Korisliiga, Round 40: Korihait (Uusikaupunki) was winning 500 time on top level today, when they defeated YMCA Lahti in the thriller 94-92. American G
Josh Gonner (188-G-82, college: S.Carolina) made two FTs three seconds to go and by scoring game high 24 pts, Gonner became the game hero. FoKoPo (Forssa) sport club was celebrating Team's 40 year existence and beat Tarmo (Porvoo) 96-87. Tarmo's captain Mikael Holme (191-G-79) played his 300 game on top level. Holme has scored 2540 pts (average 8,5 ppg) and grabbed 688 rbs (2,3). YMCA Lappeenranta crushed Team Componenta (Karkkila) 100-74 and Honka won over KTP (Kotka) on the road 63-85.

Korihait - YMCA Lahti 94-92 (48-46) (Josh Gonner 24, Mark Zoller 16/14, Bojan Sarcevic 15 - Jason Conley 20, Ray Nixon 18, Kurtis Rice 14).

FoKoPo - Tarmo 96-87 (50-44) (Ray Cunningham 26/10, Mikko Jalonen 21, Nick Wallery 17 - DeWayne Richardson 24/11, Victor Morris 19, Ville-Pertti Lind 16).

Team Componenta - YMCA Lappeenranta 74-100 (41-52) (Frank Richards 21, Sami Marouf 19 - Adrian Penland 22/8a, Demetrius Brown 20, HLColeman 17).

KTP - Honka 63-85 (36-48) (Ville Makalainen 20, Robert Owens 13, Markus Myllyla 11 - Chanan Colman 18, Tuukka Kotti 18, Jukka Matinen 14).

Losing a Basketball game by 40 points is embarrassing, but not being able to arrive on time to play a game in Ludwigsburg is simply nasty, but the Giessen 46ers couldnt make the same mistake again since they were playing at home. ENBW Ludwigsburg made no wrong turns and simply had to turn right at the Burger King and then left to reach the Osthalle and later left the Giessen Osthalle with a huge win defeating the Giessen 46ers 78 to 71. It was the first time the two teams had played each other this season and the 300 Ludwigsburg fans that had come to the game had made a clear signal not letting the Giessen fans forget the blunder that happened months ago with a comical sign. 'As a precaution we travelled with seven buses and we all arrived on time'. The 300 Ludwigsburg fans witnessed a very exciting and aggressive game as their team were a bit more clever in the crunch time. 'It was important to win in this fashion. We had three or four leads by ten or more points, but Giessen was able to fight back, but we never panicked. We always found an answer and made our free throws down the stretch', stated Ludwigsburg coach Rick Stafford . Just like two weeks ago against Ratiopharm Ulm at home, Giessen was not able to gain the momentum in the last minutes and get a needed win at home. 'We made some crucial mistakes and didnt get stops. They controlled us at the end and capitalized on our mistakes', said Giessen guard Michael Umeh (188-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports, college: UNLV).

The game also brought back an old friend to the region with Ludwigsburg assistant coach Tyron McCoy , who played for Giessen and Lich from 1998 to 2000. It seemed like he had more effort shaking hands and saying hi to old friends then he had helping coach Stafford run the team, but he took it all in stride, flashed his big smile and made everyone happy just being there. 'It is always a pleasure to come back to Giessen. I always wish them well, since I had my start in Germany here', stated American Tyron McCoy . Besides the normal game stress, American Brandon Woudstra (191-G-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Northwestern (IA)) also had his parents, wife and little daughter cheering him on and he didnt disappoint anyone finishing with 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Any players biggest fan is always his dad and he was thrilled with the performance of his son. 'It was fun being able to see him play. It was great seeing the guys work together. The team played together and Dane Watts (203-F-86, agency: Pro One Sports) made big shots near the end. There was a time where it looked difficult for the team to win, but I was very happy that Brandon made his free throws', commented Earl Woudstra.

German Heiko Schaffartzik (182-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports) received the biggest applause as he was introduced, which was fuelled by the support of the 300 Ludwigsburg fans where he played last season. Both teams came out of the starting gates shooting very well as Michael Umeh showed early on that his three pointer motor was running well giving Giessen the first lead 5-4. Ludwigsburg then unravelled a nifty alley-op as American Frank Robinson (193-G-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Cal.St. Fullerton) made a perfect pass to German Marco Sanders (202-F-79, agency: Elfus-Siegel Management (ESM), college: Point Park) tieing the game 6-6. Giessen then cruised on a 5-0 run as Germans Gerrit Terdenge (205-F-75, college: Fresno St.) nailed a three pointer and Johannes Lischka (203-F/C-87, agency: Court Side) found an opening in the Ludwigsburg defense and layed it in. Giessen led 11-6, but then as if a little hurricane had found its way into the tiny Osthalle, Ludwigsburg gave the sport Basketball the famous name, Basketball is a game of runs going on a 14-0 run and retaking the lead 20-11. This run resulted after a Stafford timeout. Even though Ludwigsburg didnt use the typical big man inside play in this phase, all baskets except the Woudstra three pointer were made in the paint as Giessen was sloppy on defense. American Domonic Jones (186-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Va Commonwealth) scored twice as did athletic American Frank Robinson. Michael Umeh stopped the run with a penetration and lay in, but most of the damage had been made in this run as ENBW Ludwigsburg led 23-15 after one quarter. 'We had a good stretch after the time out. We were able to take the lead and finish the quarter with a comfortable lead,' stated Ludwigsburg guard Brandon Woudstra.

ENBW Ludwigsburg were not able to hold the momentum of the first quarter as The Giessen 46ers returned taking a 9-0 run and retaking the lead 24-23. German Johannes Lischka made two hoops and Brandon Worthy (188-G-84, college: Loyola Marymount) scored in the zone. One of the biggest problems for Ludwigsburg was letting Giessen come back time in and time out, which is a weakness they will have to turn off in the next weeks, if they want to be a playoff team. 'There were times that we lost focus, but Giessen understood when they really had to execute. Schaffartzik and Umeh made big shots. Basketball always has runs for both teams', added Ludwigsburg assistant coach Tyron McCoy . In the next few minutes, there would be three lead changes. In the battle of the snails, it was American Kelvin Gibbs (201-F-78, agency: Passing Lane, college: Pepperdine), who spun around Robert Maras (216-C-78, agency: Court Side) and Gibbs could have been half way to Lich before Maras even knew who had passed him. Ludwigsburg led 25-24, but Lischka stayed active in the paint scoring two points, but Ludwigsburg got the lead back at 28-26 as big guy Gibbs nailed a three pointer off a beautiful feed from Woudstra. Even though Ludwigsburg was hardly getting any points from their big men inside, it was the guards like Robinson supplying the production in the paint. American rookie Dane Watts nailed a three pointer off the pick and role pass from Woudstra. Ludwigsburg led 35-29.

A big problem of Giessen was not being able to establish their inside game as German Robert Maras was on the court, but not getting the ball in the paint. 'We tried to get the ball inside, but had problems. We should of simply done a better job establishing the post', said Giessen guard Michael Umeh. Ludwigsburg kept the momentum and the bench stepped up as long time injured American De Angelo Alexander came in a sunk a three pointer. Tomas Nagys (208-F-80, agency: Edge Sports, college: Clemson) who had been quiet finished the second quarter tipping in a Brian Jones (191-G-78, agency: Rasmussen Services, college: Santa Clara) miss. ENBW Ludwigsburg led 41-35 after 20 minutes.' We played well and maintained the lead. This gave us confidence and we were able to keep the lead. If they had retaken the lead then I think that the place would of erupted', expressed Ludwigsburg American Brandon Woudstra. ENBW Ludwigsburg were shooting an astronomical 52% from the field and 50% from three point land. The Giessen 46ers were still searching for their shot as they were shooting 38% from the field and only 25% from three point land. Giessen was playing catch up in the rebound department trailing 16-11 and only had one assist at halftime. The turnovers were pretty even.

American Kelvin Gibbs may look like a stronger version of Jeff Gibbs (188-F-80, college: Otterbein), have the same name, and be able to suit up for a football team anytime, but his ability to knock down the three pointer is another fortitude that you normally wouldnt expect, but he hit two three pointers in the game. Giessen did a pretty good job keeping Nagys and Gibbs in check inside. 'We tried to get the ball inside more, but Giessen did a good job with their perimeter defense. It was not easy running our plays with their three quick guards', stated Ex Skyliner Tyron McCoy . Ludwigsburg led 44-35, but Giessen with absolute little big man play had to rely on their small ball skills and Ludwigsburg wasnt able to make any permanent resistance on defense. Giessen fought back going on a 11-0 run and retaking the lead 46-44. Terdenge scored from the baseline and Lischka hit an open three pointer and Giessen trailed only 44-40. If there is one player that is all business, then it is German Heiko Schaffartzik, who is becoming more and more a big play player not only making the near impossible three pointers as if he was blindfolded playing pin the tail on the donkey for a kids birthday, but also making big hoops on the penetration.

He brought Giessen closer back to 44-42 as he went in the zone and shot the ball very high of the glass. This was followed by a masterpiece by Michael Umeh, who dribbled around his back to his left got open and nailed a shot with one second left on the shot clock and tied the game at 44. Lischka gave Giessen the long awaited lead back to 46-44 as he again scored in the zone taking the Ludwigsburg defense apart. Ludwigsburg coach Rick Stafford must have been fuming inside and thinking if Basketball had been this tough in Bamberg? For the next few ball possessions, it was Ludwigsburg guard Domonic Jones who made two runners tieing the score. Ludwigsburg closed out the third quarter with a Woudstra lay in and the lead 53-49. 'We made too many turnovers and our intentional fouls hurt us. They capitalized on their extra possessions', added Brandon Woudstra.

With ENBW Ludwigsburg having the slight lead, it was time for Giessen to make a run, but they couldnt as Ludwigsburg stayed very strong on offense. Dane Watts made a two handed dunk off a Nagys miss as he was hanging out under the Giessen basket picking cherries as he got little competition on the boards. Giessen doesnt have Superman, but Mr big shot Heiko Schaffartzik who continued to show why German National coach Dirk Bauermann will not be able to abstain from getting him for the Euro 2009 as he made big jumper after big jumper. He nailed one with Woudstra in his face and bringing Giessen back to 58-54. Brandon Woudstra responded with a jumper, but it was Schaffartzik again who nailed a top of the key three pointer cutting the Ludwigsburg lead to 60-57. He was so hot from outside that the only thing that could of really cooled him down was if he would have been forced to keep shooting with handcuffs on, but then again even then he could probably make some shots.

Both teams were looking to take the momentum and out of no where it was big American talent and BBL rookie Dane Watts who scored seven unanswered points and gave Ludwigsburg the 67-57 lead. 'I got some open shots and our guards did a good job getting their defense to go to them which left me open', stated American Dane Watts. Watts seems to come from the bench and do his job, but will his continuing good play earn him with a starting job? 'Watts played excellent making shots, getting rebounds and playing good defense. He has a good focus. We like him coming from the bench. Our starting five changes about as much as does that from Murat Didin', (agency: Interperformances ) joked American Tyron McCoy . Watts seems to be comfortable coming from the bench. 'Every one wants to start, but I feel that the best is for me to come from the bench. If it is helping us win, then I will continue to come from the bench, because the most improtant thing is that we win', stressed American Dane Watts. 'Dane is capable of hitting from inside and out. He is developing very well in his first year in Germany', said Iowa native Brandon Woudstra.

Giessen was not finished yet as they went on a 6-0 run to cut The Ludwigsburg lead to 68-63. After some free throws, it was Schaffartzik again who sunk a three pointer. After a Robinson coast to coast stroll, Giessen retaliated with a Worthy bucket and free throw. Ludwigsburg led 70-66, but had some unlucky calls that Giessen couldnt compensate from. American Ricky Hickman (190-G-83, college: NC-Greensboro) made an errand pass to Lischka that never arrived. Brandon Woudstra then made two free throws giving Ludwigsburg the 72-66 lead. Hickman then missed a shot in crunch time. Robinson followed with a two handed dunk on a fast break and Ludwigsburg led 75-67. However it was Schaffartzik again that got open and nailed another three pointer bringing Giessen back to 75-70. 'We kept our composure in the crunch time and stayed focused. We weathered the storm and need to continue to do this in the next seven games', warned Ludwigsburg assistant coach Tyron McCoy . However Time was running out and Robinson and Woudstra sealed the victory for Ludwigsburg with free throws in the last minute. It was a huge win for Ludwigsburg for the climb into the playoffs, while Giessen will continue to fight with the Cologne 99ers for the last spot in the BBL. 'We should of rebounded better and executed better down the stretch', explained Giessen guard Michael Umeh.

ENBW Ludwigsburg was led By Creighton graduate Dane Watts with 17 points and six rebounds. American Kelvin Gibbs added 14 points and six rebounds. Brandon Woudstra added 13 points and Domonic Jones 11 points. Giesen was led by Heiko Schaffartzik with 17 points. Michael Umeh added 16 points and Johannes Lischka chipped in with 15 points.

ENBW Ludwigsburg outshot the Giessen 46ers 53% to 40%. Giessen had very little to offer besides the two future German National players Schaffartzik and Lischka who kept Giessen in the game with their consistent shooting. ENBW Ludwigsburg out rebounded Giessen 32-22 and didnt really get to use their inside duo of Nagys/Gibbs to the fullest, but still had little problems dominating the boards. 'We didnt work hard enough to get inside. We didnt get the second chances and werent tough enough', stated Giessen center Jannik Freese (208-F/C-86, agency: Liman Sports) Giessen also had a surprising four assists in the game. 'Our defense was ok, but there was a lot we didnt do that we should of added on defense', said Janick Freese. This was a tough loss for The Giessen 46ers, but they are still alive and simply need to win some games. 'This loss hurt a lot, but we have to stay positive and keep working', stated Michael Umeh. ENBW Ludwigsburg continue to fight for the playoffs and hope that The Deutsche Bank Skyliners and Artland Dragons can help out their playoff cause with wins against Bamberg and Paderborn today. 'The playoffs are there for us. We have to take it one game at a time and prepare for each game like it was our last game', warned Ludwigsburg assistant coach Tyron McCoy . Both teams play next on April 1st as Giessen travel to Paderborn and Ludwigsburg clash at home against The Telekom Baskets Bonn.