Ulm Opens Preseason with Win!
Six of eight ratiopharm Ulm players reached double figures led by forward Konrad Wysocki's 19 point effort in the teams 97-59 preseason opening win over 2.Bundesliga South team Kirchheim Knights Tuesday night in Kirchheim. Both teams played without key components of their rotation --- Ulm without Captain Emeka Erege and point guards Austen Rowland and Martin Thuesen while Kirchheim missed shooting guard Kai-Uwe Kranz and big man Jufan Geiger. Despite the shorthanded lineups, both squads were able to come away with positive feedback toward improvement for the remainder of the preseason.
Guard Jonathan Levy finishes this fast break in ratiopharm Ulm's 97-59 preseason win over Kirchheim Tuesday night. Jono was solid with 16 points 8 assists.
Tuesday August 29th, 2006
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ratiopharm Ulm put 6 of 8 players in double figures in their 97-59 preseason opening win over the Kirchheim Knights Tuesday night in Kirchheim. Starting at the small forward spot in place of Captain Emeka Erege, Konrad Wysocki continued his outstanding preseason with a team best 19 point 4 rebound performace. Power forward Jeff Gibbs entertained the crowd with 4 dunks as part of his solid 17 point night and Bryan Lucas added 16 points 9 boards in his Ulm debut shooting a perfect 7 for 7 from the floor and 2 for 2 from the foul line. Ulm guard Jonathan Levy added 16 points 8 assists while Maksym Shtein added 12 and Jan Sprunken scored 11 in the win.
Konrad Wysocki continued his excellent preseason pacing Ulm scoring with 19 points.
Ulm players stepped up at different times throughout the game. Bryan Lucas started strong with back to back buckets and two early free throws helping his team to a fast start. Jan Sprunken made his mark early with a driving bank shot followed by a smooth baseline jumper. Ulm ran out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
Kirchheim remained competitive and demonstrated good potential as Kosta Karamatskos penetrated well while Knight post men played physical in the paint. A strong second quarter from Maksym Shtein sparked the guests to a 51-32 halftime advantage. Shtein drilled two three pointers and rebounded well to drive Ulm to a 20 point advantage. Ulm maintained the cushion through much of the middle two quarters, but the production for each team was similar --- Ulm won the second 22-18 and third 16-15.
New Ulm big man Bryan Lucas was a perfect 7-7 from the floor for 16 points and grabbed 9 boards.
Entering the final frame up 67-49, Ulm finished the game strong outscoring Kirchheim 30-12 in the 4th. Jeff Gibbs provided 4 highlight dunks and Jonathan Levy slashed to the rim effectively in transition. Konrad Wysocki drilled 2 three point shots (one from each wing) and added a soaring two hand slam. Every Ulm player cracked the scoring column in the game.
The absence of Erege and Rowland allowed point guard Christian Grosse and Wysocki excellent minutes and both were effective for the team. Aside from Wysocki's Taylorhoops.com Player of the Game performance, Grosse organized the attack well and distributed the ball in his 5 point 6 assist night. Overall, Ulm showed strong teamwork and intelligence in the game but must shore up some fundamental areas on the practice floor as the team moves forward in their preseason preperations. Next opportunity to improve will be Saturday night in Nordlingen.
Jeff Gibbs powered his way to 17 points including a strong 2nd half. Here Gibbs works against former Ulm teammate Antonis Sivorotka!
Kirchheim Knights: Askraba (4), Goehrke (5), Jorgusen (8/1), Karamatskos (19/2), Klemm (11/1), Lenger (8/1), Sivorotka (4).
ratiopharm Ulm: Lucas (16), Levy (16), Grosse (5/1), Gibbs (17), Wysocki (19/3), Möbius (1), Shtein (12/2), Sprünken (11/1).
(points/3pt makes)
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GO ULM!
MIKE T
