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Nymburk holds court

USK Praha looks for improvement in NBL

By Dave Faries
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
October 10th, 2007 issue

Last season’s player of the year expects more of the same as the 2007–08 basketball campaign opens.
“We have a strong team,” says Radoslav Rančík, the 6-foot-10-inch forward for Nymburk, Mattoni League champions the past four years. “If we play up to our capabilities, no one can beat us.”
Since their 22-10 also-ran finish in 2002–03, the squad from north Bohemia has dropped only seven regular season contests. Last year they racked up a 41-3 record, placing them comfortably ahead of Dečín (31-13) and Prostějov (30-14).
But, for the first time in recent memory, USK Praha (16-28 last year) is poised to break out of its usual haunt near the cellar.
“They have a new coach,” Rančík explains. “They’re young and competitive — they’re going to be a different team.”
Despite stumbling in the opener, a 61–57 loss to A Plus Brno and falling 87–75 on the road in Liberec, they played well at times. Shooting guard Lukáš Kotas scored 24 points in the second game and Muris Andelija, the big man, yanked down 10 rebounds in each outing.
“This team is young and it shows,” says Ken Scalabroni, USK Praha’s incoming coach. They collapsed in the second half against Brno (27–17 last season) after building a lead at the break, playing sloppy ball in transition. Liberec, meanwhile, was able to stifle Andelija, conceding just six points to the 6-foot-8-inch center. “From what I see in practice, we’re not far away from being able to win.”
Scalabroni has considerable experience on the European basketball scene, including five years directing teams in Finland and a dozen in Germany. He is busy introducing a new philosophy — and learning the league.
“We’re not clicking on all cylinders yet,” he says. But, with talented young players like Tomáš Satoranský and Michal Vocetka, the 44-game season offers plenty of time for his unit to gel.
Keep this team together, Scalabroni promises, “and we have a good future.”
The 12-team Mattoni NBL schedule runs through mid-April, followed by a postseason tournament. Squads to watch include Nymburk, with Rančík, defensive star Ladislav Sokolovský, Petr Benda and American import Blake Schilb. Prostějov balances a tenacious defense with accurate backcourt shooting. Děčín should be strong once again while Brno, led by Štěpán Vrubl and Jakub Skála, is always dangerous.
Nymburk’s goal, Rančík says, is to “play tough D and go from there.” For Scalabroni’s young team, the most important thing is taking the steps toward a winning season.
And, he adds, “You want to get that first win.”

Dave Faries can be reached at dfaries@praguepost.com


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