The BG Göttingen won the test match against ProA league club Uni Baskets Paderborn with 98:63. The most important thing on this Saturday, however, was the return of the spectators – and the atmosphere in the S-Arena. The volume in the hall – just like the BG game – could still be improved. Nevertheless, there were standing ovations for minutes after the final whistle.
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The debut was exactly what the 913 fans in the hall had wanted so much after such a long time: James Dickey completed his own steal with a reverse dunk, and shortly afterwards he added 4-0. But then the violets subsided and Paderborn came into play. Jake Toolson’s threesome was to be the last point win for some time. Instead of a 7: 3 lead it was suddenly 7: 9, at the end of the quarter it was 16:16. Noticeable: The very, very weak degrees of the BG near the basket.
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One steal chased the next, the BG expanded the lead with a 16-0 run to 56:30 – within three and a half minutes. And that although the litter rate was still well below 40 percent. The BG had to blame itself for the fact that the guests came back into the game. The one head shorter Peter Hemschemeier from Paderborn duped the 2.18-meter giant Philipp Hartwich several times, also because there was no help in defense. In this phase the defense of the violets was too lax, the passes too imprecise, and the pressure on the opponents too little. But if there was one thing you couldn’t deny about the home side on that day, it was commitment. Roberson & Co. did not lose a ball, more than once the players dived after the orange ball in Boris Becker style. With a befitting 28-point lead, the BG went into the final section (70:42).
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BG Göttingen – Uni Baskets Paderborn, test match 08/28/21
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Almost as always: the lights went out and the players came in.
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These were also evident in the second part of the game, but the BG secured the offensive rebounds and found the free man better and better. However, the Göttingen team acted in the defense from time to time and gave the guests too much freedom, which Paderborn rarely converted into points. Jeff Roberson provided highlights with an underhand lay-up to 22:16 and Stephen Brown, who initially increased with a three, but put the next throw from distance after a spectacular presentation by Roberson on the ring.
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With both teams in this phase almost nothing came together offensively, with the violets there was also bad luck: the ball danced several times on the ring so as not to fall through the trap. When the ball losses increased at the BG, coach Roel Moors took the time out (16.). Haris Hujic woke his teammates and the audience from their deep sleep with a threesome with the clock running out – and because it was so nice, Hujic immediately added a threesome – 35:23. Half time: 40:30.
In quarter number three, James Dickey had big plans: He scored the first seven points for the BG and eagerly collected rebounds under both baskets. Since the BG was now also more present in defense, it moved away. Toolson’s threesome forced Paderborn coach Steven Esterkamp to take a break, but the violets had now woken up completely.
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There Harper Kamp shook up the violets again with a threesome, and Kamar Baldwin also demonstrated his skills from a distance. Both teams now had huge gaps in defense. In the end, the BG won with 98:63 without any major problems, but still has a lot of room for improvement. Athletics, playfulness, fighting spirit – it’s all there. And the team also has quick hands: the statistics show 18 steals. Only the throwing sights still need to be fine-tuned. BG coach Roel Moors praised the fact that his team played with a lot of energy and will in defense, especially in the second half. And: “For the players, the return of the audience is incredible,” said Moors. “They missed that.” – Points BG: Toolson (17), Roberson (13), Boakye (DNP), Vargas (8), Hujic (12), Hartwich (6), Mönninghoff (3), Kamp (8) , Dickey (13), Brown (7), Giotis (2), Baldwin (9).
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Comment: The fun is back
The first goosebumps are there even before kick-off, when the lights go dark and the not quite 1000 spectators clap, whistle and cheer. After an 18-month break, no, rather abstinence, the people of Göttingen are allowed to see, hear and feel live basketball again. It’s a bit like the first big concert at 13 that you can go to without mom and dad. After such a long time it is a real experience again. It is wonderful.
All of this is only possible through a sophisticated hygiene concept, coupled with low incidence values. In the hall there is also a mask requirement for the seats, the walking routes are specified, access only for vaccinated, tested and convalescent – these measures are correct and important to keep the risk of infection as low as possible. And the concept works: Despite the long queue in front of the S-Arena, there is no crowd, just happy faces. And admission is faster than expected despite ID and vaccination checks.
As nice as it feels to be right in the middle of it instead of just in front of the TV, a certain amount of uncertainty can be felt in everyone, because the corona pandemic is still far too present to be able to really let go. So the volume level is far from the games before the pandemic, but at least: Dunks are cheered, there is drums – and when the referees whistle a foul instead of a steal, a loud “Ohhhh” whispers through the hall. As a result, the teams are bid farewell with standing ovations that last for minutes. It feels right to play in front of an audience again. The fun of being there is back.
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