The last two times when the Fraport Skyliners and s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg have met they have given the word defense a new meaning the same way ratiopharm Ulm center John Bryant could easily have a new middle name as MVP or  New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig point guard Dennis Schroder has given the word NBA prospect a new meaning this season with his rapid development. In the last two games, both teams were only able to score 221 points combined and Frankfurt averaged only 55 points in the two game battle and Wurzburg only 55 points.  The last time that the two teams tangled in Wurzburg, fans witnessed a hard fought battle as no team was willing to give up until the siren sounded. In a game where there were 42 turnovers and steals combined, the only thing missing was the dirt and dust from the ditch and ex Air Force cadet squadron 8 member Jacob Burtschi roaring commands filling in for the infantry, but instead was the master on defense leading the Fraport Skyliners with four steals.  Both teams returned back for a third showdown and didn´t disappoint in the intensity and fight until the end as the Fraport Skyliners got revenge from their loss at home earlier in the season and were able to win the second round of the battle of Wurzburg 60-57. Quantez Robertson was able to depart the floor in Wurzburg as a winner again and saw a distinct difference to last seasons game. “Last year the game was very tight here. Last season they had quick guards that could get to the rim easier while this season, they had guards that shot well from outside. I think that this win was tougher than last years. I love these type of games, because it gets you ready for the playoffs. When you play this aggressive every night, things come easier to the team than when you don´t play aggressive”, stressed Fraport Skyliner forward Quantez Robertson.  New York native Jason Boone fouled out late in the game and knew the reason at the end why Frankfurt prevailed. “Both were tough games here the last two seasons. Frankfurt was even more aggressive this game. I felt that they had a deeper rotation than we did. WE had to play more minutes. It came down to who wanted it more and that was Frankfurt”, added 2010 Eurochallenge winner Jason Boone. “I don´t want to have another defensive battle against Wurzburg again. I would rather win by 15 points. I don´t want any grey hair yet, I am too young for that”, smiled Devin Gibson. Ex Wurzburg American Rickey Harris was at the game supporting his ex team and also had round one of the battle of Wurzburg on his mind. “I remember the game lasts eason as no team that could score. It was a total defensive game. Jimmy Mckinney was knocking down shots in the second half and Jermareo Davidson was blocking shots. It was a huge game and huge win for Frankfurt”, commented Ricky Harris.

It has almost been 49 months since the then rookie Frank Robinson last played a Beko BBL game against the Frankfurt Skyliners as he had arrived late in the season to the EnBW Ludwigsburg having played 8 Euroleague games for Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) and started the season with the Atlanta hawks in training camp tangling with guys like Michael Bibby or Mario West and getting pointers from head coach Mike Woodson. Back in March 2009, when he made his Beko BBL debut, he scored two points in 10 minutes and already then got a taste of how Frankfurt can defend when they want to as his team mustered only 58 points. Robinson had to tangle with a Titus Ivory or Keith Simmons and watched how the muscular bodies of Anthony King and Kelvin Gibbs who seemed twice as wide as Jeff Gibbs battle underneath. Since his rookie season, the California native who had a stellar career at Cal. State Fullerton and was a teammate of Bobby Don´t be cruel Brown went on to play in countries like Israel and Georgia. He played twice in the Eurochallenge in the 2010-2011 season against Frankfurt where he experienced the penetration magic of Dashaun Wood. Last season, he was supposed to head to the Artland Dragons, but the transfer folded at the last second. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg are already his third team this season after having played for  Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland-TBL), left in Nov.’12: Euroleague: 7 games: 7.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2FGP: 40.7%, 3FGP: 26.9%, FT: 50.0%; Polish TBL: 8 games: 5.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2FGP: 23.8%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 68.8%, in Dec.’12 moved to Budivelnyk Kyiv (Ukraine-Superleague): Eurocup: 6 games: 3.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.0apg; Ukrainian Superleague: 9 games: 5.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 2FGP: 44.2%, 3FGP: 5.9%, FT: 46.7%. Most of the team from the Eurochallenge games from two seasons ago have come and gone except for captain Marius Nolte and the speedy Duracell battery bunny from Cincinnati Quantez Robertson who at times seems like he has been on full throttle on the court non stop since entering the Beko BBL in 2009. Robinson who was brought in to help compensate guard injury woes in the last months was playing his fourth game against Frankfurt as a professional and finished with five points and three rebounds and is happy about playing in Wurzburg, but was unfortunate that Quantez Robertson had his number in the game. “I love the city, we have  a great coach and is a good organization. I love my role, but I was not happy with my performance. If I would have played better than the 70% I gave, we would have won. Frankfurt did a good job keeping me out of rhythm. Robertson was a big reason why I only scored five points, but he got a lot of help from his teammates”, added Frank Robinson.

The Fraport Sklyiners arrived in Wurzburg having won five of their last six games and sprouting with a healthy self confidence. They came without German Danilo Barthel who was suffering back problems since the Bremerhaven game, but the club knew exactly what to expect and did a super job with their game plan and didn´t allow the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg to take them out of their game. Fraport Skyliner point guard Dawan Robinson was not fit and played only 13 minutes and couldn´t be the dominant player he was the last weeks, but the team showed that they can win without a top scoring game from the Philadelphia native. “This was a real intense game and very physical. WE stuck together and it felt really good to win this game. They are a very good defensive team, but so are we. The team didn´t need me so much tonight and that is a good thing. It is always good when other guys can step up from the bench. Devin Gibson did a great job on defense and controlling the tempo”, explained Dawan Robinson. Ryan Brooks had a slow first half, but picked it up in the second half and was thrilled by the effort of the team. “They did a good job closing out on me in the first half and I passed up some shots, but I got more aggressive in the second half and started taking shots. We knew it would be a battle against the best defensive team in the league. Everything worked for us at the end staying smart on defense in a very high intensity game. This game really tested our mental toughness. I felt this was the biggest win since I have been here and we can continue to build on that”” expressed ex LTi Giessen 46er Ryan Brooks. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg came into the game riding a four game winning streak and knew what to expect and played a great game, but in the end just weren´t able to catch the Fraport Skyliners napping in key situations. “The fans saw two good defensive teams. We came into the game with a lot of self confidence, but couldn´t make shots at the end. I tip my hat to Frankfurt who have been fighting for their lives and have continued to win”, added Atlanta native Lamont Mcintosh.

The Fraport Skyliners jumped on the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg quickly in the first quarter taking a 6-2 lead. Zack peacock connected on a step back jumper and Quantez Robertson hit a pull up jumper and Peacock hit free throws. Both teams were playing very aggressive defense and the turnovers were happening on a high rate and both teams had to play a more contained offense not risking too much as the intensity level was high. Wurzburg roared back on a mini 4-0 run as Jason Boone showed that he is a lot faster than his big body shows as he spun around Peacock for an easy lay up and 6 time Czech title winner Michael Lenzly hit a jumper as the game was tied at 6-6. Two strong three point snipers Laquan Prowell and Michael Lenzly than traded three pointers as the game was knotted 9-9. Frankfurt got some extra momentum in the last minute closing out the first quarter with a 6-0 run. Peacock made an easy put back inside and Quantez Robertson nailed a three pointer over Alex King. “It was a tight game, but the Skyliners had the better rhythm. Every point was important in a low scoring game”, stressed basketball expert Steven Clauss. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 50% from outside while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 36% from the field and 20% from outside. Frankfurt had the 9-4 rebound edge, but five turnovers while Wurzburg had three turnovers.

The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg came out in the second quarter reborn going on an explosive 9-0 run to take the 18-15 lead. Mcintosh connected on two jumpers, Alex King made a three pointer showing his high rainbow and Dwayne Anderson made a steal and dunked. “Frankfurt passed on many open shots electing to bring the ball inside. A Jason Boone was in the way and it is difficult to run him over. Frankfurt wasn´t making good decisions”, stressed Steven Clauss. The game remained very tight in the second quarter as the Fraport Skyliners were able to retain the lead, but lose it at the end. The Fraport Skyliners had to fight for every basket as Peacock made a pretty hook shot over Anderson and had some fortune that Boone came over one tick to late on the helpside and Robinson made a lay up getting by Boone as Frankfurt led 21-18. Boone and Peacock then traded baskets as Frankfurt still led 23-20. Wurzburg then outscored Frankfurt 6-5 to take a 26-25 lead into halftime. Ex Bremerhaven center Chris Mcnaughton scored inside and Frank Robinson spun around Skyliner captain Marius Nolte for a tough lay in with his left hand. Prowell and Mcnaughton then traded baskets as the second quarter ended. “Frankfurt lost their rhythm a bit in the second quarter and Wurzburg had a better flow in the offense”, stressed Steven Clauss. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 48% from the field and 22% from the three point line while the Fraport Skyliners were shooting 45% from the field and 33% from the three point line. Frankfurt led the rebound duel 15-9, but had nine turnovers while Wurzburg had six turnovers.

The third quarter remained razor sharp as there were four lead changes and no team led by more than four points. After Boone made two free throws, Frankfurt made a mini 4-0 run as Peacock made a difficult shot in traffic shoveling the ball into the hoop somehow with his left hand and Ryan Brooks made his first field goal as Frankfurt led 29-28. Wurzburg was able to retake the lead again and lead 34-30 Michael Lenzly dropped another three pointer and ex Villanover forward Dwayne Anderson scored inside. Zach Peacock scored inside showing his immense working qualities inside and Brooks tied the game at 34-34 with a free throw. Brooks then scored a jumper and Prowell made a put back as Frankfurt led 39-36. Wurzburg tied the game with Mcintosh and Lenzly free throws at 39-39. Robertson then suffered a technical foul, but all Wurzburg could do was get two Mcintosh free throws for the 41-39 lead. Frankfurt could have had the lead after 30 minutes, but missed four consecutive free throws from Peacock and Brooks. Peacock dunked at the end of the third quarter getting served from a silver platter from Dawan Robinson as the game was dead locked at 41-41 after 30 minutes. “No team was able to pull away. Brooks was able to find his game more, because Wurzburg was concentrating more on Peacock which gave open space for Brooks. Boone getting his fourth foul hurt Wurzburg”, said basketball expert Steven Clauss. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 29% from the parking lot while the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were shooting 41% from the field and 23% from the parking lot. Frankfurt had the 21-18 rebound edge and both teams coughed up the ball 14 times each.

In the fourth quarter Mcintosh and Robertson traded three pointers as the game was tied at 44-44. Then a few minutes went by as no team could muster any points, but fans saw the second airball by Alex King in the game and Chris Mcnaughton blocked a Quantez Robertson dunk. Muli Katzurin than inserted captian Marius Nolte for Zach peacock giving him a rest and Frankfurt responded with a lightening 6-0 explosion as Ryan Brooks and Quantez Robertson hit back to back three pointers as Frankfurt led 50-44 and they would never trail again in the game. But Wurzburg kept the game exciting as they didn´t allow Frankfurt to pull out the lawn chair as they kept fighting back and pressuring Frankfurt. Lenzly set up Boone for a powerful dunk off the penetration cutting the Frankfurt lead to 53-48. With less than three minutes, Wurzburg still had energy and big shots prepared in their arsenal as Dwayne Anderson hit a clutch bomb form outside as Frankfurt led only 53-52. Gibson and brooks then connected for free throws as Frankfurt led 56-52. However as if Frankfurt hadn´t learned earlier in the game of the shooting deadliness of Lenzly, the 2012 Olympic participant dropped a huge three pointer as Wurzburg trailed 56-55. After Robinson free throws, Wurzburg struck back with 18 seconds to play as Dwayne Anderson went hard to the hoop got his own offensive rebound and made a put back as Frankfurt led 58-57. Peacock then drowned insurance free throws for the 60-57 lead. Wurzburg had one last offensive play and Frankfurt elected not to foul and Lenzly was blocked by Peacock on a step back jumper got the ball back and kicked the ball to the open Mcintsoh who tried to bring the game to overtime, but was denied with his three pointer. “That last shot felt wonderful. I took it with a lot of confidence to take the game to overtime, but it just happens that not all shots go in. Frankfurt made their free throws at the end. I felt that we made enough plays, but just not at the end to win”, stressed Lamont Mcintosh.  “Our defense was key at the end. We did a great job helping on the rotations and switching on the pick and role. They took hard shots at the end and we locked down on offense”, added Dawan Robinson. “The last two minutes was like March Madness. There was so much intensity where every play mattered and one could feel it everywhere on the floor. We did a good job keeping composure for 40 minutes and limiting them from running and getting easy buckets”, added Devin Gibson.

The Fraport Skyliners were led by Zach Peacock with 21 points on seven for nine shooting. One can almost say give Zack the ball and all is good. “Peacock played like  a grown man tonight. Boone is a monster, but he kept his composure and showed the type of player that he is”, added Dawan Robinson. “Peacock was hard to stop. We slowed tempo down too much to help his game in the half court. He always possess match up problems. He hit his jumpers and is a very underrated center in the league”, added Jason Boone. “I really had to work hard on defense. I love to guard the pick and role and the little guards. I love those challenges”, commented Zach Peacock. Ryan Brooks added 13 points and Quantez Robertson had 11 points. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were led by Michael Lenzly with 13 points. Dwayne Anderson produced 11 points and Jason Boone contributed 10 points. Despite the low scoring game, the Fraport Skyliners finshed with 47% shooting from the field and 42% from outside showing that they were picking their spots and taking good shots. Frankfurt also won the rebound battle 29-27 and forced Wurzburg to 15 turnovers. After the win, there was a very reflective Marius Nolte who was thrilled for another big win, but also a bit sad with the whole timing. “The way that we have played recently and compared to earlier in the season is like two worlds. I always had the hope that we could develop like this, but I am a bit unhappy that it happened so late. It is great how Brooks and Prowell fit into the team and the emergence of Robinson. We have shown now that we can fight out of tough situations. This season has been even tougher mentally than last season. We are sticking together now and we continue to be on a good way”, warned Marius Nolte. The Fraport Skyliners welcome the EWE Baskets Oldenburg next weekend.

 

There were times when winning was as easy for the Brose Baskets Bamberg as it was for Rick Barry nailing free throws all day long, Rihanna cranking out hits with 11 number one songs in the German top 100 or how soccer player Baia has won 31 team titles with FC Porto and FC Barcelona. There was even a period of almost two years where Bamberg was unbeaten at home in the Beko BBL. From 2009-2012, the team won the triple winning three league titles and three cups and the word dynasty was a perfect description to the Bavarian team. A Casey Jacobsen belongs to the most professional acting players in the Beko BBL and if one entered the arena after a 40 minute game and examined the face of the California native one seemingly wouldn´t know what had been the outcome since he is always 100% focused and rarely shows that win or lose emotion, but as of late the 5 time champion team has been blown of course from the usual expected winning road. Currently the team was riding an 8 game losing streak before the perfect opponent to break it with Giessen visited the Bamberg yesterday which most likely had the Bamberg haters in seventh heaven and the rest of the league in bewilderment in this down time.

Even with their domination of the Beko BBL in the last three years, hardcore Bamberg aficionados are upset, but to a point calm as no one is any desperation or in need of jumping into the Regnitz river without a life preserver. The team is still in first place in the Beko BBL standings with a record of 22-5 and three wins more than second placed FC Bayern Munich. If one really observes their losing streak closely one can take the eight loses and subtract five and get three loses. In other words, Bamberg have lost the last five games in the Euroleague and only really been defeated three times in the Beko BBL. One can always lose in the Euroleague, but statistically Bamberg has just had a lot of misfortune in the Euroleague. Ok they were hammered by Athens and Moscow, but had every chance against Alba Berlin, Efes Pilsen and Real Madrid losing each game by three points. Bamberg obviously knows how to win games in crunch time usually with their history the last three seasons, but even a Bamberg isn´t always invincible and can have some tough misfortune.

The Euroleague is a totally other world compared to the Beko BBL. Before their  three game losing streak in the Beko BBL, the team had won 19 of their last 20 games after starting the season winning two of their first three games. In their three game losing streak in the Beko BBL, they lost to up and coming team FC Bayern Munich 85-71 which isn´t surprising with the more improved play since the arrival of Svetislav Pesic. However  the last two loses to Phoenix Hagen and Fraport Skyliners is more surprising. Everyone knows that Phoenix Hagen plays run and gun and just tries to score more than their opponent so letting up 104 points and letting them get beat by the game of Phoenix Hagen was alarming. Bamberg was just unlucky that Phoenix Hagen had a very good shooting day. It is rare for Bamberg to give up 100 points as they are a very disciplined defensive team. The rising Fraport Skyliners who have hit their peak now also caught Bamberg by surprise having a solid offensive day and giving Bamberg their taste of hard nosed aggressive Katzurian defense.

If one wants to dissect the current Bamberg misery on the court, one will find various reasons. The team has had injury woes this season having classical point guard John Goldsberry for a very limited time as well as Andrew Ogily. New players came late as Matt Walsh and Alex Renfroe that still need to be integrated and the usual talk about the strain of the weekly Euroleague have been prevalent. Bamberg has a deep roster, but despite that one has noticed that Anton Gavel  is a little bit beat up. Still there is no need to worry in Bamberg. Back in the 2008-2009 season as Chris Fleming was in his first year, he had a slow start and recovered and built winning teams. Now the New Jersey native is in a tough situation, but has the experience and know how to get his team back on track and prepared for the grind of the playoffs. The remaining schedule isn´t an easy one with four home games and four away games including opponents like ratiopharm Ulm, Artland Dragons, Alba Berlin and finishing the season with two difficult road games in Bremerhaven and Wurzburg. Matt Walsh is getting better and better and getting used to the German league and will be an important piece in the last month of the regular season for their success. No matter what happens in the last month, Bamberg will reach the playoffs and most likely finish in first place anyway. The real season doesn´t start until May where the second season starts for Bamberg where everything counts. Bamberg might not have gotten that cup title this season, but if there is one player who will do anything for that fourth title then its Casey Jacobsen. The Brose Baskets Bamberg can be happy to have a player like him to push his team at all times. Bamberg got back to work this Sunday in their quest to halt their 8 game losing streak against the LTI Giessen 46ers. Bamberg losing at home Sunday against Giessen was about as unlikely as new pope Francis winning the 2013 Boston marathon.

Augie Johnston is a 26 year old 185cm guard from Atascadero, Calfornia. He played at Cal.St.-Monterey (NCAA2) and his infinite range has proven he was one of the best shooters in the country. Although he is a prolific shooter, it is his overall ability to score the basketball and defend the opponent’s best player that is so impressive. He is one of the most professional and hard working players. As a captain at Cal State Monterey Bay he has shown to have all the leadership qualities you would want in a point guard or shooting guard. He started his professional basketball career in 2009-2010 for Velbert Baskets (Germany-2.Regionalliga), playing 9 games: 28.4ppg. Last season, he played for SpVgg Rattelsdorf Independents (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 25 games: 29.8ppg . This season, he is playing his second season for  SC Rist Wedel and helped bring the team into the playoffs against Nordlingen last season and Fraport Skyliners juniors this season. Last season he played 27 games: 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.0apg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 40.1%, FT: 77.9%. He spoke to German Hoops before the start of the PRO B playoff series against Weissenhorn.

Congrats again on sweeping the Fraport Skyliners juniors. What was the most important quality that SC Rist Wedel composed in the two game series?

I think it was our execution and discipline on offense and our commitment to following our defensive rules. On the offensive end we shot a good percentage and had really balanced scoring especially in the second game when Davey Hopkins had 19 points, I had 18, and Marvin Boadu had 16.

There were five games this season for SC Rist Wedel that were decided by four or less points and you lost only one of those games. Where would you rate the dramatic of the win in Frankfurt with the other nail bitters?

Actually it was one of the less exciting ones. We had the lead the entire game against Frankfurt and in the end we were up by about 5 points with a minute or so left. They started fouling to send us to the free throw line and we missed one or two and they hit some threes so we only ended up winning by one point. In other close games we have had we have trailed the entire game and turned up the pressure in the 4th quarter and stolen a few games that way and those ones were much more exciting in my opinion.

How happy are you too have a guy like Tobias Lange on the team? He seems to be the guy that comes to work and does his job and goes home again, but is a very important role player.

We are very lucky to have Tobi. He is relentless worker in practice, never talks back to the coach, and steps up in big games. He has improved each month this season and I see him being a full time starter on some team in the Pro B very soon. It seems like whenever one of our starting bigs gets in foul trouble and Tobi plays big minutes he does well. I look forward to following him and his career.

The next opponent are the Weissenhorn Youngers. From one Beko BBL farm team to the next. How excited are you playing against the farm team of top beko BBL team ratiopharm Ulm?

I’m excited, but not so much because they are a farm team and more so because I get to play against my friend and ex-Wedeler Kay Guasa.

How happy that in game one, Weissenhorn have to make the 700 kilometer trip to Rist. That is like driving from Atascadero to San Francisco and back? What is always most important on long road trips and playing that day?

Oh man, I now understand how important home court advantage is. The first game is the most important one. On long road trips it’s always important to eat healthy food and drink a lot of water. Also, if you have a sleeper bus make sure you face the right way. I learned that the hard way and got sick before the game to BSW Sixers. I threw up 5 minutes before the game started from car sickness.

How excited are you about playing against young German Til Joscha Joenke. He has been compared to Per Guenther.

I played against him last season when he played for Leverkusen, but he is a totally different player now it seems. He dominated the ProB South this season so I am excited to see how much he has improved and I’m excited to see if I can shut him down.

How have you enjoyed the German Easter in Germany. How is it different than in the States?

Well, in the states we eat ham on Easter and I think that’s different but other than that it’s the same.

How surprised were you that Indiana bowed out and can Wichita State make the Final 4?

I was shocked, it really messed up my bracket.

What is the last DVD movie that you saw?

Old School!

Thanks Augie for the chat.

Last season, the incredible seasons of Ulm and Wurzburg were as unexpected and surprising as the slow start by the Los Angeles Lakers and not rehiring of NBA legend Phil Jackson. 2010 Eurochallenge head coach John Patrick was the magician that led the team to the semi finals after an amazing 3-1 playoff win against Alba Berlin, but then had to depart on account of internal problems between him and management. The club decided to hand the reigns to assistant coach Marcel Schroeder who had led the team into the Beko BBL in 2011 from the Pro A and had to step back last season to assistant coach. Schroeder is a young coach that has tasted success and learned a season under Patrick. He is in a way like ex Ulm coach Mike Taylor in which he eats, drinks and sleeps 24 hours for basketball. He has a strong roster, but the question will be how well he can make the transition to the Beko BBL as head coach and how he reacts when there are injuries or crises in the team? Despite the fairy tale season of the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg last season, one has to give a lot of respect and credit to young German head coach Marcel Schroeder who took over the wane from John Patrick and has kept his team steady, focused and possibly  happy with an abundance of energy from the special Wurzburg sausages that are a specialty in that region. Despite a full Eurocup schedule and injuries woes to guys like Ben Jacobsen, John Little, Chris Mcnaughton or Maxi Kleber that was similar to what the Frankfurt Skyliners have experienced in the last years, the team kept fighting and have been consistently in the playoff area in the standings. A big loss was Jimmy MCkinney who just can´t seem to shake the injury bug that has infected him time in and time out again. Despite injuries the team had to bring in players like Osiris Eldridge, Courtney Pigram, Michael Lenzly or Frank Robinson who all have contributed and some how kept the team chemistry alive despite the many new happenings with arrivals.

Soon after the playoff loss to Ulm in 2012, a very interesting and surprising development occurred as the team let successful head coach John Patrick go. It was hard to believe that the team and head coach would go separate ways, but for the insider it was clear that there seemed to be clear differences between management and the head coach. Both sides rather stayed silent to what happened and both sides didn´t destroy each other in the media either as no one dragged the other side into quick sand. The club decided to name assistant coach Marcel Schroder as head coach. Schroeder was no unknown coach as he had already experienced success with the Bavarian team leading them to the Beko BBL in 2011 from the PRO A. Schroeder is a coach that breathes basketball 24 hours a day and surely gained experience learning from John Patrick. The club was able to increase their player budget from last season, have built  a more potent team than last season, kept  a healthy core of players and the goal remains reaching the Beko BBL playoffs. The club kept the three BG Goettingen amigos Americans beast under the basket  Jason Boone, versatile Ben Jacobson and pitbull John Little who belongs to the top defenders in the league and was one of the most important players in the Alba Berlin series last year as he took a page out of 2011 Beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood scoring as if he had been transformed in the Detroit native´s body. The team also kept German Alex King who continues to develop well. “Alex really has made his way in the Beko BBL after being only a role player averaging 5-10 minutes”, stated John Patrick. Germans Oliver Clay, big talent Maximilian Kleber and experienced Chistoph Henneberger were also retained.  The team lost important players like Americans Chris Kramer, Ivan Elliot and Ricky Harris. Losing team top scorer Chris Kramer hurt very much as he played with so much intensity on offense and defense and could change impact of a game. However the team did a super job filling these spots. The team added American Jimmy Mckinney who left the main in Frankfurt after six years. Mckinney is known as a deadly shooter and is looking to make the next step in Wurzburg being more of a go to guy than he was in Frankfurt. The team got Dwayne Anderson who belongs to the top five forward in the Beko BBL, German national player Chris Mcnaughton who is injured, but will form a nice center duo with Boone, experienced Lamont Mcintosh who celebrated much success with Artland Dragon teams including the 2008 Beko BBL cup and talented German Maurice Stuckey who is on loan from Bamberg where he will get more minutes than in Freak city. The biggest strength of the team will be that the team was formed early and many players were kept from last season. Why should the team change their style when it works. John Patrick practiced the quick aggressive style that he had had in Goettingen called 40 minutes of basketball hell. It was quite that extreme last season, but it was still used maybe 25 minutes of hell. Schroeder still likes to play like this, but so far this season, the team is still looking to come together as the team is parked in the middle field of the standings. Their offense is more versatile and unpredictable compared to last season.  Weaknesses this season could of been being able to play up to expectations, but the team is currently in sixth place with a record of 15-13 despite having had many injuries and losing Ben Jacobson for the season. Wurzburg recently added American Frank Robinson and English man Mike Lenzley to help out at the guard position. Wurzburg is riding a four game winning streak and also have won their last four games at home. Defense continues to be their biggest strength as they have given up 64 points average in the last four games. The Fraport Skyliners also are riding a high as they have won five of their last six games and had huge wins over Alba Berlin, Bamberg and  Bremerhaven. Frankfurt also is relying on their biggest strength the most defense as the yhave given up only an average of 66 points in the last four games. “The most important thing that we have to focus on is defense. Rebounding and limiting our mistakes and executing and sharing the ball will be key for us beating Wurzburg”, stressed Fraport Skyliner guard Dawan Robinson. The way both teams have played the last two games scoring only 221 points combined with Frankfurt averaging 55 points and Wurzburg averaging 55 points, fans could witness round three of the battle of the trenches.

The Fraport Skyliners have fond memories from the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg winning both games last season. The Fraport Skyliners squeaked out a 80-78 win at home as American Justin Gray won the game with a buzzer beater. Justin Gray led the Skyliners with 18 points while NBA player Jon Leuer chipped in with 17 points. Chris Kramer had 16 points while Ivan Elliot and Ricky Harris contributed 13 points each. In the return game in Wurzburg in early January, the fans witnessed a gruesome hard fought battle in the trenches as no team wanted to give the other teams any gifts as Frankfurt prevailed 56-51. Frankfurt was led by Quantez Robertson with 12 points, Devin Gibson added 11 points and Jermario Davidson produced 10 points. The s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg were led by Ben Jacobson with 15 points. The Fraport Skyliners have a 2-1 record against Wurzburg since they arrived in the Beko BBL in 2011. This season the Fraport Skyliners lost round two of the battle of the trenches after winning round one in Wurzburg last season at home last December 59-55. Frankfurt only mustered 21 points in the first half, but had a strong fourth quarter scoring 21 points. The club was sparked by Zach Peacock with 18 points and Quantez Robertson added 12 points, nine rebounds and five steals to the win. Wurzburg was led by Dwayne Anderson with 11 points and Jason Boone had 10 points.

The s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg are led by  Jason Boone who is a 27 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York who played  four seasons with Goettingen and is playing his second season in Wurzburg.  Four years ago, he made the jump from the Regionalliga to the BBL, which is similar as if a professional baseball player jumped from A ball to MLB. In 2010-2011 for BG Goettingen, he played 37 games: 8.5ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 59.8%, FT: 34.9%; EuroCup: 14 games: 9.1ppg, 6.2rpg, Blocks-4(1.1bpg), FGP: 59.8%, FT: 36.0% . “Jason Boone is a strong athlete who likes to finish around the rim and is not a shooter at all. One should give him the jump shot and don’t let him penetrate. He is a strong offensive rebounder and goes to the boards each time. He isn´t  a good free throw shooter and don’t give him any easy layups. One should attack him on defense and despite his athletic body, doesn´t move his feet so well and he is foul prone”, Frankfurt still will have to keep an eye on him in the paint”, added 2009 Beko BBL top scorer Omari Westley.  “Boone is probably one of the strongest low post players in the BBL. He can move anybody with his strength down low”, added Ricky Hickman who is playing for Macabbi Tel Aviv.” I always want to improve my game, and I feel like coming into this season fully healthy will help me establish myself as a top center in this league. In retrospect I think, on a personal level, 2010-2011 was a “down” year for me, but it taught me a”, commented Jason Boone.  Last season for Wurzburg, Boone played  40 games: 8.7ppg, 5.7rpg, FGP: 53.6%, FT: 52.4. Ben Jacobson is a 28 year old 188cm guard that is a big Time Point Guard, very good defender and a great scorer who can create his own shot that is playing his  second season in Wurzburg. Before coming to BG Goettingen in 2007, he played at Northern Iowa with teammate John Little and in other German places like Erdgas Ehingen and the Mitteldeutscher BC. His most successful season was 2009-2010 where he helped BG Goettingen win the Eurochallenge. In 2010-2011 he played for Ikaros Kallitheas (Greece-A1, starting five), only pre-season, in Dec.’10 moved to Boulazac Basket Dordogne (France-ProB, starting five): 19 games: 12.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 34.9%. Last season for Wurzburg, he played 40 games: 8.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.0apg, FGP: 40.9%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 65.7%.

The third member to arrive from BG Goettingen in 2011 is John Little who is a 28 year old 180cm guard from Peoria, Illinois. He played four seasons with BG Goettingen. He played at Northern Iowa from 2002-2006. In 2007-2008, he wanted to play for the Peoria Kings of the ABA league, but the team folded, so he returned to Northern Iowa and finished the season as assistant coach. Last season, he played EuroCup: 9 games: 6.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 45.5%, FT: 80.0%; German League: 33 games: 6.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 21.0%, FT: 75.0% “Little is their energy guy. He brings  a lot of energy and athletic ability from the bench. He doesn´t have much of a shot and likes to drive to the hoop and finish at the rim. He is  a good rebounder for his size. He is possibly the best defender on the team. He has long arms and plays the passing lanes well and is their best on ball defender”, stressed Omari Westley. “He is probably one of the scrappiest players in the league and always plays hard and gives 100% every minute on the court”, added Ricky Hickman. Last season for Wurzburg, he played 41 games: 9.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 64.1%. The team brought in American Jimmy Mckinney who is a 29 year old 192cm shooting guard from St Louis who is cousins with ex Skyliner Lorenzo Gordon. Mckinney is a s a solid knock-down shooter, but also can score from penetration and with rim-rattling dunks. He played at Missouri from 2002-2006 where he was a teammate of NBA player Linas Kleiza. He played a total of 133 NCAA Games. He played for the Frankfurt Skyliners from 2006-2012 playing a total of 218 games reaching the 2008 Beko BBL semi final and 2010 Beko BBL final where hew a son the floor in a tough game 5 loss in Bamberg. Last season for Frankfurt he played EuroCup: 6 games: 14.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 92.3%; German League: 34 games: 13.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 84.0%.

The team also hauled in Lamont Mcintosh who is a 30 year old 190cm guard from Georgia that is playing his ninth professional season and first in Wurzburg. He played at Georgia Tech from 2000-2004. In his first  two seasons he played for the Southern Crescent Lightning (WBA) and then went to Europe to play for the Scottish Rocks (United Kingdom-BBL). In 2005, he showed that he could play in a more higher league playing for  Verviers-Pepinster (Belgium-D1): 28 games: 15.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 51.0%. He then played for the Artland Dragons from 2006-2009 reaching the playoffs each season. In 2009-2010, he played for Politekhnika-Halychyna Lviv (Ukraine-Superleague) 20 games: 16.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 73.8%. In 2001-2011, he played for Enosi Kalathosfairisis Kavalas (Greece-A1, starting five): 25 games: 7.1ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 80.8%. Last season, he played for  AZS Koszalin (Poland-PLK): 14 games: 11.2ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 41.0%, 3PT: 43.1%, FT: 85.2%. Christopher Mcnaughton is a 29 year old 211cm center. He is a true back-to-the-basket big man, but does possess good mobility for his size. He started his basketball career in the Bamberg system in 2000 playing 35 games for TSV Troester Breitengrussbach in the second Bundesliga. He then played at Bucknell from 2003-2007. After getting valuable experience in the NCAA, he played two years in Spain before moving to BG Goettingen in 2009-2010. He helped the club win the Eurochallenge and scoring 22 points in the final. He played EuroChallenge: 15 games: 8.9ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 61.4%, FT: 71.1%; German League: 37 games: 7.4ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 62.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 71.4%. In 2010-2011, he played for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg playing EuroCup: 6 games: 5.8ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 55.6%, FT; German League: 39 games: 5.0ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 60.7%, FT: 80.7%. At the World Championships in Turkey in 2010, he played 5 games: 5.4ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 58.8%, FT: 77.8%. Currently, he is averaging 10,3ppg and 5,6rpg. Last season, for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven he played 34 games: 12.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 61.9%, FT: 79.0%.

The s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg also has its share of German players including Alex King who moved to his third Beko BBL team Wurzburg in 2011. King is a 27 year old 200cm forward from Munich, Germany. King started his basketball career in Frankfurt playing for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners from 2002-2008. In that span he won the German league title in 2004 and was a finalist in 2005 and played a total of 129 BBL games for Frankfurt. He played for the Telekom Baskets Bonn from 2008-20011 playing a total of 101 Beko BBl games. In 2010-2011 for Bonn he played EuroChallenge: 6 games: 2.5ppg, 4.0rpg; German League: 31 games: 4.9ppg, 2.3rpg. Last season for Wurzburg, he played 41 games: 4.8ppg, 3.0rpg. The team also brought in young German Oliver Clay in 2011 who is a 25 year old 205cm power forward/center from Berlin. He started his basketball career in 2006 for TUS Lichterfelde Berlin (2.Bundesliga): 25 games: 3.2ppg, 2.7rpg. He then played for Alba Berlin playing mostly for the Regionaliga team where he was German Regionalliga (North Group) Champion in 2010. In 2010-2011, he played for TBB Trier (1.Bundesliga): 33 games: 2.5ppg, 1.9rpg. Last season for Wurzburg he played  22 games: 1.9ppg, 1.1rpg. Christoph Henneberger also stayed with the team. Henneberger is a 28 year old 188cm guard who has seen the ups and downs of Wurzburg basketball since 2003. Last season, he played 11 games: 0.8ppg. The team also has young talented Maximilian Klebber on the roster who is a 20 year old 196cm forward. He started his basketball career in 2008 with SCH Wuerzburg Baskets (Regionalliga). Last season he played  26 games: 3.1ppg, 1.2rpg. The team also brought in Maurice Stuckey who is a 22 year old 187cm guard that was born in Augsburg and is on loan from Bamberg. He started his basketball career in 2005 for BG Leitershofen. He then moved to Ehingen/Urspringschule (ProB), where he played from 2007-2009. In2009-2010,  he played for Troester Breitenguessbach (ProB): 20 games: 17.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 62.4%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 85.3%, played also at Brose Baskets Bamberg (1.Bundesliga): 4 games: 1.3ppg. At the 2010 European Championships U20 in Croatia he played  9 games: 8.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.7apg, Steals-5(2.2spg), FGP: 34.6%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 75.0%. In 2010-2011, he played German League: 35 games: 2.2ppg; Euroleague: 3 games: 2.3ppg; also played at TSV Troester Breitenguessbach (ProB): 18 games: 14.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 77.5%. Last season he played 5 games for Bamberg averaging 1.6ppg; played also at TSV Troester Breitenguessbach (ProB, starting five): 8 games: 8.8ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 85.7%. The team also has 20 year old 201cm forward Malte Herwig. Last  season he played for BG Goettingen (1.Bundesliga): 7 games: 0.6ppg; EuroChallenge: 1 game: 0pts; played also for ASC 46 Goettingen (Regionalliga, starting five): 17 games: 7.6ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 56.3%, FT: 60.9%.

Fabian Boeke is a 26 year old 208cm center that is playing his second season with SC Rist Wedel. He started his career in 2003 with BC Hamburg. He then played with TSG Ehingen from 2004-2007 where he played with young German talents Lucca Staiger and Christian Standhardinger. He then played in the NCAA for Washington State from 2007-2010 playing with guys like Abd Lodwick, Taylor Rochestie, Kyle Weaver and NBA players Aron Baynes and Klay Thompson. He spoke to German Hoops after advancing to the next round of the PRO B playoffs beating the Fraport Skyliners juniors.

You are 26 now. After playing in the NCAA, you now have played in the PRO the last two seasons. Are you happy about playing in the PRO B at this stage in your career?

I think its ok, because basketball isn´t my first focus. After finishing my studies, I have decided to concentrate on my career as an HR manager. Playing in the PRO B is a nice change for me from the day to day job.

How happy are you with your season stats of 13 points and seven rebounds?

It is a lot better than I thought it would be. I seem to be more efficient this year than last year. Maybe the league isn´t as good anymore. But I don´t really look at my stats anymore. It is more important to get wins.

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

My help side defense. This helps me change the shot of the opponent.

How difficult was it making your mid distance shot look like a layup?

I have worked very hard on my mid distance shot for  a long time. It started at Ehingen where Ralf Junge was a big help for me. I was injured a lot in college so I was able to practice it more. Shooting was all I could do while I was injured so I practiced very much.

What is the most important thing that you learned from Ralph Junge?

I learned very much form him more about life. He is like an adoptive father for me. He taught me to go hard for my goals in my life and just be happy with what I have.

Were you on the floor as Lucca Staiger hit for 106 points?

No I wasn´t. I came the following season. I heard very much about that game the season I came. He hit for 106 points in the old Urspring halle which had a very bad floor, but he knew the gym well since he always practiced there. That gym doesn´t even exist anymore.

What is your sweetest memory of reaching the Sweet 16 in 2008?

I was actually injured and illegible and wasn´t allowed to play that season, but I was practicing with the team. It was a great run. We lost to North Carolina, but I remember my roommate Aron Baynes stopping Tyler Hainsborough.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Aron Baynes?

He mostly won, but I won a few times.

Did you know that your rx teammate Klay Thompson would become an instant success in the NBA?

Yes I knew that he would. He had the best jump shot that I ever saw. He was a hard worker. I remember the times off the court with him. He was a funny guy, but quiet. The typical nerd.

What was the most important thing that you learned from Washington State head coach Tony Bennett?

He taught me help side defense. That was installed by his dad who is in the hall of fame. One also called it the pack defense.

You battled Johannes Voigtmann in the playoffs. What is your impression of him?

He has a big body and a very nice soft touch. He could be more powerful inside, but I think that he will mature into a very good player. He should take a Maik Zirbes to be his role model.

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

The best player that I saw in the NCAA was Kevin Love. You can see how dominant he was. Baynes killed me in practice and Love did the same to him posting a 32 point 16 rebound game with UCLA against us.

Who are your NCAA Final 4 picks?

Indiana, Duke, Michigan and a sleeper.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Hannibal with Anthony Hopkins.

Thanks Fabian for the chat.