Unbelievable game

Good afternoon from Ankara, Turkey!  I hope you all are having a blessed day.  I am finally getting the opportunity to update you about our last game.  As you know we played arguably the top team in Turkey Fenebache Ulker last Sunday and lost 79-77 (their starting PG was hurt).  It was an unbelievable game and something that I have never been a part of before.  We basically controlled the whole game until the last 40 seconds.  We were up 2 points with 40 seconds to go inbounding the ball after they had just scored.  We couldn't make an inbound pass and had a turnover.  They make a 3 pointer the next possison to go up 1.  The next possession we miss.  We foul and they make 2 more FT putting them up 3 points.  They foul us and put us on the line and we make 1-2 FT, we are down 2 points.  Next possession we foul with 3 seconds to go.  Their player misses the first FT then misses the second FT.  We get the rebound take a couple dribbles and heave a 3/4 court shot and miss, game over.  Lost by 2 points.  It was an unreal ending to the game.  The last 40 seconds we did everything wrong in order to lose that game.  But, that is part of playing the whole 40 min.  I am proud of how are team played that game and am looking forward to getting on the court with them on Saturday.

Pick n roll defense 

Some interesting stats about the game.  They shot 40 FT compared to our 20 FT.  We out rebounded them 39 to 29.  We had 19 assists to their 7 assists.  We shot a better percentage from 2pt and 3pt.  We had 17 turnovers to their 9.  If you take a look at the stat sheet we played a great all around game.  A couple of mistakes cost us the game down the stretch.  It was a great effort on our part and we need to bounce back for this Saturday.  The reason why I stated I have never been a part of a game like this is because we basically needed to inbound the ball 1 last time and we would have had a great chance to win!  It was crazy.  Our record stands at 1-1.  That game is over now and our team is doing a great job of preparing for our up coming game.  We play this Saturday at home vs. Royal Hali Gaziantep BŞB.  They are a team that is 0-2, however they have talented players and they are extremely hungry for a win.  It will be a tough game for us and we need to be prepared to play ALL 40 min.

Individually we had solid performances from a number of our guys.  Jovo lead the way with 22 points (8-12 2fg, 0-1 3fg, 6-9 ft), 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.  Kirk Penney had 18 points (7-8 2fg, 1-4 3fg, 1-3 ft), 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.  Nedim had a great double double, 11 points (4-11 2fg, 3-4 ft), 16 rebounds, and 2 assists.  I had 15 points (3-7 2fg, 2-3 3fg, 3-4 ft), 2 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Not much else new here in Turkey.  We went out to eat for our teammates wife's birthday to a nice fish restaurant last night.  It was delicious!  HUGE S/O to Bryn Woodside and her AL Tiger Volleyball team for winning their first section game.  I can't remember the last time the Tiger VB won a section game.  Big Congrats to them!  Also, if you want to check out some photos of our new apartment you can check out my wife's website www.amandamosaic.com, she has a post about our apartment with pictures.  You all need to keep me updated on current events and what's going on back home via Twitter @benwoodside or Facebook!  Only so many times I can check the news online :)!  I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day.  Its a great day to give someone a compliment, make them smile, and don't expect anything in return :)!  God Bless... John 3:16