Rasko Katic is a 33 year old 208cm center that is playing his first season for CAI Zaragoza (Spain-Liga Endesa). He started his basketball career in 2002 for Zastava Kragujevac (1B). He came to Germany in 2005 where he played four seasons for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen and was a dominat big man in the BBL. He twice was second top rebounder in the league. He then played a season for KK Hemofarm Stada Vrsac (A League) and four seasons for Crvena Zvezda Telekom Beograd (KLS). He recently played at the World Cup in Spain -14 (Silver): 6 games: 2.7ppg, 1.0rpg. He spoke to German Hoops before the eurocup game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

 

 

Rasko thanks to talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. What have you missed most from Germany since leaving in 2009?

 

I miss almost everything in Germany. Tuebingen was like a second home to me. I have nothing negative to say about my four years in Tuebingen. I really miss how well everything was organized in Germany. You always knew where to go and what to do in Germany.

 

 

You last played in Bonn in the 2008-2009 season where the Telekom dome was opened. What memory do you have from playing with Tuebingen in Bonn in that season?

 

I played in the new gym, but don´t really have memories of that. I remember the old small gym and all that pink which seemed to be everywhere. They had very good teams, but not top or bottom teams. My career took off in Germany and this is where I became a good player.

 

You played four seasons in Germany where you belonged to the dominant big men in the BBL. How important was your experience in Germany for the further development of your game?

 

Tuebingen was almost essential. What good happened in my basketball career was because of my move to Germany. I was at a low point in my young career at age 25. I had had no team for 6-7 months and Tuebingen just took me. The first half of my first season in Tuebingen wasn´t good, but I then had 3.5 good years with Tuebingen. Tuebingen was the most important time in my career.

 

After your fourth season in Tuebingen you returned back home. Were you home sick?

 

No I wasn´t home sick. I still want to come back to Tuebingen to finish my career. I will keep my word.

 

 

After such great stats, didn´t you get better offers from top teams in Germany? Why did you go back home?

 

I had some offers from Germany including form Alba Berlin 2.5 years ago. After Tuebingen, I decided to return to my country because at that time I simply thought it was better for my career.

 

 

You won the cup 4 times in the last four years twice with BC Partizan MT:S Beograd. How big of a achievement was that for you?

This was a good experience as it isn´t easy, but hard to do that. But I also won other titles in Serbia. I had very much success in Serbia and I was lucky to always play for teams that liked to fight for titles. There is a big difference too teams that don´t fight.

 

Two years ago you played with Igor Rakocevic who seemed not to get slow with age? Like him you also seemed not to age on the basketball court. Where you able to learn from his non aging ability on the court?

Igor is three years older than I am and at that time I was 30-31 when we were teammates and he was 34. I actually had learned how to act at an older age in terms of taking care of my body. Knowing when to rest and how to protect yourself of small injuries is essential. Igor is a professional and just understood how to take care of his body. He cared very much about his body and it showed on the court.

 

 

You are playing in the best league in Europe with almost 34 years for CAI Zaragoza (Spain-Liga). You have a new challenge and are an important role player on the team. What has been the most difficult thing getting adjusted to the Spanish top league?

 

 

It is a different type of basketball in Spain as it is quicker. But after having played for so many years like I have there really isn´t anything complicated about basketball. The game is quite basic and the only thing that you must do is adjust to a new team. There is more running, shooting and setting quick screens in Spain. I only need about 1-2 weeks to get adjusted to a new team and system.

 

 

The top scorer is fellow Serb Stevan Jelovac. How important has he been for you in practice to keep pushing you as he is 208cm like you.

 

 

He plays the position four and I have so much experience and don´t need anybody to push me. It is good though when you have a country man on the team that speaks your language. I am an older guy and just know how to work on the court.

 

 

CAI Zaragoza (Spain-Liga) has started 1-1 and face 0-2 Bonn. What kind of game can we await and what will be key to winning?

 

 

Bonn will react to their 0-2 record in Eurocup play. They lost a very close game in Strassburg and will be ready for us. They play good basketball and it will be a hard game.

 

 

Congrats on winning a silver medal at the 2014 World championships in Spain. What will you never forget from the 129-92 loss to the United States when you were on the court? You played 8 minutes scoring two points.

 

That was a great experience for me. I was really amazed that I got the chance to play against the best in the world and that we made the final with the whole world watching. We had a great team and coach that kept us together. He gave us the essentials that every team needs. He believed in us that we could go far.

 

 

How proud were you being the third center behind current NBA player Miro Raduljica and ex NBA played Nenad Kristic and the 2014 World Championships? Had someone told you years ago that you would be going to a world championships at age 33 and be back up to two NBA players what would you have thought?

 

I am a more wise guy now, but to be honest when you are young, you are taught that nothing is impossible. You never think of the meaning until you achieve something. I never would have thought back then that I could reach the level where I am now. I always practiced hard and if you do that good things will come. If you give 100% then all will be good at the end of the day.

 

 

 

In how many years do you see BogdanBogdanovic playing in the NBA and can he be a dominating player?

 

 

Bogdan has come a long way. I know him since many years, we were roommates and he was the 12^th man then. I am sure that he will reach the NBA in 1-2 years, but if he is dominant depends on him. The NBA is very different to the European style. You need a lot more than talent, but many small things. He has worked very hard to get to where he is and am sure he will continue to do so.

 

 

You played two seasons with current Tuebingen head coach Igor Perovic. Could you imagine being his assistant coach some day?

 

 

I never talk about the future, because I still think that I can play a few more years. I am occupied with playing now and will continue to work hard until my body says its time to stop. Igor and I are great friends and talk every 3-4 days.

 

 

You also played three seasons with AJ Moye. He retired in 2011 on account of a stroke. What is your fondest memory with him?

 

I remember him as a very positive influence on the team. He was a fighter that always worked hard. He also was very loud

 

 

Who smiled more in Tuebingen in a day you or Kenny Wiliams?

 

Fear the beard. I am not sure. I don´t know how I look to other people, but they often say I show no expression on the court. Maybe Kenny would beat me.

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Croods.

 

Thanks Rasko for the chat.

 

 

Brandon Bowman is a 30 year old forward that was born in Beverly Hills, California and is playing his ninth professional season, third in Germany and first with medi Bayreuth. He played at Georgetown(NCAA) from 2002-2006 playing a total of 125 games reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2006 and played with future NBA players like Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert. In 2006 he turned professional and played in the D-League and in countries like Italy, Serbia, Israel, Bulgaria, Korea and New Zealand. He reached the 2009 beko BBL final with the Telekom Baskets Bonn and wa steh New Zealand NBL Champion with the Pacific Jewellers Saints (New Zealand-NBL) last summer where he played 10 games: 18.5ppg, 7.4rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 67-58 win against the Fraport Skyliners.

 

 

Brandon congrats on the 67-58 win against the Fraport Skyliners. After losing three of the first four games, medi Bayreuth has a 2 game winning streak. Is medi Bayreuth finally finding its rhythm?

 

Yes I think that we are finding our rhythm. If we want to reach the playoffs, we have to start winning and have the last two games. We weren´t happy losing in Braunschwieg, but we feel that we have good chances in the next games as those teams are evenly balanced and we have a higher chance to win. The next games are must wins and and we have to capitalize on it and keep our current movement going.

 

 

After a 22-0 first quarter against Bremerhaven which will forever be remembered in Bayreuth and Bremerhaven, did you for once think about that first quarter last wednesday after Frankfurt had scored 15 points? Was that 22 -0 first quarter a one time thing in professional basketball?

 

Well to be honest I think that an Alba Berlin could do that against a low level BBL or Pro A team, but being able to do this was very special especially coming off that tough loss in Braunschweig. We are a defensive team and we wanted to execute defensively from the start against Bremerhaven on the defensive end and did. We are one of the top defensive teams in the BBL and know that we can play defense, but we just have to score better. In that first quarter our defense translated into offense. That first quarter was very memorable and I don´t know if that will happen again sometime.

 

The game was really pretty even for three quarters as defense shined while the offense couldn´t get in rhythm and no team could break away. What was annoying most about the Frankfurt game in the first 30 minutes?

 

Fouls took me out of the game early and I wasn´t able to help the way I wanted to. I think that one of the reasons why we couldn´t break away was because Frankfurt rebounded very well as they have very good bigs.

 

In the fourth quarter medi bayreuth decided the game with very strong play from Trevon Hughes who scored and did superb playmaking. What else was key for getting the win?

We won the game simply by hitting big shots at the end and Trevon Hughes hit some very impressive shots and just getting the needed defensive stops. Our defense got the job done. We valued the ball more at the end and got more shot attempts as well. Also cutting down on turnovers was key. I think that it can always be another guy each game that can hit those shots. A Burrell, Hughes or me or even other guys can come up big.

 

 

Trevon Hughes was on fire with 29 points. You have played with many great point guards in your career but where would you rate him on talent with every other teammate you have had?

 

Talent wise, I rate Trevon Hughes in the top three best point guards that I have played with. I don´t know where I would rate him now, but maybe I can tell you after this season. Hughes is one of those guys that can play both guard positions and plays both sides of the ball. I have played with very good point guards in my career and the other two would have to be Richie Williams and EJ Rowland. All these guards play both sides of the ball. Williams is the quickest, Rowland the biggest and strongest and Hughes and he can just about score form anywhere on the court and is an exceptional ball handler.If I had to rate these three guards now, I would rate them 1ABC.

 

 

 

 

Medi Bayreuth have let up 57 points average in the last two games. What has been the secret behind the success of the team on the defensive end?

 

When head coach Michael Koch put us together, he was looking for very athletic players and just guys that can and want to play defense. I feel that every player can play defense on this team and maybe not each guy is individually the best at defending, but as a team we function very well. What also helps is that we have players that can play multiple positions.

 

 

The Fraport Skyliners are in 18^th place. What is wrong with this team? They are a skilled team, but is their body language on the same page?

 

The situation with Frankfurt makes me think about the situation I was in last season with SC Rasta Vechta. Both teams have a good coach and players, but just couldn´t get the wins. I feel with Frankfurt it is more mental than anything else. Recently they had a strong team win at home against Bonn and showed that they can beat a good team. We had the same problem as Frankfurt with medi bayreuth being 1-3. We understood it was time to turn it around and did. It is still early with Frankfurt and they can turn it around, but they have to do it now.

 

Your friend and ex teammate from SC Rasta Vechta and California native Richie Williams came to Frankfurt with a lot of expectations and he is still trying to find his rhythm. Coming into this new situation in Frankfurt hasn´t been easy for him

 

I talk a lot with Richie. He came to Frankfurt and they already had a point guard with German Konstantin Klein. It wasn´t easy for Richie being a player in the top 10 in scoring last season to come to Frankfurt and have a lesser role than in Vechta. He can play the position two, but isn´t really the tallest either. I think that Frankfurt needs to find something where all the guards can complement each other, flourish and just find a rhythm together. It is still early and I think that they can also turn it around here.

 

 

It seems ,like veteran American Ronald Burrell is still trying to find his rhythm and Trevon Hughes seems to be more a scoring point guard, but medi bayreuth is winning anyway. Are these two players a bit mis-understood at the moment with fans in Bayreuth and do you become vocal with them giving advice?

 

I am a guy that leads by example. I have a leadership role on the team and coach and I have spoken man to man often about the team. Both guys are experienced guys and Hughes is my roommate on the road. Both guys are still trying to figure things out and everything will come with time. Burrell is older than I am and with age one tends to slow down which is natural. But one has to remember that Burrell and I split minutes. There is only so much one can do in a certain amount of minutes on the floor. I feel the fans don´t understand what Hughes can do and he is misunderstood. He does so much on floor and things that many point guards can´t do. Hughes really does everything necessary to help medi bayreuth win. In the last game against Frankfurt, we weren´t scoring as a team, so Hughes picked it up. It won´t always be him. On another night it could be someone else. It always has to do with the flow of the game and we just have to see how it goes.

 

 

 

 

The next game is against the Telekom Baskets Bonn. It will be the first time that you and Mike Koch will play against Bonn together. With what feelings are you going into this game?

 

It will be emotional going back to Bonn. Coach Koch was there many years compared to me. That one season in Bonn was one of the best memories in my professional basketball career. But at the end of the day, both teams are trying to win and we both have the same record. I will go out and try to kill them and they will try the same. It will just be another game and it will be good to see the fans again. I hope the Bonn fans still appreciate what Koch and I did that season in 2008-2009. Times are different now as I am trying to make memories in Bayreuth

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Dracula Untold.

 

Thanks Brandon for the chat.

 

 

 

Ahmad Smith is a 30 year old 194cm guard from Virginia that recently played for SC Rasta Vechta, but left the team. Last season he played for Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProA) playing 35 games: 12.1ppg, 5.8rpg, Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 55.8%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 66.7% In the 2012-2013 season he started the season BiG Oettinger Rockets Gotha (Germany-ProA)12 games: 7.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.7apg, 2FGP: 48.9%, 3FGP: 14.3%, FT: 72.2%, in Jan.’13 moved to Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProA, starting five): 19 games: 9.6ppg, Reb-4(8.5rpg), Assists-2(6.4apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 35.5%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 77.6% He played at St.Bonaventure(NCAA) from 2002-2006 and in his senior year played 28 games: ScoreA10-8(14.2ppg), RebA10-10(6.2rpg), AssistsA10-9(3.5apg), FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 59.8%. In 2006-2007, he played for Mardyke UCC Demons Cork (Ireland-SuperLeague): 9 games: 18.9ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.2apg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 60.8%. In 2007-2008, he played for SVD 49 Dortmund (Regionalliga): 6 games: 30.2ppg. In 2008-2009, he played for : BSV Wulfen (Germany-Regionalliga) 23.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 6.0apg, 3PT: 35.2%. In 2009-2010, he played for Hertener Loewen (Germany-ProB)29 games: 18.2ppg, Reb-2(8.7rpg), Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 69.5%. In 2010-2011, he played for s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-ProA): left before the season started, then moved to SVD 49 Dortmund (Germany-Regionalliga): 6 games: 12.8ppg, waived in Nov.’10, in Jan.’11 signed at Nuernberger Basketball Club (Germany-ProB, starting five): 15 games: 8.3ppg, 6.8rpg, Assists-1(7.1apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 39.1%, 3PT: 28.2%, FT: 69.1%. Last season for the Kichheim Knights he played  35 games: 9.9ppg, 6.1rpg, Assists-1(6.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 62.0% He spoke to German Hoops after leaving SC Rasta Vechta.

 

 

Ahmad thanks for talking to German HoopsYour season with Rasta Vechta came to a drastic end with them releasing you. Why wasn´t SC Rasta Vechta not that right fit for you?

 

There was a mutual agreement on me leaving first of all not like the press release. With that being said my playing style and the coaching philosophy just didn’t fit.

 

The club has very big aspirations to move back to the Beko BBL. Your stats weren´t great, but not bad either. Do you feel that they lost patience in your game?

 

No I don’t think they lost patience with me I wasn’t comfortable there so it was best for both sides to go in a different direction.

 

Did you have any talks with head coach Stephen Arigbabu? You are a veteran and he is a rookie coach. Did the outlook on basketball clash between you or possibly was it a conflict of ego´s?

I had many talks with him and what we talked about in our meetings never converted to the games. I think he didn’t watch much film on me before he signed me just looked at stats from previous seasons. My playing style didn’t fit with his coaching.

 

Your scoring was down twice and you put up the goose egg twice not scoring. You have been known to have been able to fill up the stat sheet wherever you have played in Germany. Do you think that your playing style just didn´t fit the style of SC Rasta Vechta?

 

Yeah I’ve never felt that uncomfortable on the basketball court before in my career. My playing style definitely didn’t fit there.

 

 

You have played with many teams in Germany. Did you personally feel comfortable on the court with your teammates? Sometimes a team isn´t put together correctly and the whole team chemistry can be put into disarray.

I didn’t have any problems with my teammates. I just feel that our playing styles didn’t fit together. Hopefully they can get a point guard in to run the system the coach wants because they have a solid roster there.

 

In your last game SC Rasta Vechta were massacred by the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg 101-67. In that game you had stats of 0 points, 0 rebounds and 0 assists in 23 minutes which is very hard to believe. Did you already know something was up or how was it possible for a player of your caliber to be shut down like that?

 

That game was a blur I actually played 13 mins which I thought came out of nowhere. I just didn’t feel comfortable playing for that coach he didn’t allow me to be myself on the court.

What lesson did you learn from your short stay with SC Rasta Vechta? Did both sides make mistakes in this working agreement?

I learned with SC Rasta Vechta that taking a job for more money sometimes isn’t always the right answer. But my career isn’t over so I will capitalize on the next situation I’ll be ready!

 

Some may say you could be a difficult character because you have played for many teams in one season. How can you defend yourself and why can Ahmad Smith help any team now?

I think thats it’s a great advantage that I have played with different teams it’s taught me how to adjust to different coaches and teammates. I have left some difficult situations in Gotha and turned around things in Nurnberg making the playoffs. I have won and moved teams up at every level in Germany so if thats being a difficult person I’m fine with that. I play hard every game and with passion and that rubs some people the wrong way I guess.

 

Where do you see SC Rasta Vechta landing this season? Can they move back up to the Beko BBL or is the German Pro A too strong?

They have a solid roster and will compete to move up.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

Carlito´s Way.

 

Thanks Ahmad for the chat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Myles Hesson is a 24 year old 195 cm forward from Birmingham, England was one of the 12 best players in Great Britain in 2013 and was selected for the 2013 national team playing in Slovenia at the Eurochampionships. He currently is playing in the Beko BBL for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven.Last season he played for the Giessen 46ers (ProA) playing 33 games: 16.1ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 78.8%. Two seasons ago he played for Weissenhorn Youngstars (Germany-ProB, starting five): 20 games: 19.7ppg, 10.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 54.4%, 3FGP: 27.4%, FT: 65.6%, in Mar.’13 moved to Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany-BBL): 9 games: 4.2ppg, 2.8rpg. He started his professional career in 2009-2010 for  Birmingham Aces (EBL2) averaging 13.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 33.3%. In 2010-2011, he played for the Essex Pirates Basketball Club (BBL): 11 games: 9.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 68.4%. In 2011-2012 he played for Liverpool Mersey Tigers (BBL, starting five): 27 games: 15.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 61.5%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 101-68 loss against FC Bayern Munich.

 

Myles a tough 101-68 loss against FC Bayern Munich. How quickly was Bremerhaven able to digest the loss in Bayreuth? Was the preparation time for FC Bayern Munich too short?

Its not the first time this year that we have had a schedule like this so no the preparation time wasn’t too short.

The game was played in a huge arena in Bremen with 9,523 patrons. When you look back to Ulm, how was the atmosphere in Bremen? How do Germans pack a big arena in the north?

It was a great atmosphere playing in front of so many people, the atmosphere was great and the fans were behind us the whole game.

Bremerhaven had the 24-19 lead after one quarter, but FC Bayern Munich really stepped it up in the second quarter to score 31 points. What adjustments did FC Bayern Munich seem to make to go on such a scoring run?

Its hard to say. I just think they executed their plays well and exploited our weaknesses.

Bremerhaven came out flat in the third quarter letting FC Bayern Munich go on a 16-0 run and Bremerhaven went scoreless for five minutes. How much of a factor was the individual class of FC Bayern Munich?

They were the better team on the day but I dont think it is out of our reach to beat them next time we play.

FC Bayern Munich forced Bremerhaven to 24 turnovers. What was most annoying having to atta they are a big, long team so finding passing angles was pretty difficult.ck FC Bayern Munich in the set play?

They are a big, long team so finding passing angles was pretty difficult.

It was a big loss, but how important was gaining this experience for young guys like Helge Baues and Gray Zeeb and even yourself?

You gain experience with every game you play so it was good learning experience for all of us.

There were only two blocks in the whole game and they came from you? How many steps forward were you able to take as a defender with this valuable experience against FC Bayern Munich?

I always take pride in my defense, so being able to defend some of the best players in the league with FC Bayern Munich was a challenge I relished.

Bremerhaven now have a whole week to prepare against Crailsheim that recently won their first game against TBB Trier. How proud are you of your exteammate Joshiko Saibou who is averaging 14,5ppg, 2,7rpg and 3,5apg. Did you know with Giessen that he had the potential to be more than just a bench player, but a key player in the Beko BBL?

I am really happy for him, yeah I think he showed that last season that he could play at this level.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Scarface.

 

Thanks Myles for the chat.

 

When you observe Cuxhaven American center Edward Seward(48 BBL games with Phoenix Hagen) who stands in at 206cm and weighs 110 kilo and can smile with the best of them after a victory or a tasty Big Mac, but he also can show his gritty and physical side when he is battling in the paint. The smiles and laugh wrinkles in his face have been nonexistent this season as team Cuxhaven Bascats have started 0-5 including two 100 point plus massacre loses to Baunach and Wurzburg as Bavaria seems to be a place to avoid at the moment, the team has given up an average of 94 points per game and lost to their opponents on average by 29 points. It is 10 before midnight in Cuxhaven as the head coaching chair of Latvian Krists Plendiskis is as unstable as a Stork bird that gets lost in a feeding time trail of Leopards in Nambia. Cuxhaven has attained no real luck to win games whereas three time Beko BBL champion Giessen 46ers have had luck and non luck as they have a 2-3 record, but lost a one point game at home to Hamburg and lost on a buzzer beater in Leverkusen, but also won a nail bitter in OT In Jena. Cuxhaven was praying for any kind of trace of success to finally get that first win and get those cheek wrinkles of Seward working overtime again while the Giessen 46ers were hoping to get back on the winning track again after losing to Kirchheim last week and hoping for added team chemistry with late signing ex German national player Johannes Lischka who was benched for two games, but back in the lineup last week netting 9 points in 20 minutes against Kirchheim. Lischka who at times has as stern an expression as the Wonder Years teacher Ben Stein snuck into six minutes against the Cuxhaven Bascats and after the game despite a nailbitting 74-70 win still looked like a younger Stein just with dirty blond hair. Once again there was enormous excitement and working on those nails for 40 minutes, but Giessen found some lady luck getting by the Cuxhaven Bascats 74-70. After the win Giessen American Eric Palm tried to put some perspective on the luck that Giessen have and haven´t ha dthis season. “We are used to these tight games this season. These kind of games keep us focused more on offense and defense. Getting wins like this will help us in the playoffs when you encounter more tight games. We struggled on offense again as we have all season long, but once we get our rhythm then we will be a very dangerous team”, stressed Illinois native Eric Palm. The Cuxhaven Bascats haven´t had any kind of luck this season and the way the season has been going, even when they are so close the luck just doesn´t seem to land on the side of the team. “We knew that this was a big game and we were ready for it. I hope that despite the loss that this game will help us move forward and I hope we know that we played very hard and fought until the end, but just came up a bit short”, stated Cuxhaven point guard Aaron Cook.

As the first quarter moved on, Cuxhaven fans may have thought that they were in a pleasurable movie with a happy ending being constructed as the North German team played with a lot of energy and controlled 85% of the first quarter letting Giessen closer in the last minute. Cuxhaven took the quick 4-2 lead as German Dennis Nawrocki hit free throws and ex Lich forward Bill Borekami showed his touch around the glass with an offensive rebound and put back. However Giessen stayed with Cuxhaven as ex Bremerhaven center Jonathan Malou thought two can play that game following Borekambi with the same trick. Cuxhaven started to get more and more rhythm on offense while staying true to their aggressive defense rolling out on a 11-4 run to lead Giessen 15-9. In the run, Cuxhaven continued to dominate the boards as 36 year old veteran Edward Seward who played his first four years of professional basketball in the Regionaliga with Aschersleben scored twice on put backs after securing offensive rebounds. Young German Jeffery Martin who played 12 Beko BBL games for Bremerhaven last season was on fire hitting form all over the court as he finished the first quarter with 9 points. Cuxhaven just played with a lot of intensity while keeping Giessen off guard switching up their defensive sets and had more effort on the glass. However Cuxhaven couldn´t quite keep that tempo allowing Giessen on a 6-2 run to cut the Cuxhaven lead to 17-15. In the Giessen run, 33 year old veteran Bjoern Schoo who is playing for his 13^th team hit a pull up jumper and found Cuban Yorman Polas for the back door dunk. “Martin had a big quarter as the team has full confidence in his abilities. We played defense aggressively and just were very physical and didn´t let them take comfortable shots”, stressed Maryland native Aaron Cook. Cuxhaven was shooting 40% from the field and outside while Giessen was shooting 40% from the field and 25% from outside. Cuxhaven had the huge 12-6 rebound advantage, but four turnovers while Giessen had only one turnover.

The second quarter remained very tight as Cuxhaven held the lead until the break and had their biggest lead of seven points, but Giessen always stayed on their door step not letting their opponent to close the door shut on them. Cook started the second quarter with two free throws, but Giessen guard Besnik Bekteshi countered with a three pointer, but Giessen still trailed 19-18. Cuxhaven then got a spurt of momentum escaping on a 8-2 run to lead 27-20. In the run Cuxhaven was led by North Carolina native Keith Sherril who scored on two mid distance jumpers. 20 year old 205cm German Helge Baues also showed his amazing foot work dancing inside twice and scoring without problems. Giessen rallied on a 4-0 mini run as Cuxhaven threw up an air ball and made a turnover while Giessen capitalized with a Benjamin Lischka hook shot and Johannes Lischka free throws as Giessen trailed 27-24 and seemed to be threatening. However Cuxhaven had two good offensive sets where Cook nailed a three pointer and Edward Seward snuck up the court like Rajon Rondo getting the easy bucket while the Giessen transition defense was helpless and crawling back. Then the Giessen fans witnessed a classical Lischka brother combination as Johannes made the put back off the Benjamin miss as Giessen trailed 32-26. Giessen closed out the second quarter with a lightening 5-0 run to go into half time trailing only 32-31. TJ DiLeo made a steal and went coast to coast and then Cook shot a bit too early giving Giessen seven seconds as Palm nailed a three pointer. “Cuxhaven was playing good basketball, but still finding their way. As the underdog, they had a big desire to win. Cuxhaven was playing good defense, but Giessen also wasn´t executing and missing easy shots”, stressed TV Lich guard Jermale Jones. Cuxhaven was shooting 43% from the field and from the three point line while Giessen was shooting 36% from the field and 27% from the three point line. Cuxhaven led the rebound battle 25-11, but had 11 turnovers while Giessen had only two turnovers.

In the third quarter, the Giessen 46ers were able to achieve their first lead of the game halfway through, lose it again and retain it at the end. Seward started off the third quarter with what he does best getting mean under the boards getting his sweaty hands on the rebound and putting it home. Cuxhaven kept the lead despite a Benjamin Lischka lay in as Giessen trailed 34-33, but Cuxhaven German Dennis Nawrocki tested his 26% three point shooting percentage dropping a big three as Cuxhaven led 37-33. Giessen then got their first lead of the game in part of a crafty 6-0 run to lead 39-37. Malou scored inside made a free throw and Bekteshi threw a bomb over Cook for the lead. However this sudden burst of Giessen power didn´t scare Cuxhaven as they quickly regained the lead on a mini 4-0 run as their defense sparked the offense as Seward blocked Bekteshi and Cook fed Baues for the fast break finish. Cook then nailed a step back jumper as Cuxhaven led 41-39 again. After Polas tied the game with free throws, it was Cook again giving Cuxhaven the lead with an off balance shot 43-41. The game continued to go back and forth, but Giessen got some extra special momentum at the end as they got two consecutive steals from Palm and Wells that led to DiLeo and Palm lay ins as Giessen kept the lead after 30 minutes 48-46. “Their press defense changed the tempo of the game. They capitalized on the steals which gave them rhythm”, commentated Aaron Cook. “We picked up our defensive intensity and our full court pressure rattled some of their younger players. This was the turning point of the game”, expressed ex BV Chemnitz guard Eric Palm. Giessen was shooting 34% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while Cuxhaven was shooting 40% from the field and 38% from the parking lot. Cuxhaven still had the overwhelming 37-22 rebound edge, but an unacceptable 16 turnovers while Giessen had five turnovers.

The Giessen 46ers kept that momentum from the end of the third quarter and carried it into the fourth quarter. Cuxhaven could tie the game three more times, but after that Giessen never looked back despite the fighting qualities of Cuxhaven that never eroded. Cook tied the game at 48-48 with a pull up jumper. Palm responded with perhaps the prettiest play of the night with a finger tip roll while falling to his right for the 50-48 advantage. Borekambi then tied the game again at 50-50 with a mid distance jumper. Cuxhaven got their last lead of the game at 52-50 as Sherril hit his bread and butter the mid distance jumper. Giessen then jumped out on a 8-0 run to lead 58-52 and would never relinquish the lead again. Ex Citadel(NCAA) guard Cameron Wells scored two consecutive buckets and Polas nailed a three pointer. Sherril stopped the run with a put back, but Giessen continued to hammer Cuxhaven with consistent shooting as Palm nailed a three pointer and then made another pretty basket spinning and hitting off balance as Giessen led 63-56. Cuxhaven never gave up and it was the young guys on this day who stepped up as Martin and Borekambi combined for 23 points. Borekambi had nerves of steel now seemingly taking Cuxhaven in the come back trail alone hitting two buckets to cut the Giessen lead to 64-61. However Giessen always had an answer as they got big buckets from DiLeo and Polas to get their lead back to 68-63. Cook made free throws and if it wasn´t Borekambi then it was the other young buck Martin to take command hitting a huge three pointer as Cuxhaven remained on the Giessen door step with one leg inside their living room as they trailed 69-68. However down the stretch, Cuxhaven missed an easy lay in by Borekambi and Cook missed a three pointer while Giessen hit their free throws from Palm who dropped five at the end to secure the win. “Key at the end was knocking down free throws. This has been a problem for us this season and especially for me. Usually I am at 85%, but I think hitting some early got me in rhythm and our guards found me for some open shots”, explained Eric Palm. “We have a lot of trust in Bill Borekambi and he can get by anyone. He was a bit unlucky at the end. The play at the end was designed for me. I only had a split second and had to take it. I had that last shot in my head so many times since the loss. I would have traded my 17 points for that last three getting us into overtime”, added Aaron Cook.

The Giessen 46ers were led by Eric Palm with 19 points. Yorman Polas added 12 points and five rebounds. Cuxhaven was led by Aaron Cook with 17 points and nine assists. Jeffery Martin added12 points and Bill Borekambi 11 points. Giessen finished the night shooting 41% from the field and 33% from downtown while Cuxhaven shot 44% from the field and 35% from downtown. Cuxhaven won the rebounding duel 40-30, but coughed up the ball 18 times while Giessen did 10 times. Despite another bitter loss, there seems to be hope for the future of Cuxhaven. “I don´t really look at wins or loses but as a team building to get better. I think that we took a step forward. If we continue to be physical and defend like this, then I think we can win games”, warned Aaron Cook. Giessen is 3-3 now and the win had its plus and minus side. “We have to rebound better. We were down 25-11 at halftime. We won´t lead many games like that. In the second half, I think that we picked up the rebounding. There were some long rebounds where our guards helped out. Despite it being a roller coaster game. Our defensive intensity was good. It set the tone for us to end the game well”, warned Eric Palm.

Myles Hesson is a 24 year old 195 cm forward from Birmingham, England was one of the 12 best players in Great Britain in 2013 and was selected for the 2013 national team playing in Slovenia at the Eurochampionships. He currently is playing in the Beko BBL for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven.Last season he played for the Giessen 46ers (ProA) playing 33 games: 16.1ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 30.1%, FT: 78.8%. Two seasons ago he played for Weissenhorn Youngstars (Germany-ProB, starting five): 20 games: 19.7ppg, 10.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.7spg, 1.5bpg, 2FGP: 54.4%, 3FGP: 27.4%, FT: 65.6%, in Mar.’13 moved to Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany-BBL): 9 games: 4.2ppg, 2.8rpg. He started his professional career in 2009-2010 for  Birmingham Aces (EBL2) averaging 13.1ppg, 4.9rpg, 2FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 33.3%. In 2010-2011, he played for the Essex Pirates Basketball Club (BBL): 11 games: 9.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 68.4%. In 2011-2012 he played for Liverpool Mersey Tigers (BBL, starting five): 27 games: 15.1ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 61.5%. He spoke to German Hoops after the 64-56 loss in Bayreuth.

 

 

A tough 64-56 loss in Bayreuth. Can you remember playing a more crazy game like this scoring no points in the first quarter and then holding medi Bayreuth to 25 points in the second half and coming up short to win?

 

It was a very weird game with a lot of ups and downs, we came out flat as a team and couldnt make open looks that we usually knock down.

 

 

Bremerhaven was down 22-0 after one quarter, a stat that one needs to look at twice or three times or even four times to believe it. What was going through your head after the first 10 minutes. Were you feeling more embarrassment or anger for the team performance?
It was quite embarrassing to be honest at the time but all I could think about was making up the difference and winning the game.

 

What words did head coach Calvin Oldham find after the first quarter? This was also a new experience for him and he has seen it all in the last 35 years as a player and head coach.

He made sure that we stayed focused and didnt hang our heads.

 

The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven made an amazing comeback and got back to 58-56 with 2.45 to go on a Sven Schulze three pointer, but then gave up a 6-0 run. What was key down the stretch for medi Bayreuth getting the win?

 

They hit a deep 3 late in the shot clock and also had a questionable and 1.

 

 

Despite the loss, this was like a movie for Bremerhaven with many different parts. Despite the loss, what could the team learn from this loss?

 

The biggest thing to learn from that game is that we cant ever start off like that again.

 

Was a key point keeping Trevon Hughes pretty much in check? He usually has big games and Bremerhaven did a superb job limiting his scoring and forcing him to four turnovers.

 

Our guards did a good job keeping him in front of them and forcing him into taking difficult shots.

 

What was your impression of young medi Bayreuth German David Brembly who led the team with 12 points and hit three big three pointers. He showed nerves coming up big and taking on the slack that some of the American veterans.

 

He was pivotal for them down the stretch, the 3 he hit was somewhat of a back breaker for us.

 

The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven don´t have much time to recuperate as they next meet top team FC Bayern Munich. How excited are you to play them and will the medi bayreuth learning lesson help against them?

 

I am looking forward to the challenge of taking on a euroleague team. As long as we dont start as bad as we did today we will be alright.

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

Jet li – fist of legend.

 

Thanks Myles for the chat.