After ending 2013 with a five game losing streak and being crushed shortly before Christmas 93-69 in Langen with the German twin tower duo of Danilo Barthel and Johannes Voigtmann and the playoffs at that stand point as far away as Uli Hoeness visiting his wiener factory in Nurnberg for some time, the Fraport Skyliners  Juniors jumped out of the gates in 2014 in a very focused manner going on a eight game winning streak mostly without a healthy core of their regular Beko BBL license players and slipping into the playoffs. However their amazing winning streak was halted on the last game day in Lich a week ago as the team traveled to the small rural Hessen town a jump down the country road from Giessen with only a six man rotation and looked as helpless as a tattered abandoned cow who had been put on a blindfold from annoying carnival visitors looking for a joke. In the last season game, Frankfurt brutally was beaten 77-39 as Beko BBL head coach Gordon Herbert who has been hit hard this season with injuries needed Max Merz, Jan Novack and Nikolai Vuckovic in Ludwigsburg. The Juniors only had two regular contributers with Canadian Bryson Johnson and German Tim Oldenburg and the remaining four being bench and NBBL players. Despite this last regular season hardship, the players in that game surely got a valuable learning experience and with the 2014 Pro B playoffs to commence, the Juniors were back in their BCM living room with the usual roster that they have had in that eight game winning streak and were as focused to start the playoffs against Eintracht Stahnsdorf as cute humming birds battling for the sweetest tune on the first warm pre spring day and as NBA legend Phil Jackson is to starting new sweet history with the New York Knicks. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were informed shortly before the game that starting point guard Max Merz would not play, but be rested for the Beko BBL game on Sunday against FC Bayern Munich. Despite Merz missing, the roster was fuller than the six in Lich. “I was happy to have a full team again. But too look back at that game in Lich, there was a reason for only having six players. Injuries and having our Regio team playing at the same time didn´t allow us to have more players. I was a little disappointed by the criticism we got for the six players we played. When the BBL team have a game at the same time and they have injuries than it is only natural that they have the double license players. The success we had in the second half of the season was with a reduced number of the BBL players. Danilo Barthel played one game and Konstantin Klein three games”, stressed Fraport Skyliners juniors head coach Eric Detlef.  Despite having a more full roster, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors suffered a bitter loss at home losing on a buzzer beater by American Richard Thomas, but that didn´t shed Canadian Bryson Johnson from having a twitch of humor in his voice after the loss. “It was great seeing some familiar faces on the court and having more than one sub”, smiled Nova Scotia native Bryson Johnson.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors entered the game with a very stellar 8-1 record in 2014 and were the team to beat in the Pro B South as their success was made with overall team play, some luck and just vast improvement within the young roster while not depending very much on many of the Beko BBL license player. Eintracht Stahnsdorf had a season of two faces as they finished the season with a 12-10 record and after having a 10-3 record in the first half of the season, they finished very poor losing seven of their last games on account of injuries and not getting added needed production from young Germans who didn´t have the needed experience in crunch time situations. Game one was a defensive battle where Eitracht Stahnsdorf picked up their game in the second half and were the better team, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors made a run at the end, but weren´t rewarded as New York native Richard Thomas won the game with a buzzer beater. “This was a very tough game that displayed good defense which resulted in low scoring. Both coaches were scheming against the other teams offense, but made the defensive stops at the end and came out with the win”, added Richard Thomas. “We found out late that Max Merz would not play and it is always difficult making an adjustment like that. We played good defense in the first half. We made the best out of this situation and all played hard, but we will have to execute and rebound better in game two. I held the ball a bit too long at times on the pick and the role and take full responsibility”, explained Bryson Johnson.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors got out of the gate quicker taking the 4-1 lead as defense had a big fat x on the menu of both teams. Jan Novak got Frankfurt on the board first with a left handed lay in which was followed by a mid distance jumper by Johannes Richter for the 4-0 lead. Stahnsdorf than got on the board AS German Robin Jorch was found inside by Richard Thomas. Nikolaj Vukovic then connected on a three pointer as Frankfurt had the comfortable 7-3 advantage after a few minutes. Then came a long ineffective period for both teams as Frankfurt was held scoreless for six minutes, while Stahnsdorf chipped at the lead making only free throws. Frankfurt also had some fortune that Stahnsdorf forward Kellen Williams missed a few easy put backs after securing some offensive boards. Vukovic closed out the first quarter with a runner in traffic and connected as the clock sound with Frankfurt leading 9-7. “It was a very defensive orientated game as both teams were playing good defense. Stahnsdorf missed some easy shots and I felt Frankfurt held the ball a bit to long at times”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Konstantin Klein. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 31% from the filed and 17% from outside while Eintracht Stahnsdorf was shooting 8% from the field and 0% from outside. Both teams had 11 rebounds. Frankfurt had three turnovers and Eintracht Stahnsdorf two turnovers.

The second quarter remained very tight where fans saw four lead changes and Frankfurt having the 23-20 lead at the break. Canadian Bryson Johnson gave Frankfurt the 12-9 lead dropping a big three pointer.  Ex Beko BBL player Tim Modersiski who played a combined 15 Beko BBL games for Oldenburg and Tubingen snuck inside for a back door lay up as Kellen Williams found him all alone. After David Scheffels made two free throws for the 14-11 lead, Eintracht Stahnsdorf retaliated going on a mini 4-0 run to take their first lead of the game 15-14. It was the two Americans Richard Thomas and Kellen Williams supplying the bucket treatment. Thomas and Vukovic than traded some baskets as Frankfurt held on to the lead 19-17. German Thomas Schoeps then hit a catch and pop jumper  to tie the game at 19-19. Johnson and Thomas then exchanged free throws. Johnson made an off balance jumper as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had the narrow 23-20 lead at halftime. “It continued to be a very low scoring game, but both sides were playing hard. The key after 20 minutes was that no one was giving up easy baskets”, stressed Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 30% from the field and 27% from the three point line while Eintracht Stahnsdorf were shooting 26% from the field and 0% from the three point line.Eintracht Stahnsdorf had the 20-19 rebound edge and only two turnovers while Frankfurt had five turnovers.

In the third quarter. Both teams found their rhythm better in offense as the shots started falling on a more regular basis in the first few minutes. Eintrach Stahnsdorf got  two pick d pop shots from Robin Jorch and an easy coast to coast bucket from Kellen Williams who functioned as a guard coming into  a passing lane and picking off an errand pass from Jacob Merz intended for Jan Novak. Frankfurt got a three pointer from Johnson as a Eintracht Stahnsdorf 10-3 run gave them the 30-26 lead. Eintracht Stahnsdorf came out of half time as the team with the more intensity and were more aggressive under the boards while Frankfurt had to work double hard for each shot. Frankfurt then got a flash of quick brilliance going on a 4-0 run  to retake the lead 32-30 as Tim Oldenburg and Jan Novak contributed with buckets. The last few minutes remained hard fought as Eintracht Stahnsdorf retook the lead again going on a 6-0 lead to lead 36-32 as Williams scored inside, Thomas made free throws and Thomas Schoeps grabbed an offensive rebound and made the put back. Williams then scored a lay in and made  a free throw making nine points in the third quarter. Frankfurt ended the third quarter strong with a 5-0 run to cut the Eintracht Stahnsdorf lead to 39-37 as role player German Jasmin Knothe broke the zone defense with a three pointer from the corner and Scheffels made a free throw. “We came out a little flat in the third quarter. We gave up a pair of Jorch pick and pop shots. Our biggest problem was our communication in should we hedge or ice on the screen. You can´t have mental lapses in the playoffs, because you can´t dig a hole and expect to come out. That bit us in the butt”, added Bryson Johnson. “Kellen Williams came up big. He always plays 110% on the court. He is a real fighter and just kept pushing. He is one of the most mental strong guys that I have ever played with. We also defended their pick and role better and got in the passing lanes”, added Richard Thomas. Eintracht Stahnsdorf was shooting 34% from the field and 13% from the parking lot while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 31% from the field and 28% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 28-27 rebound edge, but 10 turnovers while Eintracht Stahnsdorf had five turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, Eintracht Stahnsdorf seemed to shift up a gear and led by as much as six points, but one of the strong points of the Fraport Skyliners Juniors this season has been their fighting mentality and never die attitude as they would come back and let the game be decided with a last possession. The Fraport Skyliners also were a bit flat to start the fourth quarter as they allowed Eintracht Stahnsdorf to go on  a mini 4-0 run making a mistake on offense allowing Thomas a steal and coast to coast run and lay in and Williams made an offensive rebound and put back as Frankfurt trailed 43-37. However somehow the Fraport Skyliners quickly found some momentum going on a spirited 8-2 run to tie the score at 45-45. German Johannes Richter made a timely extra pass which Novak put home and Bryson Johnson electrified the BCM gym with consecutive three pointers.  “That was a great comeback, but we also have so much confidence in each other that we can make the plays. We know that if we make the right play that we will make the shots. That makes it all more comfortable in situations at the end”, added Bryson Johnson. But basketball is a game and runs and Eintracht Stahnsodrf countered with their own 6-0 run to lead 51-45. German Thomas Schoeps who played a season in the States at Odessa(JUCO) with Kevin Schaffartzik continued to dazzle hitting consecutive off balance jumpers and Tim Modersitzki made a tough lay in while falling down. “Schoeps has been a scorer and playmaker for us all season long. I saw the fire in his eyes. He made some tough mid distance jumpers and  a big reason we won the game”, added Richard Thomas. However Frankfurt kept fighting despite another Schoeps off balance jumper as Frankfurt trailed 53-47. However Frankfurt still had some energy in their gas tanks going on a 6-0 run to knot the game at 53-53. Vukovic made free throws, Jacob Merz made a spectacular shot coming in from the base line at  a tough angle with two seconds left on the shot clock and Oldenburg got a solid lob pass from Richter for the easy lay in. Dimitrij Hasenkampf then made a mid distance shot and Thomas made a lay in where he waited until he found daylight as Frankfurt trailed 57-54. Frankfurt struggled making free throws and had they connected better wouldn´t have been in this position now. Frankfurt then got some fortune as Johnson and Richter made free throws to tie the game at 57-57. With 2,8 second to play, Eintracht Stahnsdorf had one last play and let Richard Thomas do his magic. He once scored 48 points against Wolfenbuettel and has hit game winning shots in his career and did it again getting a good look and making nothing but net. “I had a good feeling that it was going in. I had two game winners in college and two this season.  We had two options to go to me or Kellen Williams. He was covered pretty good, so they got me the ball. I got the ball made  a few dribbles to my left and had a good look”, stressed Richard Thomas. “Thomas is a good player and that was a tough shot. The best would have been to have kept the ball out of his hands. We on some close games this season. Tonight karma kicked in”, stressed Bryson Johnson. Eintracht Stahnsdorf was led by Richard Thomas with 14 points. Kellen Williams added 14 points and 15 rebounds. Thomas Schoeps added 12 points and Robin Jorch 10 points. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Bryson Johnson with 18 points while Nikolaj Vukovic had 16 points. Frankfurt shot 36% from the field and 30% form outside while Eintracht Stahnsdorf shot 41% from the field and 15% from outside. Eintracht Stahnsdorf won the rebound battle 35-33 and turnover game 8-12. “I expect another hard fought defensive game, but I hope with more points scored, but it might come down to a last possession again”, warned Richard Thomas. “We have to execute better and rebound better in game two”, warned Bryson Johnson.

 

 

David Pruett is a 24 year old 190 cm guard from Gainsville, Georgia that is on  atry out basis with German Beko BBL team SC Rasta Vechta. He started his basketball career in 2008 with Armstrong Atlantic (NCAA2) where he palyed until 2010. He played the last three seasons for  Lander (NCAA2) and as a senior played  26 games: 16.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 38.4%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 83.5%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been PeachBelt Tournament Semifinals -09, and PeachBelt All-Academic Team -12. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the Pro B playoffs against Oldenburg.

 

Congrats on the narrow 62-61 win against Hanau. How good does it feel beating one of the top teams in the German Pro B. Does this win give the club the needed self confidence to get past the first hurdle Oldenburg?

Beating Hanau was definitely a huge win for us. There was a good bit of emotion behind the game because many of the Langen players played for Hanau’s head coach, Coach Shaw, the season before. It was the perfect game to win heading into the playoffs.

Jermel Kennedy won the game with a shot. Describe the last play and does it really matter who gets the ball in a situation like that when you have a Woody or Kennedy?

First we got a huge stop on defense, forcing Hanau to turn the ball over. A timeout was called and Coach Glasauer drew up a good play. Simple pick and roll with Sebastian and Woody also told Jermel to cut to the rim. Woody rolled to the short corner and received a pass from Sebastian. Once Woody had the ball, Hanau’s defensive rotation was a second to slow as Jermel quickly cut the rim, received a great pass from Woody and slammed it home. Great team play to win the game.

I guess if the game is on the line and you give the ball to Kennedy or Woody, nothing can go wrong. How proud are you to be able to be teammates with these two exceptional players?

Well Jermel Kennedy and I have been teammates now for three seasons. He is great teammate and friend. Very lucky to be playing with him here in Germany. Chances of that happening are slim. Woody is a true post player with a lot of experience. He passes the ball very well. Its been fun playing with him on the court.

In your short time in Germany has the name Voeller popped up in any discussions? Did any teammates fill you in who the famous father is of Hanau forward Marco Voeller? What was your impression of the German player?

Voeller is a famous soccer player if I’m not mistaken. They didn’t feel me in until after the game. But as for Marco, I like his game. Very solid post player with good offensive IQ that can shoot the ball well. He had a good game against us.

Congrats David on reaching the German Pro B playoffs. When someone had told you when you had arrived in December that TV Langen would be going to the playoffs back in December what would you have thought.

Thanks Miles. Well Coach Glasauer and TV Langen brought me in as a midseason acquisition to help make a playoff push. So of course if someone told me that Langen would make the playoffs, I would have agreed with them. Second half of the season this team has come together and finished the season strong.

Since the huge win at home against the Fraport Skyliners in December, TV Langen is 8-3. What have been the main reasons for the spirited and successful play of TV Langen?

Taking care of our home games is one. Ever since I have been here in Langen we haven’t lost at home. Then improving our team defensive. It seems every week we make strides in that area of the game.

How well have you adjusted to your limited minutes? It seems like you are always effective in the time that you are on the court?

As you know Miles, in Pro B only two imports can be on the court at once. So, I have never gotten to play with Jermel and Woody at same time. But getting signed with this team in Mid-Season I understood I would have a more limited role due to the Pro B Import rule. I believe having limited minutes has helped improve my game. Understanding when to take the right shot or make the right play. Not forcing it as much. The minutes I’m on the court, I do my job. Coach wants me to be an offensive threat and play good defense. I’m a shooter, so I come into the game, make some threes and help the team hold or get a lead.

It is obvious that Kennedy and Woody share the MVP honors for the regular season but if you had to pick the unsung hero who would it be?

Sebastian Barth, he is vet and has a high IQ for the game of basketball. He makes excellent passes making others look good. He sacrifies a good shot for himself to get someone a even better shot.

Oldenburg is the first opponent of TV Langen. They have some very young and talented Germans and Americans. What kind of playoff series can we await?

Both teams are very efficient and high scoring. This playoff series will include some high level offensive out puts. Definitely can see few of the games having a high score.

Tv Langen doesn´t have the home court advantage, so TV Langen will have to win in the north. What will be key to winning this series?

Turnovers are going to play a huge role. If we can take care of the basketball and force them to turnover the ball more we should win. We also have to be patient on the offensive end making sure we get the shots we want.

Who are your early NCAA tournament favorites?

 Florida Gators look very strong. Can never count out Syracuse or Kansas.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 Iron Man 3

Thanks David for the chat.

 

 

Josh Parker is a 23 year old 183cm point guard from Harvey, Illinois that is playing his rookie season in Germany for PRO B team Bayer Giants Leverkusen. He played at Drake from 2007-2009 and then played for Dayton(NCAA) from 2010-1012. He played a total of 130 NCAA games. Currently he is tearing up the German PRO B. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg.

 

Josh congrats on the big 72-70 win Vechta. MBC had some very close wins this season against Wurzburg, Braunschweig and Vechta, but where would you categorize the importance of this win so late in the season?

It was a big win for us. I felt like we really took another step in the right direction as a team. Every win this late in the season is important to everyone now and I was just happy about the way we came out and played.

SC Rasta Vechta was up by as much as 13 points, but MBC never gave up. What was key in crunch time for the Mitteldeutscher BC getting the win?

We just kept fighting and didn’t stop on the defensive end and we got key stops and we got some key plays down the stretch that helped us.

You know what kind of a great atmosphere there is in Weissenfels, but describe the incredible atmosphere in Vechta. Were the conditions somewhat NCAA like? Describe what it felt like playing on the floor there?

I really enjoyed playing there. It felt a lot like an NCAA game. Our fans and theirs were intense the whole game. It was a lot of fun playing in that type of atmosphere.

How good does it feel playing three games in a row? How difficult was that span where you had to sit out some games and watch? Was there someone that really supported you most to get through this time?

It feels great to be back out there with my team! It was difficult just being a competitor knowing that you could help the team in different ways but I was just glad I could still be there and support them regardless of the situation.

SC Rasta Vechta is a lot better than their 5-20 record and in many ways are a scrappy team like MBC. How confident are you that this team will save themselves and remain in the Beko BBL?

They are definitely better than their record. They play hard and they have some good players that can make plays. I feel like they will fight until the end and they have the ability to do so.

The next game is against the 2009 Beko BBL champion EWE Baskets Oldenburg. What memories do you have of the massive 88-82 win in Oldenburg?

I remember it being a hard fought game from both teams. It was a physical game and very competitive.

Julius Jenkens had a big game with 22 points. Obviously they have many weapons, but what is most difficult in keeping him in check? He runs around the blocks very well and can get open so easily.

He is a good player. We just have to know where he is at all times and not let him get easy baskets.

Who are your early 2014 NCAA tournament favorites? What sleepers do you have?

I have to say my Dayton Flyers are really making some noise this year and I feel like they can make a run in the tourney.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The Hurricane.

Thanks Josh for the chat

 

Ahmad Smith is a 29 year old 194cm guard from Virginia that is playing his second season for the NBC of the German PRO A. He started the season BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProA)12 games: 7.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.7apg, 2FGP: 48.9%, 3FGP: 14.3%, FT: 72.2%, in Jan.’13 moved to Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProA, starting five): 19 games: 9.6ppg, Reb-4(8.5rpg), Assists-2(6.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 35.5%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 77.6% He played at St.Bonaventure(NCAA) from 2002-2006 and in his senior year played 28 games: ScoreA10-8(14.2ppg), RebA10-10(6.2rpg), AssistsA10-9(3.5apg), FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 59.8%. In 2006-2007, he played for Mardyke UCC Demons Cork (Ireland-SuperLeague): 9 games: 18.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 60.8%. In 2007-2008, he played for SVD 49 Dortmund (Regionalliga): 6 games: 30.2ppg. In 2008-2009, he played for : BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga) 23.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 6.0apg, 3PT: 35.2%. In 2009-2010, he played for Hertener Loewen (Germany-ProB)29 games: 18.2ppg, Reb-2(8.7rpg), Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 69.5%. In 2010-2011, he played for s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-ProA): left before the season started, then moved to SVD 49 Dortmund (Germany-Regionalliga): 6 games: 12.8ppg, waived in Nov.’10, in Jan.’11 signed at Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProB, starting five): 15 games: 8.3ppg, 6.8rpg, Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 39.1%, 3PT: 28.2%, FT: 69.1%. Last season for the Kichheim Knights he played  35 games: 9.9ppg, 6.1rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 62.0% He spoke to German Hoops before the game

Congrats on the 97-86 win against Kirchheim. How good did it feel not only beating a team next to you in the standings, but getting revenge after losing on the road earlier in the season?

It’s always good to get a win late in the season going into the playoffs. We didn’t play well in the first game so we wanted to show we were the better team.

Kirchheim had a huge fourth quarter scoring 33 points, but it wasn´t enough. Was the fourth quarter the main sour point in the 40 minute effort by NBC?

We got comfortable with the big lead and let up and stop executing on both ends.

You had a stellar performance with 12 points, 16 assists and nine rebounds. Did you have any idea late in the game that you were so close to a triple double?

I had no clue.

Was this more an easier 16 assist game in that you found many open guys or did you have to work hard for some of the assists?

My teammates were making shots they made it an easy game for me.

What was your impression of German Michael Baumer? He made the jump from the Regionaliga to the Pro A this season and gives Kirchheim solid minutes. You also started in the German Regionaliga and fought your way up to the German Pro A.

He’s a young talented player I think he has a bright future.

The next game is against Magdeburg who beat NBC earlier in the season 89-75? German Kevin Wysocki led all scorers with 23 minutes, but he now is helping pro B team Leitershoefen in the playdowns. This is a must win for NBC as Magdeburg is in 14th place and you need every win now for jockeying for the playoff spots. What will be key in getting the win?

Their a better team than what their record indicates and we have to be ready to compete every possession on defense

Who are your early 2014 NCAA tournament favorites and sleepers?

Wichita St Arizona my sleeper is UCONN

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Wolf Of Wallstreet.

Thanks Ahmad for the chat.

Adam Waleskowski is a 31 year old 203cm power forward that was born in Cape Girardeau in the United States that also has the German citizenship that is playing his first season for Ludwigsburg. He played at Florida St. (NCAA) from 2001-2005. He played at Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (Germany-2.Bundesliga) from 2005-2007, but in the second half of the 2006-2007 season moved to Etendard de Brest (France-ProB, starting five): 18 games: 14.2ppg, Reb-3(8.3), 2.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 75.0%. In 2007, he recieved the German Citizenship and played for Besancon Basket Comte Doubs (France-ProB, starting five): 26 games: 14.0ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.3apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 70.6%. In 2008-2009, he played for JSF Nanterre (France-ProB), French League: 7 games: 7.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.5%, FT: 37.5%; left in Nov.’08, in Jan.’09 moved to Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-Division A, starting five): 11pts, 17reb, 1ast, 1steal, in April ’09 signed at Besancon Basket Comte Doubs (France-ProA): 4 games: 4.8ppg. In 2009-2010 he played for Achilleas Kaimakliou (Cyprus-Division A). In 2010-2011, he played for  BG Goettingen (Germany-1.Bundesliga): EuroCup: 8 games: 3.6ppg, 2.1rpg, left in Feb. ’11; German League: 20 games: 8.1ppg, 3.4rpg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 76.7% In 2011-2012, he played for Pizza Express Apollon (Cyprus-Division A): 7 games: 6.4ppg, left in Dec.’11, in Mar.’12 moved to Astrum Levice (Czech Rep.-NBL): 9 games: 10.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.6%, FT: 76.5%; played also at Onyx Levice (Slovakia-Extraliga): 4 games: 4.3ppg.Last season he played for  Sigal Prishtina (Kosovo-SuperLeague, starting five), in Jan.’13 signed at Duesseldorf Baskets (Germany-ProA): 24 games: 13.3ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 68.8% He spoke to German Hoops after the amazing 77-76 win against the Fraport Skyliners

Congrats to the amazing 77-76 win against the Fraport Skyliners. You played at Florida State and in many countries, but have you ever been a part of a game like that?

The first round against Fraport we had a similar game where we got down and had to fight our way back in. But, it has been a while since I have been in such a crazy game with such a crazy ending.

What did you feel like when the siren sounded? How long did it take you to understand not only what the team had done, but that you had won the game?

When the game ended I had a sense of relief. Fraport fought really hard and I think a lot of our fans thought the game was lost. We kept playing until the final buzzer and escaped by the smallest possible margin.

It seemed like there were so many stories in this game. If you could compare this to a movie that you have seen in your lifetime to what would it compare most to?

That’s a tough question, because movies usually have a genre like comedy, thriller, drama, sci-fi, etc. This game was a combination of every genre thrown in a blender with the lid off. It was just and emotional roller coaster.

The Fraport Skyliners were up eight with a few minutes to go. It seemed like that they had had control of the game. How confident were you and the team that you guys could make a miraculous comeback at the end?

We made a conscious effort to keep pushing the ball quickly up the court to try and draw a foul or get a quick basket. We knew that if we kept attacking them on offense and either making them work on defense or put them on the free throw line we could still have an opportunity to come back and win.

The action of the game was the technical foul to Quantez Robertson pushing Coby Karl to the ground. Skyliner players that were in the huddle were certain there was flopping. How did you see the play? It seemed like an invisible Shaq had turned up on the court and by the way Karl fell back it could have only been a big guy like Shaq making a player fall back so hard. Lol

It was a really crazy stretch of events. I didn’t get a good look at what happened live because I was trying to huddle our guys up to get the strategy down. Next thing I saw was Coby on the ground. It was a tough decision for the referees to make. I’m just glad that I wasn’t in their position.

Do you think this was the turning point of the game. Did this play occupy the minds of the Fraport Skyliners which enabled Ludwigsburg to get a special type of momentum?

It was definitely a turning point. But I don’t think it was just the referees handing us the game. Coby did miss one of the two free throws after Galloway made his two. We were down three points with 8 or so seconds left when they put Coby back on the free throw line. So, they were definitely in the driver seat, but after that I think it was the hand of God. LOL

Explain your last second shot tying the game. Frankfurt had practiced FT rebounding all week, but couldn´t secure the last rebound. Was this harder work for you than it really looked like?

After Coby made the first free throw I was still in the mind set of making the second and fouling the inbound as quick as possible. Coby said he was going to miss the free throw. I lined up like a defense end and pushed my way in as much as possible without fouling. Shawn and I crossed as the ball came off the rim and Voigtmann was the first person to tip the ball, but luckily it hit off the backboard and I was able to grab it with my left hand. I knew the clock was running out so I tried to put it up on the glass as fast as possible and when I did Voigtmann hit my left elbow. It was a mix of hard work and luck that I was able to get the ball and finish it with the foul.

You had a great game with 24 points and 11 rebounds. If you look back on your career, where would you rank this game in all your games?

This is definitely one of my top performances. If felt great to finish it off in such a fashion that would make a memory of a lifetime.

Do you tip your hat to the Fraport Skyliners on how a team with so many injured players and Pro B players can turn up such a great performance like that? What German player are you most impressed by?

Of course, for a team that has struggle through so many injuries and inexperience, they played as strong as any team in this league. I was impressed at how well Klein and Merz handled the ball against our pressure and Barthel is a very talented young German player with huge potential.

What are your 2014 NCAA tournament favorites and sleepers?

Syracuse has been strong all season and I am hoping my Seminoles can creep in the dance and stir it up.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Zero Dark Thirty.

 

Thanks Adam for the chat.

 

Jermel Kennedy  is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Toronto Canada that is playing his first season in the German Pro B with TV Langen. He started his basketball career in 2008 with  Iowa Central Community College (NJCAA) playing 26 games: 4.3ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP:47.3%, FT: 57.1%. In 2009-2010, he played for Volunteer State Community College (NJCAA) playing  27 games: 11.7ppg, 8.2rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 26.0%, FT: 83.0%. He finished his college basketball career at Lander in 2012 playing two seasons there and as a senior played  27 games: 11.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 66.1%, FT: 70.5%. Last summer he was drafted by Moncton Miracles (NBL Canada,1rd(6)). He spoke to German Hoops after the 62-61 win against Hanau.

Congrats on the 62-61 win in Hanau. How good did it feel beating on eof the top Pro B teams in their living room?

 

Appreciate it Miles it felt great they had a nice crowd and the game atmosphere was perfect. It was only right we beat up on them a little bit.

It was a pretty low scoring game. TV Langen had given up 58 points twice during the regular season. Was giving up 61 points a tribute to being how prepared now for the upcoming playoffs on the defensive end?

Coach Thomas did a great job of preparing us. We knew what they were doing most of the game we just needed to capitalize on the offensive end when we got the stops we wanted.

TV Langen was up 36-28, but Hanau roared out to 25 points in the third quarter. What was key for Hanau getting a better rhythm on offense?

They took more advantage of their size and was getting the ball to their bigs around the rim I was in foul trouble between this stretch of time so Thomas kept me on the bench

TV Langen was down 61-56 with 3.33 minutes to play and Hanau never scored again and TV Langen closed out the game with a 6-0 run. How proud were you of the team to really stick out crunch time and take it at Hanau on the defensive end?

I was extremely proud that we kept our heads and didn’t lose sight of the opportunity to win the game it was rough but we got through it.

You scored the last two buckets of the game. After a timeout you won the game with 11 seconds to play. Describe that last play? Was it designed for you or was it just the guy that had the best option?

Well the play was actually designed for Woody to make something happen and that he did he told me prior to the play that I would be open if I cut to the rim and sure enough that’s what happened and I got the easy dunk to end it.

When I say 9-7 for Martins Woody, do you know what I mean? Well this stat stands for how many games each guy led the team in scoring. How ready are you guys for the post season? Is there still enough energy in your gas tanks?

Well I guess I’m catching up if your keeping count I never noticed and I think we will be just fine we have a lot of momentum going into the playoffs. I’m sure fatigue will not play a role

TV Langen enters the playoffs with a four game winning streak and will play Oldenburg. Is there any area where the team will really focus on in preparation for this team?

We haven’t discussed about them as yet and I haven’t watched film on them either but we will handle them like anyone else we play

How pleased have you been with your rookie season in the German Pro B? If you had to give yourself a grade what would you give yourself?

I’m feel like my grade would probably a C pretty average nothing special I feel like I could have contributed much more in certain areas and I’ve failed to do so. So yeah I’m not pleased

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Blood and Bone.

 

Thanks Jermel for the chat.