Brussels' Jalen Pollard tries to dribble through defenders during a Division III semifinal game between Baumholder and Brussels at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Baumholder won the game 80-46. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Brussels' Jalen Pollard tries to dribble through defenders during a Division III semifinal game between Baumholder and Brussels at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Baumholder won the game 80-46. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Brussels' Luke Heinbaugh takes a shot during a Division III semifinal game between Baumholder and Brussels at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Baumholder won the game 80-46. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Players fight for the rebound during a Division III semifinal basketball game between Baumholder and Brussels at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Baumholder won the game 80-46. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Baumholder's Stephen Christmas goes up for a lay-up during a Division III semifinal basketball game between Baumholder and Brussels at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Baumholder won the game 80-46. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Baumholder's Laurence Huxtable make a lay-up during a Division III semifinal basketball game between Baumholder and Brussels at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Baumholder won the game 80-46. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach's Kevin Kamara goes up for a shot during a Division III semifinal game between Spangdahlem and Ansbach at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Ansbach won the game 66-26. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach's Kevin Kamara goes up for a shot during a Division III semifinal game between Spangdahlem and Ansbach at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Ansbach won the game 66-26. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach's Matayo Kabuye grabs a rebound during a Division III semifinal game between Spangdahlem and Ansbach at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Ansbach won the game 66-26. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Players fight for the ball during a Division III semifinal game between Spangdahlem and Ansbach at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Ansbach won the game 66-26. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
Spangdahlem's Eddie Dejeny looks for someone to pass to during a Division III semifinal game between Spangdahlem and Ansbach at Wiesbaden High School, Germany, Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. Ansbach won the game 66-26. (Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes)
WIESBADEN, Germany -- Baumholder and Ansbach looked unstoppable at times Friday, winning their semifinals to set up a Saturday showdown for the DODEA-Europe Division III boys basketball championship.
Baumholder 80, Brussels 46: The Brigands might have had a speed advantage, but that didn’t result in any advantage of the scoreboard.
The Bucs, playing more deliberately, led 24-4 at the end of the first period in en route to the sizeable win.
Brussels’ Jalen Pollard began his own personal assault on in the second quarter and the Brigands began finding the basket more frequently. But they only closed the gap slightly, trailing 41-24 at the half.
Pollard scored 19 points for Brussels, but was out-shined by Baumholder’s Chandler Pigge, who scored 39 points.
Ansbach 62, Spangdahlem 26: It was very clear the top-seeded Cougars came to win.
Within the first minute of the game, Ansbach had already put up five points on the board, as it broke through Spangdahlem’s defense multiple times and shut them down on the other end.
It wasn’t until two minutes remained in in the first quarter that Spangdahlem was finally able to score via free throws.
It was more of the same in the second quarter, as Ansbach led 44-14 at halftime.
Kevin Kamara and Ogden Andrew from Ansbach were relentless at attacking the basket throughout the game. Kamara finished with a game-high 29 points and Andrew added 19.
With a minute and 25 seconds left on the clock in third quarter, the game was stopped and the score was recorded due to the mercy rule.
Defense was the main focus as the team prepared for this year’s tournament, Kamara said.
“I feel great since we were able to get this far,” Kamara said. “… This year we came out and said we cannot lose. We are going to win this year.”
Twitter: @AKStripes
