Joensuu’s Kataja Basket Richard Pack bagged huge points in the men’s Korisliiga on May Day. The American collected 47 points in the fifth semi-final match against BC Nokia.
The score balance is the heaviest in the men’s Korisliiga playoffs since 1998. In March of that year, Pyrbasket from Tampere Marcus Norris scored 48 points in the quarterfinals against Helsinki’s Torpan Poiki.
– It was a wild show, it was a wild show. In the beginning, he missed one layup and one free three. After that, he didn’t get through much, Kataja’s head coach Petri Virtanen describes.
Kataja beat the Nokians with 93–90 points and narrowed the wins in the match series to 2–3.
– Great performance from us. Our composition changed quite radically when both centers were sidelined. We changed our way of playing on a fast schedule. It was positive that we had experience playing with a so-called small ball lineup during the season, says Virtanen.
According to the head coach, a 211-centimeter center Hannes Pöll can’t play anymore this season due to a hand injury. Another center, a 201-centimeter Canadian Elijah Lufile either return to the floor on Friday or not, says Virtanen.
“Pretty perfect recruitment”
Before the start of the season, Kataja acquired an American Nike Sibanden. The winger played 12 games with a 22.6 point average, but he moved to Greece in December. Nowadays, Sibande plays in Merkezefendi, Turkey.
– As an individual, he was probably among the top three in the series. He didn’t have enough patience to play here until the end of the season, but he wanted a slightly bigger salary. We then agreed on a transfer to Greece, says head coach Virtanen.
Efforts were made to find a player to replace Sibande who could match Sibande’s effectiveness. According to Virtanen, the club’s budget is limited, so the task was not easy.
Kataja took a small risk when he ended up in Richaud Pack, because the player’s previous seasons had been broken due to injuries, among other things. He moved to the club from ALM Evreux Basket, which plays at the second highest level in France, at the end of December.
– However, we knew his potential. He had the same characteristics as Sibande, that is, our game system was very much such that Richaud can attack and get balls to places where he can score. The recruitment was quite perfect from our point of view.
The oldest player on the team
Pack has played 20 games in Kataja with an average of 21.6 points. Out of nine playoff games, the average is slightly higher, 22.8.
Virtanen describes him as an exceptional basket maker who is able to create a shooting position for himself. On a good day, it is very difficult to stop a player, praises the head coach.
The 31-year-old American is the oldest player of the Joensuu team.
– A great person, a very professional guy. He is very serious about the sport and takes care of his body. Very easy to train, and you don’t need to look behind or so to speak protect.
– Even though the scores are tough and the number of throws in some games high, for him the team’s advantage is always the most important, Virtanen describes.
During his career, Pack has played a lot in European leagues, for example in Israel, Austria and Greece. Pack has also previously been on the floor of the Korisliiga when he played for Uusikaupunki’s Korihai in the 2019–20 season.
Nokia’s counterattack against discipline
Kataja still has its back against the wall in the semi-final series, as Nokia leads 3–2. The next match will be played in Joensuu on Friday.
– We play every other day and there is a lot of travel between cities. In addition to physical recovery, mental recovery plays a very important role.
Virtanen feels that Kataja needs to minimize easy mistakes in order for the team to continue to the finals. It requires a mental edge.
– When things happen in the games when you’re a little tired, such as failures, an opponent’s basket or a questionable decision by the referee, you shouldn’t get caught up in those moments, but you have to transfer your energies to the next game event.
According to Virtanen, Nokia has been strong in counterattacks this season. They have to be brought under control so that Kataja wins the series.
– In the team, we use the term urgency, i.e. so-called presence. We have to be alert in those situations and be able to anticipate. Every Nokia body should be such that they have to work for it.
In the second semi-final of the basketball league, the Helsinki Seagulls and Kauhajoki’s Karhu Basket face each other. The Seagulls lead the series with a 3–2 win. The teams play on Thursday and, if necessary, the decisive match on Saturday.