The Slim playoff hopes of the Dragons Rhondorf were still alive with 3 games remaining, but they were 2 wins away from the last spot, but really wanted to secure their place for next season in the Pro B. An untimely 6 game losing streak in 2026 didn´t help their fight, but as of late their 2 game winning streak was definitely refreshing. The Dragons Rhondorf had a must win in their next home game against doormat Vechta 2. The club that helps develop young Germans had had a tough season and came into the game with a 4-18 record and had lost 6 of their last 7 games. However they had some confidence coming into the Dragon´s living room having won their last game at home against the EN Baskets Schwelm. Rasta Vechta played a strong first quarter, but the Dragons Rhondorf took control of the game in the second quarter and never looked back winning 76-70. Rhondorf was led by the potent big man duo of Dujmovic and Sadikovic who combined for 36 points and 25 rebounds. “It was an average game for us. We had good phases where we played aggressive defense and good offense, but also bad phases where we were lost, but all in all, we stayed together in the end and won and that is what was important”, stressed Dragons Rhondorf guard Kenan Reinhart. Rasta Vechta 2 fought the whole game and even cut it down to 7 points in the fourth quarter, but just couldn´t get over the hump. “We had a solid first quarter, but allowed too many offensive rebounds and open shots in the second and third quarters. I´m proud though that we didn´t give up and fought to the end”, stressed Rasta Vechta 2 American AJ Sumbry.

Benjamin Sadikovic at the FT line

The first quarter had a few runs, but after 10 minutes the Dragons Rhondorf had the slim 22-21 advantage. Rasta Vechta 2 got off to a rapid start leading 8-2. American AJ Sumbry who is playing in his 9th country overseas scored 5 points while 2022 JBBL finalist Roy Krupnikas hit a trey. The ball movement and energy of the guests was on par while Rhondorf was a bit sluggish and still figuring things out. But Rhondorf then got going with a 11-2 run with better spacing and got the pick and roll going as the Spanish magician Jorge Mejias hooked up twice with ex Oberaching big man Benjamin Sadikovic (208-PF-2003) with 2 dunks. Ex Neustadt forward Duje Dujmovic also made a trey and Kenan Reinhart an off balance shot for the 13-10 lead. The guests then found their offensive rhythm and got good support from young Irish center Etinosasere Ehoghae with 2 baskets, but the Dragons Rhondorf punched back with a Reinhart trey and Dujmovic basket to tie the game at 18-18. Rhondorf continued to attack the rim with a Dusan Ilic lay in and Dujmovic scored on transition as Mejias fed him his fourth assist of the game. “We couldn´t crack Vechta´s pick and roll defense in the first minutes, but then got on track with Mejias and Sadikovic. We then concentrated more on our defense”, stated Kenan Reinhart. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 47% from the field and 33% from outside and had 10 rebounds and 2 turnovers while Rasta Vechta 2 shot 44% from the field and 25% from outside and had 11 rebounds and 4 turnovers.

Roy Krupnikas from outside

The turning point of the game came in the second quarter where the Dragons Rhondorf got away from Rasta Vechta 2 allowing only 8 points and led comfortably 45-29 at half-time. The Dragons Rhondorf took charge right away going on a 14-4 run to extend their lead to 35-26. In the run Jorge Mejias took a break from his strong playmaking and pretty dimes and instead penetrated to the rim 3 times in a row that led to free throws and 2 lay in´s. Role player Lagui Diallo also was aggressive and scored twice on the drive including a reverse lay up and Sadikovic made a tip in. The Dragons aggressive defense led to contested shots and steals that helped them take charge of the game. 3 free throws by 2024 NBBL champion Moritz Gruess stopped the run, but Rasta Vechta 2 just couldn´t muster any offense as Rhondorf had no down phase, but finished the first half strong with a lethal 10-0 run. Dujmovic showed just how dangerous he can be as he let his inside out game sparkle with 7 points while Ilic made 3 points. “Sumbry had foul trouble and was on the bench. We wanted to take advantage of our size. Dujmovic really dominated and took charge”, added Benjamin Sadikovic. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 50% from the field and 30% from the three point line and had 22 rebounds and 5 turnovers while Rasta Vechta 2 shot 31Y% from the field and 23% from the three point line and had 20 rebounds and 11 turnovers.

Epke Kruthaup at the FT line

Rasta Vechta won the third quarter 16-14, but couldn´t make any ground on the Dragons Rhondorf as they were still able to execute solidly to lead 59-45 after three quarters. Kenan Reinhart got the Dragons Rhondorf on the board first in the second half with a lay in in traffic. Before the season began, Reinhart was mainly labelled as a three and D player, but he warned that he wanted to improve other phases of his game and did with the drive, mid range and playmaking. “I gained weight which helped my physicality as well as practicing with the BBL team helped my drive. I see I made a step forward there and since my double double of points and assists, I realized also that I got better with passing”, commented Kenan Reinhart. Young German 17 year old talent Epke Kruthaup found his range from outside nailing 2 three´s, but Rasta Vechta 2 still trailed 49-37. The Dragons Rhondorf continued to hold their double digit lead, because they continued to make good decisions and execute well as Reinhart made the perfect pass to Sadikovic for the dunk and then hit a floater for the 53-37 lead. Roy Krupnikas had a tough first half with only 3 points, but in the latter half found his range dropping 2 three´s, but Rasta Vechta 2 couldn´t gain any ground because Mejias and young German Carlo Schmid made baskets to lead by 14 points after 30 minutes. “The third quarter has often been our worst quarter this season, but in the last games, we came out strong and we did that again tonight”, smiled Kenan Reinhart. “I was in foul trouble. When I´m out, it really limits our size. They took advantage of that as their bigs got easy baskets and got free throws”, stated AJ Sumbry. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 46% from the field and 23% from the parking lot and had 35 rebounds and 9 turnovers while Rasta Vechta 2 shot 31% from the field and 33% from the parking lot and had 30 rebounds and 13 turnovers.

Kenan Reinhart with the runner

In the fourth quarter Rasta Vechta 2 still had energy to make one last push and cut the Dragons Rhondorf lead to 7 points, but could never get over the hump. Jorge Mejias began the fourth quarter with a 20 footer as Rhondorf led 61-45 and it didn´t seem like they could let the guests come back. But Rasta Vechta 2 still had some extra gas in their tank going on a 8-2 run to trail only 61-54. Rasta Vechta 2 attacked the rim as Krupnikas scored twice including once with his left hand, 2025 Pro B champion Joel Lungelu made a left handed lay in and German Moritz Dresing scored on transition. Rhondorf had no aggressiveness with their 1-1 defense allowing easy scores. However the Dragons Rhondorf stopped the run getting some vital buckets as Mejias made a runner and Dujmovic a lay in for the 66-56 lead. Rhondorf would annoy Rasta Vechta 2 time in and time out with their aggressive work in the paint with scores and offensive rebounds. Gruess and Reinhart then traded three pointers, but Rhondorf still led 69-59. Rhondorf continued to get super production from Sadikovic who was a real work horse as he was relentless on the glass getting a lay in and put back for the 74-63 with 2 minutes to play. Time was running out, but the guests never lost faith going on a timely 6-0 run to trail 74-69 with 31 seconds to go. Sumbry, and Lungelu free throws and a Krupnikas lay in were made. But Rhondorf took good care of the ball and Reinhart nailed free throws to secure the victory. “We were too relaxed in crunch-time and thought we had the win. We realized the game wasn´t over and closed out the game well”, said Kenan Reinhart. “I´m proud how we fought to the end. We played with urgency and stopped their second chances and hit big shots. We just came up a bit short”, added AJ Sumbry. The Dragons Rhondorf were led by Duje Dujmovic with 20 points. Benjamin Sadikovic added 16 points and 18 rebounds and Jorge Mejias had 11 points and 9 dimes while Rasta Vechta 2 were led by Roy Krupnikas with 17 points while AJ Sumbry added 14 points and Epke Kruthaup had 13 points. The Dragons Rhondorf shot 42% form the field and 24% from outside and had 51 rebounds and 15 turnovers while Rasta Vechta 2 shot 36%