TAYLORHOOPS.COM ULM UPDATE
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BACK TO BUSINESS!
ULM HOSTS PHOENIX HAGEN SATURDAY!
ratiopharm Ulm vs Phoenix Hagen
Saturday January 30th, 2010 7pm
Sportszentrum Kuhberg Ulm, Germany
ratiopharm Ulm returns to Bundesliga basketball action Saturday night when they host Phoenix Hagen in an important game for both teams. Excitement surrounds ratiopharm Ulm on and off the floor. On the floor, Ulm is focused to avenge their disappointing early season road loss in Hagen as both teams look to take a step forward toward the 'Klassenerhalt' securely esablishing themselves in the league --- Ulm enters Saturdays game with seven wins on the season while Hagen brings six victories to Sportszentrum Kuhberg. No one will be more motivated than ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther who faces his hometown team for the second time in his career. Off the floor, Radio7 is generating tremendous energy and support with their 'Pep Band' promotion. All Ulm fans bringing a musical instrument to Sportszentrum Kuhberg will receive free admission to the game. For ratiopharm Ulm, Saturday's important home game against Hagen is the perfect way to get back to business!
Fresh from his first Bundesliga All Star game appearance, ratiopharm Ulm Per Gunther is focused for Saturday's game against his hometown team Phoenix Hagen.
click here for Sudwest Presse interview
Earlier this season, ratiopharm Ulm gave away a lead down the stretch in a heartbreaking road loss at Hagen Sunday night October 18th, 2009. ratiopharm Ulm controlled the action leading for most of the game, but six missed free throws in the final two minutes and a fouled three point shooter gave Phoenix Hagen their chance --- and a cool Chase Griffin capitalized. Despite six missed free throws down the stretch, ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice sank two clutch foul shots putting Ulm in a position to win. Leading 75-73 with 4 seconds to play, Ulm needed one defensive stop to even their record at 2-2 on the young Beko Bundesliga season. But a crafty Griffin, drew a foul while shooting a three from the top of the key and proceeded to sink three straight free throws lifting Hagen to the thrilling come-from-behind win.
click here for complete Ulm @ Hagen 10-18-09 Summary!
click here for Box score
Click here for Ulm @ Hagen Photo Gallery!
Click here for Ulm @ Hagen DerWesten Photo Gallery!
ratiopharm Ulm's Rocky Trice is among the most exciting players in the Bundesliga!
Hagen's 2009-2010 roster includes several key players from last seasons successful Pro A team including crafty veteran big man Bernd Kruell, scoring guard Chase Griffin, versatile forward Aaron Fleetwood, skilled guard Quentin Pryor and three point shooting post man Matthias Grothe. After enjoying a tremendous season in the Bonn frontcourt two years ago, hometown hero Bernd Kruell returned to Hagen providing the young Pro A team with tremendous leadership. Kruell keyed last seasons successful 'Aufstieg' and now looks to lead Hagens return into the Beko Bundesliga. While, Bernd Kruell is the key in the paint, Hagen has several important players on the perimeter. A talented scorer known for his exciting coast to coast transition finishes, Chase Griffin has been a productive offensive player for Hagen and has opened the season with good games. Griffin cooly sank three clutch free throws to help Hagen beat ratiopharm Ulm back in October and Ulm is well aware of the talented guards scoring ability. Veteran three point threat Matthias Grothe is a fan favorite in Hagen and can ignite in a second for an explosive string of threes. Quentin Pryor adds a talented player to the rotation and defensive-stopper Aaron Fleetwood has been a key part of Hagen success within his versatile and athletic role. This season, Hagen has added key players to make an impact in their return to the Bundesliga including former Providence forward Jonathan Kale. Added mid way through preseason, Kale has been a productive frontcourt player scoring inside and rebounding on both ends. Also added midway through the regular season, two key pickups have helped Hagen's push to stay in the Bundesliga. Veteran point guard Michael Jordan and hardworking rookie post man John Turek have been a big boost for the Phoenix. After playing previously in the Bundesliga with Artland, Koln and Bamberg, Jordan has returned to help Hagen with his leadership and playmaking. While Jordan has been an impact player on the perimeter, Turek has been a physical inside presence on both ends and brought even more energy to the Hagen attack.
ratiopharm Ulm power forward Christian Burns finishing at the rim.
This season, Hagen opened with a road win over Giessen. After the early season home win over ratiopharm Ulm, the Phoenix evened their record at 2-2. Reinforcing their team with big man John Turek and veteran point guard Michael Jordan, Hagen put it together. Since that time, Hagen made a run at mid-season with a three game home win streak topping Trier 79-77 December 19th, beating Braunschweig 95-85 December 26th and sweeping Giessen 68-65 on a buzzer beater by Michael Jordan. But Hagen enters Sportszentrum Kuhberg on a three game losing streak and have not won on the road since their season opener.
ratiopharm Ulm post man Coleman Collins takes aim on a jumper.
Meanwhile, ratiopharm Ulm returns to action for the first time since their January 9th home win over MBC. During the 21 day span, Ulm made a team-building trip to China for two exhibition games and saw young German talents Robin Benzing and Per Gunther represent ratiopharm Ulm well at the Bundesliga All Star game in Bonn. Along with the exciting events for the team, Ulm also added five man Kevin Martin to the roster after his team in Hungary ran into financial problems and was unable to fulfill his contract. Arriving in Ulm after the team returned from their trip to Chengdu China, Kevin joined Ulm for practice over the last two weeks and will be ready for his first game action Saturday night against Phoenix Hagen at Sportszentrum Kuhberg.
ratiopharm Ulm captain Lee Humphrey
Generating energy and enthusiasm for the game, ratiopharm Ulm and Radio7 are teaming up to rally support for Saturdays home game against Phoenix Hagen. Forming the first 'ULMER PEP BAND', all fans bringing musical instruments to Sportszentrum Kuhberg for Saturday's home game receive free admission and are encouraged to be loud and rowdy supporting the Ulm team.
click here for Ulmer Pep Band!
click here for photo gallery from Radio7 Morning Show!
click here for link to video of Radio7 Morning Show!
click here for Regio TV report!
No one is more excited for Saturdays game than ratiopharm Ulm point guard Per Gunther. Growing up in a basketball family, Per learned the game from his father, a former player for Giessen and Hagen. His mother was also a professional basketball player in the German league. It is safe to say that Per comes from a basketball family in Hagen Germany. Over the course of his development, Per played with pride for his hometown Hagen and made a name for himself throughout the youth programs. Playing for Hagen in the NBBL and 2.Bundesliga South, Per entered the German National team program and played in the Bundesliga Rookie All Star Game in Koeln. In 2006-2007 with Hagen, Per produced 8.1ppg 1.3reb and 2.2ast shooting 33% from three and 80% from the foul line for the Phoenix in the 2.Bundesliga North. In 2007-2008, Per averaged 14.5ppg 1.9reb and 2.4ast while shooting 35% from three and 80% from the foul line for the Phoenix in the 2.Bundesliga North. Moving to Ulm last season, Per earned Bundesliga Rookie of the Year honors with an outstanding first season in the German first division as he scored 4.7ppg with 1.6ast and 74% free throw shooting. This year, Per was voted as a starter on the South team at the Bundesliga All Star Game in Bonn. Without question a special game for Per every time he faces his hometown team, Saturday's home game against Hagen at Sportszentrum Kuhberg is a chance for Per and his Ulm teammates to take paybacks after the early season disappointment in Hagen.
ratiopharm Ulm's Per Gunther splits the defense in his Sunday night October 18, 2009 'Homecoming Game' in Hagen.
With the anticipation surrounding ratiopharm Ulm's return to Bundesliga action, the addition of a new five man, the team's first game since the China trip, the enthusiasm of the Radio7 pep bad promotion, the story line of Per Gunther facing his former team and the importance of a result for both teams, Saturday night should be the next exciting night on Ulm's schedule. ratiopharm Ulm takes the floor for the important game with confidence and energy as they are focused for paybacks from earlier in the season.
ratiopharm Ulm point guard Austen Rowland
Saturday night ratiopharm Ulm is focused as they get back to business. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm Bundesliga Basketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com!
GO ULM!
MIKE T
TAYLORHOOPS.COM GAME NOTES
Ulm Roster
Lee Humphrey: sharpshooter ready for Hagen's zone defense
Rocky Trice: Ulm guard ready for excellent second half of season
Coleman Collins: post man enjoyed excellent game in Hagen
Christian Burns: power forward prepared for challenge v Phoenix
Robin Benzing: rookie All Star focused for strong second half
Per Gunther: All star PG prepared to meet his hometown team
Sebastian Betz: hardworking wing focused for important game
John Bryant: hardworking post overcoming ankle injury this week
Christian Grosse: Ulm guard under the weather this week
Kevin Martin: five man on tryout contract with Ulm
Head Coach: Mike Taylor
Asst Coach : Rainer Bauer, Tunde Adekola
Location: Hagen, Germany
Main Sponsor:
Home Court: INJOY-halle
website: www.phoenix-hagen.de
2009-2010:
PLAYOFFS:
Offense: Hagen has been a terrific transition team featuring the exciting coast to coast scoring drives of combo guard Chase Griffin. A key addition has been veteran PG Michael Jordan who is excellent in ballscreens and sets the table for his team with terrific playmaking. Talented scoring wing has been in top form over the last month adding an explosive dimension on the perimeter. With a versatile backcourt, Griffin, Jordan and Pryor all can handle primary ballhandling duties while others focus on scoring. In the post veteran center Bernd Kruell establishes the inside with crafty post moves and passing while rookie forward Jonathan Kale brings energy and tremendous effort on the offensive boards along with low post scoring. Physical John Turek has been a big boost to the Hagen frontcourt since joining the team midseason.
Defense: Hagen plays an aggressive physical man to man defense while using a 2-3 zone effectively. The physical front court has good size and big men Kruell, Turek and Kale give the team a good presence in the paint.
GM: Oliver Herkelmann
Head Coach: Ingo Freyer
Players:
Chase Griffin: skilled scoring guard always in attack mode
Bernd Kruell: veteran post man returns home to Hagen
Jonathan Kale: talented rookie F from Providence
John Turek: physical inside presence has been big boost for frontcourt
Michael Jordan: veteran PG has been excellent for Hagen.
Quentin Pryor: talented scoring guard adds explosiveness
Aaron Fleetwood: versatile F defends and finds way to win
Matthias Grothe: 3pt threat for frontcourt
Malte Schwarz: hardworking young G
Kristof Schwarz: hardworking young G
Dominik Spohr: provides depth
