There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in ProA. There was no lack of excitement in the last round games. The round ended with favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin.
Eleventh-ranked NBC (11-15) gave a tough game to first ranked Mitteldeutscher BC (21-5) in Weissenfels on Friday. Mitteldeutscher BC managed to secure only one-point victory 73-72. However their fans expected much easier game. Mitteldeutscher BC have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 21-5 record. NBC lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Ehingen. Mitteldeutscher BC are looking forward to face Saar-Pfalz Braves (#14) in Homburg in the next round which should be an easy win for them. NBC will play at home against Leitershofen in Diedorf and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series. Very important is a road loss of third ranked Crailsheim Merlins (16-10) against fourth ranked BV Chemnitz 99 (17-10) on Friday night. Visiting Crailsheim Merlins were defeated by BV Chemnitz 99 in a tough game in Chemnitz 66-70. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by point guard Gary Johnson (188-PG-82, college: Cent.Florida) who scored that evening 18 points and 8 assists and Ty Shaw supported him with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Even a double-double of 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists by forward Billy Baptist (196-87, college: Quincy) did not help to save the game for Crailsheim Merlins. Crailsheim Merlins' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. BV Chemnitz 99 have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Crailsheim Merlins at the other side dropped to the fourth position with ten games lost. BV Chemnitz 99 will play against Ehingen/Urspringschule (#12) in Allmendingen in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Crailsheim Merlins will play at home against USC Heidelberg (#9) and hope to get back on the winning track. Fourteenth-ranked Saar-Pfalz Braves (7-19) gave a tough game to tenth ranked USC Heidelberg (13-13) on Friday. USC Heidelberg managed to secure only three-point victory 91-88. However their fans expected much easier game. Sanijay Watts fired a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners. P.J. Alawoya produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds for lost side. USC Heidelberg moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Duesseldorf and Karlsruhe. Loser Saar-Pfalz Braves keep the fourteenth position with 19 games lost. USC Heidelberg will meet higher ranked Crailsheim Merlins (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Saar-Pfalz Braves will play against the league's leader Mitteldeutscher BC (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory. An interesting game took place in Cuxhaven where higher ranked Gloria Giants (13-13) were upseton the court of thirteenth ranked Cuxhaven BasCats (10-16) 85-80. Worth to mention a great performance of Jusuf El Domiaty who helped to win the game recording 25 points. Gloria Giants' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Cuxhaven BasCats maintains thirteenth position with 10-16 record. Gloria Giants at the other side dropped to the seventh place with 13 games lost. Cuxhaven BasCats' next round opponent will be league's second-placed Kirchheim Knights on the road and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. 9th ranked ETB Wohnbau (12-14) was outscored at home by second ranked Kirchheim Knights (17-9) with the biggest margin this round 101-57 on Friday night. Worth to mention a quality performance of Devin Uskoski who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 7 rebounds. ETB Wohnbau's coach Igor Krizanovic gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Kirchheim Knights maintains second position with 17-9 record having four points less than leader MBC. ETB Wohnbau lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 14 games lost. Kirchheim Knights will face Cuxhaven BasCats (#13) at home in the next round which should be another easy win for them. ETB Wohnbau will play against BG Karlsruhe.
In the last two games of round 28 Jena won against Webmoebel on the opponent's court 87-83. Bottom-ranked Leitershofen was outscored by Karlsruhe in a home game 55-81. The most impressive stats of the last round was 28 points and 6 rebounds by Cedric Brooks of Kirchheim.
An interesting game took place in Cuxhaven where higher ranked Gloria Giants (13-13) were upseton the court of thirteenth ranked Cuxhaven BasCats (10-16) 85-80. The hosts were ahead by 4 points but lost the second period ending it with a 3-point deficit before their 29-21 run, which allowed them to win the game. Cuxhaven BasCats forced 26 Gloria Giants turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Jusuf El Domiaty (189-90, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) who helped to win the game recording 25 points. American guard Dwuan Rice (180, college: CSU Bakersfield) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 assists for the winners. Naturalized Croatian guard Marin Petric (190-80) replied with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Estonian forward Rait Keerles (201-80) added 16 points in the effort for Gloria Giants. Four Cuxhaven BasCats and five Gloria Giants players scored in double figures. Gloria Giants' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Cuxhaven BasCats maintains thirteenth position with 10-16 record. Gloria Giants at the other side dropped to the seventh place with 13 games lost. Cuxhaven BasCats' next round opponent will be league's second-placed Kirchheim Knights on the road and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Top scorers: Duesseldorf: M.Petric 26+6reb+4ast, R.Keerles 16+3reb+1ast, Q.Lollis 13+6reb, P.Flomo 11+4reb+1ast, C.Pfeil 10+4reb+1ast, C.Bennett 2+2reb+1ast Cuxhaven: J.El Domiaty 25, J.Capel 13+2reb+2ast, D.Rice 13+2reb+10ast, N.Gerwig 11+6reb, D.McDaniel 9+3reb+1ast, M.Bogdanov 6+2reb+3ast
There was a minor upset in Paderborn where 5th ranked Webmoebel Baskets (15-11) were defeated by seventh ranked Science City Jena (14-13) 87-83 on Friday. Science City Jena made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. Science City Jena outrebounded Webmoebel Baskets 39-26 including 29 on the defensive glass. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Kenny Barker (191-86, college: Alaska-Anch.) who helped to win the game recording 32 points (made all of his ten free throws !!!) and forward Jeremy Black (203-85, college: Tampa, agency: Court Side) who added 13 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side swingman Justin Stommes (200-88, college: E.Kentucky, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) responded with 24 points and swingman Nick Freer (198-85, college: Grand Valley St.) scored 17 points and 6 rebounds. Four Webmoebel Baskets players scored in double figures. Science City Jena have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place. Loser Webmoebel Baskets keep the fifth position with 11 games lost. Science City Jena will have a break next round. Webmoebel Baskets will play on the road against Gloria Giants (#8) in Duesseldorf. Top scorers: Webmoebel: J.Stommes 24+2reb+2ast, N.Freer 17+6reb+1ast, J.Mason 13+5reb+3ast, J.Diggs 11+2reb+3ast, O.Wendt 9+6reb+5ast, M.Jost 8+3reb+1ast Jena: K.Barker 32+4reb+2ast, T.Kepkay 19+1reb+2ast, J.Black 13+14reb+1ast, C.Roquette 7+6reb+3ast, J.Voigtmann 6+3reb+1ast, E.Reyes-Napoles 5+3reb
Very predictable result in Diedorf where eighth ranked BG Karlsruhe (13-13) smashed bottom-ranked Leitershofen (6-20) 81-55 on Friday. The game without a history. BG Karlsruhe led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. BG Karlsruhe forced 20 Leitershofen turnovers. Americans were the main players on the court also this time. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Martin Samarco (191-85, college: Bowling Green) who helped to win the game recording 20 points and guard Michael Stockton (185-89, college: Westminster, UT, agency: Limelight Hoops) who added 18 points and 4 assists during the contest. Five BG Karlsruhe players scored in double figures. At the losing side center DeWayne Richardson (202-77, college: Fairmont St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 13 rebounds and guard Skyler Bowlin (190-89, college: Missouri So., agency: Warren Sports International) scored 14 points and 4 steals. BG Karlsruhe moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Duesseldorf and Heidelberg. Newly promoted Leitershofen stay at the bottom position with 20 games lost. BG Karlsruhe will face ETB Wohnbau (#10) in Essen in the next round. Leitershofen will play on the road against NBC (#11) in Nurnberg. Top scorers: Leitershofen: D.Richardson 17+13reb+2ast, S.Bowlin 14+4reb+3ast, J.Lipke 9+2ast, C.Hassan 5+5reb+1ast, J.Genck 5, A.Kronhardt 5+4reb+1ast Karlsruhe: M.Samarco 20+4reb+3ast, M.Stockton 18+4reb+4ast, J.Moore 13+8reb+1ast, J.Howard 11+7reb, R.Roessler 10+5reb+3ast, D.Jones 8+4reb+1ast
9th ranked ETB Wohnbau (12-14) was outscored at home by second ranked Kirchheim Knights (17-9) with the biggest margin this round 101-57 on Friday night. The game without a history. Kirchheim Knights led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to ETB Wohnbau's 34. Kirchheim Knights shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 59.1 percentage. Worth to mention a quality performance of American forward Devin Uskoski (198-85, college: Rocky Mountain) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 7 rebounds and the other American import guard Cedric Brooks (185-80, college: Pittsburg St.) who added 28 points and 6 rebounds during the contest (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). Four Kirchheim Knights players scored in double figures. At the losing side forward Kevin Wysocki (198-87) responded with 8 points and American forward Kendall Chones (201-84, college: Colgate, agency: Dynamics Global Management) scored 5 points and 9 rebounds. ETB Wohnbau's coach Igor Krizanovic gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Kirchheim Knights maintains second position with 17-9 record having four points less than leader MBC. ETB Wohnbau lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with 14 games lost. Kirchheim Knights will face Cuxhaven BasCats (#13) at home in the next round which should be another easy win for them. ETB Wohnbau will play against BG Karlsruhe. Top scorers: ETB Wohnbau: K.Wysocki 8+4reb+2ast, J.Henley 8+2reb+1ast, D.Kapelan 7+1ast, M.Buljevic 7+1reb+1ast, C.Alexander 6+1reb+1ast, P.Carney 5+2reb+1ast Kirchheim: C.Brooks 28+6reb+1ast, D.Uskoski 25+7reb+3ast, B.Griffin 12+2reb+1ast, S.Adeberg 10+2reb+4ast, R.Tomasevic 8+1reb+2ast, N.Menck 7+1reb+1ast
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Crailsheim Merlins (16-10) against fourth ranked BV Chemnitz 99 (17-10) on Friday night. Visiting Crailsheim Merlins were defeated by BV Chemnitz 99 in a tough game in Chemnitz 66-70. Crailsheim Merlins were ahead by 6 points at the halftime before a 22-10 third quarter run of BV Chemnitz 99. Crailsheim Merlins were plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. Americans were the main players on the court. The winners were led by point guard Gary Johnson (188-82, college: Cent.Florida) who scored that evening 18 points and 8 assists and power forward Ty Shaw (202-79, college: Idaho Coll.) supported him with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Four BV Chemnitz 99 players scored in double figures. Even a double-double of 19 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists by forward Billy Baptist (196-87, college: Quincy) did not help to save the game for Crailsheim Merlins. Guard Mark Hill (180, college: CS Northridge) added 6 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists for lost side. Crailsheim Merlins' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. BV Chemnitz 99 have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Crailsheim Merlins at the other side dropped to the fourth position with ten games lost. BV Chemnitz 99 will play against Ehingen/Urspringschule (#12) in Allmendingen in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Crailsheim Merlins will play at home against USC Heidelberg (#9) and hope to get back on the winning track. Top scorers: Crailsheim: B.Baptist 19+12reb+4ast, D.Webb 16+5reb, J.Stohl 9+1reb, J.Buck 7, M.Hill 6+11reb+4ast, J.Dunbar 5+1ast Chemnitz: G.Johnson 18+3reb+8ast, D.Lawson 13+5reb+2ast, T.Shaw 12+13reb+1ast, J.Schmidt 11+7reb+2ast, T.Ishizaki 9+3reb+2ast, J.Schaffrath 5+5reb
Fourteenth-ranked Saar-Pfalz Braves (7-19) gave a tough game to tenth ranked USC Heidelberg (13-13) on Friday. USC Heidelberg managed to secure only three-point victory 91-88. However their fans expected much easier game. The hosts trailed by 1 point at the halftime before their 25-19 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. USC Heidelberg made 25-of-30 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. American forward Sanijay Watts (193-87, college: Central Mo., agency: Limelight Hoops) fired a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) for the winners. Swingman Janis Heindel (199-83) chipped in 9 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Nigerian-American forward P.J. Alawoya (200-88, college: McNeese St.) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds and Nigerian guard Nick Okorie (185-88, college: Texas Tech) added 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists respectively for lost side. Four Saar-Pfalz Braves players scored in double figures. USC Heidelberg moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Duesseldorf and Karlsruhe. Loser Saar-Pfalz Braves keep the fourteenth position with 19 games lost. USC Heidelberg will meet higher ranked Crailsheim Merlins (#4) on the road in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Saar-Pfalz Braves will play against the league's leader Mitteldeutscher BC (#1) having rather not much hope for a victory. Top scorers: Braves: R.Cardenas 18+8reb+1ast, P.Alawoya 18+12reb, N.Okorie 18+5reb+7ast, L.Jeka 15+1reb+4ast, T.Reed 8+2reb, M.Damjanovic 5 Heidelberg: S.Watts 24+11reb+2ast, J.Williams 17+4reb+1ast, O.Komarek 16+1reb+1ast, B.Schoo 10+1reb, J.Heindel 9+10reb+7ast, K.Barth 7+2reb+7ast
Eleventh-ranked NBC (11-15) gave a tough game to first ranked Mitteldeutscher BC (21-5) in Weissenfels on Friday. Mitteldeutscher BC managed to secure only one-point victory 73-72. However their fans expected much easier game. Mitteldeutscher BC have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 21-5 record. NBC lost third consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the eleventh place with 15 games lost. They share the position with Ehingen. Mitteldeutscher BC are looking forward to face Saar-Pfalz Braves (#14) in Homburg in the next round which should be an easy win for them. NBC will play at home against Leitershofen in Diedorf and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Richard Williams(178-PG-87, college: San Diego St.) is a 25 year old 178cm guard that played for SC Rasta Vechta this season and is sitting in the Pro A finals against the Duesseldorf Baskets. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense [read more]
Richard Williams (178-PG-87, college: San Diego St.) is a 25 year old 178cm guard that played for SC Rasta Vechta this season and is sitting in the Pro A finals against the Duesseldorf Baskets. He is a very fast guard that can play either one or two. Great at pushing the break. Can score by shooting the three or using his explosiveness to beat his man. Gets to the basket and scores in traffic. A specialist in steals that uses his quickness to intimidate on defense. Great ball control. Gets the whole team involved when playing the point but can takeover a game at any time. He started his basketball career at San Diego St. (NCAA) in 2005 where he played until 2009. In his senior year he played 36 games: 7.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.5apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 40.9%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 64.2%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional basketball career for The San Diego Surf (ABA), in Jan.'10 moved to FSU Selfoss (Iceland-Express League, starting five): 8 games: 27.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 3.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 46.2%, FT: 72.7%. Last season he played for UBC Hannover Tigers (Germany-ProB, starting five): 33 games: 18.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-4 (5.7apg), Steals-2 (3.2spg), FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 75.8%. He spoke to eurobasket after beating Duesseldorf and winning the Pro A title.
Congrats on winning the 2013 Pro A title. How proud are you of the team that they pulled it out despite not having you in the lineup?
Very proud and I expected it. They've done it before against Gottingen at home and in Karlsruhe in the second half of the season. It was never a one man show this season
How tough was it not playing. When did you find out that you wouldnt play and why didnt you play?
It's the worst feeling ever. We put our blood, sweat and tears into what we do to play for moments like this and to not be apart it sucks.
Remembering winning this Pro A title will not be difficult, but what about the scores of the two final games were 84-78. Do you think anyone will ever remember these identical scores in 10 years or will that Pro A title always stick in the minds?
No way, being crowned champion means a lot more than the exact score of the game.
Was the quick start where SC Rasta Vechta led 30-16 the stepping stone of getting the 84-78 win? Definitely. Dusseldorf rallied back in the second half but in the whole they created was too much for them to rebound from.
What was key in getting the two wins in the Duesseldorf Baskets series?
I would say "I believe you". Being champions is a goal that every team strives to achieve. The actual belief, confidence, hard work and togetherness is what separates teams from others in making that dream happen.
How vital was the work of head coach Pat Elze? What was his strongest suit in leading the team to the Beko BBL? He's a players coach. He never lost confidence in us even when we started the season 0-3. Trust and confidence in your players goes a long way when coaching a team and he exemplified that all season long
SC Rasta Vechta will play in the Beko BBL. Hpw good are the odds that you will be playing against the Artland Dragons this coming season with SC Rasta Vechta?
I believe that we have a good chance. By no means am I saying we're better than the Artland Dragons but we can definitely compete and give them a run for their money.
How did your game develop in your second season as a professional? Do you think you can make the next step to the Beko BBL and be a force in the best basketball league in Germany?
I pride myself in working the hardest and winning. I've never been the strongest, best shooter, highest jumper but I feel I have great leadership skills, a fighting spirit and I will my teams to win. The BBL is for sure a different level of competition but I know I will be ready to make noise in the league next year. Being ready is never an issue.
Who was the unsung hero of SC Rasta Vechta this season?
The Unsung hero for me is Jacob Doerkson. Dude is a work horse and by far the craftiest player I've played. He posts hard, always aware of where he is on the court and he just makes things happen. The things he does you wont see on the stat sheet.
What will be the first thing that you will do when you touchdown in the States? I will land in San Diego and head straight to the Taco shop to get a Carne Asada Burrito!
Which two NBA teams will reach the final and will the Miami Heat win again?
I think the Spurs will meet Miami in the finals but Miami will win it again
After you watch any given sunday, were you positive that SC Rasta Vechta would win the Pro A title? Any Given Sunday gets me super hyped! Al Pacino gives one of the greatest pre-game speeches ever. After that I truly believed great things would happen
German A-2 head coach Mathias Fischer announced his 15 man roster that will have a training session from June 3rd until the 10th at Kienbaum in preparation for the universal games in Kasan, Russia. The German elected the following players:
Anthony Canty (Eisbren Bremerhaven), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier), Till-Joscha Jonke (BG Illertal-Weienhorn/ratiopharrm Ulm), Konstantin Klein (187-PG-91, agency: LUMANI 10 [read more]
German A-2 head coach Mathias Fischer announced his 15 man roster that will have a training session from June 3rd until the 10th at Kienbaum in preparation for the universal games in Kasan, Russia. The German elected the following players:
Anthony Canty (Eisbren Bremerhaven), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier), Till-Joscha Jonke (BG Illertal-Weienhorn/ratiopharrm Ulm), Konstantin Klein (187-PG-91, agency: LUMANI 10.7) (FRAPORT SKYLINERS), Florian Koch (Telekom Baskets Bonn), Dennis Kramer (Univeristy of San Diego/USA), Mathis Mnninghoff (TBB Trier), Stefan Schmidt (BBC Bayreuth), Simon Schmitz (BBC Bayreuth), Andreas Seiferth (TBB Trier), Christian Standhardinger (University of Hawai at Manoa), Johannes Voigtmann (FRAPORT SKYLINERS), Ole Wendt (Phoenix Hagen), Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann (Telekom Baskets Bonn) and Malte Ziegenhagen (Hawai Pacific University/USA).
Pro A club NBC didnt hesistate long to extend the contract of head coach Martin Ides making it public today. Ides was a rookie head coach that led NBC into the playoffs where they lost a hard fought five game series to the Duesseldorf Baskets. "I am happy about the contract extension. I am happy that the club has kept the trust in me and that we can continue to work together", stated Martin Ides . "We believe in the concept of Martin Ides [read more]
Pro A club NBC didnt hesistate long to extend the contract of head coach Martin Ides making it public today. Ides was a rookie head coach that led NBC into the playoffs where they lost a hard fought five game series to the Duesseldorf Baskets. "I am happy about the contract extension. I am happy that the club has kept the trust in me and that we can continue to work together", stated Martin Ides . "We believe in the concept of Martin Ides . He showed last season despite in difficult situations that he could lead the team. He totally identifies with his task in Nurnberg and he wants to build something on the long term", stressed NBC CEO Alexander Lolis.
Copyright (c) 1998-2013 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
