living room and observed a very hard fought first quarter as no team led by more than 6 points. Both teams found to their rhythm quickly whereas Jena was playing very physical and got going by ex Skyliner Rasheed Moore who scored twice and always seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder against his old team. The Fraport Skyliners did a super job moving the ball and finding the cutters and extra passes for easy hoops inside as German Justin Onyejiaka made the dunk from the extra pass by Booker Coplin and Coplin made the lay in with the extra pass by David Muenkat. Ex Schwenningen center Jacob Knauf also got hot scoring twice including an old school hook shot, but the game was tied 8-8. The three´s weren´t falling well for both teams, so boht concentrated trading buckets inside. Haukohl and Colorado native Alex Herrera scored inside while Frankfurt got to the free throw line well. Frankfurt was defending aggressively and forced Jena to 6 turnovers, but couldn´t profit too much leading 18-16 after 10 minutes. California native Ife Ajayi scored a floater to close out the first quarter. “It was important for us too stay patient early. We didn´t want to do too much and just stick to the game plan. They are a talented team and we were focused to try to wear them down”, stated Minnesota native Booker Coplin. The Fraport Skyliners shot 38% from the field and 20% from outside and had 7 rebounds and 1 turnover while Medipolis SC Jena shot 58% form the field and 0% from outside and had 7 rebounds.

Amir Hinton

In the second quarter the Fraport Skyliners were able to break open the game in fine Skyliner fashion with explosive and efficient offense while on defense they continued to defend with passion. A technical foul by Joshiko Saibou and 3 free throws by Bruno Vrcic gave Frankfurt a rapid 4 point play and 22-16 advantage. However Jena didn´t let that burst of power deter their game as sharp shooter Vuk Radodjicic who once hit Alba Berlin for 48 points and FC Bayern Munich for 35 points in a NBBL game nailed a trey as Frankfurt led 22-19. Ex G-League player Amir Hinton who is a freak athlete made a left handed lay in and Coplin a lay in to Keep Frankfurt ahead 24-21. Then came the turning point of the game which would give Frankfurt the big lead and one that they would never relinquish in the game as they produced a lethal 21-8 run to close out the second quarter with a severe bang and 45-32 advantage. The run was started by back to back three´s by Muenkat and Onyejiaja for the 30-21 lead. Frankfurt´s offense was in a flow while Jena was playing that 1-1 play and contested game that they weren´t going to beat Frankfurt in any way with. Frankfurt continued to overpower Jena as now their three´s were falling as Muenkat struck 2 more times for the 40-25 lead. Booker Coplin continued to be a force at both ends as he made a steal and drove home the two handed dunk and on the next play lifted the perfect lob pass to Knauf for the hard 2 handed dunk. “I couldn´t really see his dunk as my defender was on me, but I´m looking forward to watching that dunk on film”, smiled Booker Coplin. Radojicic closed out the second quarter with another big three pointer at the buzzer. “When we get steals and can run, then we are all happy and having fun. We built the momentum in that run and that fed of everyone”, said Booker Coplin. The Fraport Skyliners shot 47% from the field and 42% from the three point line and had 15 rebounds and 4 turnovers while Medipolis SC Jena shot 41% from the field and 22% from the three point line and had 17 rebounds and 12 turnovers.

Kevin Mcclain from down town

In the third quarter Medipolis SC Jena made a massive run, but it wasn´t big enough to get over the hump, but they still trailed only by 7 points after 30 minutes. Ex Carleton guard Aiden Warnholtz began the third quarter with a trey to give Frankfurt the overwhelming 48-32 lead. But then Medipolis SC Jena really turned up the intensity which carried their offense which was led by Mr 1-1 Amir Hinton who brings that NBA flair to the court. He scored 4 times with each bucket more difficult and pretty than the one before. He had no problems taking on contact and finished with ease in traffic. “I always like to watch Hinton operate. He has acrobatic finishes and we really needed that from him at that moment”, added Stephan Haukohl. Jena also received 4 points from Rasheed Moore and free throws from Virginia native Blake Francis as suddenly Frankfurt led only 48-46. Jena really had come back through great individual plays while Frankfurt couldn´t find that sweet offensive flow from the first half. But they finally did get some energy and aid and finished the third quarter strong with a 7-2 run to lead 55-48. Frankfurt´s depth once again helped as the second unit gave support. 2 time NBBL champion Bruno Vrcic scored as did ex Indiana State (NCAA) guard Cameron Henry. “We came out flat and didn´t get any good looks. Shots weren´t falling”, comemented Booker Coplin. “We got 1-2 easy baskets and some stops in our run. We did a good job, but only for 5 minutes. It wasn´t enough”, expressed Stephan Haukohl. The Fraport Skyliners shot 37% from the field and 29% from the parking lot and had 25 rebounds and 6 turnovers while Medipolis SC Jena shot 41% from the field and 17% from the parking lot and had 31 rebounds and 18 turnovers.

Rasheed Moore at the FT line

In the fourth quarter Medipolis SC Jena continued to fight, but couldn´t cut Frankfurt´s lead down any lower than 7 points as Frankfurt simply executed too well on offense and Jena was unable to get over the hump. The Fraport Skyliners got on the board first with a massive Ife Ajayi dunk after he had missed a dunk on the previous possession. Haukohl then suffered a technical foul which Bruno Vrcic iced with free throws and the 58-48 Frankfurt lead. Jena then got 5 points from the sniper Radojicic, but Frankfurt always had an answer as Muenkat and Vrcic nailed three´s for the 64-53 lead. “Vrcic works so hard. It´s really a joy to watch his hard work pay off”, said Booker Coplin. Jena got buckets from Hinton and Moore, but once again Frankfurt had an answer as Knauf made 4 free throws and Coplin a trey for the 71-57 Frankfurt lead. Frankfurt continued to play consistent defense and just wanted to play strong until the end. Jena couldn´t get stops while time was running out. Hinton scored 2 more times and Moore while Coplin hit another three pointer to close out the game. “Our second unit came in and did a good job. We wore them down. Defense wins championships”, warned Booker Coplin. “Frankfurt played consistent defense. We were too one dimensional. They knew what we were doing and read our game well. They took away our inside game and we played into their hands”, expressed Stephan Haukohl. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Booker Coplin and David Muenkat with 16 points a piece while Medipolis SC Jena was led by Amir Hinton with 21 points and Rasheed Moore with 15 points. The Fraport Skyliners shot 38% from the field and 36% from outside and had 33 rebounds and 11 turnovers while Medipolis SC Jena shot 43% from the field and 19% from outside and had 37 rebounds and 22 turnovers.