KGC Ginseng Corporation congratulated itself on winning the regular league at home.
Anyang KGC Ginseng Corporation defeated Wonju DB 76-71 in the 2022-2023 SKT Adot Professional Basketball regular league held at Anyang Indoor Gymnasium on the 26th.
On this day, before the game, KGC Ginseng Corporation confirmed the regular league championship. In the previous game between Changwon LG and Seoul SK, SK won 71-66 and took first place in the regular league regardless of the remaining games. It is the first time in six years since the 2016-2017 season that KGC Ginseng Corporation won the regular league championship.
This regular league championship was the first in the team’s founding and the third in KBL’s history to set a record for winning the ‘Wire to Wire’ regular league.
In this game, KGC Ginseng Corporation struggled a little against the momentum of DB, which was winning 5 consecutive wins. Byun Jun-hyung and Oh Se-geun scored on the inside and outside based on the transition, but they struggled with the height of DB’s Kim Jong-gyu and Kang Sang-jae. In the end, while the close game continued until the 4th quarter, Omari Spellman’s outside and free throws were successful, and the last home game of the regular league was decorated with a victory.
On this day, Byun Jun-hyung (186cm, G) scored 18 points and 4 assists, Oh Se-geun (200cm, C) scored 15 points and 7 rebounds, and Omari Spellman (206cm, F) scored 15 points and 13 rebounds to show fans the showtime.
In particular, the retirement ceremony of KGC Ginseng Corporation’s captain Yang Hee-jong (193cm, F) and the regular league championship award ceremony were held on this day, so the joy of victory was greater.
Seungjang Kim Sang-sik, director of KGC Ginseng Corporation, said, “First of all, I am very happy. I am very grateful to the players. The club provided a lot of support. Thank you for allowing me to exercise. I am grateful to owner Heo Cheol-ho, general manager Lee Jong-lim, and former general manager Seo Jeong-il. The players worked hard and I am grateful,” he said, expressing his feelings about winning the regular league.
KGC Ginseng Corporation has not missed the top spot from the opening until now, but there were also moments of crisis. Director Kim was also aware of that part. Director Kim said, “I was very nervous and worried in the beginning. (Opening game) I thought I could do it after winning against SK and winning 4 in a row. In the middle, we gained confidence and said that we should overcome each other. There was no shooter as Jeon Seong-hyun left. I thought it would be nice to share Jeon Seong-hyun’s scores, not a specific player. I prepared a motion offense. The players were also confused. It became an opportunity for my confidence to rise as I fell in line,” he explained.
Next, coach Kim said, “It is teamwork. There were many stories about not getting angry. While coaching with the national team coach, he thought it would be better to approach him with compliments rather than accusing him. Yang Hee-jong and the coaches held the center well. Trusting each other was effective outside of performance. Even if there was back-to-back or 2-3 days off, I didn’t practice much. I do a lot of physical training during the off-season, but during the season, I took a break for treatment. Players do not go in and rest, but come out to exercise and shoot,” he emphasized autonomy and trust to the players.
At the end of the fourth quarter, coach Kim put Yang Hee-jong, who was having a retirement ceremony, on the court. Coach Kim said, “I thought (Yang) Hee-jong was a winning member and had to be on the court. He would have put in even if it had been thin. game to retire When I retired, I had a retirement ceremony here, and tears came to my eyes. Heejong was included because he had to be called a team legend.”
Next, when asked to pick a player who will receive the MVP at the upcoming KBL awards ceremony, coach Kim said, “It is Byun Jun-hyung. While playing wire to wire, the ranking competition was fierce at the end, but Byun Jun-hyung played a big role. It’s not because it’s my player, but I think I should ride because I like his performance,” he said, emphasizing Byun Jun-hyung’s performance.
Finally, coach Kim said about the preparation for the playoffs, “As the practice period is getting longer, I will make sure that my injury recovery and performance do not deteriorate. He will discuss with the coach whether to play practice games or shoot mates between players on the team. There is still one game left, but I want to show the image of a strong team by winning the combined championship to prove that I am not satisfied with winning the regular league. I want to inspire confidence in the players. When the opponent team is decided, I will consult with the coaching staff to think of what is better and run for the combined championship,” he concluded the interview. 메이저놀이터
On the other hand, DB could not continue the winning streak in this game. Kang Sang-jae (200cm, F) scored 15 points and 7 rebounds, Kim Jong-kyu scored 19 points and 7 rebounds (207cm, C), and Leonard Freeman (201cm, F) recorded 13 points and 13 rebounds, leading the attack and impressive in defense linked to the triple post. However, turnovers continued in small parts throughout the game, and it was a loss to miss Spellman’s perimeter in the 4th quarter. DB failed to win 6 in a row and has to risk life and death in the remaining SK matches.
DB acting head coach Kim Joo-seong said, “I went well until the 4th quarter, but there was a mistake due to a turnover. The reason is that (the players) lost their concentration because they were having a hard time. I am grateful to the players for doing well in a difficult situation,” he said in his overall review of the game.
Next, acting coach Kim said about DB’s triple post, “I don’t know what will happen. He’s framed, but he can’t go to the triple post every time. It was made up of players and prepared. I will try to play the last game as a triple guard or triple post. I think it’s good that the defense I prepared for went well. Leaving the semifinals, there is one game left, and we will do our best to play the game we prepared.”