Pic credit: JHoffmann

For German Anton Kemmer (198-F-2008), coming in second place on the basketball court was like second nature to him the last years. He knew exactly how crappy that felt just like the Buffalo Bills did in the 90´s losing in 4 Super Bowls. He like teammate Fin Borczanowski had suffered some brutal loses in the last 2 years and it all didn´t happen in a tough atmosphere, but in their home town of Berlin at the JBBL and NBBL top 4 tournaments. Last season he lost in the semi finals to FC Bayern Munich 83-63, but severe heart break had already surfaced 2 years ago when he was in the JBBL (U-16) final against the EWE Baskets Juniors Oldenburg. It was the perfect David and Goliath scenairo where you had the overwhelming favorite with Alba Berlin against the massive underdog from Oldenburg. Oldenburg was the more energetic team that should of slammed the door shut in the second half, but allowed Alba Berlin to come back. Oldenburg led 74-72 and Alba Berlin had the last shot from Jona Drucke, but it fell short. “The final against Oldenburg was a very tough loss especially after we had made a major comeback in the semi-final. We were really motivated to win the AST title at home. That JBBL loss was one of my most bitter loses ever”, remembered Anton Kemmer. But his tough losing streak actually went further than just the last two seasons. “Fin and I talked about our loses the last years before the AST final. We actually once finished second at a tournament in Switzerland and also were second at the U-14 championship. It was simply awesome to win this title after all that we have gone through. It was my first gold medal. It was really nice winning it with great fans and such cool boys”, stressed Anton Kemmer. After so many tough loses together and finally a title, it is only logical that Borczanowski and Kemmer have a special relationship. “We have a really good connection. We are the Alba duo in the national team”, smiled Anton Kemmer.Pic credit

pic credit: JHoffmann

Germany played Bahrain first and used it as a warm up destroying the Asian team 116-59. Germany totally controlled the boards 55-31 and had 6 players score in double figures led by Lucai Anderson with 16 points. “Having a weaker opponent like Bahrain was good for our self-confidence. We were able to see how well we could play with each other. We were able to gain experience and play freely”, stated Anton Kemmer. Jamie Edoka had a solid first game scoring 11 points and filled the stat sheet and was on his way to becoming one of the best players in the tournament. “Jamie has this special power to the rim with his drive. He also has good shooting qualities. He has such good athleticism that teams couldn´t defend him”, remembered Anton Kemmer. Germany next faced Slovenia and had their toughest challenge of the tournament. Germany started slow and had to play catch up basketball for most of the game. Germany picked up the intensity in the fourth quarter at both ends and won it with the masterful game winner by Jamie Edoka. “We learned in that game was that we have to keep playing no matter the circumstances. We showed in that game that if we keep up the pace then they will get tired and miss shots.We1took the momentum then and turned the game around and always stuck together”, said Anton Kemmer. Edoka closed out the game with a pretty step back jumper on the baseline where the basketball God let it bounce around on rim and back board before finally rolling in. “We wanted someone to take the last shot closer to the rim. It felt like 5 seconds when the ball bounced around on the rim. It felt like 5 minutes before the ball went in. I was watching from the bench. When it went in we all went crazy”, stressed Anton Kemmer. Germany controlled the boards again 41-33 with 16 offensive rebounds and had 4 guys score in double figures. Lucai Anderson was top scorer with 16 points and nailed big three´s when Germany needed it in their come back. Caspar Vossenberg added 13 points and was one of those silent hero´s during the tournament stepping up in so many ways. “Caspar showed how good of a driver and scorer was and had great athleticism. His play always gave us energy and we relied on him producing”, stated Anton Kemmer. Germany next faced Turkey where many Turkish fans showed up adding to a beautiful atmosphere. Germany was in control in the first half, but had a horrible third quarter being outscored 24-4, but retreated in the fourth quarter demonstrating that they can flip the switch at any time exploding for 29 points and winning easily 95-80. “That was a really cool game. I had the most highlight in that game including some cool dunks with one flying through the zone. The game was similar to the first Slovenia game with the only difference that we made them tired a lot earlier”, said Anton Kemmer. Germany once again dominated the boards 44-26 and offensive rebounds 20-8 and shot a potent 46% from outside. Germany was led by Lucai Anderson with 26 points and had 4 players in double figures. Fin Borczwanoski had a solid game of 113 points, but was in the shadow of Lucai Anderson´s brilliant scoring game. “ Fin has a cool head. He had good drives and hit big shots. He was always aggressive and made big plays”, commented Anton Kemmer.

pic credit: JHoffmann

Germany then faced Sweden in the fourth game and won 91-56. After a tight first quarter, Germany then played consistent ball in the last 3 quarters averaging 22 points and allowing only 11 points on the way to a comfortable victory. Germany led by as much as 35 points and won the rebound duel 61-32. They also forced them to 6/37 shooting from outside. “We showed our dominance against Sweden. They had a high pace and shot the ball a lot. We never let up and just keep attacking and running. We never allowed them to get into the game”, added Anton Kemmer. Germany spread the love around with scoring once again totaling 5 players in double figures led by Edoka´s 15 points. Orange Academy big man Felix Kiehlneker had a great game of 12/13. “Felix brings a lot of energy and has a good touch around the basket. He is very athletic and gave us great support on the rebound”, remembered Anton Kemmer. The German domination continued against Japan winning 103-78. After a tight first quarter, Germany then exploded for 62 points in the second and third quarters paving the win. “Japan was small, but played very aggressive. They were a real mental monster. No matter how far behind they were in the game, they never stopped fighting. But our physicality, size advantage and overall skill set were better”, expressed Anton Kemmer. Germany was led by Caspar Vossenberg with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again easily 61-32 with 20 offensive rebounds. Germany was 5-0 and now met Brazil in the semi-finals. Was any one going to stop them? Germany witnessed a tight scoring first half leading 51-50, but stepped it up in the third quarter exploding for 31 points and took it up another notch in the last frame with 39 points winning 121-98 “That was a real shoot out. We had crazy shooing and possession percentages. We expressed so much self-confidence in that game. Even if they defended really well for 20 seconds, we still were able to hit 3 three´s in a row”, remembered Anton Kemmer. Anderson and Edoka combined for 47 points as Anderson led all scorers with 26 points. “He is a great shooter and just keeps firing away. He has really good ball handling off the dribble and always confident. He has the ability to hit high percentage shots”, said Anton Kemmer. Germany won the rebound battle again 40-24, shot 42% from outside and only coughed up the ball 9 times.

pic credit: JHoffmann

The final was a close battle against Slovenia. Germany led 46-38 at the break, but in the second half Slovenia led briefly until Germany got the lead back and never looked back despite winning the second half only 41-37. “We were so motivated to win. We wanted it more. We always got support from the bench and are energy on defense was so high. We left it all on the court. William Dopfer made a big rebound at the end. Every player did their part to 110%. It was a team win as always”, stressed Anton Kemmer. Germany was led by Edoka with 17 points and had 4 guys score in double figures and won the rebound battle again 49-36. ”Our biggest strength was having a deep bench and every player had the ability to score, but also play together. Other teams didn´t have our depth”, commented Anton Kemmer. After the win, coach Alan Ibrahimagic was greeted with a massive shower in the dressing room. There was a team dinner and then most guys were on their way home except for Anderson and Dopfer who left Sunday to travel back to the states. The German who lists player Alessanco Vazquez Dos Santos of Brazil as the player that impressed him most during the tournament and Anid Pasic of Slovenia as the most annoying who trash talked like a champion had a solid tournament averaging 6/4 in 14 minutes per game “It was an Ok tournament for me. Some games were better than others. It wasn´t always easy getting the ball as we were guard dominated. I did a good job bring energy. My play wasn´t great and not bad”, stressed Anton Kemmer. He played against 5 different nations and against the best youth players on earth which helped his game make another step. “I learned that I could play hard against guys in my age group and stick with guys with similar skill seta s mine”, expressed Anton Kemmer. It was the first time that he played for head coach Alan Ibrahimagic and was able to learn so much in such a short time. “He played a very modern basketball with running and attacking and kicking. We were able to finish the play quicker instead of letting the play continue. We simply had the freedom to play”, remembered Antom Kemmer. It will be interesting to see where Anton Kemmer´s journey will go in the next few years. However for now he is totally focused on helping Lok Bernau win the Pro B title and get Alba Berlin back to the NBBL Top 4 as well as fighting for easyCredit BBL minutes.