Scoreboard

Crunch-Time-Player Pascal Roller, Top-Scorer Derrick Allen und Greg Jenkins

Deutsche Bank Skyliners beating TBB Trier in Crunchtime 71-69

(Monday, January 15th 2010 by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber)

Shovelling Snow daily in Alaska, Shaq flashing a big smile while winning at Playstation 3 game Army of two, or Minnesota Viking quarterback Bret Favre taking apart another defense is as common now as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners successful runs in crunch time as they pulled out another come from behind master piece win against TBB Trier 71-69 which would of left late Boston Celtic radio announcer Johnny Most wailing his famous, “Oh my this place is going crazy”remark. Frankfurt has won six of the last nine games in crunch time in a manner which would of left even the famous ex Chicago Bull Michael Jordan asking for a recipe for added success which he might be able to use in his business ventures. Even though the way Frankfurt wins is spectacular, it seems to leave some fans and all players with the idea that what is being achieved is like the most normal business in the world. “We were fortunate to win, but we aren´t used to anything different than winning games like this. Even as we were down with a few minutes to play, we had no fear of losing the game. We have had these situations so often before this season that we simply know how to win in these situations”stressed Skyliner forward Seth Doliboa. TBB Trier showed Skyliner qualities with their fight, but at the end had a bit more misfortune than Frankfurt. “This loss really hurt. We were so close. We played good basketball, but made some errors at the end. I always think that we can win in crunch time, but Frankfurt is very well balanced and showed again why they are so strong in crunch time”, stated TBB Trier forward Chris Copeland. It was the type of game where either team could of won, but after 40 minutes only one team can win. “Any team could of won. Pekovic had an open shot, but Doliboa fell in front of him so it was a difficult shot. Frankfurt fought and good defense won the game at the end. Robertson defended Raivio well at the end, Pascal Roller hit tough shots and made free throws which helped Frankfurt get the win”, expressed Giessen 46er center Jannik Freese,

Playing 24 hours before the BEKO BBL Allstar Game seemed to be like a good and well thought out omen for The Deutsche Bank Skyliners as last year, the team showed a spirited and aggressive defended game in Ludwigsburg winning 71-56 24 hours before the bEKO BBL Allstar game. This season, the TBB Trier game had been rescheduled from the first January weekend to the day before the BEKO BBL Allstar game and Frankfurt had good fortune. “I think playing on Friday will bring me good luck, because last season Keith Simmons won the slam dunk contest the day after and I want to do the same”, commented Skyliner guard Quantez Robertson. Grayson Moyer and Chris Copeland might be opponents, but actually agreed on the same thing. “Well with the luck that Frankfurt has playing a day before the BEKO BBL Allstar game, they should try to schedule games each season a day before the BEKO BBL Allstar game”, joked Moyer and Copeland. TBB Trier Serb Miladin Pekovic saw this as a new kind of luck. “Well last season Frankfurt won before The BEKO BBL Allstar game, but lost early in the playoffs to Oldenburg, but this season may have a new kind of luck in the playoffs”, laughed Miladin Pekovic.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners also withstood the TBB Trier secret luck charm physical therapist Aggi Mock who is the heart and soul of the club and might throw some opponents some trepidation just with his appearance, but was unable in detouring a Skyliner win. “Aggi was unable to scare Frankfurt. I was hoping he might look at Pascal Roller right before he shoots, but it didn´t hurt him. He didn´t give 100%, but at home he is unstoppable as he is always pushing us to play better and win”, warned Miladin Pekovic. “Aggi is our luck charm, but Frankfurt had more luck than we did”, said TBB Trier American Chris Copeland. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were aware that Aggi was lurking in the Ballsporthalle, but Didn´t even take a glimpse of him. “I liked seeing his mascot in Trier, but we weren´t afraid of his beard. The best thing was just not looking at him at their bench”, commented Grayson Moyer. Skyliner guard Quantez Robertson was aware of his beard, and found the right path to get around the hair. “We found our way through his jungle”, joked Quantez Robertson. “Aggi is a real character and he does a great job at home with his pre game dance. Too bad that he can´t do it at away games. He is a one in a lifetime guy”, added Derek Raivio.

Jamal Shuler and Quantez Robertson played a combined 43.41 on the court as Schuler finished with seven points and seven rebounds and Robertson had four points and two rebounds and the most curious fact was that neither was able to get in a practice dunk before their competition at the BEKO BBL Allstar dunk contest. There was a lot of talk after the game about the dunking contest. “ I have never seen Shuler dunk, but I bet that he can go between his legs”, joked Quantez Robertson. Schuler seems to have something interesting brewing for the dunking challenge. “Jamal Shuler has a lot of flair and I am going to be helping him with his dunking”, joked TBB Trier guard Derek Raivio. As for predictions, it is no different than when guys are going head to head in one on one games. Players and teammates root for the teammate. “Shuler will get big support from Raivio. I hope that he makes some big interesting dunks for the fans”, commented Miladin Pekovic. Skyliner Grayson Moyer flashed a big Tom Brady smile which would of gotten even the real Tom Brady over the whipping he got from the Baltimore Ravens recently very quickly as he stated who his favourite is. “I put all my money on Quantez Robertson”, said Grayson Moyer. For one neutral party, a possible candidate to challenge Robertson comes from another club. “I saw Robertson play twice against us and he had a nice dunk in Giessen. I also think that Sefton Barrett of Paderborn could win, but my feeling is with Robertson”, warned Jannik Freese.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had the advantage going into the game with the home court advantage, TBB Trier not having the services of Canadian James Gillingham and a desolate TBB Trier road record of 2-6. As is so often the case a few minutes before tip off, the arena looked only halfway full as fans were still getting food, but as soon as “Separate Ways” from Journey was blasting through the Ballsporthalle, fans seemed to scurry to their seats not wanting to miss anything as 4,920 were in attendance. Frankfurt was also playing their first game with Qarraan Calhoun who had moved on to play basketball in Amsterdam. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners got the better start leading 5-0 as Frankfurt was running and playing Harlem Globetrotter basketball as Aubrey Reese fascinated the fans with a behind the back pass to Mckinney for a hoop on the fast break. It seemed like Reese wanted to show that he deserved to be in the Allstar game with his flashy play. Frankfurt had their rhythm while TBB Trier was less alert on their offensive sets and missing to many shots. However TBB Trier quickly trampled over their early game jitters as George Evans, Chris Copeland and Brian Brown scored tying the score at 7-7. However despite the quick comeback, Skyliner coach Murat Didin kept his sport coat on not letting anything unease him. Both teams now traded baskets as big men Greg Jenkins unleashed a baby hook shot and ex Skyliner Maksym Shtein made a fierce running hook shot over Jenkins which is something he has mastered in Trier.

Frankfurt finished the first quarter strong going on a 7-2 run to lead 16-11 after ten minutes. Allen made a mid distance jumper and Reese finished with a three pointer and on the last possession did one of his patent relaxed strolls into the zone and finishing with a mid distance jumper. “Frankfurt started strong and finished strong as they played very good team basketball”, commented Giessen 46er German Jannik Freese. The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were shooting 54% from the field and 20% from three point land while TBB Trier was shooting 36% from the field and a big fat 0%(0/6) from the three point line. Frankfurt was clearly dominating the rebounding 11-5, but had five turnovers and TBB Trier only four turnovers.

Even though The Deutsche Bank Skyliners seemed like the team in total control, they were unable to get a giant lead letting TBB Trier hang around and let them get back into the game. TBB Trier started with a surprise effect by doing an ally-op from Raivio to Schuler. The only thing missing was a thunderous dunk, but he was a bit too far away as he just tipped it in. Frankfurt now had some difficulty gaining some ground as they missed free throws. After an Evans lay in cutting the Frankfurt lead to 20-17, Frankfurt retaliated with a Jimmy Mckinney three pointer to lead 23-17. Just when one thought that Frankfurt might be able to free its self from the TBB Trier pressure, the guest struck back with three pointers from Pekovic and 19 year German mini wunder kind Maik Zirbes. Frankfurt then went on a 7-0 run to lead 31-23 courtesy of a Zirbes technical foul. Allen scored inside and from the foul line as did Reese. Pekovic hit another big three pointer cutting the Frankfurt lead to 31-26. The former Oldenburg player has found a new home in Trier. “I like my role with TBB Trier. I can play position 3 or 4 and they believe 100% in me and I try to help the team get good results”, stressed Miladin Pekovic. Frankfurt finished the quarter strong with a 6-0 run as Robertson scored inside and made free throws and Allen made a lay up. Frankfurt played very aggressive defense in the last minutes as TBB Trier had massive problems on offense as they were taking difficult shots or just bad shot selections which resulted in a Raivio air ball. “TBB Trier stayed in the game with some Pekovic big shots, but they were unable to get Evans more in the game”, stressed Jannik Freese. After 20 minutes, The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were shooting 50% from the field and 25% from outside while TBB Trier was shooting 42% from the field and 30% from outside. TBB Trier had stepped it up under the boards as Frankfurt was outrebounded 9-3 in the second quarter. TBB Trier suffered seven turnovers in the second quarter having 12 while Frankfurt had only eight turnovers.

The third quarter belonged to TBB Trier as they silenced the ballsporthalle crowd quickly outscoring Frankfurt 27-11 and taking the lead for the first time. It seemed like a totally different Frankfurt team was on the floor. Maybe the heating in the Skyliner locker room had died which had cooled the team a bit, because TBB Trier was on fire. TBB Trier quickly surprised Frankfurt with two three pointers from Chris Copeland and Jamal Shuler. TBB Trier kept the pressure on as Evans scored inside and Raivio hit his first three pointer tying the score at 39-39. Raivio had been cold in the first half, but found his touch in the second half. “I had a slow start and let other guys go. I picked it up in the second half. Coach told me to be more aggressive, because usually good things happen”, said Derek Raivio.TBB Trier then took the lead 41-40 as Jamal Shuler went coast to coast and ended with a finger tip roll.

The guests continued their offensive explosion as Raivio hit another three pointer despite a Doliboa hand in his face, Pekovic three pointer and Brian Brown finishing with his left hand as he saw daylight and beat De Mello. Copeland made a lay up and Shtein two free throws as TBB Trier led 53-43 and Skyliner coach Murat Didin must have been having the most vicious talks with himself about the disastrous play of his team. Seth Doliboa had some pride as he finished the third quarter with his own 4-0 run with two free throws and a tip in off a Roller miss. However TBB Trier still led 53-47. There was a lack of concentration with the Frankfurt defense as too often they were too far away from TBB trier players allowing too many uncontested shots to occur. “Frankfurt seemed too sure of themselves. TBB Trier stepped it up a gear as Frankfurt couldn´t hold them back”, said Jannik Freese. “Coach didn´t really tell us anything different except to play as a team and be more aggressive in the third quarter”, commented Derek Raivio. After 30 minutes, TBB Trier was leading 53-47 and were shooting 49% from the field and 47% from the parking lot while The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were shooting 41% from the field and 23% from the parking lot. TBB Trier led the rebounding 22-19, but had 14 turnovers while Frankfurt had only 12.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had to make their move in the fourth quarter, but once again kept the game exciting as if there was a competition of just how dramatic the game would end. Frankfurt showed early that they were capable of coming back as usual Frankfurt captain Mr reliable Pascal Roller hit a big three pointer and little used German Fabian Franke got an offensive rebound and made a lay up as TBB Trier seemed paralyzed watching the Skyliner score with ease. Frankfurt trailed only 55-54. However TBB Trier wasn´t about to lay down and fall apart. They still had a lot of energy on offense as Pekovic made a lay up and Evans made an easy lay up as Jenkins was too late to cover TBB Trier was leading 59-54, but the Frankfurt comeback convertible was in fifth gear as Roller again hit a gigantic fade away three pointer from the corner as the 24 second shot clock was running down. Allen then tied the score with a lay in after getting a nice feed from Reese. The score was 59-59, but spark plug Raivio hit a huge three pointer despite being defended by Robertson very well and then made about as beautiful a lay up that one will ever see from a player his size as he penetrated and fell to his right giving TBB Trier the 64-59 lead. Little 180cm guard Pascal Roller must have been taking notes, because what Raivio could do so could he as he went into the zone with no fear of physical brutality as he finished with a hard earned lay up. Doliboa then blocked Raivio and finished with a three pointer cutting the TBB Trier lead to 64-63.

Now came the turning point of the game as Evans had two golden opportunites to score but couldn´t. In the last few minutes, both teams would trade leads five times. Roller hit an easy open three pointer giving Frankfurt the lead back after a long time 66-64. Pekovic then made a difficult three pointer as the shot clock was going down as TBB Trier led again 67-66. Both teams now were riding high on adrenaline and continuing to take hard shots as Allen made a turn around shot over Evans as Frankfurt led 68-67. Just when you thought that one team might miss, no team did as Raivio gave TBB Trier the lead back at 69-68. Frankfurt then had the ball and what better player to send to the line then Pascal Roller who got fouled and made both free throws for the 70-69 lead. Reese would add another free throw for the 71-69 lead. TBB Trier had one more chance but Pekovic missed a three pointer which was an air ball. “My last shot could have been a foul. Doliboa fell in front of me, but I still thought that I could make that shot. It is the type of shot I usually can make even when it’s a fade away jumper. But to win at the end is usually luck. We have to be bale to win the game way before the last ball. We gave 100% and with Gillingham fit, then I think that we could of won”, stressed Miladin Pekovic. “We wanted to get best shooting option at the end. Pekovic is a good shooter. It was a shame that it didn´t fall”, commented Chris Copeland.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were led by Derrick Allen with 17 points and four rebounds. Pascal Roller added 13 points. Aubrey Reese chipped in with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jimmy Mckinney scored ten points. TBB Trier was led by Derek Raivio with 15 points, three rebounds and four assists. “Raivio is tough to defend, because he can shoot from all over the court and can drive to the basket. You have to have a hand up at all times and let him go side ways, but not straight ahead”, added Quantez Robertson. Serb Miladin Pekovic chipped in with 14 points and three assists.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners remain at position four with a 13-7 record, while TBB Trier stay at position 14 with a 8-11. The game was decided by two points and in the stats, there was little difference either as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners shot 48% from the field and TBB Trier 46%. Frankfurt didn´t shoot as well from outside at 30% while TBB Trier was better at 43%. The rebounds were dead locked at 27 and TBB Trier had two turnovers more with 16. Frankfurt allowed no second chance points to TBB Trier which was positive. The close games are nice for the fans, but one wish Frankfurt has is to bore the fans just once in crunch time. “This game seemed similar to the Giessen win. Pascal Roller hit big free throws. Our experience showed again at the end, but for once I would like to have a blow out win”, stressed Grayson Moyer. For TBB Trier, the only thing that they can do is go back to the drawing board, “We played well as a team in stretches. We had a good third quarter, but Roller hit big shots and we broke down, but we can learn from this”, warned Derek Raivio. Miladin Pekovic is more than impressed with Frankfurt. “They have an excellent team. They have 12 good players and a 10 man rotation. They have a lot of experience and have Allen and Roller. That is the reason why they are a top 4 team”, warned Pekovic. No matter how well The Deutsche Bank Skyliners are in the standings, there is one concern that Seth Doliboa has noticed. “We just play well enough to win. When we are up, we tend to relax and when we are down, we raise our intensity. We have to find a way to put games away”, warned Seth Doliboa. Frankfurt can start by trying to do so in Tuebingen, but they are one of the hotter teams in the BEKO BBL having won their five last games and are very much stronger than their pathetic 98-66 loss in Frankfurt at the start of the season. The Walter Tigers Tuebingen host The Deutsche Bank Skyliners on January 31st at 17:00.