Tough Road Loss

Well, last week we won one that no one really expected us to win.  And this week we lost won we certainly should not have lost.  It hurt.  84-82 after we were in control the entire contest.  A couple bad calls definitely hurt at the end, but we still should have won the game because we were the better team and controlled the entire game save the last 4 minutes.  Playing and learning all the time.  

I played alright, ended with 27 points.  Shot 6-14 from three point land, but only 2-7 from two.  Played a lot of minutes though.  That usually leads to settling for too many threes and a failure to finish around the rim.  Another lesson learned that hopefully helps throughout the coming games and rest of the year.  

We play a big game Friday night at home vs. a strong Galatarsary team.  Hopefully we can turn things around after a tough loss!

Fiba Win

We played against a Romanian team tonight at our place. It was a six-point game at half time (53-47), but we ended up winning by 35. 112-77. We were obviously the superior team and thankfully showed that in the second half. We now move on to play another ‘play-in’ series against a team from either Ukraine or Cyprus. I’ll find out tomorrow.

It’s never easy playing a game like we did tonight (one we were obviously supposed to win) after such an intense game on Sunday evening, but our team did a good job focusing in and getting the job done. Hopefully we can keep things going. We play on the road this coming Saturday for the Turkish League. It will by no means be an easy game, but I am hopeful we can play well.

Oh yea, I ended the game with 16 points and a good share of assists (I believe).  

Thankful for the game,
Joe

Big Win

We started the regular season tonight with a big victory over a strong Efes Pilsen team. The game was at home and the atmosphere a fun one. Final score Banvit 105 Efes 91.

Just so everyone understands, Efes Pilsen is not only one of the strongest teams in our league, but one of the strongest teams in all of Europe. So it was naturally a big win for us. We controlled the entire game. We really played well as a team. I ended up with 35 pts and 10 assists. One of my better nights, but still plenty of room for improvement. I am very thankful though and hopeful it is just the start of a great regular season.

This coming Tuesday, we play the second game against the Romania team. Essentially, we play one game at their place and another at our place. Whoever scores the most total points in the 2 games moves onto the next round. Considering we won the game away, we need to take care of business and play well Tuesday night. Then next weekend we are away in Konya for another tough game.

Thankful for the game,
Joe

Internet and Updates

Well, I now have Internet in my apartment, so updates were certainly be more consistent. Over the past few weeks we have managed to lose 3 straight in a preseason ‘cup’ tournament for Turkey. But we did emerge victorious last Tuesday against a team from Romania (on their home court). That game is a ‘play-in’ game for a European league that we would like to play in (though the travel isn’t much fun).

This coming Sunday, we have our first preseason game against a strong Efes Pielsen team. It’s a home game though, so I am hopeful we will have a solid performance. I’ll be sure to write an update soon after the game.

Checking out for now,
Joe

Two of Three

This week we play four games in four days at our home court. Eight high-quality teams are here, so we have played well to win two out of our first three. Our losses at the beginning of the preseason really seemed to help us clarify who we need to be and how we need to play. Now it is just a matter of working on it. I am hopeful we will continue to improve.

We have another game tomorrow against someone. I will find out tomorrow who when I show up for the game! I would search the Internet, but I still don’t have it at home. Soon enough I hope.

I have been playing alright throughout the preseason. Still haven’t really found my rhythm yet, but soon enough I trust I will. Hopefully just in time for when the games count.

Enough for now,
Joe

First Update of 2008-2009

So the season has begun…sort of.  At least our preaseason is in full swing.  Games are always welcome!

I am back in Turkey playing for Banvit this season.  I have been here about a month so far.  No Internet yet, so the updates have been slow in coming, but Lord willing, we will be settled in with the Internet soon.  For now, it suffices it to say that I am happy to be back and also honored to be named the captain of the team.  I am hopeful for a very good season.  We have a good group of guys that I believe can make it happen.

So far I think we are 3-3 in the preseason.  Many lessons learned with many still to come.  Our official season begins in 2 weeks.  For now we play again tomorrow and then have 4 games in 4 days next week.  It is a joy to be playing again.  I find myself marveling more and more than I get paid to play the game.

Re-signing

It is only June 3rd, but I have already come to an agreement with the team I just played for last season in Turkey, Banvit. This is by far the earliest I have ever signed and the first time I have had the privilege of signing with the same team. I am thankful for the opportunity to return and hopeful of helping the club have a very successful season.

Lord willing, this means we will be headed back to Bandirma, Turkey in early to mid August. We really are looking forward to the return.

Thankful for the opportunity to play,
Joe

Off-Season

Well, with the season over, my family and I returned home to New Jersey late last week. We have had a pretty good period of adjustment, even though we wake up very early in the morning because our body clocks are still off. Actually, this is a practice that I like and hope to continue.

Anyhow, my summer will consist with preparations for next season, a lot of family and friends’ time, a few camps, workouts, vacations and various other things. Regarding next season, I am not sure what the Lord has in store. Banvit, the team I just finished playing for, expressed interest in my return, so that is a possibility if the various factors involved line up. In the end, I never know what comes next, but will surely be looking forward to seeing what that next step may be.

For Crispin Basketball, I am getting to work in filling up our camp in June and possibly preparing another small, three-day camp in State College. I am also available for individual workouts as well.

When I find out more regarding next season, I will be sure to update everyone here.
Checking out for now,
Joe

Season Over

It ended up being a high scoring contest today, but sadly, we didn’t end up on top at the end.

Final score: Banvit 96 Besiktas 102

We had our chances, but just couldn’t connect on the shots we needed to take control of the game. Meanwhile, Besiktas hit some big ones in the fourth quarter that enabled them to take control. But such is the game of basketball. A shot here. A turnover there. You win. Or you lose.

Consequently, the season is over here in Turkey (for us). We lost the series 3-1 even though we really only lost it 2-1. We played tough, but just not good enough to stretch it out to game 5. That really would have been fun! But it was not meant to be. So it’s all good.

I ended up 23 points and 5 assists. I scored 17 in the first half and only 6 in the second. They were all over me defensively, so I think I only took about 3 shots in the second half, 1 of which came during the final seconds. Considering that statistic, they must have been playing some really good D! For it is rare that I only take 3 shots in a half!

It has been a good almost 5 months here in Bandirma. I had my ups and downs (particularly at the beginning), but am thankful to finish well. The difficult thing is that I was just feeling like myself and now the season is over! But that is a major reason why I will be looking forward to signing with a team for the beginning of next season, Lord willing. I am thankful for the group of guys I had an opportunity to work with and for our coaches and the entire organization itself. It really has been a good experience for us here in Bandirma.

So now it is officially the off-season. Time to sign up with a team for next year, wherever that may be. And time to rest and regenerate my body so that I can improve my game for the coming year. It will be interesting to see what comes next. Always is.

Thankful for the game,
Joe

Staying Alive

We got a great win today at home in overtime to keep our season alive. Final score: Banvit 90 Besiktas 89. I was thankfully able to hit the last shot with 1 second remaining in OT. It was and will certainly be a great basketball highlight of mine (especially if we can keep on winning!).

Our team really came together and persevered until the end. I ended up with 29 points. Many of those came from the free-throw line in the final minutes of regulation. The other team was fouling us even though they were ahead. Thankfully, we were able to make all our free-throws and ended up tying the game to put it into OT.

Game 4 is set for Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. Again, we either win or go home. I am hoping we can play well together once again and push the series to a game 5. That would definitely be a fun game to play.

Thankful for the game,
Joe

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