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Mercy Mounthawk 2nd year A Southwest champions.
IT was quite a week for Mercy Mounthawk basketball teams as they created history winning both the 1st and 2nd year boys southwest “A” basketball titles for the first time in the school’s history.
On Tuesday the 1st year boys faced up vs local rivals CBS Tralee in the semi-final which took place in Mercy Mounthawk school hall.
It was a hotly contested game with great skill and endeavour shown from both sides. In the end Mounthawk emerged victorious on a score of 37 to 20.
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Later on that day, the final took place between Mounthawk and Killarney. The visitors started the better in this one with strong rebounding and excellent outside shots.
Mounthawk weathered the storm and went into half-time 3 ahead. Mounthawk came out firing in the 3rd quarter with great inside baskets and brilliant defence with turned into transition baskets.
In the final quarter, Mounthawk pushed on with some great team offence which eventually saw them run out winners on a score of 34 to 25.
The trophy was presented by Jimmy Diggins to captains Jamie Sugrue and Eddie Sheehy. The team now qualify for the All Ireland playoffs in April.
On Thursday it was the turn of the 2nd year boys’ team. In the semi-final the boys took on St Pats of Castleisland in a replay of last years All Ireland final.
The game started at a frantic pace where some good pressure by St Pats saw them lead at the end of the 1st quarter.
Mercy Mounthawk 1st year A Southwest champions.
There was very little to choose from both team threw the next two quarters. In the final quarter some excellent offensive team shooting saw Mounthawk pull away in the final few minutes on a score of 47 to 42.
That evening the final was contested between Mercy Mounthawk and Rathmore.
The visitors started off the better of the two teams rushing out to a 6 point league by the end of the 1st.
In the 2nd quarter Mercy Mounthawk got to grips with Rathmore’s zone and some excellent shooting and rebounding inside saw them claw back some of the lead.
In the 3rd quarter, Mercy Mounthawk pushed on with some great defensive stops and by the end of the 3rd quarter they were back in front.
In the final quarter, both teams gave as much as they had but end the end Mercy Mounthawk were victorious.
The trophy was accepted by team captain Mikey McCarthy and team now qualify for the All-Ireland playoffs.
“It’s great for both teams to experience success in their 1st few years at Mercy Mounthawk,”said Coach John Dowling.
“They have worked really hard all year long and thankfully it has paid off. We will look now at the All Ireland campaign and see if we can improve and compete with the best teams in the country which is when our teams will really learn where they stand. Special thank you to the players parents for driving them in for the early morning and Sunday night training session its very much appreciated by all the coach staff and school management,” said John.
