Mixed feelings after the lost derby

It was a game that left ambivalent feelings among the players of BBC Coburg. They had just lost the Upper Franconian derby against Baunach Young Pikes in the BARMER ProB South 2nd German Basketball League by the clear margin of 57:90 (25:39), but they were still bunched around looking at their mobile phones with rapt attention half an hour after the final buzzer.

Because TSV Oberhaching Tropics defeated Fraport Skyliners and OrangeAcademy Ulm won narrowly against Bayern Munich, Coburg took another step toward the playoffs despite the defeat. There are still possible constellations where four or five teams are tied and so their direct encounters will decide who advances – and Coburg could still end up in the thankless ninth spot. However, that prospect visibly cheered up the BBC’s players after the encounter against Baunach.

Since their cooperation partner did not have a game on the weekend, the visitors were back at full strength for the first time in ages, whereas the core rotation of Coburg’s Head Coach Ulf Schabacker was diluted to seven men after the injury to his key player Princeton Onwas (torn ligament in his elbow joint).

In front of 1,166 spectators on “Flashing Blue Light Day,” when all volunteer members of emergency services are given free admission, the BBC was at its best in the first ten minutes and carved out a 13:11 advantage. However, the visitors then produced a 17:3 run in the second period to leave Coburg straggling 25:39 at half-time. Baunach played with great efficiency in the third quarter: The Young Pikes scored 21 points on seven attacks thanks to five buckets from downtown and two three-points plays to take a 36:79 lead into the final period – the game was long over and done.

Coburg did not give up and again put up stiff resistance to Baunach’s attacking efforts in the final ten minutes. However, that could not avert the clear and deserved win by the visitors.

“We had to completely change our defensive concept and actually wanted to fall back deep, but that naturally wasn’t possible given Baunach’s accuracy in the shooting department,” explained Head Coach Schabacker afterwards.

The ProB league has a break next week, which means the BBC is back in action on the weekend after that on the road in Oberhaching. That is a welcome rest for Coburg. After all, it can hope to line up again with a somewhat larger rotation against the Tropics – and come away with positive feelings only.