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The Presentation Tralee U19 girls who won the Southwest Final last week.
PRESENTATION Tralee emerged victorious in both the Under-16 and Under-19 Basketball Ireland Post Primary School South West B Finals on Wednesday last in Athea.
The journey to the finals was no small feat for the U16 team as they faced a strong Causeway Comprehensive in the Semi-Final to defend their 2022 title.
In a fiercely contested match, the young athletes from Presentation Tralee exhibited skill, teamwork, and resilience, securing a well-deserved victory.
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Their victory set the stage for the much-anticipated U16 final against a formidable Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne team, who had a great battle with Laurel Hill.
The U19 team faced an equally challenging path to glory, meeting a fit Tarbert Comprehensive team in the Semi-Final.
Undeterred by the opposition’s speed, Presentation Tralee’s U19 squad demonstrated their tenacity and skill, securing their place in the final.
The final showdown for the U19 category saw Presentation Tralee pitted against neighbours Mercy Mounthawk in a battle for the league title.
The Presentation Tralee U16 girls who won the Southwest Final last week.
The U16 final between Presentation Tralee and Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne was a tough one, regardless of scoreline.
In their previous meeting, PCD came out on top, so the Pres Tralee outfit knew they had to come out the blocks well. The Pres Panthers showcased their basketball skills, going head-to-head with their opponents in a high-energy match.
The crowd witnessed skilful plays, solid defence, and a true display of sportsmanship from both teams. In the end, Presentation Tralee’s U16 team emerged victorious, claiming the South West title with pride 40-17.
U16 Captain Anna Chute, 3rd Year, had words about their journey this year to two time champions: “We have great experience in this competition, so we knew what was expected of us. Most of us have been playing with the school since 1st Year so we were able to rely on each other to put determination and passion into our games.
“Ms. Sheehy and Ms. Gavaghan were key parts to our success as they worked tirelessly to motivate us to keep going. I think that being on this team and playing in these competitions will stick by me throughout my years in the school. Hopefully, there are a few more trophies waiting for the school!”
The U19 final was equally riveting, as Presentation Tralee faced off against a formidable Mercy Mounthawk team.
The intensity of the match reflected the dedication and hard work that both teams had put into their journey to the final.
Pres Tralee came out on top for the first three quarters comfortably. In the 4th quarter, Mounthawk pushed hard and got a blitz of scores to go one point behind Pres Tralee.
In a nail-biting encounter, Presentation Tralee’s U19 squad demonstrated their calm and emerged triumphant 43-47.
U19 Captain Ella Quirke, 6th Year, reflected on their endeavours: “Unfortunately we haven’t been as lucky in previous years so it was great to get the win this time around in our last year in the school. We couldn’t have gotten there without a joint effort from our coaches Ms Sheehy and Ms Gavaghan and our players.”
The victories in both the U16 and U19 categories not only highlight the talent and dedication of the athletes but also underscore the commitment of Presentation Tralee to excellence in sports.
The coaching staff, parents, and supporters have played a crucial role in nurturing and encouraging these young athletes throughout their journey.
U16 squad: Anna Chute (captain), Anna O’Sullivan, Jamie Lee O Connor, Ivayla Dimitvova, Chloe O’Sullivan, Chloe O’Brien, Keelin Reidy, Riona McMorrow Moriarty, Ellie O Rahilly, Evelyn Moriarty, Blessing Ilunga, Amelia Stachecka, Naidene Leahy, Mar Vendrille Medina, Layla Mitchell
U19 squad: Ella Quirke (captain), Abby Leahy, Orla O’Connor, Jennifer Olanrewaju, Jill Quirke, Anna O’Sullivan, Anna Chute, Chloe O’Sullivan
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