Seeing eye popping magnificent basketball clinics in the Dragan Dome has been nothing out of the ordinary or unusual in the last two seasons as fans have been spoiled like a kid can be when their long lost uncle comes to visit with a sack full of toys as they have witnessed special American talents Aaron Nelson and Kameron Taylor. The only difference has been that the Dragons have been winning this season more and are on course to not only reach the playoffs again, but are playing for the Pro B title. A big reason is the great team chemistry and German role players understanding their duties, but a even bigger reason has been American Kameron Taylor who took a step back in his second professional season coming from the Pro A in hopes of making two steps forward. He has been a candidate for Pro B MVP of the season since the start with his overwhelming all-around play. Fans saw another side of him in January as he put up amazing back to back triple doubles of 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the big 89-86 victory against Coburg and two weeks later did the basketball trick again under the watchful eyes of the home crowd posting a 22 point, 14 rebound and 12 assists outburst against the Dresden Titans as he helped the team keep their almost immaculate home record potent at 10-1 with a 91-74 win against the former Eastern Germany city. With January history and February having arrived, the American from Maryland who also produced a triple double with Seton Hill(NCAA) against Shippensburg was looking for the win first while fans were looking for that third triple double in a row at home, but it wouldn´t be easy as opponent Iserlohn had an identical 13-5 record and were seeking revenge for their 80-75 loss at home against Taylor and co. The game was a battle for three quarters as no team could get away from the other, but in the fourth quarter despite massive foul trouble, the Dragons Rhondorf buckled down getting the needed support form their German role players slipping by Iserlohn 82-71.
ProB
Isaac Bonga Has Career High 30 Points Leading The Fraport Skyliners Juniors Past The Bayer Giants Leverkusen 81-65
A little more than two months ago, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors showed another great performance on the road taking apart the Bayer Giants Leverkusen for the second straight year as German wunder kid Isaac Bonga led the charge with 26 points last season and 19 points this season. Like so often this season, the Bayer Giants Leverkusen were unable to give a very good performance for 40 minutes as they have proven this season to have been underachieving despite having a very solid guard rotation of Alexander Blessig and Marvin Heckel and two potent import inside players with Bruce Beckford and Donovan Jack and all rounder CJ Oldham. The biggest problem has been their inability to defend at a high rate on a consistent level as they allow 80 points per game while scoring 78 per game. The club reacted at the start of 2018 bringing in talented 26 year old 196cm small forward Ron Mvouika from France who after a roller coaster ride from Sheridan JC (JUCO) and Missouri St. (NCAA), he finally landed with St Johns in his senior season 2015-2016 where he captained the team for legendary 1992 Dream team player and now coach Chris Mullin who treated him like a pro from day one. Leverkusen landed a coup with Mvouika as he prompt led the team on a two game winning streak. They did lose last weekend to Iserlohn as their lackluster defense reared it´s ugly head again on the court losing 95-84. However Mvouika who compares his game to Paul George has been more than just a fresh breath of air, but been a lot more as he has taken the Pro B by storm and proven to be a very versatile player that can do it all on the court as through three games he was averaging 19,0ppg, 5,0rpg, 4,0apg, 1,3 and is shooting 47,1% from outside. He has never had it easy in his career, but he has always believed in his abilities and his road up the basketball ladder continues now with Leverkusen. “I am a very confident person because I know the work I put in every day. Basketball is not a sport to me, it’s my life so me not finding stability since coming out of college never really made me doubt myself or anything else. I was just working very hard every day, waiting on the right opportunity to present itself, an opportunity where I could express myself and show the world what I can do and Bayer was the perfect marriage. I don’t feel or add any pressure, if anything, I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time so now its time to show all the work that I was putting behind close doors”, warned Ron Mvoiuka.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Ron Mvouika of the Bayer Giants Leverkusen after dropping 11 points in the 81-65 loss to Frankfurt
The French man came with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen to Frankfurt and was looking to start a new winning streak while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were looking for their second victory in a row in 2018 and they overcome a quick start by the Bayer Giants Leverkusen and controlled the game from the second quarter until the 40 minutes had eclipsed playing consistent offense and playing with passion on the defensive end winning 81-65.
Kameron Taylor (Dragons Rhondorf) This Season Has Already Been A Personal Success And Now We Want The Ultimate Goal
Kameron Taylor is a 23 year old 198cm guard from Hyattsville, Maryland that is playing his second professional season and first with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf and tearing up the Pro B averaging 23,9ppg, 7,6rpg and 5,3apg. Last season as a rookie he played with Team Ehingen Urspring (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games averaging 10.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 43.9%, FT: 80.2%. He started his basketball career at DeMatha Catholic and in 2012-2013 started his career at Seton Hill (NCAA2) and as a freshman played 28 games averaging 7.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 70.0%. In his second season at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 27 games averaging 12.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.6apg, 2.0spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 77.9%. In his junior season at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 16 games averaging 13.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 70.6%. In his senior year at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 27 games averaging 20.8ppg, 8.7rpg, 4.1apg, 2.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 76.8%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 91-74 win against the Dresden Titans.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber´s first interview with Kameron Taylor after the first home win against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen
Kam, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Congrats on the huge 91-74 win against the Dresden Titans. It´s Sunday and after Julian Gamble supported you watching play did you do the same in his game against the Walter Tigers Tuebingen?
Yes I usually always try to catch a Bonn game and not only support Julian Gamble and the Bonn team but to learn from the game.
When you watch a BBL game like that do you watch a Josh Mayo closely what he is doing or even put yourself in his shoes and draw a picture how you would have handled certain situations?
I know that I’m not the same player as Josh is, what I try to do is see myself contributing my strengths to the team while looking for the weaknesses of not only the Bonn team but the opposing teams as well. To see what both teams are lacking.
Garai Zeeb Sparks The Fraport Skyliners Juniors Using One Special Set Play Past KIT SC GEQUOS Karlsruhe 76-69
Five weeks ago the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were at their peak and seemed invincible. After being rattled for three quarters by the Dragons Rhondorf who had arrived at the game in Frankfurt more than fashionably late and got on the court five minutes after tip off, the home team finally snuck out of their 30 minute funk controlling the fourth quarter outscoring their opponent 20-9 and winning 84-77. At that moment the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were riding a four game winning streak and had a positive 8-5 record. However since then they have fallen off their peak like a novice mountain climber who shouldn´t be attempting to scale to the peak, but rather be chilling in a mountain chalet in front of a fire sipping hot chocolate munching on some crisp delectable biscuits discussing where American politics will go in 2018. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors currently were wrapped up in an annoying three game losing streak having lost to Iserlohn, FC Bayern Munich and the ScanPlus Baskets and were sporting a 8-8 record. Injuries and always changing rosters on account of BBL games where their double license players are sometimes unavailable has affected their play and chemistry from not properly developing. The organization was reeling for a successful experience to get back on track to gain their first victory in 2018 and what better way then for the doormat of the league to visit them. KIT SC GEQUOS Karlsruhe arrived in Frankfurt with a desolate 2-14 record having only defeated FC Bayern Munich and Iserlohn, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors couldn´t take this game as a cakewalk as they had narrowly escaped Karlsruhe earlier this season with a 73-70 win where they allowed 12 three´s, but did a good job taking care of the ball coughing it up only 8 times. KIT SC GEQUOS Karlsruhe had revenge on their minds and it looked good for a half as they controlled the game, but in the second half the Fraport Skyliners Juniors staged a massive comeback and were led by Garai Zeeb who powered home 13 points in the fourth quarter leading to the 76-69 victory. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors showed a lot of heart in the fourth quarter and stuck together as a team in hard times and after the win, German U-20 national player Garai Zeeb was happy the club got the win. “We didn´t have the right intensity in the first half. We were a bit tired from the morning practice, but that shouldn´t be an excuse. We gave up too many open shots and didn´t rebound well in the first half. In the second half, our intensity was better, we fought harder and made big hustle plays. We got more stops and were able to play transition and got to the hoop better making better decisions”, stressed Fraport Skyliners Juniors guard Garai Zeeb. In the first half, KIT SC GEQUOS Karlsruhe looked like a playoff team, but in the second half, they showed why they have belonged to the worst teams in the Pro B south as they continued to defend solidly, but their offense totally collapsed. After the loss, German point guard Aaron Schmitz explained why the team had to suffer another loss. “Our problem is that we can play one good half of basketball, but are unable to play the way we want to for 40 minutes. We fought the whole game, but the Frankfurt run in the third quarter erased our whole good first half. Our offense wasn´t good anymore in the second half, we suffered too many turnovers and allowed too many easy baskets”, added ex BG Karlsruhe guard Aaron Schmitz.
Kameron Taylor Launches Another Triple Double Lifting The Dragons Rhondorf Past The Dresden Titans 91-74
After the huge 89-86 win in Coburg where Kameron Taylor made himself immortal to Dragons Rhondorf fans with his amazing 35 point, 10 rebound and 12 assist masterpiece against Coburg in their own posh living room and made everybody there happy until the next game, their whole hard work of practice and hopes of continuing their winning streak to two games were crushed in Leverkusen as a seemingly comfortable 62-54 lead heading into the fourth quarter on the road was squashed. They relinquished an unacceptable 34-13 last quarter making the last weeks seem like an eternity as the club with the massive ambitious to move up to the Pro A have lost three of their last four games. The players escaped off the court in Leverkusen full with embarrassment and shame and were wishing that they could of somehow got back that fourth quarter and done it better. A week later, the Dragons Rhondorf returned back to their home court with a lot of question marks and did some real soul searching the last week, but knew that coming home is always positive since they are a very tough team to beat inside their own four walls. The club also knew that they had beat the Dresden Titans on the road holding their nerves 73-71 as their ex player Canadian Kevin Thomas had sealed the win with free throws. However this time both teams were a bit different as Dresden had hauled in three new players with Magnum, Debache and Hall and the Dragons had gotten Brandon Watkins. Kameron Taylor wanted to continue his stellar play at home and help lead his team to a new winning streak while the Dresden Titans wanted to continue their impressive defense after giving up only 52 points against FC Bayern Munich last weekend. Taylor came through again as he registered his second triple double in a row at home and second in three games lifting the Dragons Rhondorf to a convincing 91-74. Win. Despite his stellar game of 22 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists, the club showed in the fourth quarter that they are a real team as they stepped up in a big way getting much scoring punch from various players while Taylor scored only one point. “We didn´t have that fire against Leverkusen, but did a good job maintaining it for the whole game against Dresden. We let down a bit in the second half, but played team basketball, rebounded well and made them take tough shots. We did get called for some fouls behind the three point line, but we rather play aggressive defense than play passive defense”, warned ex Ehingen guard Kameron Taylor. The Dresden Titans had a bad start and played catch up basketball for the whole game, staged a huge comeback in the third quarter, but couldn´t stay consistent on defense in the fourth quarter as their decreasing energy bit them in their own butt. “We were overrun at the start. We wanted to stop their transition, play good help defense and good set defense, but we didn´t do any of that tonight. We did a pretty good job against their zone press and came back, but ran out of energy in the fourth quarter. We had a bad break with the Sebastian Heck disqualification foul, but Rhondorf is a very good team, but we could of played a lot better”, warned ex American(NCAA) guard Janek Schmidtkunz. “We gave up too many transition baskets and rebounded badly, but we never gave up and fought until the end”, added ex Easter Michigan(NCAA) guard Willie Mangum.
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kameron Taylor after dropping his second triple double in a row at home with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in the 91-74 win against the Dresden Titans
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors Turnover Disease Pace FC Bayern Munich II To 81-58 Victory
With the Christmas goose digested and the new year celebration a little less than a week ago, it was time for the German Pro B to get rolling again as the 3 week layoff did seem to move along slowly even through the holiday season. It is always seems like a lottery with the Fraport Skyliners Juniors and FC Bayern Munich 2 as to which BBL license players will be present or not. It was a good bet that all Fraport Skyliners Juniors could be present because the BBL team played at home the next day against the Telekom Baskets Bonn, while FC Bayern Munich was on the road the day after in Weissenfels, about a two and a half hour car ride from Frankfurt. One of the hottest players at the moment in the Pro B is German FC Bayern Munich swing man Karim Jallow who had scored 20 plus points in his last six games averaging 25,0ppg and is always a treat to see in the Pro B while for Frankfurt one of their top players American Alex Fountain had been in a little slump as after scoring in double figures in his first 8 games has done it only once in his last five games. FC Bayern Munich 2 entered the game having won all three games in the young head to head competition in the Pro B with Frankfurt, while the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had been playing spirited basketball as of late having won four of their last five games. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were motivated and very focused to finally win their first game in the Pro B against FC Bayern Munich 2, but were rudely denied getting mauled 81-58 as their turnover disease of 31 paced the visitors to the victory.
After the victory one would have thought that all was good with the winners FC Bayern Munich 2, but apparently not as head coach Oliver Kostic disallowed Karim Jallow to talk to this reporter as the German was interrupted halfway through explaining the keys to the victory. “We saw that Frankfurt was weak without many players, but we took them seriously. We wanted to win big, but fell apart in the second quarter. At halftime coach got loud in the locker room with us, but that was expected”, stressed Karim Jallow. It is a shame that Jallow couldn´t talk more, but apparently coach Kostic thinks the Pro B is the NBA? After a few surprised faces had witnessed the abrupt departure of Jallow and Kostic, a disappointed Niklas Pons of the Fraport Skyliners Juniors explained the demise of his team. “We didn´t have the strength to win today. The second quarter was good, but we let up in the third quarter. We had a nice run at the end, but it was too late. We should of played like that earlier. We didn´t move the ball well and just couldn´t play our game. They defended very aggressively and we were irritated by them”, said ex TV Langen guard Niklas Pons.
Are the Dragons Rhondorf Really A Pro B Title Team Or Just A Playoff Team?
Sometimes one has to wonder how much added fun there would be in Germany in the Christmas time if there was the same amount of opportunities for kids to meet Santa Claus at the local mall as in the States, because that amazing experience is always a high light for any kid before the real game starts with opening presents. One also has to wonder if a Viktor Frankl-Maus could be as exciting playing a Santa Claus for kids as he is making breathtaking passes that makes him a kind of passing magician in the German Pro B. Either way with the great passing ability, positive character and sense of humor, he could easily attempt to a play a Santa Claus if asked. Not only is it fun for any kid to sit on Santa´s lap and wish for that special present, but it has been extra fun again this season coming into the always boisterous Dragon Dome and watching the Dragons Rhondorf play basketball again with you trying to predict for how many points a Kameron Taylor will go for and watching the grand leadership of Viktor Frankl-Maus and his Rajon Rondo type passes that he always good for. But most important the Dragons Rhondorf are winning again something they hadn´t been doing on a regular basis since their spectacular Pro B run in the 2014-2015 season that led them into the Pro A. Are the Dragons Rhondorf back on course good and ripe enough for a title again or will the playoffs be a certain reality, but nothing more?
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Dragons Rhondorf guard Kameron Taylor after dropping 24 points and a buzzer beater against the Fraport Skyliners Juniors in 82-80 win
Last season was a season to forget as the club had seemingly a competitive roster, but with the talent that they had underachieved.
Demetrius Ward (MTV Wolfenbuettel Herzoege) My Goal Is To Be Efficient Without Taking So Many Shots Scoring The Ball With Limited Dribbles
Demetrius Ward is a 27 year old 188cm guard from Detroit, Michigan that is playing his sixth professional season with MTV Wolfenbuettel Herzoege (Germany-ProB) and last season played 22 games averaging 19.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 83.6%. He played at Western Michigan from 2008-2012 playing a total of 129 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 12.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 76.2%. He spoke German Hoops to about basketball.
Demetrius, thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and what are you looking forward to most this Christmas?
Hello Miles I’m currently at home in Detroit. I am looking forward to spending time with my family during the break.
Before we talk about Wolfenbuettel, I have to remind you about this quote you gave me in your last interview in April 2017. “I definitely think I can make an impact in the Pro A on and off the court. I’m not a one dimensional player, I can create my own shot and also create for others. I guess all I need is a chance to show my talents at the next level”. Are you very disappointed you didn´t catch on with a Pro A team? What do you feel is missing for getting that opportunity?
It was disappointing but, I have a great opportunity here in Wolfenbuttel which maybe better than playing in the Pro A. I think I don’t have the representation or anyone pushing me to go to the Pro A. My time will come eventually or maybe its not meant to happen but I definitely can play Pro A.
Kameron Taylor (Dragons Rhondorf) Sometimes You Have To Take A Step Back To Take Two Steps Forward
Kameron Taylor is a 22 year old 198cm guard from Hyattsville, Maryland that is playing his second professional season and first with Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf and tearing up the Pro B averaging 23,3ppg, 7,2rpg and 4,5apg. Last season as a rookie he played with Team Ehingen Urspring (Germany-ProA) playing 29 games averaging 10.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 43.9%, FT: 80.2%. He started his basketball career at DeMatha Catholic and in 2012-2013 started his career at Seton Hill (NCAA2) and as a freshman played 28 games averaging 7.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 70.0%. In his second season at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 27 games averaging 12.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.6apg, 2.0spg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 77.9%. In his junior season at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 16 games averaging 13.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.3%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 70.6%. In his senior year at Seton Hill (NCAA2) he played 27 games averaging 20.8ppg, 8.7rpg, 4.1apg, 2.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 76.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball before he signed with the Dragons Rhondorf.
Kam thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are playing your second professional season and first with the Dragons Rhondorf. You had a solid rookie season in Germany with Ehingen, but chose to play in the Pro B for Rhondorf. What were the main factors for you making this move?
Rhondorf gave me a direct access to learn and train with the Telekom Baskets BBL in where I can not only compete with the highest competition but also see where my skill and athleticism is compared to the athletes of the BBL, and can directly help Rhondorf and keep my gameplay high for the Pro B.
Sometimes taking a step back can be seen as a step forward. Why did you choose to take a step back to the Pro B? It isn´t like you have to prove yourself after what you showed in the Pro A last season?
Yea sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.
What has been your early impression of this years Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf? They have a solid core of Germans led by Viktor Frankl- Maus and three talented imports. What kind of style do you see the team playing and how successful will the team be?
I really enjoy the team, we have great chemistry on and off the court. I especially think the chemistry off the court is important because it eliminates selfishness between the team. I feel we are a defensive team that can get out run as well as run a good half court offense. I expect a really good season because our success will depend on us coming out ready to play every game.
The Fraport Skyliners Juniors Overcome The Double Whammy With Cosmo Gruehn´s Precision Shooting Getting By The Dragons Rhondorf 84-77
Miles Schmidt-Scheuber interviewing Kameron Taylor after dropping 28 points and hauling down 12 rebounds in 84-77 loss in Frankfurt
After being on the road for weeks which must have felt like an eternity as something like that is rather untypical in the Pro B basketball world, the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were finally back home again, but even if they didn´t want to admit it were facing a type of double whammy at home even if it was more a mental thing that they had to contend with. The last time the Fraport Skyliners Juniors stepped off the court in their own smug living room they had left with hanging heads as they had suffered every player´s nightmare having been hit and shattered by a last second buzzer beater shot by ScanPlus Baskets guard Hayden Lescault that not only put a piercing dagger into the hearts of Frankfurt, but also had the audacity not to go through the netting in the usual way with a beautiful swish, but had the nerve to bounce around the rim for seemingly minutes and then trickle through somewhat delaying the celebrations by the visitors. That was the first whammy that Frankfurt had to encounter and the second one was having to face the Dragons Rhondorf again as the last time they faced them in October in the Dragon Dome in Rhondorf, they also had to exit the floor as the losers on a last second buzzer beater by Mr “it´s Seton Hill not Seton Hall” Kameron Taylor who had nerves of steel in the last 9 seconds and the slick self confidence of a clutch crunch time player like Michael Jordan back in the day as he took Jules Akodo to the cleaners with a pull up jumper that found nothing but net and put the Dragons Rhondorf into basketball heaven for a night. The good news was that the Fraport Skyliners Juniors were coming off a big win in Schwelm where German Garai Zeeb had supplied the heroics supplying a game winning shot and three seasons ago Frankfurt beat Rhondorf in Frankfurt with a Kyle Fossman buzzer beater. With so many buzzer beaters swirling around in everybody´s minds, one could only have figured that this game would experience another shocking fate at the end, but it didn´t as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors won their fourth game in a row after staging a comeback in the second half winning 84-77.
German Hoops 