The EPG Guardians Koblenz celebrated a narrow 87:84 away win against the ART Giants Düsseldorf in the 2nd Basketball Bundesliga ProA.
Düsseldorf/Koblenz | November 17, 2024 | A contribution from Red.
In a hard-fought game, the Koblenz team managed to achieve their fourth win of the season despite personnel losses and a changeable performance. With this success the Guardians climbed to 11th place in the table.
Exciting gameplay
The Koblenz team, who had to compete without head coach Marco van den Berg and Michael Bradley, showed fighting spirit from the start. Assistant coach Venelin Berov made his debut as head coach and was supported by youth coach Stephan Schanung. New signing Ben Stevens was not allowed to take part in the action due to a lack of clearance.
The first quarter ended 19:19, characterized by Koblenz ball losses and strong rebound work. Inaccuracies in the guests’ game continued in the second quarter, but the physical advantages under the baskets kept them in the game. It was 42-42 at halftime after the Giants tied it with a late three-pointer.
The game remained even in the second half. Düsseldorf had a narrow lead of 64:61 before the last quarter and was dreaming of its first win of the season. But in the final phase the Koblenz team showed their nerves.
Decisive final phase
The return of Ty Cockfield and Moses Pölking in the last five minutes as well as Düsseldorf reaching the team foul limit early were decisive in the game. Dominique Johnson took responsibility and converted important three-pointers. A final three-point throw from Düsseldorf’s Brandon Spearman caused tension again shortly before the end, but the Guardians confidently secured the victory.
Statistics and outlook
The top scorer of the game was Düsseldorf’s Isaiah Hart with 25 points, closely followed by Dominique Johnson, who scored 21 points for Koblenz. The Guardians will host the Nuremberg Falcons in their home CGM Arena next Wednesday. New signing Ben Stevens could also play for Koblenz for the first time in this game.
Question 1: Can you share your thoughts on the highlights and key moments from the game?
Question 2: What challenges did the team face without their head coach and key players, and how did they manage to overcome these obstacles?
Question 3: How important was the return of Ty Cockfield and Moses Pölking in the closing minutes of the game?
Question 4: As a new signing, how excited are you to join the team and contribute to their success in the upcoming games?
Question 5: What can we expect from the team’s performance in the remaining season, considering their current position in the table and the addition of new players like yourself?
Question 1: As two seasoned basketball players, could you give us your insights into the preparation and mindset of both teams before and during the game? What were the tactics used, and how did they change over time?
Question 2: Can you comment on the impact of the physical advantages of Düsseldorf under the baskets and Koblenz’s struggles with ball losses in the first half? How did the teams adjust in the second half to maintain good performances?
Question 3: As professionals, how do you handle the pressure and nerves during decisive moments like the final phase of the game? What was going through your mind when you took those crucial shots, especially Dominique Johnson with the team foul limit?
Question 4: How do you think the upcoming game against Nuremberg Falcons will unfold, considering their recent form and the fact that it’s a home game for Koblenz? And how will the addition of Ben Stevens to the team change the dynamics?
