The moment that TV Langen had been working diligently for 9 months had finally arrived and it could happen in their own living room. TV Langen needed 1 win to secure the Regionalliga South West title while the Seburg College Wizards Karlsruhe had a do or die game and wanted to get back to their living room on Sunday. Both teams had fought their way to the final having disposed of Lich and Schwenningen. In game one, fans in Karlsruhe had seen a very exciting overtime game that was won by TV Langen 79-76 thanks to an incredible performance by young German guard Leon Fertig. He really came alive in the playoffs averaging 27,0ppg. The Seeburg College Wizards Karlsruhe needed a great defensive performance again which they had displayed in the Schwenningen series where they allowed only 57ppg. On a cool Friday evening, the College Seeburger Wizards displayed a great defensive performance, but TV Langen was double greater, no triple greater disposing them 61-47 and winning the Regionalliga South West title. TV Langen had defended incredibly all season long, but they saved their best for last allowing an average of only 12 points per quarter and that coupled with their special heart and will was the difference. “We just wanted it more than they did. We had such a great team. This organization is run so professionally. We played with so much heart and will. I´m so happy we beat the best team in the league. Even without Leon Fertig who is the best player in the league, we still beat the best team in the league”, smiled TV Langen guard Drago Crnjac. The College Seeburger Wizards came into the game with their backs to the wall and fought hard, but shots didn´t fall like usual, plus they had to play pick up basketball all night long which is difficult to do in Langen. “Langen was the better team for 80 minutes. They have a great coach and made no mistakes on defense. They took advantage of our mistakes and it was tough to match their physicality”, stressed College Seeburger Wizards guard Stefan Ilzhoefer.

Niklas Pons at the FT line

The Georg Sehring gym was packed and fans saw 2 very ambitious and hungry team give all they had one more time on the defensive end and it showed quickly as contested shots didn´t fall and turnovers occurred. In the first 4 minutes, both teams traded buckets as three´s weren´t falling so both teams attacked the rim. Both teams seemed a bit nervous as both had problems executing their offense against aggressive defenses. Both teams did have some fortune on the offensive end as TV Langen got vital aggressiveness and support from German Michael Agyemang. Pons and ex Aschafenburg German Aminu Abibu while Karlsruhe got buckets from Germans David Scheu, 2016 Fiba Europe Cup winner Stefan Ilzhoefer and Canadian Tarig Eisa.. Both teams then hit their first three´s as young German Luca Eibelshauser and 27 year old French guard Luca Lenior connected, but TV Langen still led 10-9. TV Langen held their noses in front getting a big lay in by ex Frankfurt guard Pons and a trey from the heart and soul Maxim Schneider who was in his 13th season with the club. He had recently become a dad and wasn´t supposed to play, but did. “It meant so much for me to paly this game. When we went down in 2015, it was always a goal of mine to move up again. It was great being able to beat such a great team. Our coach Tobias Jahn pushed us so hard”, said Maxime Schneider. The College Seeburger Wizards also got some needed production from Vincent Zurawski with a lay in and a 20 footer by Lenior to trail TV Langen only 16-13 after 1 quarter. “It was a defensive game. Both teams didn´t risk much and shots didn´t fall”, stated Skyliners assistant coach Sepehr Tarrah. TV Langen short 37% from the field and 50% from outside and had 13 rebounds and 7 turnovers while The College Seeburger WizardsShot 37% from the field and 14% from outside and had 8 rebounds and 5 turnovers.

Lucas Lenior to the hoop

In the second quarter the game remained a defensive battle, but in the latter half, TV Langen was able to get away a bit as the ex Frankfurt connection stepped up as The College Seeburger Wizards trailed 34-26 at the break. Lenior started off taking some of that momentum he garnered at the end of the first quarter hitting a 15 footer as TV Langen led only 18-15. However the game would prove to be a game of runs from now until the end as TV Langen punched with a mini 4-0 run as ex Frankfurt players Devin Jacob and Risto Vasiljevic made lay in´s for the 20-16 advantage. However the guests punched back with a 4-0 run by Eisa dead locking the contest at 20-20 who made 2 lay in´s and showed that he had learned a lot playing at 5 schools in North Americaa including Regis (NCAA2). The College Seeburger Wizards played transition and were aided by TV Langen not being calmer in the set offense. Karlsruhe took some of that momentum made by Eisa as ex Trier guard Vincent Hennen made a trey for the 24-22 Karlsruhe lead. However TV Langen finally broke out and exploded on a 10-0 run to grab the lead back and lead 32-24. It was the ex Frankfurt connection of Pons and Vasiljevic who led the way as Pons added 7 points and Vasiljevic a trey. TV Langen heightened their aggressiveness on offense a few gears while The College Seeburger Wizards couldn´t match their intensity at both ends. Ilzhoefer finally stopped the run with a lay in, but Vasiljevic pulled out a Nowitzki step back jumper from the wing sending TV Langen into the break with a 8 point lead. “Vasiljevic really understands the game well and knows how to make plays. He is already a great shooter. He really should be playing at the Por B level”, commented Sepehr Tarrah. TV Langen shot 43% from the field and 33% from the three point line and had 23 rebounds and 9 turnovers while the Seeburger College Wizards shot 33% from the field and 13% from the three point line and had 20 rebounds and 7 turnovers. “Frankfurt defended the basket really well. Karlsruhe was a little unconcentrated. Pons and Vasiljevic took over in the run. They are very experienced and made plays”, stressed Sepehr Tarrah.

Risto Vasiljevic from down town

TV Langen kept control of the game and lead, but had to experience a run by the Seeburger College Wizards late in the third quarter, but were able to punch back and have the more comfortable 45-37 advantage after 30 minutes. Agyemang began with a trey and Eisa countered with a pretty floater but TV Langen still had the 36-28 advantage. Now there were a few minutes where no team scored and TV Langen really had their worst scoring quarter of the game and the guests took advantage of it going on a 8-2 run to suddenly only to trail 38-36. In the run the Seeburger College Wizards got an off balance shot by Scheu and big buckets from their experienced guys Hennen with a trey and Ilzhoefer with a lay in. However this lethal run didn´t faze TV Langen as they never got scared being punched, but punched back ending the third quarter with a vital 7-1 run and 7 point lead going into the last 10 minutes of the game. In the run, they got a transition basket off a steal and lay in by Agyemang, free throws by Abibu and a clutch trey by Drago Crnjac. Crnjac had been cold the whole night being 0/6 until he finally connected. “Despite me being cold, all stuck behind me. That three pointer was so important for me. That first half may have been my worst ever. When I saw that first one go in, I knew the fourth quarter would be good”, smiled Drago Crnjac. TV Langen shot34% from the field and 20% from the parking lot and had 35 rebounds and 12 turnovers while the Seeburger College Wizards shot 31% from the field and 15% from the parking lot and had 32 rebounds and 13 turnovers. “We beat them twice, but we knew they would come back. We didn´t give them momentum. Our fans helped us so much”, expressed Drago Crnjac.

Stefan Ilzhoefer at the FT line

In the fourth quarter, TV Langen didn´t give the Seeburger College Wizards any reason to make another run as they began hot and managed the lead well and stuck together winning the title in style. TV Langen commenced with a 8-2 run to extend their lead to 53-39. In the run, TV Langen spread the love around nicely getting an off balance shot from Crnjac, a lay in from Agyemong, a lay in by Abibu and an acrobatic shot by Pons. The circus shot by Pons should of warned everyone in the arena that nothing would hold back TV Langen now from winning that chip. The Seeburger College Wizards had problems taking care of the ball and did get to the free throw line twice, but Spaniard Michael Acosta made only 2 free throws TV Langen´s defense was at it´s best in the fourth quarter as Crnjac made 2 steals and Agyemang a block. Karlsruhe didn´t make it´s first field goal until the 2,35 minute mark as Acosta made a lay in as it was too late as TV Langen led 54-45. TV Langen then slammed the door shut on the Seeburger College Wizards as Crnjac made a lay in and Pons hit 3 free throws for the 59-45 advantage. The champagne was getting ready to be enjoyed in Langen. Zurawski added a floater while Crnjac scored on a back door lay in. Both teams let the last seconds trickle down as pandemonium followed with the TV Langen fans. “Risto said in the time out to us, we are going to play our best in the last 4 minutes. He is a great leader with Pons. It wasn´t about the x and o´s anymore, but it was our will and heart that gave us the win”, warned Drago Crnjac. “I´m really proud of guys like Pons, Vasiljevic and Crnjac. Some played for me in the Pro B. This is good for the region. I still have good relations with all of them”, said Sepehr Tarrah. TV Langen was led by Niklas Pons (192-SG-1999) with 17 points. Michael Agyemong and Drago Crnjac added 10 points a piece while the Seeburger College Wizards were led by Tarig Eisa with 11 points. TV Langen shot 36% from the field and 20% from outside and had 45 rebounds and 17 turnovers while the Seeburger College Wizards shot 29% from the field and 11% from outside and had 39 rebounds and 17 turnovers.