Benka Barloschka: “The way we stayed in the game after the difficult start was, for me, a sure basis for victory. We still had the last game in our heads and were a little disappointed. And Ludwigsburg was also there and very aggressive. But then fighting back again, fighting against all odds, that’s what won us today.”
Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann: “I heard MVP sing to myself for the first time in my career. I really appreciate it. I think it can be looked at with a bit of a smile. But also thanks for throwing myself into the game. I’m really happy that this was recognized by the fans. We fell in the last games, but we were able to compensate for that a little with the victory against Ludwigsburg. We have a clear goal and this was very important for that.”
There could hardly be better advertising for Hamburg as a sports city this Saturday afternoon. There was first class fun on the program in both the Volkspark and the Inselpark. While the football players played against the league leaders Kiel in the afternoon to increase their chances, the duel between Veolia Towers and MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg in the field in the heart of Wilhelmsburg was also about important points for the table. And so the speed of victory for both sides was evident right from the start of the game. In front of the eyes of the Interior and Sports Senator Andy Grote and 3,025 fans, the Swabian guests left first. Three early field goals helped Josh King’s team score 12 points. However, the Hamburg team fought back with alert defense – and were able to quickly reduce the deficit back to single digits. Thanks to five points from Aljami Durham, including Hamburg’s first three-pointer of the game, the score was reduced to 17:22 at the end of the first quarter.
Don’t stop Christmas
After a solid offensive rebound from Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann against former Towers Eddy Edigin, VJ King finished the 7-0 run over the quarter. However, the Veolia Towers were unable to get closer than three points at first. Ludwigsburg’s strong defense forced Hamburg to lose the ball twice in a row. However, Benka Barloschky’s team were not away from the increasing pressure. The Hanseatic people moved again to where it hurts. With success: After a confident drive, Brae Ivey found his teammate Will Christmas on the three-point line – and with strong nerves he converted to equalize. The forward then gave Towers their first lead of the evening by converting first under pressure at the basket and then again from downtown. Two and a half minutes before the break, Christmas and Aljami Durham had already added ten points to their personal accounts. But while Energizer Durham had to watch the end of the first half with three personal fouls from the bench, Will Christmas was unstoppable – and he maintained the 48:46 halftime lead with seven more points.
Photos: Dennis Fischer
After the break, Veolia Towers continued to rely on their defense. Ludwigsburg only scored five points in five minutes. The Hamburg team also had a very difficult time getting more points against the defensive bulwark of Ludwigsburg. But the seven points, three of which were scored by Aljami Durham at the free throw line, were enough to increase the lead a bit. However, when the advantage was four points, it was over. Ludwigsburg went ahead again briefly, Aljami Durham received his fourth caution and had to go back to the bench, frustrated. But even without their impetus, the Hanseatic League picked up momentum again. Right in the middle of the action: Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann again and again. The Towers captain made tough work under the baskets against ambitious NBA prospect Ariel Hukporti – but he was always a finger in front of his 12-year-old counterpart when it came to rebounding . By the end of the third quarter, the veteran had collected all eleven of his rebounds. And so he gave his team the foundation for the 65:59 lead before the final period.
MVP, MVP, MVP for WoBo mass play
The Hamburg side had already dealt well with their fearsome opponents – losing the first nine games since promotion in 2019. However, the Veolia Towers had no time to breathe. Even better was Nico Brauner with a long goal of his own on RIESEN’s seventh three-pointer, Desure Buie’s top scorer. And so he provided a spark that further fueled the defense. Will Christmas and Brae Ivey converted two strong defensive lines into extra points. For the first time, Hamburg had a double-digit lead. Ivey, who is now the second leading scorer, was able to get a three-pointer in the basket, but at the start of crunch time the GIANTS were back up to four points. Benka Barloschky took two timeouts within 40 seconds when he hit the right note. Just like the Hamburg fans, who honored WoBo with an MVP chant in the last minute. Because the captain not only confirmed the 89:84 with his great defensive plays, but also made the Inselpark Arena and the sports city shake at the final of Uffta.
Statistics: Brauner (3), Möller, Meisner (2, 3 Asst.), Ivey (15, 6 Reb., 6 Ast., 4 St.), Dziewa (1), Nollaig (28, 4 Reb., 3 Ast.) , Hinrichs (4, 3 Reb.), King (14, 3 Reb.), Wohlfarth-Bottermann (9, 11 Reb.), Durham (13)
2024-04-21 01:51:17
#Great #earthquake #play #fearsome #opponent #Veolia #Tower #Hamburg
