RESULTS FOR THE WEEK:
Improved display not enough for Team Garveys against Rockets:
Ulster Rockets: 73
Team Garveys: 63
Team Garveys made the long trek to Belfast on Saturday and despite a much improved display came up just short against a bang in form Ulster Rockets. The game ebbed and flowed throughout, with little separating the sides until a final flourish from Rockets created the 11 point gap that did not do justice to Team Garveys.
Rockets led 16-15 at first quarter, and 35-31 at the half, thanks in the main to the brilliance of American star Emma O Connor who dominated the boards and hit 12 points, aided and abetted by the three point shooting of Louisa Donnelly. Tralee remained in close contact throughout the half however, with Rheanne O Shea, Sinead Mackessy, Laura Hoffman and Amy Fitzgerald top scoring.
Rockets hit a purple patch early in the second half to open up a 13 point gap at one stage, with Anna Maguire in great shooting form, and led by 10 entering the final quarter. Team Garveys had little luck around the boards in this quarter, and while an injury to Deirdre Geaney which necessitated her withdrawal didn’t help matters, the driving force of Deirdre Kearney and Cassandra Buckley continued to create openings, many of which were spurned.
The fourth quarter rally from Tralee augurs well for their remaining games. Led superbly by Buckley and O Shea, and playing with great intensity on defence, Tralee had the gap down to 3 points with just 3 minutes on the clock. It could well have gone anyway but home court advantage and the greater composure from the Rockets saw them ease home with a couple of well taken threes in the final minutes.
Team Garveys now prepare for Castleisland at home next Friday night at Mounthawk Gym at 8:30pm, and will be hoping that their recent inept performance against their local rivals will be put behind them on the night. On this display there is good reason to think so.
Team: Sinead Mackessy 14, Rheanne O Shea 17, Amy Fitzgerald 16, Cassandra Buckley 7, Laura Hoffman 3, Deirdre Geaney 4, Deirdre Kearney 2, Caoimhe Teahan, Rebecca Ryan.
Under 14 Div 1 Girls
Castleisland 30
Tralee Imperials 33.
Tralee Imperials continued their good run to stay top of the table. Imperials led 9-7 at end of first quarter. Castleisland hit back in the second quarter and won it 13-7 to lead 20-16 at half time. Imperials came out strong in the third quarter and won it 7-13 to leave it 27-29 going in to final quarter.
The final quarter was very tight with Castle island getting a basket to draw level, we then went about 5 minutes with a basket. Then Tralee scored a basket and then got free throws and scored 1 and got free throws again and scored 1 and then Castleisland got free throws and scored 1 to leave the final score 30-33.
A fantastic display by every player. Full squad Aoife Dillane, Alison Guerin, Lara Flynn, Grainne Carmody, Abi Casey, Rachel Killgallen, Mary O’ Connell, Rebecca Conway, Ciara Rath, Emily O’Donoghue, Sophie Lowham,Mimi King, Sarah Healy and Mairead Kearney.
Under 12 Girls Div 3
Tralee Imperials 23
St Marys B 14
Girls Academy Cup
U12 Girls Cup Final:
Preparations were not ideal for our u12 Girls Division 1 KABB Cup Final due to sickness and injury to key players, however, they left all their energy on the court against a physically stronger Kenmare side to come out runners up in a fantastic game on Sunday last in the Pres Gym in Killarney.
Imperials got off to a slow start and never got to grips with the intensity and sharp shooting of the Kenmare girls to go in at half time on a scoreline of 26-9 to Kenmare. However, with an encouraging team talk from coaches Mairead and Xavier, the girls showed great heart and determination in getting some nice scores through fantastic team work.
They hassled well in defence in the last quarter and narrowed the gap well to leave the full time score 37-26 to Kenmare. Well done to the u12 Division 1 girls and their coaches on their excellent progress to date. They are playing Glenbeigh on Tuesday evening away in the County League where they are currently placed at the top of the table.
Team: Clodagh Murray, Aoife o Rourke, Ella Breen, Aisling Ni Hainifin, Niamh Collins, Grace Reidy, Emma Dewey, Jane Akinrinlade, Kirby Anne Ryan, Roise o Donnell, Siuna Crowe.