Steven Bennett is a 25 year old 173cm point guard from Los Angeles that is playing his second professional basketball season with the Giessen 46ers. Last season he played for  the Spot Up Medium Baskets Braunschweig. With Braunschweig he played 10 games averaging 22.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 5.1apg, 2.4spg, 2FGP: 57.5%, 3FGP: 34.2%, FT: 76.6% He is one of the few special players that has a tenacity and will to win that is unmatched; it is impossible to judge him based upon height alone because he can compete with anyone in the world. He has proven this in the Maui Invitational division I tournament in 2010, and was recognized as one of the top players (All-Maui Award) from a field of other top US point guards such as Kemba Walker, Kailin Lucas and Brandon Knight. Bennett is known for his great court vision and passing ability, and is able to get in the lane at will and finish against anyone with either left or right hand. Every team bases their defensive strategy around Bennett and is forced to take create his own shot and take his three point shots off the dribble. He is an excellent shooter, but wants to continue to improve his already respectable 40% three point percentage. Steven is known for having excellent leadership skills, and is highly respected by all of his peers and coaches. He played at Citrus JC (JUCO) from 2007-2009 and then played at  Chaminade (NCAA2). Last summer he also found experience playing for the  Rockingham Flames (Australia-SBL) He played three games with 2013 NBA draft pick Dennis Schroeder last season in the Pro B. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 84-75 win in game three against Science City Jena.

 

Steve congrats on the 84-75 win in game three and 2-1 series lead. Does it seem a bit strange how all three games have been pretty the same in the way it ended?

 

Yes it has. We have had a good start to all games and control the game, but let Jena back in the game in the second half, but win at the end except for game two. These games come down to execution and free throws at the end.

 

Science City Jena made a 11-0 run in the second quarter. The Jena runs are no surprises anymore are they?

 

No they aren´t. We are used to them. We just have to keep our composure. They like that high tempo basketball, so it is nothing unusual.

 

Giessen did a great job in the third quarter in that whenever Science City Jena tried to cut down your lead to 10 or under, you made big shots. It seems like there are so many guys that can step up in these pressure situations.

 

Yes we have many guys like that. Jena like to scramble all ove rteh court, but we did a great job keeping our composure and finding the right players to knock down shots.

 

It seems like if Myles Hesson doesn´t get at least one dunk per game it is as unusual as an American not visiting Mcdonalds or Burger King at least once per week in Giessen. You and Hesson hooked up for a beautiful ally-op dunk. How many have you done in games and practice this season?

 

That is tough since we have been together for 8-9 months. I would say we hav hooked up for about 60 ally-ops. If Myles gives that dunk a five then so do I considering his jumping ability. We have eye contact and I try to tell if the defender is lazy and if he is then I give him this special look and go back door for the dunk.

 

Hesson was huge for the win in game one as he hit big free throws and did it again in game three. It seems like Giessen and Hesson go hand in hand for success.

 

He was key for the win. He had that look and he hadn´t been happy with his game in Jena. Without Hudson and the small guards, he got into a good rhythm. He gave us  apush on defense with his rebounding, shot blocking ability and deflections.

 

It seems like Science City Jena never go away especially in the fourth quarter. How impressed are you with this team that plays with so much heart and always has the ability to come back when they need to?

 

I am very impressed, but at the same time they are a very irritating team to play. They hit you with random traps that forces you out of rhythm. They play at a high tempo and with big plays and hitting shots get more confidence.

 

You scored only nine points, but had six assists and three turnovers. How happy were you with your performance?

 

It wasn´t one of my better games, but I thought my passing was good. My passing created problems for the Jena defense. I didn´t get as many open looks, but they didn´t want to give me any open looks.

 

Giessen has its star Myles Hesson and Science City Jena has Dennis Tinnon. How hard is it to play against him?

 

He is a tough player that is long and athletic and is so quick on his feet and can handle the ball well. Plus he can push the ball in transition and has a nice touch around the rim.

 

Giessen can end the series Sunday in Jena. What will be key in getting the win?

 

We have to keep our composure, come out fighting strong and just handle business in Jena.

 

How surprised were you that UConn won the 2014 NCAA tournament?

 

You could see how important it is for the star player to play well. Shabezz Napier was a great leader that made big shots. This win was one the biggest shocks for me besides the Butler back to back final appearances.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

More than a game.

 

Thanks Steven for the chat.

Myles Hesson is a 23 year old 195 cm forward from Birmingham, England that is one of the 12 best players in Great Britain and was selected for the 2013 national team playing in Slovenia at the Eurochampionships. He currently is playing in the German Pro A this season for the Giessen 46ers. Last season 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%. Last season 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%. This past summer, he was a member of the British national team taking part in preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He also took part at the British 3×3 Mixed and menTeam for World Championships in Greece  in 2012. He spoke to German Hoops before game three against Science City Jena in Giessen

 

 

A tough 93-82 loss in game 2 in Jena. Were you surprised by any of the adjustments that Science City Jena made in game two?

 

No not really it wasnt a surprise. We just didnt play smart and together in the second half.

 

Giessen once again like in game one had a nice lead at halftime 41-25, but let Science City Jena fight back exploding for 28 points in the third quarter. What were the reasons for this massive onslaught?

We missed our open shots, they made some tough ones and we started to doubt ourselves.

In the OT, Science City Jena once again exploded for 21 points. Did the surprise effect that they got more clutch points from the role players than the American players surprise Giessen?

It wasnt a suprise for us, their role players played well and stepped up when it counted. I think we were a bit deflated by not ending the game when we had the chances to in regulation.

Lars Wendt and Kristian Kuhn combined for 32 points. If the three Americans and these two Germans have productive nights again than it could become hard for Giessen. Will we see some adjustments in game three?

Yeah, we need to respect all of their players and adjust accordingly.

Giessen held Science City Jena to 67 points in the regular season but to 83 points in the first two playoff games. Why has it been more difficult to defend Science City Jena in the playoffs?

I wouldn’t say its been more difficult. Its just playoff basketball, players make shots they normally wouldn’t and miss ones they normally would make, its just how it goes.

If someone had told you before the game that Joshiko Saibu would outrebound you in game two would you have believed him? How valuable is he helping out on the boards?

Yes Joshiko has been really good for us on the boards the whole season , his energy on both sides of the court helps us tremendously.

You shot only 3 for 11 from the field. Will we see a different Myles Hesson on the offensive end in game three?

I hope so, it wasnt my best outing but all I can do is what is best for the team, I dont go out there with a number in my head that I am trying to attain, but I  just do what I can to help us win.

What will be key to getting the game three win?

We need to focus for the whole 4 quarters and not be phased when they go on their runs.

If someone had told you before the season that UConn would win the 2014 NCAA title would you have been surprised?

I didnt follow college basketball too much this past season so I wouldnt have known much.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Thor 2

 

Thanks Myles for the chat.

 

 

TJ DiLeo is a 23 year old 190cm guard from New Jersey that also has the German citizenship is a rookie playing for the Giessen 46ers this season. He played at Temple from 2008-2013 playing a total of 126 NCAA games. In 2010, he played for the German U20 National Team in 2010 and played for the European Championships U20 in Croatia  playing 9 games: 10.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

 

TJ thanks for talking to eurobasket.com. Congrats on the 75-74 win in game one against Science City Jena. How was it playing in your first playoff game as a professional? You played in many big NCAA games, but how does Pro a basketball playoff time feel?

 

This was an awesome first game to have. This is the first time that I have played in a series. In the NCAA it was always just a game that was important. The atmosphere and fans were great. Science City Jena is a great team that you can never count out.

 

 

It was a very interesting game and game of two halves. Giessen dominated in the first half, while Science City Jena fought back in the second half and lost the game on the last possession. Talk a little about the 40 minutes.

 

We were awaiting a surprise from Jena and they played a zone challenging us to hit shots. We rans our plays and got in a flow. In the past when we played against zone and didn´t hit shots, we would panic and struggle. However Steven Bennett started to hit shots early which got us going and we all fed off that. In the third quarter, Jena mixed up their defense which we kind of expected and did  a lot of trapping  which has worked all year for them and it worked against us. We weren´t as poised with the ball. In the fourth quarter I remember joking with Thierno Agne telling him how he hit his first three pointer of the game at the most important time. We kept our composure at the end, made plays and came out with the win.

 

TJ let us talk about your season. You got off to a slow start, but you have found your rhythm in the second half. How happy have you been with your rookie season?

 

I feel more comfortable now than at the start. My goal is always to guard the other teams best player and be a good team player on offense. I like the style in the German Pro A  as there is more spacing. Players read the pick and role very much better in Europe and it is all about making the right decision and knowing what to do then. If you watch Euroleague, you see players making the right decision on the pick and role and then its over.

 

How important has Giessen head coach Dennis Wucherer been for your development as a rookie. What is the most important thing that you have learned from him this season?

 

I have learned from him that he demands toughness from his players. He was a tough player and expects that from his players. He wants you too always make the right decision. I played for him for the German U-20 team and I feel very comfortable playing for him. He is a players coach and knows what us players go through. The whole team has connected with him.

 

What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 

I think my ability to anticipate. I am able to get in passing lanes, picking off easy passing and making deflections.

 

Your teammate Myles Hesson once made 7 dunks in a game and you see him dunk each day. In game one he made a nice ally-op dunk. In Frankfurt we call Quantez Robertson a freak athletic player. Would you describe Hesson like that also?

 

Yes Myles is freaky athletic. We just throw up the ball and he always gets it up on the rim. The defenders usually know it and try to get up with him with their body. His best dunk was against Paderborn. He got an inbounds pass thrown up at the rim and he dunked over a Paderborn player. We know in practice not to get up and jump up to him and challenge him.

What is your goal as a player. Would you like to have a long career in Germany or explore your options in the future?

 

My goal is too move up a level. I already signed on for next season with Giessen. I talked with coach and he thought it be better that I stay one more year and develop further and then be ready. I feel very comfortable in Germany and plan to take German classes next year. I understand it pretty well. I want to get even more aggressive on offense. Sometimes I tend not to be as aggressive as I would like to be. I feel I get passive at times. I like to create for others as myself.

 

Steven Bennett is another guy that could move up a level. How impressed have you been with his development this season?

 

He is like a bull dog and is such a competitor. He always wants to win. He is taking more big games now and I feel he has really developed well in the last 7-8 games.

 

You played at Temple(NCAA) with ex Fraport Skyliner Ryan Brooks. What is your fondest memory with him on the court?

 

I see him a lot in the summer and we work out together in Philadelphia. He is such a competitor. When I was a freshman, I was injured and he was a junior. I remember we played Arizona State and he pretty much shut down James Harden. He held him to like nine points. he only had 4-5 points near the end until Harden made a three pointer. He did a really great job on harden. We lost the game to Arizona State.

 

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

There are many players that I played against in my time at Temple. As a freshman I played against Kansas and Thomas Robinson. In my second year I played against Kawhi Leonard. As a junior I played against Austin Rivers and Ben Mcelmore and as a senior against Michael Carter Williams.

 

What do you like most about Germany?

 

I think that there is no real transition here. It is all so Americanized. I have friends playing in other countries where the culture is so much different and harder to get used to.

 

Who will reach the 2014 NCAA final and win it?

 

I have UConn vs Kentucky with UConn winning it.

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

All my American teammates went to see Captain America and I saw A long way down in German.

 

Thanks TJ for the chat.

 

In the last years winning in Braunschweig had been as simple and self evident for the Fraport Skyliners as losing has been for the Philadelphia 76ers as of recent that couldn´t buy a win even if home boy Kobe Bryant was loaned out to the 1983 NBA champion. The only good news was that basketball history was on their side as they had won the last seven games in Braunschweig and in the last years had won in so many crazy ways like getting a come from behind win in 2010, Pascal Roller winning the game at the end with a jumper, Dashaun Wood winning the game in the last minute and last season getting a massive 26 point 13 rebound performance from ex NBA player Jermareo Davidson. That seven game winning streak was snapped last season as a certain 18 year old German who moonlighted in the beauty salon from his mother when he had time sparked the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig to the win. Schroeder finished the game with 18 points and literally paralyzed the Fraport Skyliners in the second quarter nailing 13 points as he scored from almost all over the court except from the lap of the Phantom mascot. A year later, Schroeder is struting his stuff in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks while American James Florence has taken over the point guard duties. Fraport Skyliner players that were present on that evening where Schroeder made another step in the direction of the NBA where the German big three with Johannes Voigtmann, Danilo Barthel and Konstantin Klein as was captain Marius Nolte and Cincinnati native Quantez Robertson who had a stellar night with ten points, six rebounds, five assist and four steals, but probably remembered the night of Schroeder taking apart Frankfurt more than anything that he did on the night. Frankfurt was motivated to get on a winning streak again while Braunschweig was super motivated for getting revenge on their sloppy loss in Frankfurt shortly before Christmas this season.  However never losing in seven years in Braunschweig, Frankfurt returned back and have lost their last two games in Brauschweig with their latest being a 82-81 loss. Fraport Skyliner Quantez Robertson celebrated many wins in Braunschweig and tried to forget this loss as quickly as possible and reflect on the better times. ”These last two loses have been tough. Those years where we won, we were able to execute well throughout the game. I remember Pascal Roller winning a game on a last shot and a few years ago Jermario Davidson had a huge game as he did so many great things on offense and defense”, stressed Ohio native Quantez Robertson. Skyliner Johannes Voigtmann is 0-2 in Braunschweig as a professional and knows what was missing to get back on a winning streak in Braunschweig and celebrate wins like in the past. “It really is crazy how you lose like this after having won here for so many years. We have to simply be more consistent to get wins anywhere”, stressed Fraport Skyliner Johannes Voigtmann.

Even after the big win for the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig, American Isaiah Swann was calm and reserved as if winning and being very instrumental was the most normal thing in the world. Seeing himself on the stat sheet with the most points is about as normal this season as watching Danilo Barthel getting at least one dunk per game. Maryland native Swann came into the game having scored in double figures 27 times and 20 points or more 10 times including a 32 point explosion against Bremerhaven and a 31 point onslaught against Alba Berlin. He came into the Frankfurt game focused and finished with 23 points and a team high five assists. He hit big free throws down the stretch and once again took a piece of his so called scorer mentality away as without his five assists, Braunschweig would not have won. His passing definitely gets overlooked. Swann has been growing a fierce beard since the end of February and you have to wonder if that fera the beard look has any influence in his play and how opponents view him on the court. After the win, his eyes lit up when mentioning that crunch time is Isaiah`s world and the fear the beard look “ I had the James Harden on. I know that if I get fouled, I don´t plan to miss any free throws. I practice my free throws so much that I am very confident in the game. Besides hitting the big free throws, I always love to take the big shot and just making the right play. I plan to have the fear the beard until the end of the season and hope for some more wins”, stressed Isaiah Swann. One could imagine where the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig would be without Isaiah Swann and his teammates surely understand that without a Swann, they are only half as scary as their Phantom mascot. ”We are so thankful that we have a player like Isaiah Swann on the team. He takes so much pressure off us and always hits the big shots”, warned Georgia native James Florence.

The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig entered the game in 14^th place with a record of 10-18 and were riding a six game losing streak. They were coming off a bitter 86-82 loss last weekend to the expense of medi bayreuth and once again displayed their ugly talent of losing a close game as they have lost 10 games this season by five or less points and despite playing catch up basketball for most of the evening showed calmness and perhaps more experience down the stretch to get back on the winners side. “They are a very physical team and we knew that we had to execute each play with precision. Guys like Robertson and Galloway are so athletic and get in the passing lanes. We knew also that they had played many games in the last week so we got the ball more inside in the second half and things opened up more. We knew they were tired so we jumped on them and attacked them”, stressed ex ratiopharm Ulm guard Isaiah Swann. The Fraport Skyliners came into the game in 11^th placed with a record of 11-16 and were riding a three game losing streaks. They had lost bitter close games at home against the Walter Tigers Tuebingen and in Wurzburg and once again played good basketball for 30 minutes, but like in Wurzburg couldn´t shut the door on Braunschweig in the fourth quarter. “Braunschweig played out their hearts in the last 10 minutes what we did in the first 30 minutes. We played well for 33 minutes, but simply gave up an 11 point lead. We chocked tonight. We were beat badly on the boards. We had no effort on the boards”, commented Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi. “The first half was up and down and I felt that we defended well, but we gave up too many offensive rebounds and they got too many easy baskets. We had them in the second half, but we let them come back just like in Wurzburg”, added Fraport Skyliner Johannes Voigtmann.

Last week, the Fraport Skyliners played a rare make up game on a Wednesday against the Brose Baskets Bamberg as Borussia Dortmund was playing Real Madrid and the turnout in the Fraport arena was minimal and in Braunschweig on a rare Tuesday night game only 2,208 people wanted to watch first class basketball as Borussia Dortmund was playing Real Madrid in the return game. Frankfurt was without American Dane Watts and German Konstantin Klein. The first quarter was tight as no team could run away and the Fraport Skyliners got on the board first as German Danilo Barthel who came in as focused as ever after not so solid games the last weeks scoring over Canadian Aaron Doornekamp. Doornekamp retaliated knocking down a three pointer and Barthel showed that he won´t pass up outside jumpers as he drooped one as well as Frankfurt led  5-3. However Braunschweig now went on the games first run of 9-2 to lead 12-7 as ex Wake Forest center Kyle Visser made a tip in, Doornekamp stroked home another bomb from outside and Immanuel Mcelroy and James Florence connected on free throws. Frankfurt needed some spark of energy now and got it in the form of Jacob Burtschi who put his reluctance of taking the three pointer into the waste basket and like against ratiopharm Ulm a few weeks ago he nailed two consecutive three pointers testing his 47% three point percentage giving Frankfurt the 15-13 advantage. Aziz Ndiaye then hit free throws and Swann closed out the first quarter with a shot in traffic as Frankfurt led 17-15. “This was definitely not a nice first quarter to watch. I thought the Frankfurt defense was ok. Danilo Barthel was playing at a very high level as he seemed to want to show what he can do. Braunschweig had problems finding some kind of rhythm on offense”, stressed ex Oldenburg American Sean Mccaw. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 42% from the field and 50% from outside while The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig were shooting 33% from the field and 40% from outside. Braunschweig had the 9-8 rebound edge and both clubs had two turnovers a piece.

In the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners were able to go on a run and get a nice lead only to see it evaporate as the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig crawled back into the game. The Fraport Skyliners got off to a blazing start in the second going on a 6-2 run to build their lead to 23-17. Frankfurt did a superb job getting to the free throw line as German Max Merz connected on free throws, Ndiaye made a pretty hook shot and Barthel connected on a dunk.  Barthel found Ndiaye with the nifty shovel pass for the dunk. Robertson and Florence then exchanged three pointers as Frankfurt still led 28-22.Texas native Mcelroy who with 34 years of age still plays like a 28 year old penetrated inside getting by Jarred Dubois as Johannes Voigtmann was a step late for the help. Braunschweig kept their comeback alive as three point shooting expert Robert Kulawick nailed a three pointer as Frankfurt led only 30-27. Dubois then made a nice off balance lay in falling to his right. Braunschweig kept their comeback in full throttle as Visser once again was unstoppable inside with the simple put back and Swann made a reverse lay up. Voigtmann then hit  a 20 footer and Swann closed out the first half with free throws, but Frankfurt had the slim 35-33 lead. “Braunschweig did a good job taking the ball more to the basket then just taking wild shots. Braunschweig defended better and got easy buckets. Frankfurt is a young team and they are allowed to make mistakes, because Gordon Herbert will make sure they learn from the mistakes”, stressed ex Science City Jena forward Sean Mccaw. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 48% from the field and 40% from the three point line while The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweeig were shooting 41% from the field and 36% from the three point line. Braunschweig had the 15-14 rebound edge and 11 turnovers and Frankfurt had 10 turnovers.

in the third quarter, the Fraport Skyliners kept the lead and led by as much as seven points, but couldn´t extend their lead as they let the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig hang around. Jacob Burtschi started off the third quarter controlling a defensive rebound and going coast to coast for the easy lay in. Then it was Visser again scoring inside as Frankfurt continued not being able to handle the Michigan native. Robertson then riffled a bullet pass by the ears of Swann finding Voigtmann for the quick lay in as Frankfurt led 40-35. Braunschweig then went on a mini 4-0 run as Visser made a easy shot inside and Harding Nana scored a jumper as Braunschweig trailed 40-39. The game continued to go back and forth with Frankfurt getting  consecutive baskets while denying Braunschweig points and then this procedure would go in the other direction. Frankfurt was playing consistent offense and defense, but just couldn´t run away with the lead. Burtschi then hit another three pointer and Barthel made a left handed hook shot to lead 45-39. Max Merz then hit a beautiful turn around shot and Barthel made a perfect left handed hook shot as Frankfurt led 49-42. Merz played a very solid game scoring 10 points in 20 minutes and got nothing but praise from his teammates and peers.  “Merz is a young guy and did a real good job. He played his role and continues to have great promise”, stressed Jacob BUrschi. “The young German the number 10 looked great. He controlled the Frankfurt game and I am sure he will be a good player in the future”, stressed Braunschweig guard James Florence. Both teams now had their offense flowing as points were on the menu as Visser and Robertson traded buckets as Frankfurt led 51-44. Swann then used the mismatch against Merz scoring over him and Ndiaye made a tip in as Frankfurt led 53-46. Braunschweig then closed out the third quarter in fine fashion going on a 7-2 run to trail Frankfurt 55-53. Visser kept pounding Frankfurt into the ground all night long with his aggressive play getting  a tip in, Florence then scored inside and Merz nailed free throws. Florence ended the third quarter with a fascinating buzzer beater coming from his own end with five seconds to play dribbling over the center line and taking a running deep three off the back board. “That was a tough shot. He hit a runner off the back board and that is a part of the game”, stressed ex Bremerhaven forward Jacob Burtschi. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting  54% from the field and 33% from the parking lot while Baunschweig were shooting 45% from the field and 36% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 23-19 rebound edge and six turnovers while Braunschweig had seven turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, it looked like the Fraport Skyliners  would run away with the game after shocking the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig with a blistering 9-0 run to lead 64-53, but they couldn´t keep the intensity and couldn´t make the big plays down the stretch to win the game. In the 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter, Barthel spun around Nana on the baseline as swiftly as a rabbits flee from walkers in the park behind the  Volkswagon arena, Robertson scored inside and Merz hit a clutch three pointer from the corner. However Braunschwieg out did the Frankfurt 9-0 run with their own amazing 10-0 to trail Frankfurt only 64-63. In the impressive 10-0 run, Braunschwieg played a controlled offense as they got needed production with Mcelroy with a tip in, Doornekamp made a fade away jumper and Florence connected on a three pointer. Swann then hit a clutch three pointer. Voigtmann then took  a page out of the athletic moves book of Barthel spinning around Nana, but Doornekamp drilled home a three pointer dead locking the game at 66-66. Barthel then scored on a jumper and made the free throw as Frankfurt led 69-66. Now came the turning point of the game as Braunschweig went on a crucial 8-0 run to lead 74-69. Visser made  a tip in, Swann then once again took a step back from scoring and found Mcelroy inside for two points. The Braunschweig run continued as Robertson suffered two consecutive turnovers which Florence and Visser took advantage of scoring inside as Braunschwieg led 74-69. Super Tez made amends for his two mistakes by getting Frankfurt back into the game with a pull up jumper and then securing a defensive rebound and tossing a touchdown pass to Barthel for two easy points who had snuck down as Braunschwieg took the shot and missed as Frankfurt trailed 74-73. Now it became a game of free throws and time which benefited Braunschweig as they kept having the slim lead while Frankfurt had to play catch up basketball. Visser then made free throws as Braunschweig led 76-73. Robertson took control now as the go to guy making another pull up jumper from the corner as Frankfurt trailed 76-75. Swann then made free throws as Braunschweig led 78-75. Frankfurt wanted to get quick points and hope on a missed Braunschweig free throw as Galloway scored inside, but Frankfurt kept fouling Swann who has a free throw percentage of 89% and he kept making shots as Braunschwieg led 80-77. With 8 seconds to play, Frankfurt had the chance to put the game in OT with a three pointer but Los Angeles native Dubois threw the ball away into the hands of Doornekamp. “We had the set play for me too slip, but down three, I went out to play a hand off and look for the three, but the pass went the another way. It was a miscommunication”, stressed Johannes Voigtmann. “We wanted to run a time delay to see how they would set up and in the last second I said no, which was the right thing as they turned the ball over”, stressed James Florence. “That wasn´t the fault of Dubois. It was a team turnover”, said Jacob Burtschi. Doornekamp then made two free throws as Frankfurt trailed 82-77. The game then got exciting one more time as Galloway was fouled behind the three point  line. He connected on two free throws and intentionally missed the third getting his own rebound an dmaking the put back, but time ran out and Frankfurt lost 82-81. “We have lost many close game this season and many came because we were tired at the end and the opponent made big plays. Tonight for a change the ball bounced our way and we made the big plays”, added James Florence. The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig were led by Isiah Swann with 23 points. Kyle Visser had 18 points. Aaron Doornekamp contributed 15 points and James Florence 12 points. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Danilo Barthel with 25 points, eight rebounds and three assists. “Barthel practiced well this week and was trying to brush aside the less solid games the last weeks. His presence to the basket was amazing. He was physical and he was the force on offense tonight”, warned Johannes Voigtmann.  Quantez Robertsona dded 13 points, five rebounds and five assists, Jacob Burtschi contributed 111 points, five rebounds and two assists and Max Merz had 10 points.

 

There was a period in Braunschweig that not too many basketball fans will forget where the then StadtSport Braunschweig had an amazing run in the 2002-2003 season where a young Shaq cousin by the name of Demond Mallet was starting to make  a name for himself and he had solid side kicks like Pete Lisicky and Szymon szewczyk supplying fire power on the court. However then came a seven year drought in Braunschweig where the club didn´t make the playoffs despite having a well known coach with Emir Mutapcic were living in the middle of the standings seeminly being stuck in a cocoon without any way of escaping. That all changed when Sebastian Machowski came in 2009 and did a fantastic job leading the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig to three consecutive playoff appearances including two semi finals and a cup final in 2011 in Bamberg. He had only had two years of coaching ability in Poland for SKK Kotwica Kolobrzeg (Poland-DBE), but was able to win a cup. In Braunschwieg he had the special touch building a harmonious team chemistry early with a solid core of Americans with Kevin Hamilton and Brandon Thomas and adding the needed puzzle parts with guys like Marcus Goree, Kyle Visser or Lamarr Greer over the three year period. However after he was lured to Oldenburg, the playoff run by the organization ended again as last year the team ended in 13^th place with Greek mastermind Kostats Flevarakis and even with the aid of future NBA player Dennis Schroeder, the team already had their summer vacation booked in May. This season, the team brought in a new coach with Austrian Raoul Korner who finally made the jump to top level Beko BBL after winning titles in Holland and Austria and coaching three Dutch Allstar Games. However at the moment, the team is right there again where they have been before Sebastian Machowski lounging in no mans land as they are unable to get a big winning streak going as inconsistency has been a sort of staple this season. The team has shown that it can play all styles of basketball and had impressive wins like against ratiopharm Ulm , winning a shoot out against Phoenix Hagen, Bonn and the Artland Dragons. However they also have had difficulty not winning close games. They have lost 10 games by five points or less and give them five wins form those ten close loses and they would b ein the playoffs. It is difficult to dissect exactly what has been the problem since they have  a very solid roster, but there is no blame for Korner to have. “Coach Korner is great, he’s good every week, just a lot of bad bounces and bad luck in a few games”, stressed American point guard James Florence. The Beko BBL is a very competitive league and perhaps 5-6 years ago with this roster, Braunschweig would have been a playoff team, but ex Florida State guard Isaiah Swann reflects on the season and despite many hardships is proud of how the coach and club have fought all season long to be successful. “I think we have had some tough luck. Some things we can’t control but I think in some of the close games that we’ve lost by a close margin could be due to fatigue or turnovers or not making shots.It could be a bunch of excuses why we have lost those close games. Fact of the matter is we lost and now we are out of the playoffs. I think that we were unfortunate to have Nana get injured twice this year, I feel like he is a big asset to our defense, rebounding and our depth. We now just have to find a way to get some wins, which I’m confident we will do I think our coach is a great guy and a hell of a coach. With this being his first year in the league, I think he has adjusted very well. Through our ups and downs he has always remained calm and he has been easy to talk to. He has been pushing us since we’ve got here and he won’t let up. That’s all you can ask for as a player, because if your coach doesn’t push you, that’s when you know he has given up. I have been proud of the fight that the guys show in practice and in the games, of course every teams has a couple games where no matter what you just can’t seem to click. But I like the fact that we will fight until the end and not give up. That shows character and we have a group of guys with strong character”, stressed ex ratiopharm Ulm guard Isaiah Swann.

After reaching the Beko BBL playoffs three years in a row with Sebastian Machowski, the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig weren´t able to make it four times in a row as new head coach Greek Kostas Flevarakis was unable to form a competitive team as guys came and went thus not being able to grow a suitable team chemistry and let the team grow as the season went on. Last season the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig were your typical team placed somewhere in no mans land in the standings that could beat the weaker teams, but couldn´t beat the playoff teams. The team finished in 13^th place with a record of 14-20. The team had some talented Americans like Thaddeus Mcfadden and Casey Mitchell, but they had to pack their bags during the season. The club had many talented players, but that certain quality that was needed for the team to be more successful seemed to be lacking. Braunschweig manager Oliver Braun is a very ambitious person and is seeking to get back to the playoffs and with head coach Korner kept four important players with Immanuel Mcelroy, Harding Nana, Robert Kulawick and Erik Land. The team added nine new players and with the splendid promotion that Dennis Schroeder gave for the German youth program brought in four new young Germans to help for the future. The club have a good balance of shooters and inside presence, but a big factor for the success this season will be how well the bench can step up game in and game out and will there be a German player that makes the next jump and gets minutes?

Braunschweig is really one of those teams like a handful in the Beko BBL that could be a playoff team or be exactly where they are now in no mans land in 14^th place. They have a record of 10-18 and will have no difficulty staying in the league. The first half of the season was more impressive as the second half of the season. They started the season winning four of their first six games, but simply consistency has been a huge problem this season. They had a 7-10 record in the first half of the season and currently in the second half of the season have a 3-8 record and are riding a six game losing streak. If they had won half of those games then they would be scratching at a playoff place. They were able to beat Artland and Ulm this season, but then lose the season series to medi bayreuth. It is scary to think where the club would be had they not had Isaiah Swann who has been simply stellar having scored in double figures in each game except one where someone one must have stolen his holster, because he was held scoreless in 30 minutes against Ludwigsburg which is about as unlikely as keeping Darius Adams of Bremerhaven scoreless in a game. Braunschweig and the Fraport Skyliners have one thing in common and that is that they both have a losing streak combined at nine games as Frankfurt has lost the last three games. 96 hours ago in Wurzburg, he was the better team for three quarters, but ran out of gas in the fourth quarter and were a bit over rolled by the Wurzburg momentum, Jimmy Mckinney and the atmosphere of the arena. Fraport Skyliner Jacob Burtschi knows what they can´t do again on the court when they face off in Braunschweig tonight. “Braunschweig will still have the blowout in Frankfurt on their mind. They have lost some close games and are a way better team than their record shows. They have great players with Swann, Visser and Mcelroy. It is never easy to win there. If we aren´t ready than we might go home with our fourth loss in a row. Last Friday Skyliner Quantez Robertson played against friend and tough warrior Jimmy Mckinney and in Braunschweig will face another top player who he has battled over the years with Imac. Tez knows that to win, the basics will be important as always to come out with a win. “We need to execute better on offense and defense, take care of the ball, outrebound them, limit them to one shot and importantly hold the lead”, warned Quantez Robertson.

The Fraport Skyliners have had very very fond memories of The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig as they have a 15-2 record since March 11th, 2006 as Braunschweig won 81-76 then. They also haven´t lost at home since 2002 having won the last nine games in a row.The two most memorable games were from the 2008-2009 season. Who could forget the 68-58 win in the cup game which brought Frankfurt to the TOP 4 in Hamburg. That game displayed the best performance by guard Adam Emmenecker who came out of his shell and proved he has no nervous shooting hand as he left captain Pascal Roller on the bench as he had the hot hand leading the team with 13 points. However in the regular season game in Braunschweig, Roller got his revenge as he led the team to a 55-53 win as his last minute clutch jumper paved the way to the win. In 2009-2010, Frankfurt swept the series winning 81-77 as Frankfurt came from behind to win as Aubrey Reese poured in 21 points and prevailed at home 71-62 as Derrick Allen steered 18 points to the triumph. In teh first game this season, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners pulled out a thrilling 94-91 win at home. Frankfurt fought back in the fourth quarter as they came back from being behind 90-87 and close out the game on a 7-0 run as Skyliner captain Pascal Roller hit  a huge three pointer and Dashaun Wood a shot. Frankfurt did a fantastic job distributing the ball as seven players scored in double figures led by Pascal Roller and Kimmo Muurinen with 13 points a piece. Frankfurt dominated the boards 38-24. In 2010-2011, the Skyliners were 2-1and stretched their winning streak to 12 games as they won two memorable games winning 94-91 at home as they finished the game with a 7-0 run capped by a big three pointer by Pascal Roller. Seven players scored in double figures and nobody scored more than 13 points. In the return date in Braunschweig, Frankfurt pulled out a nail bitter  68-67 as Frankfurt was down 67-65 and Frankfurt won the game on their last possession as Dashaun Wood scored on  a penetration and got the free throw to fall. Kimmo Muurinen led Frankfurt with 20 points. In 2011-2012 the Fraport Skyliners won the first meeting of the season in Braunschweig winning 76-70 as Jermareo Davidson added 26 points and Michael Thompson 22 points. The Fraport Skyliners won the second meeting in an exciting 81-80 win in OT as Dennis Schroeder had almost won the game in the regular time with big buckets in the lane at the end. However the Fraport Skyliners kept their cool in their living room winning. Michael Thompson led the Skyliners with 16 points and Tim Ohlbrecht steered 15 points and 11 rebounds to the win. In the first meeting last season, the Fraport Skyliners won a nail bitter 61-59 as ex Skyliner Ted Scott sealed the win with free throws and German Nils Mittman missed a three pointer to win the game. In the second game last season in Braunschweig, Braunschweig won 73-66 with the help of  a big second quarter by Dennis Schroeder who had 13 points and led the team with 18 points while Immanuel Mcelroy had 16 points. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Devin Gibson with 13 points and Johannes Voigtmann had 12 points. In the first game this season, the Fraport Skyliners rolled past Braunschweig 79-53 as the ycould get nothing going. Frankfurt wa sled by ex NBA player Andrew Rautins that had 26 points. Ramon Galloway added 11 points and Johannes Voigtmann contributed 10 points. Braunschweig was led by James Florence with 16 points and Isaiah Swann added 12 points.

The most important player they kept was The  33 year old 193cm guard Immanuel Mcelroy who is playing his third season with the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig after successful years in Cologne and Berlin. He played at Cincinnati (NCAA) and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2001. He already made a name for himself winning titles with Rhein Energy Cologne His overall quickness, combined with his mental toughness, makes him well-suited as a defender in the attacking defense. He is very athletic, a 40-inch vertical jump and a bench press approaching 300 pounds, ability to break defenders down with his dribble and his explosiveness to the basket makes him an effective scorer. He also possesses good court vision and excellent ball-handling skills, giving him the ability to distribute the ball, particularly in the transition game. He is a natural leader who makes others around him better players. He also has very much experience having won three BBL cups and two BBL league titles. “If you want to slow down Mcelroy, you have to deny him the ball and give him the jump shot until he starts to make some”, warned 2009 Beko BBL scoring champion Omari Westley. Mcelroy who has never been known as a good shooter has really improved his shooting the last few years. Mcelroy may not score 20 points every night, but he belongs to the top players in the BEKO BBL, because he can really do it all on the court and is also one of the top defenders in the league. The American played at Cologne from 2004-2008 before moving to Alba Berlin in early 2008 as the team had financial difficulties. With Cologne, he was Beko BBL champion in 2006 and won the beko BBL cup in 2005 and 2007. With Alba Berlin, he won the German championship in 2008 and cup in 2009. Last season Mcelroy played  33 games averaging 9.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 81.0%

Harding Nana is a 32 year old 203cm power forward that is playing his second season in Germany for Braunschweig. He started his basketball career at Virginia Tech (NCAA) in 2001 and finished at Delaware in 2006. As a senior he played  30 games: ScoreCAA-2(19.0ppg), RebCAA-1(10.9rpg), 1.7apg, 1.2spg, BlocksCAA-5(1.3bpg), FG: 46.9%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 64.1%: Finished career at Delaware ranked sixth in rebounds (784), eighth in scoring (1,345 points), eighth in blocks (92) and tied for first in double-doubles (40). Harding has had a consistent career in Europe having played four seasons in Poland and one in Spain and Greece. In five of six season where he was healthy, he was able to be a force in scoring and rebounds. Last season, he played for  Ilysiakos Athens (Greece-A1, starting five): 22 games: 12.0ppg, Reb-3(7.5rpg), 1.0spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 73.4%. He has been a member of the Cameroonian National Team in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and played at the African Championships in Libya -09 (Semifinals): 9 games: 9.6ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 43.8%, FT: 73.7%.Last season Nana played 27 game averaging 10.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 60.0%. He is a versatile big man that can help out at the center position.  27 year old 191cm guard Robert Kulawick is playing his third season in Braunschweig after having played the three years in Goettingen. He started his basketball career at TUS Lichterfelde in 2003 and also played for Alba Berlin from 2004-2006 playing 14 BBL games, three ULEB Cup games and winning the BBL cup in 2006. After playing with The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in 2006-2007, he crossed the boarder into Holland and played for Den Helder Seals playing 34 games averaging 7.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 39.7%, FT: 84.6%. Already in 2008-2009, one could see the confidence of John Patrick in the German letting him average 10 minutes per game, and in 2009-2010 season he increased his minutes to 17 minutes. In 2010-2011 for BG Goettingen, he played EuroCup: 14 games: 7.5ppg, 2.1rpg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 37.0%; German League: 36 games: 5.4ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 30.0%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 78.6%.  Last season he played 32 games: 4.8ppg, 1.3rpg. He lives off his shot which looks unorthodox, but deadly at times. Erik Land is a 23 year old 205cm center that is playing his second season with Braunschweig. Last season he played 22 games: 2.5ppg, 1.4rpg, played also at Spot Up Medien Baskets Braunschweig (ProB, starting five): 13 games: 11.3ppg, 6.6rpg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 74.1%. He started his basketball career in the Bamberg system and played a total of 14 Beko BBL games for Bamberg. He also played for Saar-Pfalz Braves (ProA) and is a player that is the back up to Visser and had brings nice moves and versatility to the big positions.

The biggest pick up was Isaiah Swann who returned back to Germany after playing in Ulm two seasons ago. Last season he played for Royal Hali Gaziantep Buyuksehir Belediye (Turkey-TBL) playing  24 games averaging 13.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 83.8%. Swann is a 28 year old 188cm combo guard from Maryland that has a hidden quality of being able to pass the ball very well as hiss coring is always seen as his biggest quality. He played at Florida State and has experience having played in Italy and Israel. When he played in Ulm he played 40 games: Score-3(15.8ppg), 2.7rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 85.5%. He is the head of the team and the club´s success will often depend how well he can put the ball in the net. Kyle Visser returns back to Braunschweig for a third time. Visser is a 28 year old 211cm center rom Grand Rapids, Michigan that played with Chris Paul at wake Forest  reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007. He played the first time in Braunschweig from 2007-2009 and then again in the from 2010-2012. Last season he played for JuveCaserta (Italy-SerieA): only pre-season, in Dec.’12 signed at Radnicki Kragujevac (Serbia-A League): Adriatic League: 10 games: 3.2ppg, 2.2rpg, Visser is the only true big man on the team and brings that gentleman style to the game and is respected for his solid consistent play. The club also brought in 25 year old 185cm point guard James Florence from Marietta, Georgia that is playing his fourth professional season. He played at Mercer(NCAA) and as a rookie had a try out with the Philadelphia 76ers. H eha splayed in countries like Bosnia, Ukraine and Hungry. Last season he played for : Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih (Ukraine-Superleague, starting five); EuroChallenge: 5 games: 12.0ppg, left in Jan.’13: 25 games: 15.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 6.3apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 44.9%, 3FGP: 35.1%, FT: 68.0%, later that month moved to Szolnoki Olajbanyasz (Hungary-A Division): 21 games: 14.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.0apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 74.6%, 3.2rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 35.3%, 3PT: 41.7%; Adriatic League: 9 games: 12.6ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.1apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 84.8%. Even though Florence is the classic pass first point guard, he has let hiss coring do the talking and made the transition well to the Beko BBL.

The club also added Aaron Doornekamp who is a 28 year old 201cm forward from Odessa, Ontario, Canada. He is playing his first season in Germany after playing three years in Italy. He didn´t play last season and two seasons ago played for  Otto Caserta (Italy-SerieA): 31 games: 7.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 44.6%, FT: 85.4%. He played at  Carleton University (CIS) from 2004-2009 and played with Osvaldo Jeanty. He also has played for the Canadian national team and played against Germany and Dirk Nowitzki in a test game in 2006. He is a very versatile forward that presents mismatches at the three and four positions. Quick 27 year old 177cm Achmadschah Zazai is playing his first season for the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig who has already played for 12 teams in his still young career. He started his basketball career at TUS Lichterfelde in 2003. From 2005-2011, he played for teams like SG FT/MTV Braunschweig, : BSG Ludwigsburg, Bremen Roosters, Horsens IC (Denmark), Telemotive Muenchen, Artland Dragons, TV Langen, USC Freiburg and  BV Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA). Last season for Giessen he played 27 games averaging 8.4ppg, 1.9rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT-1(55.8%), FT: 75.6%. He was a slow developer, but now is turning into a solid Beko BBl role player. He is a very good playmaker that possible has the biggest heart for a 177cm player.Maurice Pluskota is a 21 year old 208cm center that started his basketball career in the Bremerhaven system. He played five Beko BBL games for Bremerhaven and last season played for  Cuxhaven BasCats (ProA, starting five): 33 games: 4.6ppg, 4.5rpg.He is a robust player that now can develop under Liviu Calin who has been known for getting young kids going in the right direction. Dominique John son is a 21 year old 194cm forward that also started his basketball career in the Bremerhaven system where he played three Beko BBl games. Last season he played for  Spot Up Medien Baskets Braunschweig (ProB): 24 games: 5.4ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 38.6%, 3PT: 23.0%, FT: 64.9%, played also at SG Braunschweig 2 (2.Regionalliga). Lucas Gertz is a 23 year old 196cm forward that has been in the Braunschweig system since 2008. Last season he played for  Spot Up Medien Baskets Braunschweig (Germany-ProB, starting five): 20 games: 6.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 38.0%, 3FGP: 26.7%, FT: 72.0%. The team recently picked up Kenny Kadji to help bolster the team and bench. He is a  25 year old 211cm power forward from Cameroun that is a rookie. He started his basketball career in 2004 with the Pau Orthez junior team. He also attended the well known : IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL). He played two seasons at Florida(NCAA) playing 44 NCAA games and then went to Miami(NCAA) playing two strong seasons. As a senior played 36 games: 12.9ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 66.1%. Last summer he played NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas (Cleveland Cavaliers): 5 games

 

 

 

 

It isn´t often that a professional basketball player returns back to a foreign basketball court after experiencing the total maximum extremes in game efforts the last two years, but as is the wonderful saying three is a charm and after having a 1-1 record in his basketball career in Wurzburg, Fraport Skyliner forward Jacob Burtschi wanted to return back and continue where he left off two seasons ago where he was wearing the Fraport Sklyiners jersey. Wurzburg is already a very very very very uncomfortable place to play in and two seasons ago on a winter day in January, the Fraport Skyliners rose from the trenches winning the battle of Wurzburg 55-51 as fans saw possibly one of the hardest fought games ever in the history of both clubs. During the game Devin Gibson sustained a cramp as did players from Wurzburg after the game. Both teams went to the limit not wanting to give any free gifts and just defended with their hearts. “We knew that Wurzburg is a very tough defensive team and we just had to slow down the game. Their defense at the start was the best defense that I have ever played against. It was a civil war battle. It calmed down in the second half and we were able to play our basketball”, warned Skyliner guard Jimmy Mckinney. S. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg guard Ricky Harris sat on the sidelines and couldn´t play due to injury, but understood that there was no beauty to this game. “This was an ugly game that was battled out on defense. This was like a heavy weight match. They came out throwing punches and then we came back throwing punches and it went back and forth”, stressed Ricky Harris. Skyliner forward Jacob Burtschi might not have had memories of having to play much defense in Hagen, but was used to defense at the Air Force in the NCAA. “This was the battle of the trenches. This was one of the biggest defensive battles I have ever been involved with. At the Air Force, we led the nation three years in least points given up. Patrick has a very tough minded team with guys like Boone and Tomazek and the guards are so physical. They really wear you down, but we were able to sustain their aggressive defense in the second half and also limited them to less shots”, added Jacob Burtschi. However last season, the effort that Burtschi new club Eisbaeren Bremerhaven gave was in a way an insult as the team rolled into Wurzburg flat and rolled out steamrolled as nothing went right on the night as the team had to come to terms without starting point guard Stanley Burrell that stayed at home on account of illness. The Fraport Sklyiners and Jacob Burtschi visited the trenches of Wurzburg again as guys like Jason Boone and Jimmy MCkinney were still standing tall as was Burtschi, but this time it wasn´t so much a battle of the trenches as more scoring was involved as the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg slipped by the Fraport Skyliners 80-71 but both Burtschi and Mckinney still remembered that first battle of Wurzburg 26 months ago. “That was such a defensive battle and it was an all out knock down brawl where we came out with the win”, stated Oklahoma native Jacob Burtschi. “I remember that Wurzburg came after us and we withstood the pressure. Tez had a great game just like he had today. I think the difference today to then was that we just made many shots tonight”, explained St Louis native Jimmy Mckinney.

For six years, Frankfurt fans could witness St Louis native Jimmy Mckinney hitting jumpers from anywhere on the court and one could just marvel at the grace of his play and his smooth stroke justifying his slick and suave play at all times. Just watching his demeanor in time outs was worth the price of admission. Last season one first had to get used to the darker uniform that he was suiting up with Wurzburg and at times that big shot was missed in Frankfurt. He was able to beat his ex team in Frankfurt last season , but this season had to leave the court with his head sunk as Wurzburg was defeated 89-78 as for a change points were more frequently seen as in games before where mustering points and easy looks was as difficult in the battle of the trenches as it was not landing on the floor in some kind of capacity. In that game Mckinney contributed with 13 points and it was one of his more solid games this season with Wurzburg and he hit three three pointers something he has only done four other times this season. All in all, it hasn´t been a great season for the ex Skyliner as coming into the Frankfurt game he was averaging 7,9ppg, 2,5rpg and 1,4apg while shooting 33,6% from the parking lot. He has scored only in double figures eight times with his two best scoring games being 16 points against FC Bayern Munich and 14 points against the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Mckinney is a scorer and this season that consistency has been missing. Was it the bad start by Wurzburg, the seemingly never ending turmoil with a new coach coming in and players coming and going? It definitely wasn´t the best conditions for any professional basketball player to shine and it has taken a toll on Lorenzo Gordon cousin Mckinney. And even to add insult to his season, he was a scratch against FC Bayern Munich two weeks ago, the opponent where he had his best game of the season against earlier in the season. Mckinney was back in the lineup against Frankfurt and showed all doubters if there were any that he can step up whenever he wants to scoring 17 points hitting five from five from the parking lot. “I feel that I am at a point in my career where I don´t have to prove anything anymore, but just do my job. I felt good had open looks and hit my shots.  I haven´t been as consistent this season as in the past and it is tough when you aren´t winning something I am not used to. I always want to be the go to guy no matter what, but at times my downfall is that I am too nice”, warned ex Skyliner Jimmy Mckinney. “Mckinney didn´t think too much about not playing in Munich, but just focused on Frankfurt as he felt comfortable and was very aggressive and hit shots”, stated Illinois native Marcellus Somerville. It isn´t always easy not knowing when you play or not, but that is the decision of the coach when you have seven Americans and can only dress six. “We all are professionals on the team. It isn´t always easy when you have to sit, but he takes it as a professional. You have to have a good week of practice which he had and he was our key player and he hit shots”, stated German Maxi Kleber. Last game it was Mckinney and tonight it was Baltimore native Rickey Harris who despite not playing took it in stride and despite the team having hardships all season long, players now in the last month are sticking together and giving each other support. “It is tough when you have seven Americans and have many wing players so there is always going to be one sitting. His confidence got going when he git that first shot. I am really happy for him as he is one of my best friends on the team. But it wasn´t only his hot shooting, but his defense as he stole a ball from Klein and another and made a huge block”, said Wurzburg guard Rickey Harris.

The Fraport Skyliners entered the game in 11^th place with a record of 11-15 and were trying to snap their two game winning streak after tough loses against the Walter Tigers Tuebingen and a not so pretty 64-54 defeat to the hands of the Brose Baskets Bamberg where the team totally forgot the term of team basketball in the second half as they showed an uncharachteristic play of individuality over us on the court. Their defense was more than stable in the last two games as they had averaged giving up only 67 points per game. However Frankfurt was unable to win their third consecutive game in Wurzburg and lost their third game in a row after playing three solid quarters and then not being able to close out the game in the fourth quarter. “We didn´t execute as well anymore in the second half on offense as in the first half. They made a run and made shots, got going in transition and hit free throws. Mckinney made big shots and got the crowd into the game”, stressed Ohio native Quantez Robertson.  The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg came into the game in 16^th place with a record of 8-19 and not saved yet from the cellar as they only had two more wins than Tuebingen. They had lost three of their last four games including a 98-84 loss in Munich two weeks ago. They were more than rested while the Fraport Skyliners were playing their third game in the last seven days. Wurzburg stayed with the Fraport Skyliners for three quarters and then used their sixth man their fans getting them going and using the momentum of a 13-3 run to start the fourth quarter to pull away with the win. “We got better into the game in the second half and we knew that Frankfurt had played Bamberg two days ago and we felt they were tired and we used that to our advantage in the fourth quarter”, added German Maxi Kleber.

In a sold out Wurzburg arena, the Fraport Skyliners were without Dane Watts while the s.Oliver baskets were without Sebastian Betz. One recognized quickly in the first few minutes that the game would not be a repeat of the battle of Wurzburg 26 months ago as both teams hit shots at an influx. German Chris Mcnaughton got Wurzburg on the board first with an easy lay in as Kleber made the perfect lob pass. Robertson and Maurice Stuckey then traded three pointers and Danilo Barthel made a hook shot as the game was 5-5. The game would go back and forth for a few minutes as lead changes delighted the fans as Johannes Voigtman made a difficult step back shot as the shot clock was winding down and Mcnaughton made an easy put back after getting his own rebound as Wurzburg led 9-7. Galloway then gave Frankfurt the 10-9 lead with a transition bucket, but Kleber quickly erased that with a tip in as Wurzburg led 11-10. Wurzburg was doing a solid job getting easy points in the paint as Frankfurt was a bit too lax down low on defense. Frankfurt then broke away a bit going on a 7-1 run to lead 16-12. Galloway and Robertson nailed two three pointers and Galloway then made a tough runner. However Wurzburg displayed their own little run going on a mini 4-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 18-16 as Mckinney and John Little scored inside. The first quarter ended with Burtschi free throws and  a last second Aziz Ndiaye tip in as the Fraport Skyliners led 22-17 after one quarter. “We got our confidence quickly as shots started to fall. When you see the ball go through much, it really gives you confidence. We gave Wurzburg too many easy baskets inside”, stated Canadian Bryson Johnson. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 57% from the field and 60& from outside while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 44% from the field and 33% from outside. Frankfurt had the 8-7 rebound edge and both teams had two turnovers a piece.

In the second quarter, the Fraport Skyliners were able to pull away, but not enough to let the s.Oliver Baskets get closer shortly before halftime as they closed out the quarter strong. Despite Mckinney getting Wurzburg on the scoreboard with a three pointer, it was Frankfurt that got their offense rolling hurrying out on a 13-1 run to lead 35-22. The ever so bashful Burtschi who has been declining shots more the last weeks pulled the trigger nailing a three pointer and then made an easy lay in as Voigtman made the quick pass. Galloway then supplied Vogtmann the perfect pass as he made the hard two handed dunk. The Skyliner onslaught continued as Klein nailed  a three pointer and Voigtman tested his 14,3% three point percentage finding the net. The offense of both teams continued to flow as defense took a back seat as Wurzburg found this sudden jolt of firepower going on a rapid 7-0 run to cut the Frankfurt advantage to 35-29. Stuckey who had that look in the eye like Mckinney does when he is on continued to make shots as he hit from downtown and he then scored again on a jumper as did Marcellus Somerville. Frankfurt continued to flaunt their offensive power going on a 8-2 run to lead 43-31 as it seemed like Frankfurt might forever break away in this game. Voigtmann charmed the Frankfurt fans with his second three pointer and Galloway was the other offensive figure that was in the zone as he scored on a lay in and connected on another three pointer. “Voigtmann is a great shooter. When he gets open, he has to shoot the ball”, stressed ex Bremerhaven forward Jacob Burtschi. However instead of going into half time with a big star on their foreheads, they went with only half a star as they allowed Wurzburg to nip at the lead letting them go on a 5-0 run to close out the second quarter. Stuckey connected on a three pointer and Mcnaughton made free throws as Frankfurt led 43-36. “We moved the ball very well and continued to hit shots. We also did  a good job getting back on transition defense”, stated ex ratiopharm Ulm forward Dane Watts.

In the third quarter, the Fraport Skyliners were able to keep the lead, but couldn´t get in double digits as Wurzburg kept conserving their energy while the energy of Frankfurt was slowly depleting. An interesting duel in the game was the future German generation of the power forward with Danilo Barthel and Maxi Kleber. Barthel made a 15 footer and a lay in in the first minutes while Kleber displayed his touch from outside with a three pointer. Kleber definitely won the battle as he scored nine points hauled down seven rebounds, dished out two assists and blocked Barthel twice while Barthel  had six points and three turnovers. “It is always fun to play against Barthel. He plays a lot like me even though he penetrates more while I shoot more from outside. I was lucky to block him today. If you can keep him in front of you and force him too a tough shot then you can block him”, warned Maxi Kleber. After Barthel scored Frankfurt led 47-40. Robertson  was very potent mid way through the third quarter as he scored inside twice and dropped a three pointer as Frankfurt led 54-46. Galloway and Dominic Waters exchanged buckets in the last minute as Frankfurt still had the edge 57-51. TheFraport Skyliners were shooting 54% from the field and 59% from the parking lot while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 46% from the field and 55% from the parking lot. Wurzburg had the 21-19 rebound advantage, but 11 turnovers while Frankfurt had 10 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter, the s.Oliver Baskets started an eruption in the arena almost as loud as if the club would present Dirk Nowitzki at the next home game as they blasted out on a 13-3 run to lead 64-59 as they would never look back. Mckinney and Somerville hit consecutive three pointers to tie the game at 57-57 as Frankfurt was shocked and all of a sudden the atmosphere in the arena was at an all time high and Frankfurt was at its mercy. Galloway responded with  a hoop to give Frankfurt their last lead of the game, but it was Mckinney again who had the hot hand with a bomb from outside and Waters made a tough mid distance jumper and Little free throws. Galloway then scored in traffic, but Frankfurt then were caught napping on defense not getting back allowing Little to sneak behind them on the fast break and the 66-61 lead. Mckinney put more salt into the Frankfurt wound with a clutch three pointer as Wurzburg led 69-61. “Mckinney is a great player. He came out strong had the confidence and he showed why he has been a staple in this league for so long”, expressed Jacob Burtschi. Robertson stayed a warrior on offense being that mini Andrew Rautins as he led Frankfurt on a 5-0 run with a three pointer and pull up jumper to cut the Wurzburg lead only to 69-66. However with the game on the line, Frankfurt let Wurzburg end the game on a 11-5 run as Frankfurt was unable to get big stops. Mcnaughton made an easy reverse layup from a Kleber back door pass while Waters made an off balance fall to the side jumper in the mold of Chris Paul as Wurzburg led 74-66. Somerville made free throws and Kleber a lay in as Wurzburg led 80-68. Burtschi ended the game with three free throws. “Wurzburg let us play physical, but we were unable to supply the punch”, added Jacob Burtschi. “We noticed that they were a bit tired, so we stepped it up on offense and were more aggressive and hit shots. Our defense was also key in crunch time as we held them to 24 points in the second half”, added Marcellus Somerville. The s:Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were led by Jimmy Mckinney with 17 points. Chris Mcnaughton added 12 points and four rebounds. John Little, Marcellus Somerville and Maurice Stuckey chipped in with 10 points a piece. The Fraport Skyliners were led by Ramon Galloway with 19 points. Quantez Robertson added 18 points. Jacob Burtschi had 12 points and Johannes Voigtmann 10 points. Both teams shot very well as Wurzburg shot 52% from the field and 53% form outside while Frankfurt shot 49% from the field and 50% from outside. Wurzburg won the rebound battle 29-24 and had 14 turnovers while Frankfurt had 16 turnovers.