Brandon Shingles is a 28 year old 190cm guard from Albany, Georgia playing his third season in Germany and first with the Uni-Riesen Leipzig (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career at Morehead St. (NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games: 4.8ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.8apg, 1.5spg. In 2010 he started his professional basketball career at Aschersleben Tigers BC (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 15 games: 14.5ppg. He led the team to the Regionaliga 2 title. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Guildford Heat (United Kingdom-BBL) playing 6 games: 7.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 31.3%; left in Nov.’11, then moved to BBC Febro Eagles Magdeburg (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 7 games: 16.1ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 61.8%, FT: 63.0%. He then played for KB Drita Gjilan (Kosovo-SuperLeague) and two years ago for GBP Badajoz (Spain-EBA) playing 15 games: 15.5ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.6apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 6.3%, FT: 57.3%. He spoke to German Hoops after the bitter 113-105 triple OT loss against the Giants Nordlingen.

 

 

Brandon a bitter 113-105 lost against the Giants Nördlingen . How do your muscles feel on Monday morning?

Thanks for the interview Miles. I’m a bit sore after a triple overtime game. Hahaha

What is the worst about a loss like this when the team played 55 minutes? The body or the mental part?

I think the body gets it the worst. Especially in a hard fought game like this was.

Do you sense that the 84-83 heartbreaking loss was in the back of the minds of Nordlingen for the whole 55 minutes?

Of course. We came back down from 20 to win. We knew the whole season they wanted revenge and they got the win .

The Uni Riesen Leipzig played a three OT game and you played 55 minutes. Can you remember ever playing so many minutes in one game?

I know I played in a double overtime conference championship my Jr. Year in college to go to the NCAA tourney. I think I may have played a little over 40 plus mins but never 55 mins.

Lets talk about the game as your memory is still fresh. At halftime, the Giants were leading 45-39. Was there any moment were you were feeling this could be a long afternoon/night?

We knew they were a good team and of their current winning streak. We know that every game is going be a grind so at half time we stayed positive and discussed on what we needed to do to fight back .

After three quarters of good scoring for Nordlingen, Leipzig buckled down in the fourth quarter taking the game in OT limiting the Nordlingen scoring machine to four points. What was key for limiting them so much?

Our pick and roll defense was much better in the second half. And we limited them do one shot per possession.

Leipzig had the 69-67 lead for three minutes until Leo Vrkas sent the game into OT with a bucket. He actually scored the last two baskets before OT. Did Leipzig suffer some defensive breakdowns in this phase of was the mental part also present?

We just had some breakdowns as you said and like a good team does they capitalized off our mistakes .

In the first OT, it was back and forth, but Jordan Talbert made big plays and got the Giants the lead, but Leipzig battled back with Sacha Leutloff drawing a foul and bringing the game into a second OT. How important does it remain for the big German to be able to take pressure off of you and Julian Scott at any time of a contest?

Like I said in a interview before, Sacha is one of the best forwards in this league. He brings it night in and night out. His ability to make plays takes pressure off our whole team .

In the second OT, it looked like Nordlingen would finally pull through and win as Janek Schmidkunz hit a three, but once again Leipzig never gave up and got to a third OT once again with free throws. How confident was your team just being able to do what you wanted to and draw the foul when it was needed?

We were very confident and most important we were having fun. I haven’t seen that look in our team eyes since before the Christmas break.

In the third OT Nordlingen had had enough pouring home 19 points. Was there a fatigue factor present in the third OT?

Yea both teams were running on fumes. Plus two of our starters fouled out and they had a little bit more left in the tank than we did .

Despite the heartbreaking loss was there anything possible that the UNI Riesen Leipzig could take that will be able to spurn them on to further success in the next games?

Of course. We learned to play through adversity and stay together. With this attitude I’m very excited about heading into the playoffs .

Is the fact that four players combined for 100 of the 105 points scare you a bit?

Not really. No one on this team is selfish. We just did what had to be done this game. Hopefully the points can be spread throughout our whole team the next game.

How proud are you that the club stuck with a very powerful Nordlingen team despite having a seven man rotation and five guys that combined for 259 minutes?

Very proud of our effort.

How do recap the NBA trade line deals? What teams did the best?

Jeff Green to the Clippers for Lance Stephenson. I think the Clippers got an important key to a deep playoff run.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Dawg Fight.

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

 

Cliff Tucker is a 27 year old 198cm forward from El Paso, Texas playing his fourth professional season and first with rent4office Nuernberg (Germany-ProA). He started the season with Sopron KC (Hungary-A Division). He played at Maryland(NCAA) from 2007-2011 playing a total of 131 games and as a senior played 33 games: 9.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 67.2%. In 2012-2013, he started his professional career with the Springfield Armor (D-League): 13 games: 6.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 33.3%,. In the 2013-2014 season he played with Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP playing 42 games: 16.9ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 48.9%, 3FGP: 29.3%, FT: 72.8%. He also played with Toros de Aragua (Venezuela-LPB): 7 games: 9.6ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 24.0%, FT: 16.7%. He played for athird team that season with Indios de San Francisco (Dominican Republic-LNB) playing 7 games: 10.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.1apg. Last season he remained with Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP) playing 44 games: 15.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.1apg, Steals-2(1.7spg), FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 72.7%. He also played with Academia de la Montana Alavaro Contreras (Colombia-Liga Direct TV) Liga DirecTV-1: 4 games: 20.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.5apg, 1.8spg. He recently spoke to German Hoops about basketball.
 

 

 

Cliff thanks for talking to German Hoops A tough 68-64 loss on the weekend against Science City Jena. It was a dog fight at the end. What was key at the end that Rent4Office were unable to pull out the win?

The key in the end of the game was that we were not able to execute our offense in the end of game and we made some key turnovers and fouls in the end of game that caused us to lose

Despite the loss, the team is 12-11 and right in the thick of things and still on course for the playoffs. You had been part of the 3 game winning streak. Despite the loss is this team playing like a confident play off type team?

Despite the loss our team is very confident and playing like a playoff team. We have depth now on our roster and we just need to get a good rotation and continue to play hard as a team

You have only been here a short time, but in the short time have seen that Rent4Office is a team that can put up many points on the board, but also come to defend. What would you say is the teams biggest strength?

I think our teams biggest strength is our depth. We are a very deep team and we have a good group of guys that start the game and come off the bench

This is your first season in Europe after being in the States your whole life. How has the adjustment been for you on the court in general?

The adjustment for me in Europe has been good and a learning experience .Guys play very hard the whole game in Europe and the basketball is very organized.

You are a guy that can fill up the stat sheet. On a club that has many scoring options what exactly is your role on the team?

.My role on the team is to just simply make a difference in some way and help the team win. Whether its rebounding, defense, scoring or passing my job is to get on court and make a difference and give the team a big lift.

You can do very much on the court, but what do you feel today is still a hidden strength in your game that gets overlooked?

A hidden strength in my game that gets over looked is my defense. I am very long and athletic and can guard any position 1 through 3

Head coach Ralph Junge is probably the best German coach that deals with young players. What experience has it been so far working with him and what have you learned in the short time so far?

Coach Ralph is a great coach and very understanding. He is willing to work with players and help them with their game. I have learned that coach does not expect you to score 20 points a game he just wants you to play hard and help the team win

You have two very young German teammates with Kevin Bright who was the leading rebounder at Vanderbilt the one season he played there and Mauricio Marin. Bright is older than Marin, but how much potential do these two guys have?

The 2 young Germans have great potential. Kevin is a tough player very athletic and can also shoot Marin is a great scorer and can put the ball in the basket. They both will be great players in the future to come

You started the season with Sopron KC (Hungary-A Division). What was your wake up call to being in Europe where you were very far away from home?

The key wake up call to me being in Europe was the 8hr time difference from home and also the food.

After being a rookie in the D-league you played the last two seasons with Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP). This is a step that many Americans take before coming to Europe. Did the individual success give you the needed self confidence to come to Europe?

Yes me playing in the D league and Mexico helped me out a lot and gave me confidence to go play in Europe with the best guys in the world. It also gave me experience to learn the game

Last summer you played briefly for Academia de la Montana Alavaro Contreras (Colombia-Liga DirecTV). What experience in South American will forever stay in your mind that you had there?

My experience in South America was great. I will forever remember the fans and how beautiful a city Medillien Columbia was.

In Mexico you played together with Ken Horton who is currently in the German Beko BBL with medi Bayreuth and Giesen 46er Suleiman Braimoh. Are these two guys a good example that hard works does reward a player by reaching a higer level in Europe?

Yes Ken Horton And Suleiman are great examples that hard work pays off. They started in small leagues and played great and kept working their way up to the top league. Those guys are close friends and great players

Ken Horton has been a very consistent performer for medi Bayreuth. He has scored in double figures since he arrived at Central Conn in 2006. What did you appreciate about his game most?

I appreciate how hard Ken plays and his shooting. He is an undersized 4 man, but plays hard and scores the ball really well

As a rookie you played for the Springfield Armour of the D-League. You played 13 games averaging 6.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 33.3%. How was this whole experience for you? Did you learn quickly that making the NBA doesn´t always have to do with being the most talented?

Playing in the D league was a good experience. I learned that there are many politics involved with the NBA and its not always about how good you are but its about who you know and how big a name you have

You played at Maryland(NCAA) from 2007-2011. Despite some very talented teams why do you feel did Maryland in your time never make any noise in the NCAA tournament?

I feel like we did not make much noise in tournament at Maryland because we had a lot of selfish guys that did not want to play as a team

Is your buzzer beater against Georgia Tech where you had eight points in nine minutes and was the first buzzer beater since the Drew Nicholas buzzer beater in 2003 that beat NC Wilmington what you are most remembered by?

I am most remembered by my buzzer beater at Maryland. Was a great game and experience in a sold out arena. Helped our team tie for the ACC Chanpionship that year

Were your two best games against North Carolina where you averaged 20 points? Do you look back on those games remembering against all the future NBA talent that you played against?

Yes I think back to all my North Carolina games and remember the great players I played against. It helps my confidence and shows me that I can play with the best guys in the world

How did Gary Williams groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

Gary Williams made me work for every minute I played and everything I had. He made me work on my game and taught me a lot about basketball and life

Who was the best player that you battled against in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

One of the toughest players is Harrison Barnes. He is a great player and good defender

Recently ESPN named the 100 best NBA players of all time. Do you feel it was justified to have Lebron before legends like Bill Russell, Magic and Larry Bird?

I am not sure if Lebron should be ahead of all those great hall of fame guys

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie i saw was Bad Boys 2.

Thanks Cliff for the chat.

There are numerous guys that have played in the Fraport arena over the years that one could describe as athletic specimens like a Jawad Williams that had the honor to play with Lebron James and Shaq on the same team or a Brandon Bowmann that was close to reaching the NBA twice with the Nets and 76ers, but instead found himself packing his bags and returning for another Europe season adventure when Allen Iverson decided to come back to Philly. When you look at both guys, they have that certain swagger that one can only compare to the tall and athletic creatures that roam the NBA arena´s. Bowmann has had the opportunity to battle the Fraport Skyliners with three different teams and coming into the Europe cup game he has a 500 record with a record of 3-3. In just his third season as a professional after having an illustrious career at Georgetown where he had as much game as a Roy Hibbert and Jeff Green, but had to watch them live their dreams out in the NBA while he came to Europe helped the Telekom Baskets Bonn sweep Frankfurt in the 2008-2009 season and in his first ever game in Frankfurt scored 22 points and hauled down 11 rebounds while getting four steals. However his next two attempts with SC Rasta Vechta and medi Bayreuth didn´t turn out as well as he only had a 1-3 record with them. With SC Rasta Vechta he lost two nail bitters 70-67 in Frankfurt where he mustered 13 points and then a very bitter 76-75 loss in Vechta as Quantez Robertson made the steal on a William Conroy inbounds play and fed German Kevin Bright for the buzzer beater three pointer. Last season, Bowman who is known as a gym rat and might call Los Angeles his address, but the gym worldwide as his address lost a heart breaker in Frankfurt with Medi Bayreuth 90-89 as American Javon Mccrea could put home the easy bucket from close range. After a bitter cup final loss last weekend, Bowman was back in Frankfurt hoping to make some positive news with his club Petrolina AEK Larneca, but the California native fell to 3-4 against the German team in his career as the Fraport Skyliners played their typical ruthless and almost flawless defense and had their offense playing Skyliner basketball losing 83-60 as Frankfurt took the 1-0 series lead in the best of three series. After the game, ex Seton Hall guard Jordan Theodore was stretching and he had his normal another day at the office expression as telling what happened continues to be the same procedure after a big win. “We wanted to bounce back after the loss in Ludwigsburg. Being 13-0 in this competition feels good. We set the tone on defense and did a good job moving the ball. We knew that they had many older guys, so we wore them down. I just feels good to win with guys that always want to win and compete every night. This is what separates us from the other teams. I also have to give a lot of credit to coach Herbert who always has us well prepared”, stressed Fraport Skyliners guard Jordan Theodore. After the loss a dejected Brandon Bowman exited the locker room and only had one word on his lips for his summary of the game. “Their defense is my summary. They are great at scouting. They knew everything that we ran. They knew our defense and were well prepared. They played me tough. We got no steals. Doornekamp got in rhythm and Morrison also played very well. It will take all of us to beat them at home”, stressed AEK Larnaca forward Brandon Bowman. Ex Fraport Skyliner Jimmy Mckinney who plays for the Telekom Baskets Bonn was the team´s good luck charm. “Jimmy just showed up and started to laugh. He put some excitement into the atmosphere”, smiled Quantez Robertson.

In the first few minutes both teams were trying to find a rhythm, but couldn´t as shots weren´t falling at all. Ex Maryland(NCAA) guard Parrish Brown opened up the scoring with a three pointer and German national player Johannes Voigtmann got some flair into the rather quiet Fraport arena with a massive two handed dunk as ex Auburn star Quantez Robertson dished him the perfect pass. The Fraport Skyliners then finally found a rhythm on offense as Robertson nailed a three pointer. Jordan Theodore then let his defense do the talking making a rapid steal and finding Florida native Mike Morrison on the break with the lay in as Frankfurt led 8-3. After AEK Larnaca took a time out, it was ex NBA player Primoz Brezec who played 8 seasons in the NBA and tailed a total of 342 games with 6 different teams made a pretty fade away from the baseline to cut the Frankfurt lead to 8-5. However this little spark of offense didn´t faze Frankfurt as they started to play Skyliner basketball on offense going on a 9-0 run to lead 17-5. The run was sparked by Mike Morrison who got two easy buckets inside, 5 time CIS winner Philip Scrubb scored on transition and Canadian national player Aaron Doornekamp dropped a three pointer. American CJ Leslie who played at North Carolina State with Phoenix Suns American TJ Warren was inserted and instantly gave the Cypriot team energy as he used his athleticism scoring from the base line and then made a turnaround jumper. Robertson made free throws and the Fraport Skyliners led 20-10 after one quarter. “Frankfurt was better at everything and had more structure. Their defense was superb as the rotations were good and weren´t giving up the pick and pop”, stressed agent Kevin Koch. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 54% from the field and 67% from outside while AEK Larnaca was shooting 29% from the field and 20% from outside. Frankfurt had the 12-5 rebound edge, but four turnovers while the Cypriot team had five turnovers.

In the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners were able to ultimately pull away from AEK Larnaca having the double digit lead. Frankfurt got on the board first with a Theodore coast to coast lay in and Konstantin Klein trey while the only input the AEK Lanarca offense could get were two buckets from Slovenian Brezec as Frankfurt led 25-14. Frankfurt then got big time production from ex Braunschweig forward Aaron Doornekamp who hit for two three pointers and scored inside extending the Frankfurt lead to 33-16. Frankfurt had a very good rhythm on offense having a strong ball movement opening up easy shots. AEK Lanarca are always capable of getting some offensive power going and did surprising the Frankfurt stellar play with a 7-2 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 35-23. In the run it was Flint, Michigan native Thaddus Mcfadden nailing a jumper and free throws while ex SC Rasta Vechta forward Bowman hit a pretty shot over Doornekamp. However a big strength of Frankfurt is too never panic and just play their brand of Skyliner basketball closing out the second quarter with a nasty 8-2 run to lead to go into the break comfortably 43-24 as Jordan Theodore tested his 40% three point shooting accuracy and hitting as did Doornekamp his third of the quarter. “The Frankfurt offense was very consistent. They were getting quality shots and hitting. Frankfurt did a good job having 4-5 guys touching the ball on every possession while AEK Larnaca had two guys at best three touching the ball. Doornekamp was hitting shots. That is just what he does”, stressed American Zeon Gray. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 52% from the field and 58% from the three point line while AEK Larnaca were shooting 33% from the field and 17% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 22-11 rebound edge and both teams had seven turnovers a piece.

The Fraport Skyliners continued to dominate the game in the third quarter leading as much as 20 points, but despite a small run and lack of concentration in the later part of the quarter, the team were able to go into the fourth quarter strong carrying the momentum into the fourth quarter. AEK Larnaca came out of the locker room motivated and quickly went on a 4-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 43-28. Chicago native Parrish Brown opened up the second half with free throws and then made a pretty off balance jumper. Frankfurt got their offense on track again dominating in the paint as Theodore made a pretty spin move and lay in Robertson made a steal and found 2010 Eurochallenge winner John Little for the easy lay in as Frankfurt led 48-30. Frankfurt was able to extend their lead to 54-34 as Mike Morrison continued to have the hot hand scoring on transition as Scrubb made the perfect bounce pass and Robertson fed the big man for the alley-oop dunk. AEK Larnaca then had their best three minutes of the game going on a stunning 9-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 54-43 and giving the 2015 Cypriot champion a glimmer of hope. In the run, the club got solid support from their Americans Bowman and Mcfadden. Bowman connected on a three pointer and lay while ex Braunschweig guard Mcfadden scored on transition and made a step back jumper. “We gave up 19 points in the third quarter. It´s not always easy when your up 20 points and keep the same intensity. We need to remember the game isn´t over then and that basketball is a game of runs and have to continue to execute until the end”, warned Jordan Theodore. Frankfurt stayed on their feet and showed moral stopping the AEK Larnaca run and going on a 6-0 run to lead 60-43 after 30 minutes. Frankfurt got production from Morrison getting an easy put back, a jumper from Scrubb who then fed Robertson for the transition lay in. On the Morrison basket, Frankfurt once again displayed why they adore giving up the good shot for the great shot which ultimate team player Doornekamp proved once again. “We lost focus on defense on their run. We had no communication on defense and weren´t boxing out. They got a few shots to fall”, stressed Ohio native Quantez Robertson. “We went small, were aggressive and hit shots. This is how we got quality wins in the last month when we went small”, added Brandon Bowman. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 52% from the field and 50% from the parking lot while AEK Larnaca was shooting 42% from the field and 23% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 26-18 rebound advantage. Frankfurt had 10 turnovers while AEK Larnaca had 13 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, the Fraport Skyliners continued to play their dominating game letting their offense flow while their defense wore down the opponent leading at one time by 26 points. Frankfurt had a lot of fortune in the game getting the majority of the loose balls on the evening. After a Morrison free throw, he was standing under the basket ready to get back on transition defense, but instead suddenly found the ball resting in his hands that he disposed in the bucket. The Fraport Skyliners then nailed two three pointers from Doornekamp and Klein extending the Frankfurt lead to 71-48 as AEK Larnaca were just going through the motions and already thinking what their post-game meal could be. After a Leslie bucket which cut the Frankfurt lead to 71-50, Frankfurt fans got another act of brilliance from Philip Scrubb who is like a green Leprechaun as the only thing missing is a slick green outfit and pot of gold as most everything he touches has turned to gold. He came into the game shooting 66,7% from down town, but before he nailed another trey, it was his hidden strength of passing that dazzled everyone. The Canadian was forced into the corner by two Cypriot players and somehow heaved up a perfect lob pass as if he knew where Voigtmann was to center court who then fed Robertson for the crushing two handed dunk as Frankfurt led 76-50. AEK Larnaca had one last ounce of energy as Bowman rode his team on a 5-0 run with a three pointer and lay in as Frankfurt led 78-55. Frankfurt then inserted their youngsters Max Merz who nailed a trey and Stefan Ilzhoefer while AEK Larnaca put in 19 year old Cypriot Christoforos Leontiou who also hit a three pointer ending the game. “We continued to make open shots, got on the fast break leading to easy lay ups and hit our free throws”, expressed Quantez Robertson. “The Frankfurt offense over rolled us. After we were down by 12 points, we went back to our game plan. That is when Frankfurt went on another run”, stated Brandon Bowman. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Aaron Doornekamp with 19 points. Mike Morrison added 17 points and Quantez Robertson had 13 points. Thaddus Mcfadden had 12 points and Parrish Brown chipped in with 11 points. AEK Larnaca was led by Brandon Bowman with 14 points. Thaddus Frankfurt shot 51% from the field and 57% from outside while AEK Larnaca shot 42% from the field and 31% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebound duel 35-25. Frankfurt had 15 turnovers while AEK Larnaca had 17 turnovers. Frankfurt won all the important other stats on the night like points in the paint 32-24, bench points 37-10, steals 11-4, and assists 26-8. Ex Fraport Skyliner Jimmy Mckinney made the trip from Bonn and had a long chat with ex teammates Quantez Roberston and John Little and is very proud how well his ex team is doing. “Frankfurt can win the Europe Cup and BBL cup. They are well coached and just stay within and play the right way. The chemistry is there as well. The team sees blood and just want to win very badly”, stressed Jimmy Mckinney.

Chase Adams is a 27 year old 188cm point guard from Baltimore, Maryland is playing for the Finke Baskets Paderborn (Germany-ProA) this season. He started his basketball career at Centenary (NCAA) in 2006 where he played three seasons and a total of 89 NCAA games. As a senior he moved to Pittsburgh (NCAA). He turned professional in 2001 and played briefly in the ABA and in the UBL before making Germany his home as he played for teams like Dortmund, Bochum, and Science City Jena. He spoke to German Hoops after a big win against the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen.

 

 

Chase thanks for talking to German Hoops and congrats on the 67-64 victory against the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen. It was the third two game winning streak of the season. How vital was it beating direct competitors in the standings with Rhondorf and Essen the last two weekends?

These were MUST wins and major confidence boosters. Much respect to both teams they took us all the way to the end; winning such close/intense games will help us in the games to come. Finishing out games was one of our weak points.

Essen had a strong first quarter and Paderborn a potent second quarter and the Finke Baskets led 38-34 at the break. Was buckling down more on defense in the second quarter a key element that head coach Uli Nachster wanted the club to focus on?

Coach made a good call by switching up our defensives and we put a lot of emphasis on limiting Bowman´s touches. When we buy into the game plan and everyone is focused we can compete with anyone.

Why were the Finke Baskets Paderborn not able to slam the door on Essen in the second half? Essen made a 8-0 run at the end of the third to tie the game at 50-50 and simply hung around in the fourth never letting you breathe comfortably until the horn sounded after 40 minutes?

We just weren’t making shots and we were going away from what was working. To put a team away, especially in the 4th, you have to make the easy opportunities. Missing layups and Free throws kept the game close.

How proud are you of the team that despite you and Steven Bennett having quieter nights combining for 10 points, it was still able to grind out a big win?

I Love it!! Knowing that my teammates can pick up the slack like that will benefit us in the long run. We didn’t always have that throughout the season and now we are pushing for the playoffs we will need players to step up however they can on any given night.

The team has some good size, but still lost the rebound battle as they had trouble containing American Stan Brown. After scoring only three points in the first game, he made amends scoring 24 points and hauling down 13 boards. What was so difficult in keeping him in check?

When we are in zone it’s always hard to box out, It surely didn’t seem like they won the rebound battle. We might have to review the tape on that one because that’s what helped us to keep them at bay.

Despite losing the rebound battle 185cm point guard Dominik Wolf grabbed 9 rebounds. How important is it having a guy like German Wolf setting the tone that under the boards everyone has to help out and not just the big guys?

Dominik is an amazing athlete and finally he got to show off some of his talents. He truly has a knack for grabbing offensive rebounds; that lifted us early in the game.

If Paderborn hadn´t started so well, then the club would most likely be in the basement. Before the win against Rhondorf the club was suffering a 11 game losing streak. Was the despair very bad or was that belief that the team would turn it around always there?

Heads were done and confidence was low but each week we prepared for a win. It was just a matter of time before we started clicking on all fronts. Now it’s all about consistency and not getting complacent. I stated we would be in the top of the league at the beginning; that didn’t work out but I believe we are a playoff team still.

How big was the pickup of American Steven Bennett? He didn´t have his best game against Essen, but before that was a big scoring option in every game?

Steve-O is exactly the pick up we needed. I call him “An instant Bucket” because he is a tremendous offensive threat off the bench. He will bounce back and it will make us more dangerous around the perimeter.

Does the arrival of Steven Bennett take some pressure off your game? Now you don’t have the whole load on your shoulders.

Yes. Now teams can’t just lock in on one of us and this allows me to bring more intensity on the defensive end. I used to get exhausted late in the game because I couldn’t take a break and now I can play with the same intensity from start to finish.

Your averaging 12,5ppg, 4,4rpg and 4,6apg. Your scoring has been down as you scored in double figures in nine of your first ten games and now four times in your last 11 games. You are also taking less shots. Has your role changed or are you paying very close attention to shot selection?

Honestly I’m just trying to get my teammates more involved and I’m trying to bring it on the defensive end. If I can lead these guys by being unselfish and doing all the intangibles that aren’t on the stat sheet I can live with that. The team is better than the individual and it will all come together with patience; letting the game come to me.

Your defense has been very strong all season long as your averaging 2,1spg. Often the defense ignites the offense of a team. Is this something that could restart your offensive scoring capabilities?

Most definitely and that’s always my first priority. The same aggression I put on defense will correlate to me attacking the basket and shooting my 3s again it’s just a matter of time.

Do you see it being justified that ESPN has Lebron at #3 of the best NBA players of alltime list before guys like Magic, Bill Russell and Larry Bird?

I saw that but I’m just happy my guy Allen Iverson is being inducted into the Hall of Fame. LeBron is a Beast though it’s well deserved.

Now with the Super Bowl history what sporting event do you follow? Are you an NCAA madness freak?

It’s all about the NBA, I’m not an NCAA fan.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Dope.

Thanks Chase for the chat.

 

Usually in the German Pro B one marvels each weekend about the amazing young German talents going head to head as the Fraport Skyliners Juniors present Niklas Kiel one of the biggest German talents from the year 1997 that wants to go the NBA route the German way the way Dirk Nowitzi and Dennis Schroder did or 18 year old Garai Zeeb who came from the Bremerhaven school of basketball and has lightning speed when he glides to the rim while opponent Weissenhorn also has potent youth to offer with guys like 19 year old German/Austrian point guard David Kramer who has played Eurocup this season with ratiopharm Ulm and sometimes seems like a human slinky as he moves about the court or a Joschka Ferner who is a 20 year old 202cm forward that has unending talent oozing from his body as he had his first Eurocup experience at age 17 and never gets enough from basketball as last season he played in 4 leagues with BBL, Eurocup, Regionaliga 2 and NBBL just always trying to get better each season. But sometimes there is that oldie effect that lets you refrain from marveling at the youth and reminiscing about the past especially when the combined age of 71 go head to head with a Marius Nolte and Nils Mittmann. Nolte is 35 and played in the Beko BBL from 2006-2013 with Paderborn and Frankfurt and fought against 36 year old Mittman when he was playing with Ludwigsburg, Braunschweig and Tuebingen. Nolte is the charismatic center that has moved from the court to the front office while still having the love for the game dueling against kids 16 and 17 years younger each weekend, while Mittmann is the ultimate warrior who already played in the BBL in the late 90s with Braunschwieg and stayed faithful to the North German team for 8 years. They met only once in the Pro B and that was last season where the Fraport Skyliners Juniors won 75-50. Frankfurt also won the first game in Weissenhorn 93-78, but this oldie battle didn´t come to take place as Mittmann was there, but Nolte was not. Nolte has been known to not have played all games this season, but usually was at the home games, but if Valentines Day had anything to do with the disappearance wasn´t really known, but then again the god of desire Cupid does rule on this love day. Niklas Kiel and Garai Zeeb were also absent, but Johannes Richter was present as he was the difference leading the Fraport Skyliners Juniors past the Weissenhorn Youngsters 87-83 despite a massive comeback by the guests in the fourth quarter. “We did a good job moving the ball tonight, but should never have allowed Weissenhorn to comeback in the fourth quarter. We did a good job the whole game not allowing Weissenhorn any easy points”, stressed ex Bamberg center Johannes Richer. The losing continued for Weissenhorn as it was their sixth in a row and fourth where the team lost by a combined total of only 9 points as crunch time continues to be a nasty thorn in their side. “Losing the last games has been tough by only a few points. We continue to be unable to execute down the stretch the way we should. We lost focus mentally and it can be a layup, rebound or a play that we miss. We can´t allow our opponent to lead by 15 points at half time. If we would have played in the first three quarters the way we did in the fourth, then we would of won the game”, stressed California native Christopher Anderson.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors got on the board first as Johannes Richter got a good feel of the rim getting an offensive rebound off a Stefan Ilzhoefer miss and making the put back. However Weissenhorn quickly demonstrated how quickly their offense can get going as they scored seven unanswered points as many guys were getting involved as long slender guard David Kramer dropped a trey, 36 year old ex Beko BBL oldie Nils Mittman made a lay in as Kramer found him streaking to the hole and 20 year old rising German talent Joscka Ferner fed 21 year old 213cm big man Bjoern Rohwer for the easy bucket. However the Fraport Skyliners didn´t hesitate long to get their offense in gear as they rattled off back to back three pointers from Ilzhoefer and Richter to give Frankfurt the 8-7 advantage. Then came some lightening production form Weissenhorn as within 30 seconds they rattled off seven straight points started by the diminutive Anderson who made an off balance shot and then stole the inbounds pass from Merz and made an easy layup and Ferner then dropped a three pointer as all of a sudden Frankfurt was reeling in come back mode trailing 14-8. However as is so often the case in basketball, it is a sport of runs and the momentum button can be switched on and off as rapidly as Klay Thompson releases the next bomb from the three point line. Frankfurt closed out the first quarter with an explosive 14-0 run to lead 22-14. In the run, it was Max Merz scoring in bunches as he nailed a jumper and three pointer, Richter scored six points as he was aggressive inside drawing fouls and Alaska native Travis Thompson hit his first shot after he had been taken out of the offense well. “Weissenhorn did a good job keeping Thompson from shooting. Frankfurt was making easy mistakes and had too many turnovers”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Jordan Theodore. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 41% from the field and 44% from outside while Weissenhorn was shooting 38% from the field and 25% from outside. Weissenhorn had the 10-9 rebound edge, but six turnovers while Frankfurt had four turnovers.

Weissenhorn got off to a good start in the second quarter retrieving the lead briefly, but the Fraport Skyliners Juniors got it back in an instant and would go into halftime with the lead. After Mittmann and Ilzhoefer traded buckets, Weissenhorn cruised out on a 9-0 run to grab back the lead 25-24. In the run, Weissenhorn was fortified by the young Germans as Rohwer connected on a three pointer showing that he has even more rainbow than Johannes Voigtmann and Ferner scored six points as he made a three pointer and hit a pretty turn around shot over Ilzhoefer. Frankfurt then got some instant offense as Merz hit a pull up jumper at the free throw line and Ilzhoefer another trey as Frankfurt led 30-25. Then Rohwer scored inside and Thompson displayed his penetration skills as he scored with contact and Merz snuck inside again as Weissenhorn trailed 34-27. The game continued to be driven by runs and Weissenhorn continued to stay on the door step of Frankfurt as they went on a 6-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 34-33. In the run, the aggressive and nasty Weissenhorn defense led to two transition buckets as Anderson and ex Finke Baskets center Til Pappe made steals that led to easy transition hoops from Ferner and Anderson. However a huge strength in the game of Frankfurt was often when Weissenhorn were threatening, they were able to use their three pointing accuracy and nail back to back shots as Thompson and Michael Fuss did propelling the home team into halftime with the 41-33 lead. “Frankfurt did a great job at the end to shift gears after two bad turnovers to hit two big three pointers. Frankfurt was also rebounding very well”, stressed ex Seton Hall guard Jordan Theodore. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 45% from the field and 47% from the three point line while Weissenhorn was shooting 45% from the field and 33% from the three point line. Frankfurt had the 19-16 rebound edge and eight turnovers while Weissenhorn had 9 turnovers.

The Fraport Skyliners Juniors executed very well in the third quarter, but Weissenhorn kept fighting and cut the Frankfurt lead to seven points, but a big run by the home team at the end broke the game wide open again. Just like in the first half, German Max Merz demonstrated his scoring in bunches ability as he nailed a high rainbow from the corner and then made an off balance jumper extending the Frankfurt lead to 46-33. The Frankfurt offense was really rolling now as Richter made a beautiful old school hook shot and Ilzhoefer made a three pointer as Weissenhorn trailed 51-39. After Kramer and Merz traded buckets, Weissenhorn got some offensive daylight going on a 9-4 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 57-50. In the run, Weissenhorn got heavy production from Anderson who got going making a lay in as did Mittmann and 2015 Beko BBL slam dunk contestant Marvin Omuvwie. Frankfurt also got buckets inside from Germans Konstantin Schubert and Richter. Frankfurt then put a lid on this new Weissenhorn momentum closing out the third quarter with a furious 12-4 run to make a once more close game back to a blowout leading 69-54. Frankfurt was displaying sound inside out basketball giving the needed intensity inside as Ilzhoefer made a tip in and then for the third time in the game got back to back three´s from Thompson and Richter. Thompson then nailed three free throws while Anderson connected on a three pointer. “Basketball is a game of runs. Thompson and I hit some big three pointers at the end. When you are in rhythm you tend to get runs”, stressed Johannes Richter. “We had some tough defensive break downs at the end which led to open shots for them. It was tough going into the fourth quarter down by 15 points, but we stuck together and made one more push”, commented Christopher Anderson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were shooting 51% from the field and 50% from the parking lot while Weissenhorn was shooting 45% from the field and 44% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 30-20 rebound advantage, but 14 turnovers while Weissenhorn had 12 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, Weissenhorn had enough energy for one more come back, but at the end it was the little things that cost them the loss. Weissenhorn got going quickly as Kramer made a three pointer which sparked the team on a 26-9 run to take the lead at 80-78 and all of a sudden Frankfurt was having Saarlouis nightmares all over again. In the run Weissenhron were led by Anderson who secured 11 points and Kramer had nine points. Kramer hit three trey´s while Anderson was unstoppable in the lane as he made four buckets. In this phase the Fraport Skyliners Juniors had totally lost their rhythm as they were coughing the ball over on a regular basis. Weissenhorn had done a good job clogging the lane closing that down and getting out on the shooters better. “Weissenhorn gave us problems going to a smaller line up. They were more versatile with their shooting and penetration. We lost our rhythm and they were back in the game”, added Johannes Richter. However with Weissenhorn having acquired the momentum back, Frankfurt didn´t cave in, but stayed calm. Frankfurt closed out the game with a crushing 9-3 run as Richter was the hero scoring six points. After Omuvwie scored a seemingly impossible lay in where he went sprawling to give Weissenhorn the 82-80 lead, it then was time for the Richter show as he played heads up catching a Merz floater air ball for the put back, free throw and then made another offensive rebound and feeling he would be fouled heaved up a desperation shot underhand submarine style that went in high of the glass giving Frankfurt the 86-82 cushion that they needed. “I got the rebound on my last basket and knew I was fouled and just tried to get the shot off in the direction of the bucket. I was lucky that it went in”, smiled Johannes Richter. “We dug in as a team in the comeback. We finally got defensive stops and got out on transition. That is when our offense is at it´s best. Kramer hit big three´s and it was fun playing. We made more plays then they did”, added Christopher Anderson. Kramer then closed out the game with a free throw. “We were tough inside getting offensive rebounds and giving us more offensive rebounds”, said Johannes Richter. “We had mental lapses at the end. We needed to dig in deeper and have the bigger need to want to win”, warned Christopher Anderson. The Fraport Skyliners Juniors were led by Johannes Richter with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Max Merz and Travis Thompson had 16 points a piece and Stefan Ilzhofer had 14 points. Weissenhorn was led by Christopher Anderson with 24 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and eight steals. David Kramer contributed 16 points. Joschka Ferner contributed 14 points while Nils Mittmann had 11 points and Bjoern Rohwer had 10 points. Frankfurt shot 48% from the field and 44% from outside while Weissenhorn shot 49% from the field and 44% from outside. Frankfurt won the rebound battle 40-31, but had 19 turnovers while Weissenhorn had only 14 turnovers.