Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

AJ English Supplies Magic Hands Again Powering The Fraport Skyliners Past The Giessen 46ers 65-61

Playing against the big 3 B´s of Bamberg, Berlin and Bayern Munich are the season highlights not only for the Fraport Skyliners, but for every other club in the easyCredit BBL, but battling the Giessen 46ers in the Hessen Derby each season would easily come in as a close fourth as the  most anticipated games each season. The two cities Frankfurt and Giessen are only 65 kilometers apart and both clubs possess special fans that get extra motivated for the two season duels each season. Giessen fans won´t forget the last game in Giessen as almost two months ago, the Giessen 46ers finally won in their living room against the Fraport Skyliners again something they hadn´t done since 14 years dating back to 2002. The last time Giessen was able to depart the court in Giessen with a win, current Giessen Americans Dwayne Evans and Justin Sears weren´t even in high school yet. In the memorable victory on November 19th, the Giessen 46ers gave their best defensive performance of the season as they held the Fraport Skyliners too only 52 points while they were led by Canadian national player Thomas Scrubb who steered home 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals to the historic win. This coming summer his brother Philip might carefully kid him that that loss might not have happened had he not been injured, but then again the Scrubb brother mentality never centers about them, but moreover what the team can do or not. The Fraport Skyliners entered the contest with a two game winning streak having celebrated big wins on the road in Jena and Tuebingen including an amazing buzzer beater by ex Iona(NCAA) guard AJ English while the Giessen 46ers came into the game having last suffered a tough 87-83 road loss in Vechta. Once again fans had to wait again for the professional head to head battle debut of the Scrubb brothers, but that didn´t damper the breathtaking Hessen derby atmosphere as 5,002 fans were in the loud Fraport arena witnessing a classic game that the Fraport Skyliners were able to grind out in Crunch time 65-61 getting their third win in a row in the BBL.

After the victory, the Fraport Skyliners practiced their first Humba ceremony which is to get on the floor and get up and dance around something hat the team practices on occasion after a home win. American Kwame Vaughn who has gained professional experience in countries like Italy, France, Belgium and Israel and learned the basketball game at Cal State Fullerton the same school that produced explosive ex BBL player Bobby Brown looked a bit confused and perturbed after the Humba victory dance had been completed. “The Humba was new for me. I had never seen something like that before. I think having a dance like that is engaging for the fans. You can see something like that in the NCAA, but it depends on the school. We did a good job in this game staying the course, fighting hard, executing which allowed us to come out with a win”, stressed Fraport Skyliner guard Kwame Vaughn. Giessen 46er Thomas Scrubb couldn´t repeat his strong effort from the first game against Frankfurt and scored only 9 points this time around and was disappointed by the team effort, but enchanted by the breathtaking atmosphere in the Fraport arena. “Our offense wasn´t great. We didn´t get in a flow on offense and our shots weren´t falling and we didn´t get out on transition. Our defense was ok, but we made a few mistakes and they capitalized on them which cost us the game. The atmosphere was great and one could feel the passion of the fans. I really felt the intensity in the arena and it felt good coming down at the end”, added Canadian national player Thomas Scrubb. “The atmosphere was great. I wish it could be like that in every game. I am thankful that I could be a part of it, but most important was that we got the win”, explained ex Iona(NCAA) guard AJ English.

(more…)

Aaron Nelson Leads The Dragons Rhondorf Past The Uni-Riesen Leipzig 86-76

In the past years the Dragons Rohndorf have had some very tight games in the Pro B against the Giants Nordlingen and Hebeisen White Wings Hanau, but in two contests, the Dragons lost by one point in two exciting and tight affairs and in both games American Cardell Mcfarland was instruemental for leading his teams past the Dragons Rhondorf. Back in the 2013-2014 season, Mcfarland who was playing his second professional season after playing in Romania was tearing up the German pro B that led him to being second in scoring and assists after the season. Against Rhondorf, Mcfarland steered the Giants Nordlingen past Rhondorf 73-72 as the American hammered home 26 points and in the 2014-2015 season, the last time Mcfarland visited the Dragon Dome, he helped lead Hanau to a 65-64 victory as he had 13 points. Last season Mcfarland played in England for Bristol and started this season with the Sheffield Sharks on a short term contract and moved to the Uni-Riesen Leipzig with the hope of being their season savior. “I feel like I’m just the missing piece of the team. My main goal is to lead another team in Germany into the playoffs. Show my leader ship abilities no matter what situation I’m in I can win. Obviously if we win I will be a huge part of that and individually success will come. I also want help the younger guys on the team reach they full potential and hopefully the get better from me being around”, stressed Cardell Mcfarland. Mcfarland was back in Rhondorf a little more than two years after helping Hanau beat Rhondorf and was looking to up his career record against Rhondorf to 3-1 while the Dragons Rhondorf were looking to take their momentum from the big 87-63 win against FC Bayern Munich and continue to defend with a passion and play with character and start of 2017 with a bang and did winning their second game in a row holding off the Uni-Riesen Leipzig 86-76 who lost their second game in a row. Mcfarland was unable to find to his old lethal scoring ways in the Pro B finishing with 10 points and two assists and shot 40% from the field, but teammate Terrence Billups isn´t worried about the American breaking out and finding back to his old habits. “We had a seven man rotation which was tough, but we didn´t come to terms with their zone defense. Mcfarland is good for us. He is smart, experienced and controlled. He brings the toughness and game IQ that we need. It was only his first game with us, he will do just fine”, warned Terrence Billups. The team mentality of the Dragons Rhondorf seems to be on a healthy way again and the club showed against the Uni-Riesen Leipzig that when they play together on both ends of the court, they are able to beat anyone in the Pro B. The Dragons Rhondorf as usual had a big production day from Aaron “the big dawg” Nelson, but also got quality games from Michael Lucier and Viktor-Frankl-Maus as well as solid minutes from Patrick Reus and Anton Geretzki. “We played hard and focused. In the past games where we were struggling, we were thinking too much, but tonight we played hard, had fun and made the right decisions. We knew that Mcfarland is a good player and that he could change the game. We stayed focused on him for 40 minutes and didn´t give him anything easy”, stated Canadian Michael Lucier.

(more…)

Skyler Bowlin (Gießen 46ers) We Feel Like We Still Have A Lot To Prove In The Second Half Of The Season

Skyler Bowlin is a 27 year old 190cm guard from Paragould, Arkansas playing his sixth professional season and first with the Gießen 46ers.  Last season he played for the Sodertalje Kings (Sweden-Basketligan) playing FIBA Europe Cup: 12 games: 10.8ppg, 2.3rpg, 4.9apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 58.8%; Swedish Basketligan: 42 games: 14.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.3apg, Steals-5(1.6spg), FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 78.3% He played with Horsens IC (Denmark-Ligaen) from 2012-2015 winning the league title and cup. As a rookie he played for BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-Pro A) playing 28 games: 12.4ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.3apg, Steals-2(2.0spg), FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 34.7%, FT: 80.5% and then played with Ringwood Hawks (Australia-ABA): 18 games: 18.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.7apg, 2.8spg, 2FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 80.5%. He started his basketball career with Missouri So. (NCAA2) in 2007 until 2011 playing  atotal of 118 games and as a senior played 31 games: 18.1ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.7apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 82.7%. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Skyler thanks for talking to German Hoops. The Christmas season has come and gone and in the past you have seen it in places like Austria, Denmark and Sweden. What did you really enjoy from this years Christmas time in Germany?

Theres not much like Christmas in Germany. The Christmas Markets are of course always a lot of fun to go and visit so that was probably the best part about Christmas here.

You are playing your first season with the Giessen 46ers and currently the club is currently in eighth place with a record of 8-8. What is your summary of the team season so far?

I think if you would have asked a lot of people before the season if they thought we would be in the playoff hunt halfway through the season they would have thought you were crazy. However, as a team we know that we are very dangerous when we play our style and can compete with anyone. We have had a lot of close games against top teams that we let slip away so we feel like we still have a lot to prove in the second half of the season.

(more…)

Jervon Pressley (Dresden Titans) You Are Only As Good As Your Last Performance

Jervon Pressley is a 21 year old 203cm forward from Charlotte, North Carolina that is playing his rookie season in Germany with the Dresden Titans. He started his basketball career in 2011 with Towson (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 3.6ppg, 3.0rpg. In 2013 he moved to Hampton (NCAA) playing 21 games averaging 6.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 43.8%, FT: 56.9%. In his junior year he played 32 games averaging 6.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 44.3%, FT: 54.5%. As a senior he played 27 games averaging  6.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 46.7%, FT: 53.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about the first few months of his rookie season.

Jervon thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 75-61 win at home against the Hamburg Towers. How much of a release was it getting that 10 game losing streak monkey off your back?

It was a great release for the club and the long loyal supporting fans.

This was the best defensive performance of the season. Why do you feel did it take so long to defend consistently for 40 minutes?

I just feel as if everything is coming into play, we have a new coach and a new defensive philosophy, took time to adjust but everyone bought in so we could go into this break and new year with a win. “You are only as good as your last performance”.

(more…)

Thomas Scrubb (Gießen 46ers) Upholds The Low Key Manner And High Level Play In The Scrubb Family

Almost eight months ago a tall young man that looked like he could have just come from a long Caribbean trip or had fallen asleep under the tanning machine was in the Fraport arena and really stood out from the rest of the spectators as he was the tallest in his seating area. One might not have right away come to the notion that he was related to Fraport Skyliner Philipp Scrubb, but the Carlton University sweat shirt that he was wearing and his dark tint could have been the needed hint that these two people might be related. Six days after his rookie season had ended with Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) where he had poured in 26 points in a loss to BC Nokia, The tall figure that was roaming the Fraport arena was in fact Thomas Scrubb the older brother of Philipp and was in Germany watching his brother play a game. After the Fraport Skyliners had easily disposed of the 2004 Fiba Europe Cup winner Mitteldeutscher BC 89-61 and Philip Scrubb had contributed four points and four assists, both brothers met after the game and had some brief small talk before the younger brother went to the fans to give the obligatory post game autographs. When one observes the two Canadian brothers who made watching basketball so much more enjoyable in the last five years at Carleton(CIS), Philip seems like he could moonlight as a ball boy at an NBA game getting balls for the players and being too shy to answer after getting asked a question or an altar boy who attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying and ringing the altar bell and just standing by the side of the priest like a loyal dog does his master. Thomas on the other hand could easily moonlight as a fitness trainer as his seemingly perfect looking body would be destined for that job or as a model gracing the cover of Fitness magazine. Even if Philip could get lost in the shuffle of a group of basketball players walking down a hall and Thomas rather be asked what the easiest weight lift plan could be instead of what the correct and easiest method is too getting a rebound, once these two brothers slip on their jersey´s and lace up their sneakers and step on the basketball court, they are in their perfect world and everyone would experience that their passion and biggest strength is basketball. One thing that stands out with both players, is their low key demeanor that seems to be cemented inside them as firmly as a new laid down drive way. There is no cockiness or self adulation present in their characters and that reflects their play as they display pure unselfishness on the court. Last season Philip explained how their parents set them on the right path to how to deal with success the correct way. “If you do a good job on the court then you feel good internally”, explained Philip Scrubb.

(more…)

David Sturner (Dresden Titans) We Are Now Starting To Trust Each Other And Do The Little Things It Takes To Be A Great Defensive Team

David Sturner is a 206cm power forward/center playing his second season in Germany for Pro A  team Dresden Titans He started his basketball career with Oregon State playing 13 NCAA games and then moved to S.Oregon (NAIA) and as a senior played  31 games: 14.6ppg, 9.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 56.2%. He started his professional basketball career with the West Adelaide Bearcats (Australia-Central ABL) before coming to Germany. Last season for Dresden he played 27 games averaging 13.1ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 31.7%, FT: 65.4%. This season he is averaging 17,3ppg, 8,3rpg and 3,0apg. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 75-61 win against the Hamburg Towers.

David thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the big 75-61 win at home against the Hamburg Towers. How much of a release was it getting that 10 game losing streak monkey off your back?

My pleasure Miles, always great to talk with you! Thank you, I think it was very important for us to get that win going into the break. Not so much to end the losing streak, but to put us in the right direction heading into the second half of the season.

This was the best defensive performance of the season. Why do you feel did it take so long to defend consistently for 40 minutes?

I think we had focused a lot on pushing the tempo against teams and getting quick shots that often times put us in bad spots on defense. Since coach Flynn has been with us, our focus is defense, and we are now starting to trust each other and do the little things it takes to be a great defensive team.

(more…)

Larry Gordon (SC Rasta Vechta) Derrick Allen Gives Me Hope As A Basketball Player

Larry Gordon is a 29 year old 196cm forward that is back in Germany having signed with SC Rasta Vechta. He started the season with Sonic Boom KT (Korea-KBL) playing 19 games averaging  14.9ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 51.3%, 3FGP: 35.6%, FT: 82.1%. Last season he played with the  Eisbaeren Bremerhaven playing 33 games averaging 10.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 57.8%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 84.3%. The American played a total of 101 games for Phoenix Hagen from 2012-2015 leading them into the playoffs once  He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NCAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie) playing 36 games and averaging 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) from 2010-2012 before coming to Phoenix Hagen in 2012. Larry Gordon has been a regular for German Hoops as he gave his 40th interview for the website.

Larry thanks for talking to German Hoops Welcome back to Germany. When I say 36/22 do you have any idea what I am referring to?

I have no idea!

Well let me clear up the math lesson and tell you that 36 stands for the minutes you played in a 75-67 win in Vecta 3 years ago where you led the team with 22 points. What do you remember about the breathtaking atmosphere in the Rasta Dome?

It’s small and loud, with a great fan base.

How excited are you to be playing in Vechta? How big is this challenge for you coming and trying to get Vechta back to winning ways?

I’m very excited, I’m back in Germany which is like a second home for me. This will be a very big challenge for me given the situation but nothing I haven’t experienced before.

(more…)

Jevohn Shepherd (Proximus Spirou Charleroi) I Feel I Am Approaching My Prime Still Learning And Adding Things To My Game

Jevohn Shepherd is a 30 year old 196cm forward from Toronto, Canada playing his seventh professional season and first with Proximus Spirou Charleroi (Belgium-Euromillions League). He started his basketball career with Michigan in 2005 where he played until 2009 playing a total of 115 NCAA games. He started his professional basketball career in 2010 with the Halifax Rainmen (PBL): 11 games: 8.5ppg, 2.5rpg, FGP-1(71.4%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 63.2%. In the 2010-2011 season he moved to Europe to Germany to play with the  GiroLive-Ballers Osnabrueck (Germany-ProA) 20 games: Score-2(20.2ppg), 6.1rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 70.9%, in March’11 moved to Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 15 games: 4.7ppg, 2.1rpg. In the 2011-2012 season he moved to Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden (Holland-Eredivisie) playing  EuroChallenge: 11 games: 8.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 37.9%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 76.5%; Dutch League: 34 games: 13.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 74.1%. In the 2012-2013 season he went to CS Municipal Bucuresti (Romania-Division A): 33 games: Score-4(18.7ppg), 4.2rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 75.7%. In the 2013-2014 season he played for Paffoni Omegna (Italy-Lega Due Silver) playing 33 games: 18.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 79.5%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Sigma Barcellona (Italy-A2 Gold) playing 27 games: 17.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 73.0%. Last season he started with Openjobmetis Varese (Italy-Serie A): 5 games: 5.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, 2FGP: 33.3%, 3FGP: 22.2%, FT: 83.3%; FIBA Europe Cup: 2 games: 3.0ppg, 1.5rpg, 1.0spg, in Dec.’15 moved to Consultinvest VL Pesaro (Italy-Serie A) 19 games: 9.4ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 72.0%. German Hoops spoke to Shepherd before a Basketball champions League game in Ludwigsburg.

Jevohn Welcome back to Germany. You are in Ludwigsburg now playing here for the first time with  Proximus Spirou Charleroi (Belgium-Euromillions League. Did you make any new years basketball resolutions that could come into effect in Ludwigsburg?

Danke Schön., No real resolutions other than continuing to improve into the new year.

It seems like ages since you last played for the then Deutsche Bank Skyliners. Since then you have played three years in Italy, in Romania and Holland. Have you been back to Germany over the years besides when you played Eurochallenge against Oldenburg and BG Goettingen?

It does feel like years as I started my professional career in Germany. Unfortunately I have not been back to visit but have very fond memories of my time in Germany as well as some of the great people I met while there.

(more…)

Tony Meier (CEZ Basketball Nymburk) Poland Was The Turning Point In My Career Where I Realized I Could Make This A Long Term Profession

Tony Meier is a 26 year od 206cm forward from Wildwood, Missouri playing his third professional season and first with CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). He started his basketball career in 2008 with Wisc.-Milwaukee (NCAA) where he played until 2012 playing a total of 118 NCAA games and as a senior played  27 games averaging 11.0ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 68.1%. He started his professional basketball career in 2013 with Frankston Blues (Australia-SEABL): 3 games: 18.7ppg, 5.0rpg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 23.1%, FT: 75.0%. He then came to Europe and played the 2013-2014 season with Vitoria, SC / M.Couto Alves Guimaraes (Portugal-LPB) playing 33 games averaging  14.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 82.0%. In the 2014-2015 season he played for Polpharma Starogard Gdanski (Poland-TBL) playing 30 games averaging 14.1ppg, 6.2rpg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 82.0%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Champions League game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Tony thanks for talking to German Hoops. 2017 is here and have you made any basketball new years resolutions?

Thanks so much for talking with me as well. The new year is definitely an exciting time and I was fortunate enough to have a pretty decent holiday break this season but our team had a great start to the year and finished strong right before the break as well so I just hope to keep that momentum going and do everything we can to make it a great full season.

You are playing your first season with CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic-NBL). You are playing for the best basketball team in the Czech Republic. What is the best example that shows you that this is the countries most prestigious team?

I am definitely lucky and grateful to be a part of an organization of this caliber. From the first day I arrived here in Nymburk the management and staff has been nothing short of professional. Walking into the gym and seeing all the championship banners on the wall from the past 13 seasons made me feel proud to be here and it’s just exciting to be a part of. Our fans are great and each and every opponent in the Czech league shows up to play their best game of the season against us, which I take as a compliment and a welcome challenge.

(more…)

DJ Bennett (Mitteldeutscher BC) Our Commitment To Each Other And Our High Work Ethic Has Separated Us From Other Teams

DJ Bennett is a 203cm forward from Chicago, Illinois that is playing his second professional season and first with the Mitteldeutscher BC. As a rookie he played with the BSW Sixers Sandersdorf (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 18 games averaging 15.3ppg, 8.7ppg, 2.3bpg, FGP: 66.9%, FT: 67.9%. He started his basketball career with Indian Hills CC (JUCO) and moved to Oklahoma (NCAA) in 2013 where he stayed two years playing a total of 61 NCAA games and reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2015. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

This was your second time in Germany and you once again took in the pre Christmas time. You spent last season in the small Sandersdorf and this season in Weissenfels. What have you learned to appreciate about this time of year in Germany?

Being in this part of Germany much like Sandersdorf I’ve learned to appreciate the fans, they always go out of their way to keep showing is support and having small events for us for the holidays, the fans are definitely a big part of this teams success.

Basketball life is very good in Weissenfels as the Mitteldeutscher BC is dominating the league at 15-1. Is everything perfect in MBC country?

I am grateful to be part of such a great team but it’s a long way from perfect, we always have small things that we can do better and we compete every day in practice to make sure we are ready for whoever we face next, I think what separated us from others teams is our commitment to each other and our high work ethic.

(more…)