Author: Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Basketball journalist and play by play commentator

Virgil Matthews (Erdgas Ehingen): When We Are Unselfish, We’re Really Good

Virgil Matthews is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing in Germany in the PRO B for Erdgas Ehingen. He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played 31 games: 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 29 games: 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL, starting five): 21 games: 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL). Awards and Achievements in his career have been , Big Sky Conf. Regular Season Runner-Up -05, 06, Big Sky Conf. Tournament Winner -05, 06, Big Sky Tournament MVP -06, Big Sky All-Tournament Team -06, All-Big Sky Honorable Mention -06, and USBasket.com All-IBL Honorable Mention -10. Currently for Erdgas Ehingen he is averaging 11,2ppg, 5,5rpg and 3,6apg. He spoke to German Hoops after beating NBC and reaching the PRO A.

What was your feeling on the court in Ehingen when the final buzzer sounded propelling your team to the PRO A?

The feeling was great it was like joy and relief because to be in first place all season and have it come down to one game is tough but its great to win.

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Ethan Niedermeyer (Erdgas Ehingen): Mario Blessing And Kevin Bright Were Huge For The Team This Year

Ethan Niedermeyer is a 23 year old 198cm forward that plays in the German PRO B for Erdgas Ehingen. He was born in Portland, Oregon, but grew up in Lafayette, California. He played at Portland (NCAA) from 2006-2010.In his senior year, he played 32 games: 6.7ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 37.7%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 74.1%. He reached the WCC Tournament Semifinals -09, 10. This season in the PRO B he is averaging 4,9ppg and 1,9rpg while averaging 13 minutes per game. He spoke to German Hoops following the 59-47 win against NBC where Erdgas Ehingen clinched the ticket to the PRO A.

Congrats on the 59-47 win against NBC and moving up to the PRO A. Being a rookie, did you feel much nervousness or were you able to shut it down with the NCAA experience that you had had at Portland?

Everyone always has some nervousness before big time games. That being said, playing at the University of Portland gave me a lot of opportunities to know and embrace that feeling.

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Dane Watts (Walter Tigers Tuebingen): The What If Game Is A Hard Game To Play, Monday Morning Quarterbacks Always Get It Right

Dane Watts is a 24 year old 203cm forward from Warrensburg that is playing his second season for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He played at Creighton (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 11.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3Pts: 42.5%, FT: 71.8%. In 2008, he came to Germany and started his professional basketball career with EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 32 games: 8.9ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP-1 (68.4%), 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 68.7%. Last season, he played for The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 34 games: 10.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 71.0%. He returns to Tuebingen for the 2010-2011 BEKO BBL season. At Creighton, he won awards such as MVC Tournament Winner -05, 07, MVC All-Freshman Team -05, MVC Regular Season Runner-Up -07, and MVC Tournament Semifinals -08. Watts sat down with German Hoops after the 81-70 win against Bremerhaven.

Congrats on the 81-70 win at home. How important was rewarding your fans with a win in the last home game considering the long losing streak?

It was big, we had some bright spots in the season but we knew that we would be remembered poorly if we did not finish out the year strong. It was good to beat a quality team at home to finish up.

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The Deutsche Skyliners Secure Second Place Controlling The Telekom Baskets Bonn 78-60 Without Forest Gump, But Steal Marius Nolte Steal

Winning for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners in Bonn the last 6 years has been as difficult as NBA stars Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard refraining from hurling expletives in the direction of refs recently, actress/singer goddess Jennifer Lopez not feeling worthy of being named worlds most beautiful woman by People Magazine or Oscar award winner Robin Williams trying not to look like a combination of the Tom Hanks Castaway character and the Unibomber Ted Kaczynski in his new role in the new Broadway piece “The Bengal Tiger At The Baghdad Zoo”, but in the Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt has achieved solid success since the last win in Bonn(Jan 1, 2005)having a record of 6-3. Despite the non desirable history that has swept before the feet of Frankfurt in Bonn, they seem to have less problems at home as they were able to win their second game in a row against Bonn at home with a convincing 78-60 win securing second place for the 2010-2011 regular season. Frankfurt forgot any past bad misfortune in Bonn as they have had a superb season at home. “We had a great season at home winning 15 games. It is always important to win at home to secure that home court advantage in the playoffs. This was a huge win since we secured second place”, stressed current beko BBL top scorer Dashaun Wood. This was one of those games where an innocent bystander that had been caught at the hot dog stand flirting with a woman and had missed the game would of had an idea what went wrong just by staring at the post game stats. “We didn´t take care of the ball. We had 20 turnovers and three assists. But you have to give a lot of credit to Frankfurt. They played well and our turnovers hurt us”, stressed Telekom Baskets Bonn forward Jaacob Jaacks. Frankfurt also showed a sign that they were capable of recovering after the bitter loss 48 hours earlier in the Bamberg like atmosphere in Bayreuth. “BBC Bayreuth wanted to win more than us and it was really difficult to play there. However I have to compliment our coaching staff for finding the right words for the Bonn game. They told us to forget the loss in Bayreuth and just focus on Bonn and were able to get our heads free”, stressed Skyliner forward Marius Nolte. ex Skyliner Alex King lost for the second time this season in his old living room and one name was on his mind as has been so often for every other team. “We started well and defended well, but it is always hard to stop Dashaun Wood. Our biggest problem was our turnovers”, stressed Alex King.

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It Felt Like Bamberg, But The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were Really 60 Kilometers Away As Danny Gibson Pulled A Dashaun Wood Leading BBC Bayreuth To A 86-79 OT Win

Having to sport a mohawk as actor Jim Carey momentarily does, 196cm shooting guard Robert Varden being sent to the D-league Tulsa 66ers from the Oklahoma Thunder or Paris Hilton having to pick up her cell and call a hair salon herself for an appointment instead of her assistant are unappropiate and some what undesirable things, but nothing compared to the tears and bitterness that club BBC Bayreuth would have to feel if they were to be relegated to the PRO A. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have not had easy opponents recently facing a depleted, but still defensive fire power in TBB Trier had to face a desperate BBC Bayreuth who with three games to play had a 8-23 record together with The Giessen 46ers and Mitteldeutscher BC. BBC Bayreuth were not going to lay down and play dead like a slightly distraught possum as they came out upsetting the second place Deutsche Bank Skyliners with a hard fought 86-79 win in OT. “I would rather dress up as a woman than have to go down to a lower league with a team. I think it would be embarrassing to have to go down. People judge you how you play and if you go down, you can´t show that you can compete in the first league”, stressed 2011 beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood. “I would have to agree with Dashaun Wood on dressing up as a woman as something I don´t want to do, but would rather do than have to go down to the second league, but we want to stay in the beko BBL and just wanted it more tonight. We came together as a team and just fought it out”, added 2010 Dutch league top scorer Danny Gibson.

With the loss, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were unable to secure the second spot in the standings for the season, because Alba Berlin was able to win in Bremerhaven and only have one loss less with two games to go. BBC Bayreuth on the other hand made a huge jump moving from 17th place to 15th place jumping past The Giessen 46ers who lost at home against TBB Trier and the Mitteldeutscher BC that were defeated at home by The Walter Tigers Tuebingen. BBC Bayreuth have shown their strength at home this seeing compared to on the road winning their 7th game in the friendly Oberfranken Halle in Bayreuth and now can clinch a berth for next season in the beko BBL with a victory in Duesseldorf Sunday. “This was our biggest win of the season, but it only means something if we can win in Duesseldorf on Sunday. This was a huge confidence booster and we need to prove that we can win on the road”, added ex Nordlingen Giant Danny Gibson. It was no secret that BBC Bayreuth might be the most talented 17th placed team ever to play in the beko BBL. “You have to give them a lot of credit. They are fighting to stay in the league and can beat any team on a good night. They deserve to stay in the league. It was a playoff atmosphere and we stayed together. However we were leading by 10 points in the third quarter and we made some bad offensive plays and let them back into the game”, stressed Skyliner point guard Dashaun Wood.

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Can BBC Bayreuth Keep Their 2011-2012 Beko BBL Aspirations Alive With A Win Against The Deutsche Bank Skyliners April 15th?

When one is enjoying the beautiful spring weather and feeling a calm mild breeze on your cheeks, one can get into the mood to dream about Beko BBL basketball, but one can´t always think about breathtaking ally-ops from 2011 Mr beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood to Quantez Robertson, Derrick Allen making another opponent look silly out dancing him with his ballerina moves or following the gracefulness of Casey Jacobsen on the court. Sometimes it is impossible not to think about the negative and when one contemplates the undesirable and unlucky season of BBC Bayreuth this year, it can be as unexplainable as to why Baseball crazed Puerto Rico which gave the world legends like Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda or Roberto Alomar are worrying more if guys like Carlos Degado, Felipe Lopez or Jose Molina will have MLB jobs this summer than their own national unemployment problem, the Houston Texans starting games so slowly and then not being surprised that another attempt at the post season goes down the drain like a bottle of sour milk does or a penny going down the drain to hear the chime, why Buffalo sports teams Bills and Sabers are unable to bring a championship home or to why race car legend Mario Andretti was plagued with not winning a second Indianapolis 500 after the year 1969?. BBC Bayreuth had the talent on paper to be a potential playoff team, but instead got more used to losing on a consistent rate then Americans being asked if they knew who Richard Wagner was? The riddle as to why BBC Bayreuth is near the cellar of the beko BBL standings is about as ridiculous as why Bayern Munich isn´t at the top of the German soccer Bundesliga with the roster that they have. “I would have to say that is just bad luck, I am not sure I could compare it to something like what is happening with Buffalo teams, but they just havent been able to put it together, but they still have a chance to hold the league so its not that bad”, stressed TBB Trier guard John Bynum. Losing is something that no professional athlete strives for, but it is something that is always tough and something a player needs to deal with. “No, I cant ever remember being on a losing team ever in my career but I can say it does suck to lose and it is a tough habit to break and something you should never get used to doing. I think the best way to deal with it is just to try and stick together and find a way to look at the positives which come out of the situation”, warned John Bynum.

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Jacob Burtschi (Phoenix Hagen) The Artland Dragons Are A Very Good Well Rounded Team That Can Hurt You In Many Ways

Jacob Burtschi is a 26 year old 198cm forward from Chickasha, Oklahoma who is a rookie this season for Phoenix Hagen. He played at the Air Force from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 35 games averaging 13.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 39.0%, FT: 77.3%. He had offers to play in the NBA, but served in the Air Force the last three years and could only play club ball. Some achievements that he got in the NCAA were All-MWC Honorable Mention -05, MWC Regular Season Runner-Up -06, All-MWC 2nd Team -06, 07, NABC All-NCAA District 13 2nd Team -07, and NIT Final Four -07. He spoke to German Hoops before the game against The Artland Dragons on April 15th.

After the 101-92 win in Braunschweig, how quickly were you able to forget the loss in frankfurt 48 hours earlier?

Well we were fortunte to be able to play 2 days later and put that game behind us. Everyone has a bad night. we had a TERRIBLE night, but we bounced back sunday and got a huge road win

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Ahmad Smith(NBC) Pregame Thoughts To Erdgas Ehingen Game April 12th. It Will Come Down To Who Wants To Win More

Ahmad Smith is a 26 year old 194cm guard from Alexandria, Virginia that is currently playing for NBC(PRO B). He is very athletic, handles the ball well and is able to beat his man in one-on-one situations. Creative player offensively who has a strong drive to the basket. He is a left-handed player who plays terrific defense at/on each perimeter position. Has good body control and excellent lateral foot speed. Outstanding rebounder for his size and position at both ends of the floor. He played at St Bonaventure(NCAA) from 2002-2006. In his senior year, he averaged 15.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 26.5%, FT: 65.6%. 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 came to Germany to play for SVD 49 Dortmund (Regionalliga): 6 games: 30.2ppg. In 2008-2009, he played for BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga, starting five): 23.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 6.0apg, 3PT: 35.2%. Last season, he played for Hertener Loewen (Germany-ProB, starting five): 29 games: 18.2ppg, Reb-2(8.7rpg), Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 69.5%. This season, he started for s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-ProA): left before the season started, then moved to SVD 49 Dortmund (Germany-Regionalliga), waived in Nov.’10, in Jan.’11 signed at Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProB, starting five). Currently he is averaging 8,6ppg, 6,6rpg and 7,3apg. He spoke to German Hoops before the deciding game against Erdgas Ehingen April 12th to see who goes to the PRO A.

NBC is looking to beat Ehingen to be able to move up to the PRO A. How is the mood in the team? Is there calmness or more nervousness?

The mood of our team is really calm and relaxed right now.

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Virgil Matthews(Erdgas Ehingen) Pregame Thoughts To NBC Game April 12th. Key Will Be Stopping Cornelius Adler From Having A Big Impact On The Game

Virgil Matthews is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that is playing in Germany in the PRO B for Erdgas Ehingen. He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played 31 games: 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 29 games: 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). Last season, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL, starting five): 21 games: 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL). Awards and Achievements in his career have been , Big Sky Conf. Regular Season Runner-Up -05, 06, Big Sky Conf. Tournament Winner -05, 06, Big Sky Tournament MVP -06, Big Sky All-Tournament Team -06, All-Big Sky Honorable Mention -06, and USBasket.com All-IBL Honorable Mention -10. Currently for Erdgas Ehingen he is averaging 11,2ppg, 5,5rpg and 3,6apg. He spoke to eurobasket before the deciding game against NBC April 12th to see who goes to the PRO A.

Tonight a do or die game against NBC. How confident and ready is the team to take care of business on your home court?

We are pretty confident and ready, we feel this is what we played the whole season for to get this game on our home floor, and we haven’t lost there so we feel good about taking care of business.

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TBB Trier Lead After 10 Rounds, But The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Win The Heavyweight Bout With 69-61 Knock Out

After the more than satisfying 92-53 romp against Phoenix Hagen 48 hours earlier, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had to be more than awake against TBB Trier as their continued goal of reaching the playoffs was not sweetened by the 80-61 loss in Bamberg 48 hours earlier. Frankfurt had to be more than ready for TBB Trier, because since Phoenix ´Hagen sit back mostly on defense, sipping Margaritas, watching spectacular offense unfold and prepare their next offense in their mind, TBB Trier on the other hand play defense for a passion and just wear down the opponents offense with continued stress play. Frankfurt couldn´t afford their minds slip for an instant second on offense possibly contemplating if golf and betting could ever mesh with golf legend Tiger Woods, if the valet parker in Miami beach can be serious for being to traumatized to continue back to work after being slapped by the mom of Lebron James or wonder when the one man horror show tour of actor Charlie Sheen will ever end. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had problems converting against TBB Trier on a consistent rate, but had the better nerves, defense and a 10-0 run in crunch time to win 69-61. “We knew that the weekend games were two different kinds of games with Phoenix Hagen having a high power offense and TBB Trier having a high power defense. We had to be able to switch our mentality within one day. We were able to lock down our defense in the second half and grind out the win”, stated current beko BBL top scorer Dashaun Wood. TBB Trier also showed Frankfurt that they weren´t a second Phoenix Hagen. “Every team has to adjust to situations like this. Our players are pro´s. Phoenix Hagen were playing for nothing an dgave up on defense while TBB Trier gave everything to win the game, because they are still fighting to reach playoffs”, stressed Skyliner sports director Kamil Novak. “I think that Frankfurt needed some time to adjust to our defense, but they showed in the second half that they are in second place for a reason. I thought that we did a good job in the half court defense not letting Frankfurt get easy baskets”, stated TBB Trier guard John Bynum. It was a big adjustment for us. TBB Trier was very physical and we were a little surprised how different the defenses of Phoenix Hagen and TBB Trier were”, added Skyliner forward Kimmo Muurinen.

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