With 2025 here, the Pro B was in full swing again. The Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors got off on the wrong track losing in Oberaching while the Ahorn Camp Baskets Speyer rebounded from their loss in Rhondorf before Christmas beating top team Leitershofen. It has been an up and down season for Frankfurt as they came into the game riding a 6-7 record, while the Ahorn Camp Baskets Speyer continue to make strides as they have improved the last seasons and this season are near the top of the Pro B South sporting a 8-5 record. After a slow start to the season losing 3 in a row, they have continued to build on their chemistry. This game was the battle of the guards DJ Woodmore who has been a top guard in the Pro B and scored 40 points this season against Bruno Albrecht who hit for 36 points this season and had 8 three´s in 3 consecutive home games this season. However on this night the Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors didn´t need Albrecht´s pinpoint 3 point shooting as Felix Hecker (193-SF-1998) stepped up with 22 points and 4 other players stepped up scoring in double figures as Frankfurt showcased an offensive explosiveness routing the Ahorn Camp Baskets 100-67. “We showed a very good reaction tonight after the bad loss in Oberaching last weekend. We came out right away with good energy and played strong defense which led to transition baskets. We moved the ball very well against their zone and never let it bring us out of rhythm”, stated Skyliner Ivan Crnjac. Speyer was without veteran Christoph Rupp, but even with him wouldn´t of had much of a chance as when Frankfurt is totally on, they can beat any team in the Pro B. “Frankfurt came out shooting well and every player was playing at a high level. We were always a step slower on defense. That allowed them to get many open shots”, stressed Ahorn Camp Baskets guard DJ Woodmore.

Jamie Edoka at the FT line

Both teams found a rapid rhythm right from the start as there were 6 lead changes. Frankfurt did a super job getting big Malick Kordel involved as he made back to back dunks and scored 8 points in the first minutes. Speyer shared the ball well getting a trey from Spanish guard Carlos Hidalgo, a 15 footer by German David Aichele an d a mid distance shot from DJ Woodmore as Frankfurt had the slight 8-7 advantage. But Frankfurt then ran away on a 19-7 run to lead 27-14 after 10 minutes and would never look back again. Frankfurt showed how explosive their offense can be and tightened up their defense and became more aggressive. Frankfurt played superb inside out basketball. 16 year old Jamie Edoka conducted the offense very well including getting 3 baskets and a dunk. Kordel got another lay in and long injured German Marvin Esser made a bucket right off the bench. “It was important for Marvin´s self confidence. It is nice that he got the trust from coach. He had 5 rebounds at the break. He was a big help”, stated Skyliner Junior Fabian Baumgarten. Speyer´s offense turned static and they just were unable to match Frankffurt´s intensity. 2016 AST winner Philip Hadenfeld dropped a trey as did Felix Hecker at the buzzer. The Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors shot 61% from the field and 40 % from outside and had 13 rebounds and 4 turnovers while the Ahorn Camp baskets shot 33% from the field and 40% from outside and had 6 rebounds and 4 turnovers. “Frankfurt came out with a lot of energy and attacked Speyer´s flat defense. They also did a good job getting Kordel involved. We had a good offensive rhythm and forced Speyer to tough shots”, stated Frankfurt Skyliner Junior Fabian Baumgarten.

Benjamin Hoehmann with the floater

In the second quarter the Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors continued to execute very well on offense and defend solidly being able to increase their lead to 23 points at half-time. Frankfurt didn´t waste anytime continuing their offense party strutting out on y 15-7 run taking the 42-20 advantage. In the run it was the walking bucket Felix Hecker who took over scoring 7 points, but it was also Jamie Edoka who did a good job finding his spots scoring 7 points as well. One could say it was the Hecker and Edoka show. Speyer´s lack of defensive intensity played perfectly into the cards of Frankfurt´s offense. Frankfurt led by 20+ points and then like so often when one is leading by much lost some focus and allowed the guests to go on a 9-2 run to trail 44-27. In the run it was ex Hanau forward Marco Djordevic who added 6 points. He was by the far the most aggressive Speyer player and was able to get to the free throw line whenever he wanted to. However Frankfurt found out of their funk and punched back and finished the second quarter with a lightening 10-4 run to lead 54-31 at the break. In the run it was universal genius Ivan Crnjac who scored twice and Bruno Albrecht hit a trey. “Frankfurt played with structure and together. They hustled well and rebounded better than Speyer. Frankfurt played well against their zone. They had a little lapse in the middle, but closed the quarter strong”, said Fabian Baumgarten. The Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors shot 65% from the field and 45% from the three point line and had 27 rebounds and 9 turnovers while the Ahorn Camp Baskets shot 31% from the field and 18% from the three point line and had 15 rebounds and 4 turnovers.

bruno Albrecht with the fade away jumper

In the third quarter the Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors continued to control the game and defended solidly and led by 29 points after 3 quarters. Djordevic and Kordel traded baskets to start the second half, but Frankfurt still led comfortably 56-33. Then came a little lapse by Frankfurt as Speyer produced 5 stops and got 5 points as German defensive stopper Dennis Diala made a lay in and DJ Woodmore a lay in as Speyer trailed 56-37. But Frankfurt found their offensive rhythm again going on a 9-2 run to extend their lead to 65-39. In the run Frankfurt got 5 points from Hadenfeld and 2 baskets inside from Kordel. Speyer tried to mix it up with their press, but to no avail as Frankfurt executed again the way they know how. Frankfurt was a one man wrecking crew to the third quarter buzzer as it was all Felix Hecker who adcded 10 points. He added 2 three pointers, a lay in on the coast to coast sprint and a beautiful finger tip roll. Speyer couldn´t muster much offense in this phase as they got all their points from Djordevic who added 8 points. He made 2 lay in´s and continued to be aggressive getting to the free throw line. Frankfurt had the comfortable 76-47 lead after 3 quarters. They continued to manage the lead well, while Speyer was at the bottom of the hill and their trek up to the peak seemed miles away. “We wanted to come out with more energy, but we had some let ups on defense. We had some problems with Djordevic. I tried to front him, but he got easy baskets. We found to our game on offense”, added Ivan Crnjac. “When your down by 20 + points, you play desperation ball. We were unable to get 2-3 consecutive stops. Then they hit shots and bang the lead was up at 22-24 points again”, commented DJ Woodmore. The Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors shot 63% from the field and 47% from the parking lot and had 38 rebounds and 15 turnovers while the Ahorn Camp baskets shot 32% from the field and 13% from the parking lot and had 24 rebounds and 6 turnovers.

DJ Woodmore from downtown

The game was decided and both teams executed well on offense as Frankfurt won the quarter 24-20. Speyer had another good start as they cruised out on a 7-0 run to trail 76-54. In the run, the guests got back to back baskets from Woodmore and Aichele and Djordevic hit free throws. Frankfurt finally got on the board at the 7,43 minute mark as Hadenfeld made a pretty floater. Speyer continued to execute well on offense as Aichele and Pepe Lahr connected on three´s. Frankfurt executed well as well as Ivan Crnjac showed that he can score in bunches as he made 3 baskets including a runner on transition, a trey and dunk on transition as Frankfurt led 90-61. Frankfurt did a good job keeping up their intensity and Speyer fought and didn´t wilt like a flower. Both teams looked at the end of the bench and put in little used Germans Julian Haskins and Joshua Kreilein. Kreilein scored a basket and Julian Haskins made 2 three pointers and the second one was for 100 points. “I was happy for Julian. We all jumped up from the bench after he made both. These minutes were important for his confidence. It was good experience for him”, said Ivan Crnjac. Dusan Nikolic also added a fancy lay in spinning and spinning. “The spin move was nice. It was funny to watch from the bench. We all celebrated him from the bench as well”, expressed Ivan Crnjac. “We played for pride. We fought until the end. We freelanced a bit. Some guys hit shots, but it wasn´t enough”, stressed DJ Woodmore. “We played concentrated until the end. I´m happy that Esser and Haskins contributed so well. It was a great game for our team chemistry” added Ivan Crnjac. The Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors were led by Felix Hecker with 22 points. Malick Kordel added 17 points and Ivan Crnjac 15 points while the Ahorn Camp Baskets were led by Marko Djordevic with 19 points while David Aichele added 12 points. The Frankfurt Skyliners Juniors shot 66% from the field and 52% from outside had 45 rebounds and 20 turnovers while the Ahorn Camp baskets shot 34% from the field and 165 from outside and had 32 rebounds and 8 turnovers.