Without a doubt, the most surprising team this season in the NBL has been BC Kolin. At 12-2 on the season, the team currently sits among the leaders of the league and is led by forward Richard Field (196-F-85, college: Mercyhurst). In his first full-season in Kolin, Field, a Michigan native, leads Kolin in scoring (15.1ppg) and rebounds (6.4rpg). However as evidenced by our interview, the teams success is largely a collective effort as Head Coach Predrag Benacek has created an atmosphere where all players have an important role and can maximize their talents within the team system. After spending the first three seasons of his career in Iceland, Fields is now helping lead Kolin into uncharted prominence in the NBL. With a heavyweight schedule coming up in December, the team will face Pardubice, Prostejov and Nymburk in three of their next four games, the opportunity is there for this club to show that they belong and will stay among the best teams in the league this season.
Q. This is the fifth-year the club has been playing in the top division and your start has been the best ever. At 21-2 on the season, what are the thoughts and emotions of the team heading into the second half-of play? A. We are just taking it one game at a time, I am happy to be in this position which no one around the league expected us to be. We obviously want to finish in the top six. For an automatic playoff spot. So that is really are main goal going into the second half.
Q. What has been the key to the team's success so far? A. I believe its all about chemistry; we all get along very well and all are focused on the most important thing which is winning. Nobody is looking to fill the stat sheet for their own individual goals. Another reason is our coach, he allows everyone to play their game within the team structure.
Q. For you personally, your start has been very impressive. What were some of the reasons you decided to come back to Kolin and how has the experience been since you arrived last year? A. One the reason is my coach (Predrag Benacek), he is what we as Americans call a players coach. What that means is that he allows you to play your game, which allows you to play and feel more freely on the court. He allows us to play basketball and doesn't have us feeling like we are robots in the games. Another reason is I only played a half a season last year, because I started the in Iceland I wanted to play a full season in Czech. The experience has been good since Ive been back, I know what type of coach I am playing for. Also, just knowing the Czech culture, it makes things a lot easier.
Q. Before the season began, the big news was that Terry Smith (185-G-86, college: Mercyhurst) would not return. Losing the league's leading scorer, as well as point guard Brad Jones (186-G-85, college: Wyoming), did the team adjust its style of play with you and Rashaan Ames (184-PG-78, college: Shaw) and Chad Barnes (190-G-83, college: New Orleans)? A. Well, the rest of the team, we had all played together before so we really didnt have to adjust much. Now adjusting to Rashaan and Chad may have been different. Both of these guys are past-first, shoot-second guards. This helps open up all the options we have on the team. Everybody for the most part gets involved in the game.
Q. How would you describe the level of play in the Czech Republic as opposed to Iceland, where you spent the past few seasons? A. The level of play is much higher here in Czech. I went from being the only American on my team to playing with two others here.
Q. What has been the most significant win or performance for you so far this season? A. I think the Decin win because at that time they were ranked number one in the standings.
Q. Goals for the rest of the season? A. Our first goal is to make to the playoffs then once we are there, try to and go as deep as possible.
NH Ostrava - BK Prostejov 86-66 (2-2)
NH Ostrava force the decider and tied the Semifinals at 2-2. The hosts trailed by 4 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 7-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 86-66. NH Ostrava outrebounded BK Prostejov 39-25 including 26 on the defensive glass [read more]
NH Ostrava force the decider and tied the Semifinals at 2-2. The hosts trailed by 4 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 7-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 86-66. NH Ostrava outrebounded BK Prostejov 39-25 including 26 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Rahsaan Ames (184-78, college: Shaw) who helped to win the game recording 14 points and 5 assists and the other American import forward Jeremiah Wilson (203-88, college: Tarleton St.) who added 15 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four NH Ostrava players scored in double figures. At the losing side international Kamil Svrdlik (206-86, college: Fair Dickinson) responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds and swingman Jaromir Bohacik (197-92) scored 12 points and 4 assists. Top scorers: NH Ostrava: J.Wilson 15+6reb+1ast, A.Dufault 14+6reb, R.Ames 14+4reb+5ast, M.Gniadek 13+6reb+2ast, F.Zbranek 10+3reb+1ast, A.Ciz 9+4reb+4ast BK Prostejov: K.Svrdlik 16+5reb+1ast, O.Kohout 13+5reb+1ast, J.Bohacik 12+3reb+4ast, R.Marko 8+5reb+1ast, P.Slezak 7+1reb, F.Smid 5+3reb
CEZ Nymburk sweep NBL Semi-Final series - May 15, 2013
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BK Prostejov - NH Ostrava 81-77 (2-1)
27 personal fouls committed by NH Ostrava helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for forward Ondrej Kohout (204-91) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. Slovakian Dusan Pandula (196-84) helped adding 25 points. Four BK Prostejov players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Jeremiah Wilson (203-88, college: Tarleton St [read more]
27 personal fouls committed by NH Ostrava helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a great evening for forward Ondrej Kohout (204-91) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 12 rebounds. Slovakian Dusan Pandula (196-84) helped adding 25 points. Four BK Prostejov players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American forward Jeremiah Wilson (203-88, college: Tarleton St.) with a double-double by scoring 29 points and 16 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) and the other American import forward Austin Dufault (205-90, college: Colorado) scored 18 points and 5 steals. Top scorers: BK Prostejov: D.Pandula 25+3reb+1ast, O.Kohout 19+12reb+1ast, R.Marko 13+5reb+3ast, P.Slezak 12+3reb+1ast, K.Svrdlik 7+10reb+1ast, J.Bohacik 5+3reb+4ast NH Ostrava: J.Wilson 29+16reb+1ast, A.Dufault 18+2reb+1ast, M.Gniadek 11+3reb+1ast, A.Ciz 9+3ast, J.Stehlik 4, R.Ames 3+5reb+6ast
CEZ Nymburk sweep NBL Semi-Final series against Pardubice. In the third game CEZ Nymburk dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to BK Pardubice's 20. CEZ Nymburk forced 21 BK Pardubice turnovers. It was an exceptional evening for the former international power forward Pavel Houska (203-84) who led the winners and scored 16 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American point guard Tweety Carter (180-86, college: Baylor) accounted for 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four CEZ Nymburk players scored in double figures. Martin Peterka (201-95) came up with 7 points and 7 rebounds and forward Ondrej Peterka (195-91) added 9 points respectively for BK Pardubice in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Top scorers: CEZ Nymburk: P.Houska 16+7reb+3ast, T.Carter 11+5reb+5ast, M.Efevberha 11+3reb+2ast, R.Rancik 11+5reb+4ast, J.Welsch 11+1reb+3ast, V.Hruban 9+3reb BK Pardubice: O.Peterka 9+3reb+1ast, P.Bohacik 8+5reb, C.Muirhead 7+4reb, M.Peterka 7+7reb+1ast, M.Carnecky 6+3reb+3ast, S.Faifr 5+3reb
CEZ Nymburk steps closer to the Final - May 11, 2013
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NH Ostrava - BK Prostejov 96-85 (1-1)
The game was mostly controlled by NH Ostrava. BK Prostejov managed to win second period 23-22. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. NH Ostrava shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 53.8 percentage. 24 personal fouls committed by BK Prostejov helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Jeremiah Wilson (203-88, college: Tarleton St [read more]
The game was mostly controlled by NH Ostrava. BK Prostejov managed to win second period 23-22. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. NH Ostrava shot the lights out from three sinking 14 long-distance shots on high 53.8 percentage. 24 personal fouls committed by BK Prostejov helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Jeremiah Wilson (203-88, college: Tarleton St.) had a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import guard Chadwick-Farrell Barnes (190-83, college: New Orleans) chipped in 19 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. International Kamil Svrdlik (206-86, college: Fair Dickinson) responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) and Slovakian Dusan Pandula (196-84) scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Top scorers: BK Prostejov: K.Svrdlik 25+9reb+1ast, P.Slezak 18+1reb, R.Marko 16+3reb+1ast, D.Pandula 14+6reb+1ast, O.Kohout 7+7reb+2ast, J.Bohacik 5+5reb+2ast NH Ostrava: J.Wilson 20+10reb, C.Barnes 19+5reb+1ast, J.Stehlik 11+2reb+3ast, R.Ames 11+2reb+8ast, F.Zbranek 10+2reb+2ast, M.Gniadek 9+2reb+2ast
CEZ Nymburk steps closer to the Final after 88:59 in Game 2. The game without a history. CEZ Nymburk led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. American point guard Tweety Carter (180-86, college: Baylor) notched 17 points and 4 assists to lead the effort and Nigerian-American guard Michael Efevberha (197-84, college: CS Northridge) supported him with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Even 16 points and 4 assists by Canadian-Jamaican forward Corey Muirhead (197-83, college: W.Carolina) did not help to save the game for BK Pardubice. American center Travis Nelson (208-87, college: Minnesota St.) added 10 points and 9 rebounds for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Top scorers: BK Pardubice: C.Muirhead 16+3reb+4ast, T.Nelson 10+9reb, Z.Pospisil 9+4reb, E.Zabas 7+3reb+2ast, J.Soula 5+1reb, P.Bohacik 4+7reb+1ast CEZ Nymburk: T.Carter 17+2reb+4ast, M.Efevberha 14+6reb+1ast, J.Welsch 11+4reb+1ast, L.Palyza 10, R.Rancik 8+2reb+1ast, T.Pomikalek 7+7reb+1ast
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