Today we played a home game against BG Magdeburg from Northern Germany. The first time we played them they beat us in overtime 90-93 at their place. However, the circumstances were a little different then because we had several player out with injury and we have added some new guys since then. Max (captain 13ppg) was out with injury, Jan Both (6'11 center) was out with injury, Tobias Schmidt (broken finger), Kevin (new American) wasn't signed yet, Nico (20U German national team) wasn't signed yet, Robert Dill (6'9 1st league player) wasn't signed yet, and we had to bring up a NBBL (18U youth league) player to fill a roster spot.
Today's game we had a full roster and the "swagger" of winning the last 3 out of 4 games. We started the game trying to play fast and up tempo but Magdeburg was well prepared for out fast break offense at the beginning. The first quarter was poorly played by both teams, with both teams missing easy layups and easy shots. The first quarter reminded me of a boxing fight with both teams trying to feel the other team out and trying to see how each other played. The first quarter ended with Magdeburg leading 16-14. The second quarter continued the same way the first did with both teams struggling to get into a rhythm and a groove. I picked up my second foul with 9:23 remaining in the second and I had to sit the rest of the quarter to be safe I didn't get a 3rd foul. During the second we struggle to get into an offense and we played a lot of one-on-one, which hurts us because we begin to be more selfish than think about the team. By halftime we were down 11points 37-26 and we had played awful and not as a team. I had 4points at the half.
The third quarter I decided I was going to be a lot more aggressive offensively than I had been in the first half. I decided to try and put the team on my back and maybe that will get US going for the second half. I hit a couple jumpers and free throws and began to warm up shooting wise. By the end of the third quarter we had taken the lead 48-54, which is a 17point swing in our favor. I scored 14points int he 3rd quarter.
The fourth quarter had them looking tired and we began to get our "swagger" and confidence back. We controlled the whole fourth quarter defensively and offensively. We scored almost every time down the court and we held them to one shot on defense. We began to play as a team on offense and defense with every one sacrificing for the betterment of the team. We all wanted to win and we could taste it.
We won the game 65-78 which makes 4 out of the last 5 games we've won. We are playing very well as a team and we are enjoying ourselves. I finished the game with 25pts, 5ast, 2rbs, 2TO while shooting 7-13 from the field and 8-8 from the FT line to lead us. Max scored 13points and Kevin and Robert both had double figure rebounds (Kevin 12, Robert 10). We held their 2 Americans to a combined 23points.
Our next game is away against Rostock, which is a nice 6.5hr drive.
Tomorrow my 16u team plays in the playoffs against one of the best teams in Germany.
Thanks to Jens Scholz for the pictures again.
Please keep me and my family in your prayers.
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