Ever since the 6th place finish of the LTi Giessen 46ers in 2004-2005 and then the soon departure of coach Stefan Koch and future Euroleague player Chuck Eidsen, the fortunes of the club has turned as dark as ominous thunder clouds looking over an empty prairie field in Oklahoma in the dog das od summer. In the last seven seasons, Giessen has finished 17th twice and on average never finished better than 15th place. Sometime in the Ost Halle there is nothing more entertaining to see on the court than lovable mascot Fabius making his rounds with his bicycle. If you’re a Giessen fan, you will really have to dig through the memory bank to find any kind of amazing memories from the last seven years, but for some the memory of Heiko Schaffartzik playing a season there and going into the 2009 Euro championships on fire and averaging 54% from the parking lot, fan favorite Florian Hartenstein playing like a basketball god in the game of his life in an exhibition against FC Barcelona in 2008 making horse meat out of NBA players David Anderson and Fran Vazquez, seeing David Teague almost single- handedly dispose of Alba Berlin with 35 points and seeing the last hurra of ex German national player Misan Haldin last season. The team that had money problems again and filled for bankruptcy, but were saved, had been rescued a few times the last years with a wild card, but not this summer as the team will play in the PRO A and look for a new rebirth with positive white clouds clearing for future blue skies. Even though the LTi Giessen 46ers have lost and lost and lost in the last months, one can´t take them lightly. “They have a completely different roster now. I have much respect for this team. They played very hard and made it tough for us. They have made it tough for every team in the first half. We had to work very hard in the second half to get the win”, stressed BBC Bayreuth point guard Kevin Hamilton.
Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
The Miles Basketball Minute: There Is Nothing Ugly About The Phoenix Hagen Season
Since moving up to the Beko BBL in 2009, there hasn´t been too much exciting happening with Phoenix Hagen besides fighting against the moving down from the Beko BBL and piddling around in no mans land. Notable memories for Hagen fans could be the making of the movie Phoenix in the asche and the Michael Jordan locker room outburst in Frankfurt that was Oscar worthy, beating Alba Berlin three seasons in a row in Hagen, the 35 point effort by Jordan Hasquet in Munich or the last game by ex Skyliner Jon Leuer in Hagen making 27 points before exiting to greener pastures in the NBA. Another nice occurrence with the club is the permanent nesting of German oldie Bernd Kruel who is known as the bird storch and who is 36 and is playing his 16th season in Hagen with short stays in Frankfurt and Bonn. He is a German basketball dinosauer that is following in the foot steps of ex teammate Chris Ensminger in terms of longevity as a player and must be getting served up a special tasty vitamin enriched diet of fish in the river Volme that keeps his energy alive and kicking. One could find the parallel that basketball and the city Hagen go hand in hand in that they are ugly. It has been stated that Hagen is the ugliest city in Germany and basketball in the past has been farther from beauty than pigs are from flying, but this season there is nothing ugly about Phoenix Hagen basketball.
If one wants to examine closely the reasons why Phoenix Hagen basketball isn´t ugly anymore and is actually successful, one can find numerous reasons for the turn around. For those that have been locked in a closet in the past 4 years won´t know that Phoenix Hagen play run and gun basketball and just try to outscore the opponent. They have scored 80 plus points in 18 of 30 games and average 86 points a game. One could even be as unfriendly and mention that the team doesn´t play defense in order to conserve energy for their offense. This season, the team continues to play run and gun, but seems to play with a bit more consistency than in the past and the club also has found the word DEFENSE in their vocabulary. They were able to hold offensive teams like Oldenburg and Tuebingen to under 70 points and the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg who aren´t the strongest scoring team, but are capable of breaking out especially with a then fit Jimmy Mckinney who logged 34 minutes and was held to eight points. It also helps that the team found their chemistry early and that the players fit together better than in past years and have found their roles better. Head coach Ingo Freyer preaches offense and this season it seems like they are playing a type of Euroleague offense compared to BBL offense the last years.
When looking at the roster, Ingo Freyer has a healthy 10 man rotation where each guy has contributed in his special way. Hagen fans will argue with any one why Davin White shouldn´t get the MVP. He is the top scorer in the league and near the top in assists. White reminds me of Alba Berlin guard Dashaun Wood in that he is having a similar kind of year that he had in 2010-2011 with Frankfurt. He may seem one dimensional as a scorer, but the Phoenix native will pull out his playmaking qualities when called for or if his shots aren´t falling. Phoenix Hagen surely would have 3-4 less wins without him. David Bell is about as pure a scorer that you will ever find. He looks like baby hulk just without the green and could probably hit blindfolded if he started practicing. His dangerous shooting has been key all season long. American Larry Gordon has been very consistent and is the unsung back bone on defense as he often guards the opponents best player. Adam Hess gives experience, leadership and can still hit from downtown to give his team a boost. Bringing Mark Dorris back helped as he knows the team and Freyer. He can explode on any night like his buddy Quantez Robertson does flying to the hoop. Americans Abe Lodwick who hardly played at Washington state and made the team in a try out phase has had some big games on offense and defense and probably surprised many by his strong and spirited play. American Dino Gregory is the back bone on defense. After playing at Maryland and as a rookie in Sweden, some wondered if he could step up in the better league Beko BBL, and he has. I can remember early in the season, I got a mail from the dad of Gregory asking, “How is my boy doing”, and I responded “Well sir, I haven´t seen him play, but I am sure he will have a good season. It was the usual bla bla, but papa Gregory can be proud of his son who is leading the league in blocks and plays with a passion that would even have made ex Maryland stand out Len Bias proud. Gregory made 6 blocks against Bremerhaven and guards that penetrate have to always know where the big man is.
With less than a month to go in the season, Phoenix Hagen is in contention of making their first playoffs. The team has had fortune not having serious injury woes and an important aspect to their success is their self confidence which has been increased the last weeks due to big wins against Alba Berlin and the Brose Baskets Bamberg. The team believes in their game and making the playoffs. The question is can they continue to be consistent on offense and will they be capable of playing defense in some games in the last weeks. Just making the playoffs will be an amazing achievement. With four games remaining, they have a super chance. Currently they are in eighth place with one win more than ninth placed Wurzburg. They have three home games left and should be able to beat Ludwigsburg and MBC. They beat Artland on the road, but were slaughtered at home against FC Bayern Munich. If they can win one of these two games then they should be ok for the playoffs. If the playoffs do happen than Ingo Freyer may get a statue from the city and even if there is nothing remotely beautiful about the city, the Phoenix Hagen basketball fans will feel as pretty as a Picasso painting when it comes to basketball. The city could make a slogan saying “The most beautiful part of the city is on the court in the Enervie arena”.
The EWE Baskets Oldenburg Posses Basketball Lady Luck Twice In Season Sweep Of Fraport Skyliners 65-63
The Fraport Skyliners have played amazing basketball the last six weeks getting big wins at home against Alba Berlin and Bamberg freeing themselves from the lower standings and from risk of going down, but one thing that remains this season is their inability to win in crunch time against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg as they were swept in the season series losing in Frankfurt 65-63. Back in December it was a botched inbounds pass between Quantez Robertson and Devin Gibson that led to a Chris Kramer layup and win and yesterday the Fraport Skyliners were seeking revenge, but lost at the end as Robertson missed two free throws to push the ball into overtime. Basketball lady luck seemed to secretly be wearing the yellow and white of Oldenburg and not the blue and white of Frankfurt this season. “Both games were battles. In Oldenburg, I got that steal and we got the win. Today we were up in the fourth and they made a run. It came down to one possession. I am very happy we got the win. On the road the air is so small, they played very hard and made us work for everything, but we had a little more luck at the end. “We had basketball lady luck on our side. Experience helped us win this game on the road. I am surprised Tez missed those two free throws”, stated ex Telekom Baskets Bonn forward Ronald Burrell. Skyliner guard Ryan Brooks missed the first game in Oldenburg, because he was still a member of the Giessen 46ers, but he knew how painful it was losing these two games like that. “These two games could change a season. If we would have had these two wins, we would be sitting somewhere else now”, expressed Ryan Brooks.
Can The EWE Baskets Oldenburg Annoy A Top Team In The Playoffs?
Who could forget the stunning upset of Oldenburg against Bonn in game 5 of the 2009 Beko BBL final where Bonn looked like the sure winner, but lost thanks to a Jason Gardner shot, free throw and Je Kel Foster free throw. The Oldenburg title was as refreshing for a league that was already beginning to grow as rapidly as North Dakota is in 2013 and the title really seemed as unlikely as how Tim Ohlbrecht has been blessed with making the jump to the NBA this season. That title seems like ages ago as in the seasons since, the EWE Baskets Oldenburg have stayed glued in their tracks as the further climb to a top team in the Beko BBL has been halted. The club continues to have a good budget and potent players, but forming that second title team to a winning chemistry has been denied. In 2009-2010, the team had most of its title team back, but surprisingly were upset by Braunschweig in the quarterfinals, in 2010-2011, the team was even more talented, but was already suffering the here one season gone the next season players as well as a lack of chemistry losing a tough 5 game playoff series to Alba Berlin and last season missed the playoffs as they were led by mr ego ex NBA player Bobby Brown who at times looked like he was playing one on five against the opponent. Coach Predrag Krunich was let go who seemed a bit burned out. With new coach Sebastian Machowski and the right players, the team could annoy a top favorite in the playoffs. On top of their consistent season in the Beko BBL, the team is on a smooth way of possibly winning their first international title in the Eurochallenge as they have reached the final four. Ex Skyliner Miro Todic explains why Oldenburg is so strong this season. “They are a real good team with very good Americans and Germans. They are very strong at all positions. I remember playing against Adam Chubb and Ronald Burrell. They also have very good guards with Julius Jenkins and Rickey Paulding and the kid Chris Kramer is a very good player. Each player always gives the maximum. Oldenburg likes to use every player so some games one player will play more than other players. Their coach uses the whole team”, stressed ex Frankfurt Skyliner Miro Todic. “Oldenburg have a lot of quality players, but it depends how well they can survive a long playoff series. They play a lot more aggressive defense than last season. They are deep at all positions and I think they can reach the semi finals of the playoffs. I think they can win the Eurochallenge when it comes down to a one game series”, expressed basketball expert Steven Clauss.
The Miles Basketball Minute: A Mad Baller In The Body Of Zachory Peacock (Fraport Skyliners)
From 2007-2011, basketball life in Frankfurt was thrilling as the Frankfurt Skyliners reached the playoffs four consecutive seasons including a quarterfinal, two semi finals and a final where they were one possession away from a possible German title as they lost a heartbreaking fifth game in Bamberg. However the last two seasons, being a follower of the Frankfurt Skyliners has become increasingly delicate as not only has the club been out of the playoffs, but have been in danger of moving down due to their poor play. Last season, the team was in 17th place in December and thank a miraculous turn in play in the second half of the season almost made the playoffs losing a must win game in Bonn on the last game day finishing in ninth place. This season, the fortunes of the 2004 Beko BBL team hasn´t been any better as they had a slow start and in February 2013 were as low as 17th place. It was unknown, if the team could ever pull themselves out of the dank cellar, but as of late, the team has rebounded winning six of their last seven games and now are breathing a bit better at 14th place.
The Fraport Skyliners Win Round Two At The Battle Of Wurzburg 60-57
The last two times when the Fraport Skyliners and s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg have met they have given the word defense a new meaning the same way ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant could easily have a new middle name as MVP or New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig point guard Dennis Schroder has given the word NBA prospect a new meaning this season with his rapid development. In the last two games, both teams were only able to score 221 points combined and Frankfurt averaged only 55 points in the two game battle and Wurzburg only 55 points. The last time that the two teams tangled in Wurzburg, fans witnessed a hard fought battle as no team was willing to give up until the siren sounded. In a game where there were 42 turnovers and steals combined, the only thing missing was the dirt and dust from the ditch and ex Air Force cadet squadron 8 member Jacob Burtschi roaring commands filling in for the infantry, but instead was the master on defense leading the Fraport Skyliners with four steals. Both teams returned back for a third showdown and didn´t disappoint in the intensity and fight until the end as the Fraport Skyliners got revenge from their loss at home earlier in the season and were able to win the second round of the battle of Wurzburg 60-57. Quantez Robertson was able to depart the floor in Wurzburg as a winner again and saw a distinct difference to last seasons game. “Last year the game was very tight here. Last season they had quick guards that could get to the rim easier while this season, they had guards that shot well from outside. I think that this win was tougher than last years. I love these type of games, because it gets you ready for the playoffs. When you play this aggressive every night, things come easier to the team than when you don´t play aggressive”, stressed Fraport Skyliner forward Quantez Robertson. New York native Jason Boone fouled out late in the game and knew the reason at the end why Frankfurt prevailed. “Both were tough games here the last two seasons. Frankfurt was even more aggressive this game. I felt that they had a deeper rotation than we did. WE had to play more minutes. It came down to who wanted it more and that was Frankfurt”, added 2010 Eurochallenge winner Jason Boone. “I don´t want to have another defensive battle against Wurzburg again. I would rather win by 15 points. I don´t want any grey hair yet, I am too young for that”, smiled Devin Gibson. Ex Wurzburg American Rickey Harris was at the game supporting his ex team and also had round one of the battle of Wurzburg on his mind. “I remember the game lasts eason as no team that could score. It was a total defensive game. Jimmy Mckinney was knocking down shots in the second half and Jermareo Davidson was blocking shots. It was a huge game and huge win for Frankfurt”, commented Ricky Harris.
It has almost been 49 months since the then rookie Frank Robinson last played a Beko BBL game against the Frankfurt Skyliners as he had arrived late in the season to the EnBW Ludwigsburg having played 8 Euroleague games for Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) and started the season with the Atlanta hawks in training camp tangling with guys like Michael Bibby or Mario West and getting pointers from head coach Mike Woodson. Back in March 2009, when he made his Beko BBL debut, he scored two points in 10 minutes and already then got a taste of how Frankfurt can defend when they want to as his team mustered only 58 points. Robinson had to tangle with a Titus Ivory or Keith Simmons and watched how the muscular bodies of Anthony King and Kelvin Gibbs who seemed twice as wide as Jeff Gibbs battle underneath. Since his rookie season, the California native who had a stellar career at Cal. State Fullerton and was a teammate of Bobby Don´t be cruel Brown went on to play in countries like Israel and Georgia. He played twice in the Eurochallenge in the 2010-2011 season against Frankfurt where he experienced the penetration magic of Dashaun Wood. Last season, he was supposed to head to the Artland Dragons, but the transfer folded at the last second. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg are already his third team this season after having played for Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-TBL), left in Nov.’12: Euroleague: 7 games: 7.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2FGP: 40.7%, 3FGP: 26.9%, FT: 50.0%; Polish TBL: 8 games: 5.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 23.8%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 68.8%, in Dec.’12 moved to Budivelnyk Kyiv (Ukraine-Superleague): Eurocup: 6 games: 3.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.0apg; Ukrainian Superleague: 9 games: 5.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 44.2%, 3FGP: 5.9%, FT: 46.7%. Most of the team from the Eurochallenge games from two seasons ago have come and gone except for captain Marius Nolte and the speedy Duracell battery bunny from Cincinnati Quantez Robertson who at times seems like he has been on full throttle on the court non stop since entering the Beko BBL in 2009. Robinson who was brought in to help compensate guard injury woes in the last months was playing his fourth game against Frankfurt as a professional and finished with five points and three rebounds and is happy about playing in Wurzburg, but was unfortunate that Quantez Robertson had his number in the game. “I love the city, we have a great coach and is a good organization. I love my role, but I was not happy with my performance. If I would have played better than the 70% I gave, we would have won. Frankfurt did a good job keeping me out of rhythm. Robertson was a big reason why I only scored five points, but he got a lot of help from his teammates”, added Frank Robinson.
The Fraport Sklyiners arrived in Wurzburg having won five of their last six games and sprouting with a healthy self confidence. They came without German Danilo Barthel who was suffering back problems since the Bremerhaven game, but the club knew exactly what to expect and did a super job with their game plan and didn´t allow the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg to take them out of their game. Fraport Skyliner point guard Dawan Robinson was not fit and played only 13 minutes and couldn´t be the dominant player he was the last weeks, but the team showed that they can win without a top scoring game from the Philadelphia native. “This was a real intense game and very physical. WE stuck together and it felt really good to win this game. They are a very good defensive team, but so are we. The team didn´t need me so much tonight and that is a good thing. It is always good when other guys can step up from the bench. Devin Gibson did a great job on defense and controlling the tempo”, explained Dawan Robinson. Ryan Brooks had a slow first half, but picked it up in the second half and was thrilled by the effort of the team. “They did a good job closing out on me in the first half and I passed up some shots, but I got more aggressive in the second half and started taking shots. We knew it would be a battle against the best defensive team in the league. Everything worked for us at the end staying smart on defense in a very high intensity game. This game really tested our mental toughness. I felt this was the biggest win since I have been here and we can continue to build on that”” expressed ex LTi Giessen 46er Ryan Brooks. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg came into the game riding a four game winning streak and knew what to expect and played a great game, but in the end just weren´t able to catch the Fraport Skyliners napping in key situations. “The fans saw two good defensive teams. We came into the game with a lot of self confidence, but couldn´t make shots at the end. I tip my hat to Frankfurt who have been fighting for their lives and have continued to win”, added Atlanta native Lamont Mcintosh.
The Fraport Skyliners jumped on the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg quickly in the first quarter taking a 6-2 lead. Zack peacock connected on a step back jumper and Quantez Robertson hit a pull up jumper and Peacock hit free throws. Both teams were playing very aggressive defense and the turnovers were happening on a high rate and both teams had to play a more contained offense not risking too much as the intensity level was high. Wurzburg roared back on a mini 4-0 run as Jason Boone showed that he is a lot faster than his big body shows as he spun around Peacock for an easy lay up and 6 time Czech title winner Michael Lenzly hit a jumper as the game was tied at 6-6. Two strong three point snipers Laquan Prowell and Michael Lenzly than traded three pointers as the game was knotted 9-9. Frankfurt got some extra momentum in the last minute closing out the first quarter with a 6-0 run. Peacock made an easy put back inside and Quantez Robertson nailed a three pointer over Alex King. “It was a tight game, but the Skyliners had the better rhythm. Every point was important in a low scoring game”, stressed basketball expert Steven Clauss. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 50% from outside while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 36% from the field and 20% from outside. Frankfurt had the 9-4 rebound edge, but five turnovers while Wurzburg had three turnovers.
The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg came out in the second quarter reborn going on an explosive 9-0 run to take the 18-15 lead. Mcintosh connected on two jumpers, Alex King made a three pointer showing his high rainbow and Dwayne Anderson made a steal and dunked. “Frankfurt passed on many open shots electing to bring the ball inside. A Jason Boone was in the way and it is difficult to run him over. Frankfurt wasn´t making good decisions”, stressed Steven Clauss. The game remained very tight in the second quarter as the Fraport Skyliners were able to retain the lead, but lose it at the end. The Fraport Skyliners had to fight for every basket as Peacock made a pretty hook shot over Anderson and had some fortune that Boone came over one tick to late on the helpside and Robinson made a lay up getting by Boone as Frankfurt led 21-18. Boone and Peacock then traded baskets as Frankfurt still led 23-20. Wurzburg then outscored Frankfurt 6-5 to take a 26-25 lead into halftime. Ex Bremerhaven center Chris Mcnaughton scored inside and Frank Robinson spun around Skyliner captain Marius Nolte for a tough lay in with his left hand. Prowell and Mcnaughton then traded baskets as the second quarter ended. “Frankfurt lost their rhythm a bit in the second quarter and Wurzburg had a better flow in the offense”, stressed Steven Clauss. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 48% from the field and 22% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 45% from the field and 33% from the three point line. Frankfurt led the rebound duel 15-9, but had nine turnovers while Wurzburg had six turnovers.
The third quarter remained razor sharp as there were four lead changes and no team led by more than four points. After Boone made two free throws, Frankfurt made a mini 4-0 run as Peacock made a difficult shot in traffic shoveling the ball into the hoop somehow with his left hand and Ryan Brooks made his first field goal as Frankfurt led 29-28. Wurzburg was able to retake the lead again and lead 34-30 Michael Lenzly dropped another three pointer and ex Villanover forward Dwayne Anderson scored inside. Zach Peacock scored inside showing his immense working qualities inside and Brooks tied the game at 34-34 with a free throw. Brooks then scored a jumper and Prowell made a put back as Frankfurt led 39-36. Wurzburg tied the game with Mcintosh and Lenzly free throws at 39-39. Robertson then suffered a technical foul, but all Wurzburg could do was get two Mcintosh free throws for the 41-39 lead. Frankfurt could have had the lead after 30 minutes, but missed four consecutive free throws from Peacock and Brooks. Peacock dunked at the end of the third quarter getting served from a silver platter from Dawan Robinson as the game was dead locked at 41-41 after 30 minutes. “No team was able to pull away. Brooks was able to find his game more, because Wurzburg was concentrating more on Peacock which gave open space for Brooks. Boone getting his fourth foul hurt Wurzburg”, said basketball expert Steven Clauss. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 41% from the field and 23% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 21-18 rebound edge and both teams coughed up the ball 14 times each.
In the fourth quarter Mcintosh and Robertson traded three pointers as the game was tied at 44-44. Then a few minutes went by as no team could muster any points, but fans saw the second airball by Alex King in the game and Chris Mcnaughton blocked a Quantez Robertson dunk. Muli Katzurin than inserted captian Marius Nolte for Zach peacock giving him a rest and Frankfurt responded with a lightening 6-0 explosion as Ryan Brooks and Quantez Robertson hit back to back three pointers as Frankfurt led 50-44 and they would never trail again in the game. But Wurzburg kept the game exciting as they didn´t allow Frankfurt to pull out the lawn chair as they kept fighting back and pressuring Frankfurt. Lenzly set up Boone for a powerful dunk off the penetration cutting the Frankfurt lead to 53-48. With less than three minutes, Wurzburg still had energy and big shots prepared in their arsenal as Dwayne Anderson hit a clutch bomb form outside as Frankfurt led only 53-52. Gibson and brooks then connected for free throws as Frankfurt led 56-52. However as if Frankfurt hadn´t learned earlier in the game of the shooting deadliness of Lenzly, the 2012 Olympic participant dropped a huge three pointer as Wurzburg trailed 56-55. After Robinson free throws, Wurzburg struck back with 18 seconds to play as Dwayne Anderson went hard to the hoop got his own offensive rebound and made a put back as Frankfurt led 58-57. Peacock then drowned insurance free throws for the 60-57 lead. Wurzburg had one last offensive play and Frankfurt elected not to foul and Lenzly was blocked by Peacock on a step back jumper got the ball back and kicked the ball to the open Mcintsoh who tried to bring the game to overtime, but was denied with his three pointer. “That last shot felt wonderful. I took it with a lot of confidence to take the game to overtime, but it just happens that not all shots go in. Frankfurt made their free throws at the end. I felt that we made enough plays, but just not at the end to win”, stressed Lamont Mcintosh. “Our defense was key at the end. We did a great job helping on the rotations and switching on the pick and role. They took hard shots at the end and we locked down on offense”, added Dawan Robinson. “The last two minutes was like March Madness. There was so much intensity where every play mattered and one could feel it everywhere on the floor. We did a good job keeping composure for 40 minutes and limiting them from running and getting easy buckets”, added Devin Gibson.
The Fraport Skyliners were led by Zach Peacock with 21 points on seven for nine shooting. One can almost say give Zack the ball and all is good. “Peacock played like a grown man tonight. Boone is a monster, but he kept his composure and showed the type of player that he is”, added Dawan Robinson. “Peacock was hard to stop. We slowed tempo down too much to help his game in the half court. He always possess match up problems. He hit his jumpers and is a very underrated center in the league”, added Jason Boone. “I really had to work hard on defense. I love to guard the pick and role and the little guards. I love those challenges”, commented Zach Peacock. Ryan Brooks added 13 points and Quantez Robertson had 11 points. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were led by Michael Lenzly with 13 points. Dwayne Anderson produced 11 points and Jason Boone contributed 10 points. Despite the low scoring game, the Fraport Skyliners finshed with 47% shooting from the field and 42% from outside showing that they were picking their spots and taking good shots. Frankfurt also won the rebound battle 29-27 and forced Wurzburg to 15 turnovers. After the win, there was a very reflective Marius Nolte who was thrilled for another big win, but also a bit sad with the whole timing. “The way that we have played recently and compared to earlier in the season is like two worlds. I always had the hope that we could develop like this, but I am a bit unhappy that it happened so late. It is great how Brooks and Prowell fit into the team and the emergence of Robinson. We have shown now that we can fight out of tough situations. This season has been even tougher mentally than last season. We are sticking together now and we continue to be on a good way”, warned Marius Nolte. The Fraport Skyliners welcome the EWE Baskets Oldenburg next weekend.
The Real Season Starts In May For Bamberg
There were times when winning was as easy for the Brose Baskets Bamberg as it was for Rick Barry nailing free throws all day long, Rihanna cranking out hits with 11 number one songs in the German top 100 or how soccer player Baia has won 31 team titles with FC Porto and FC Barcelona. There was even a period of almost two years where Bamberg was unbeaten at home in the Beko BBL. From 2009-2012, the team won the triple winning three league titles and three cups and the word dynasty was a perfect description to the Bavarian team. A Casey Jacobsen belongs to the most professional acting players in the Beko BBL and if one entered the arena after a 40 minute game and examined the face of the California native one seemingly wouldn´t know what had been the outcome since he is always 100% focused and rarely shows that win or lose emotion, but as of late the 5 time champion team has been blown of course from the usual expected winning road. Currently the team was riding an 8 game losing streak before the perfect opponent to break it with Giessen visited the Bamberg yesterday which most likely had the Bamberg haters in seventh heaven and the rest of the league in bewilderment in this down time.
Even with their domination of the Beko BBL in the last three years, hardcore Bamberg aficionados are upset, but to a point calm as no one is any desperation or in need of jumping into the Regnitz river without a life preserver. The team is still in first place in the Beko BBL standings with a record of 22-5 and three wins more than second placed FC Bayern Munich. If one really observes their losing streak closely one can take the eight loses and subtract five and get three loses. In other words, Bamberg have lost the last five games in the Euroleague and only really been defeated three times in the Beko BBL. One can always lose in the Euroleague, but statistically Bamberg has just had a lot of misfortune in the Euroleague. Ok they were hammered by Athens and Moscow, but had every chance against Alba Berlin, Efes Pilsen and Real Madrid losing each game by three points. Bamberg obviously knows how to win games in crunch time usually with their history the last three seasons, but even a Bamberg isn´t always invincible and can have some tough misfortune.
The Euroleague is a totally other world compared to the Beko BBL. Before their three game losing streak in the Beko BBL, the team had won 19 of their last 20 games after starting the season winning two of their first three games. In their three game losing streak in the Beko BBL, they lost to up and coming team FC Bayern Munich 85-71 which isn´t surprising with the more improved play since the arrival of Svetislav Pesic. However the last two loses to Phoenix Hagen and Fraport Skyliners is more surprising. Everyone knows that Phoenix Hagen plays run and gun and just tries to score more than their opponent so letting up 104 points and letting them get beat by the game of Phoenix Hagen was alarming. Bamberg was just unlucky that Phoenix Hagen had a very good shooting day. It is rare for Bamberg to give up 100 points as they are a very disciplined defensive team. The rising Fraport Skyliners who have hit their peak now also caught Bamberg by surprise having a solid offensive day and giving Bamberg their taste of hard nosed aggressive Katzurian defense.
If one wants to dissect the current Bamberg misery on the court, one will find various reasons. The team has had injury woes this season having classical point guard John Goldsberry for a very limited time as well as Andrew Ogily. New players came late as Matt Walsh and Alex Renfroe that still need to be integrated and the usual talk about the strain of the weekly Euroleague have been prevalent. Bamberg has a deep roster, but despite that one has noticed that Anton Gavel is a little bit beat up. Still there is no need to worry in Bamberg. Back in the 2008-2009 season as Chris Fleming was in his first year, he had a slow start and recovered and built winning teams. Now the New Jersey native is in a tough situation, but has the experience and know how to get his team back on track and prepared for the grind of the playoffs. The remaining schedule isn´t an easy one with four home games and four away games including opponents like ratiopharm Ulm, Artland Dragons, Alba Berlin and finishing the season with two difficult road games in Bremerhaven and Wurzburg. Matt Walsh is getting better and better and getting used to the German league and will be an important piece in the last month of the regular season for their success. No matter what happens in the last month, Bamberg will reach the playoffs and most likely finish in first place anyway. The real season doesn´t start until May where the second season starts for Bamberg where everything counts. Bamberg might not have gotten that cup title this season, but if there is one player who will do anything for that fourth title then its Casey Jacobsen. The Brose Baskets Bamberg can be happy to have a player like him to push his team at all times. Bamberg got back to work this Sunday in their quest to halt their 8 game losing streak against the LTI Giessen 46ers. Bamberg losing at home Sunday against Giessen was about as unlikely as new pope Francis winning the 2013 Boston marathon.
Jack Eggleston (Bayer Giants Leverkusen) I Can´t Even Imagine Where We Would Be Without Josh Parker
Jack Eggleston is a 24 year old 203cm power forward from Noblesville, Indiana that is playing his second year as a professional for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen in the German Pro B. He played at Pennsylvania (NCAA) from 2007-2011. He played a total of 125 NCAA games. In his senior year he played 28 games: 13.2ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 45.1%, FT: 73.5%. Last season for Leverkusen he played 23 games: 14.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 71.2%. He spoke to German Hoops after beating Oldenburg in the playoffs.
Congrats on getting past Oldenburg in the first round of the playoffs? The three games had a total of 551 total points. How much energy did this series cost the team?
We’ve played all of our games this year at a pretty fast pace so I don’t think that the series took any more energy than usual out of us. We have plenty of time to get rested and ready for our first game Sunday.
The Bayer Giants Leverkusen won game three 95-90. The Giants had a nice lead at halftime, but Oldenburg stormed back in the third quarter to get back into the game. What was key at the end for Leverkusen winning the game?
I thought we did a great job of finding their shooters down the stretch and making sure they didn’t get any easy looks. Also we made sure to secure defensive boards and limit them to one shot.
Augie Johnston(SC Rist Wedel) I Am Excited To Play Against My Friend And Ex-Wedeler Kay Guasa.
Augie Johnston is a 26 year old 185cm guard from Atascadero, Calfornia. He played at Cal.St.-Monterey (NCAA2) and his infinite range has proven he was one of the best shooters in the country. Although he is a prolific shooter, it is his overall ability to score the basketball and defend the opponent’s best player that is so impressive. He is one of the most professional and hard working players. As a captain at Cal State Monterey Bay he has shown to have all the leadership qualities you would want in a point guard or shooting guard. He started his professional basketball career in 2009-2010 for Velbert Baskets (Germany-2.Regionalliga), playing 9 games: 28.4ppg. Last season, he played for SpVgg Rattelsdorf Independents (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 25 games: 29.8ppg . This season, he is playing his second season for SC Rist Wedel and helped bring the team into the playoffs against Nordlingen last season and Fraport Skyliners juniors this season. Last season he played 27 games: 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.0apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 77.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the PRO B playoff series against Weissenhorn.
Congrats again on sweeping the Fraport Skyliners juniors. What was the most important quality that SC Rist Wedel composed in the two game series?
I think it was our execution and discipline on offense and our commitment to following our defensive rules. On the offensive end we shot a good percentage and had really balanced scoring especially in the second game when Davey Hopkins had 19 points, I had 18, and Marvin Boadu had 16.
There were five games this season for SC Rist Wedel that were decided by four or less points and you lost only one of those games. Where would you rate the dramatic of the win in Frankfurt with the other nail bitters?
Actually it was one of the less exciting ones. We had the lead the entire game against Frankfurt and in the end we were up by about 5 points with a minute or so left. They started fouling to send us to the free throw line and we missed one or two and they hit some threes so we only ended up winning by one point. In other close games we have had we have trailed the entire game and turned up the pressure in the 4th quarter and stolen a few games that way and those ones were much more exciting in my opinion.
How happy are you too have a guy like Tobias Lange on the team? He seems to be the guy that comes to work and does his job and goes home again, but is a very important role player.
We are very lucky to have Tobi. He is relentless worker in practice, never talks back to the coach, and steps up in big games. He has improved each month this season and I see him being a full time starter on some team in the Pro B very soon. It seems like whenever one of our starting bigs gets in foul trouble and Tobi plays big minutes he does well. I look forward to following him and his career.
The next opponent are the Weissenhorn Youngers. From one Beko BBL farm team to the next. How excited are you playing against the farm team of top beko BBL team ratiopharm Ulm?
I’m excited, but not so much because they are a farm team and more so because I get to play against my friend and ex-Wedeler Kay Guasa.
How happy that in game one, Weissenhorn have to make the 700 kilometer trip to Rist. That is like driving from Atascadero to San Francisco and back? What is always most important on long road trips and playing that day?
Oh man, I now understand how important home court advantage is. The first game is the most important one. On long road trips it’s always important to eat healthy food and drink a lot of water. Also, if you have a sleeper bus make sure you face the right way. I learned that the hard way and got sick before the game to BSW Sixers. I threw up 5 minutes before the game started from car sickness.
How excited are you about playing against young German Til Joscha Joenke. He has been compared to Per Guenther.
I played against him last season when he played for Leverkusen, but he is a totally different player now it seems. He dominated the ProB South this season so I am excited to see how much he has improved and I’m excited to see if I can shut him down.
How have you enjoyed the German Easter in Germany. How is it different than in the States?
Well, in the states we eat ham on Easter and I think that’s different but other than that it’s the same.
How surprised were you that Indiana bowed out and can Wichita State make the Final 4?
I was shocked, it really messed up my bracket.
What is the last DVD movie that you saw?
Old School!
Thanks Augie for the chat.
Larry Gordon (Phoenix Hagen) We have not reached our goal yet and every team poses a threat to us not achieving our goal
Larry Gordon is a 25 year old 196cm forward that is playing his first season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. 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, starting five): 36 games: 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) the last two seasons and last season played 38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to german hoops before the game against the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig.
Congrats on the 73-67 win at home against Oldenburg. Oldenburg was up by 5 points after three quarters. In the fourth quarter Phoenix Hagen played Hagen basketball erupting for 26 points. Was this not a better example of how the team ALWAYS believes in itself?
It was a great example, and teams are going to start to respect the fact that we don’t ever give up no matter what the game is looking like.
It used to be that nobody talked about the Phoenix Hagen defense, but giving up 67 points and forcing 23 turnovers was excellent. How has Phoenix Hagen improved defensively in the last two months?
We have been more focused and concentrated on defense more than our offense, we know our offense will come and we know that defense is what is going to win games for us.
