.
Academy games
ACADEMY
Our Academy and u10s finish up this week for the 2021/2022 season.
Our u8s and u9s enjoyed games vs St. Brendan’s in Moyderwell on Sunday morning. This was great experience for all and thanks to Fergal and St. Brendan’s for hosting. Our Academy head coach, Caitriona, was very proud of the skill level displayed as well as the sportsmanship the players showed towards their team mates and the opposition.
.
JUVENILES
U12 BOYS T1
TK Cougars 35-11 Tralee Imperials (28/02/22)
Tralee Imperials 34-33 St. Mary’s (04/03/22)
Q1 Tralee Imperials 12-12 St. Mary’s
Q2 Tralee Imperials 16-14 St. Mary’s
Q3 Tralee Imperials 22-19 St. Mary’s
Q4 Tralee Imperials 25-25 St. Mary’s
OT Tralee Imperials 34-33 St. Mary’s
The boys had a fantastic game tonight against St. Mary’s. The last time the sides met it was the Castleisland side who pipped the win by a single point. Similarly, it was a single point that separated the sides tonight, this time it took three extra periods to determine the winner. Tralee Imperials winning 34-33 with an outstanding performance led by top scorer Tom Dawson (20pts) who clinched the victory with the final basket.
Scorers: Tom Dawson (20), Calum Lacey (5), Shea Bowler (3), Jack Hanlon (2), Barry O’Sullivan (2), Adam O’Brien (2)
U12 Girls T1
U12 GIRLS T1
Kenmare Kestrels 14-34 Tralee Imperials (28/02/22)
A panel of nine made the journey to Kenmare tonight. Every player had a great game. Imperials took an early lead in Q1 thanks to 6 points each from Abby and Nessa. Strong defending by Taylor and Sadhbh lead to plenty of turnovers. Kenmare battled hard in a sporting game but Imperials kept their hold winning 34 to 14 in the end. Great passing and teamwork has brought the girls on leaps and bounds.
Top scorers Nessa Kirby and birthday girl Abby Crowley.
1/3/22 County League
Tralee Imperials 24-26 St. Mary’s (01/03/22)
U12 Girls T1 played a thrilling game against St. Mary’s tonight.
Many times throughout the match the score was even. Imperials played an amazing game and kept a strong hold throughout despite St. Mary’s very strong team.
In the 3rd quarter Imperials displayed amazing defence skills.
The score was 24-24 with seconds to go. Unfortunately, St. Mary’s got the winning basket just on the whistle.
Final score Tralee Imperials 24-26 St. Mary’s
Top scorer: Nessa Kirby 9 points
U14 Girls T1
U14 GIRLS T1
St. Mary’s 38-28 Tralee Imperials (05/03/22)
U14 T1 were away to Castleisland for the first of 2 matches this weekend. The first half was a tight affair with both defences well on top and scores at a premium.
Imperials led 13 – 7 at half time with scores coming from Emily Flynn, Sophie Mitchell, Anna Chute and Saoirse McCarthy.
The third quarter was a purple patch for Castleisland with Imperials struggling with Castleisland’s full court press. Imperials ended the quarter 28 – 17 behind with Imperials scores coming from Ciara Costello and Emily Flynn.
Imperials rallied in the last quarter and played some good team basketball finally overcoming Castleisland’s pressure. Scores coming from Anna O’Sullivan, Priya O’Donovan and Sophie Mitchell. The girls were never able to bridge the gap however and tired in the last few minutes. The game ended 38 – 28 to Castleisland.
Top Scorers – Sophie Mitchell 6
Saoirse McCarthy 5
Emily Flynn, Anna O Sullivan 4
Anna Chute 3
Priya O Donovan, Ciara Costello 2
Tralee Imperials 10-26 St. Paul’s (06/03/22)
The Girls were out again less than 15 hours after their loss to St. Mary’s, this time against a very strong St Paul’s team. Again this was a game where both defences were well on top. Strong inside defensive work from Emily Flynn and Anna O’Sullivan kept St. Paul’s to 6 points in the first quarter. On the other end Imperials struggled to convert with 4 points coming from Saoirse McCarthy and Sophie Mitchell.
The second quarter was again neck and neck with Anna Chute scoring well for imperials. Half time score 10 – 8 to St Pauls.
The third quarter Imperial continued to play high pressure defence which resulted in numerous steals and turnovers. Unfortunately, the girls were unable to concert these chances and ended the quarter 16- 10 behind.
In the final quarter Imperials gave it their all and put pressure on every St Paul’s ball resulting in numerous turnovers. Despite some excellent play which produced some good scoring opportunities Imperials were unable to convert. It was unfortunately one of those quarters where someone put a lid on the basket and good shot after good shot rolled around the rim and fell out. Fatigue finally caught up with the girls and St. Paul’s were able to get a few late baskets on the fast break to see the match out. Final score 26 – 10.
Top scorers
Saoirse McCarthy, Anna Chute 4
Sophie Mitchell 2
A disappointing weekend of basketball for the girls but an excellent learning experience and a lot of positives for the girls to build on.
U14 Girls T2
U14 GIRLS T2
St. Paul’s 28-27 Tralee Imperials (06/03/22)
Our U14 Girls Team 2 played their final league game of the season on Sunday morning against St Pauls at Kilcummin.
With narrow defeats in their recent games, both teams were looking to get back to winning ways.
Quarter 1 began well for Imperials, a strong defensive effort led by Naomi Osibodu and Katie Enright providing the foundation for some fast breaks.
Imperials got on the scoreboard early in the quarter with excellent scores from Juliette Gleeson and Caoilinn Culloo. Imperials were really limiting the St Pauls offence with some great defensive pressure. Maria Walsh and Naomi Osibodu were really to the fore during the quarter and added to the Imperials account.
Imperials with a slender 2-point lead of 10 – 8 at the end of Quarter 1.
Quarter 2 began with St Pauls taking control of the game. Imperials were really on the back foot, defending well but struggling to keep St Pauls at bay.
Grace Reilly opened the Imperials account early in the quarter after a strong run from defence. This was to be the only Imperials score of the quarter as St Pauls
exerted a massive influence on the game. St Pauls executing a full court press with Imperials struggling to overcome the pressure. St Pauls added some scores on the board to race into a 20 – 12 lead at the end of quarter 2. Imperials with everything to do to stay in the game.
In quarter 3 Imperials began to get to grips with the St Pauls threat, Imperials overcoming the press and beginning to transition at pace. Sarah Slattery opened the Imperials account with a massive score, lifting the Imperials team with a noticeable rise in volume from the strong Imperials support.
Naomi Osibodu added to the Imperials account during the quarter after a great run and fantastic layup, Naomi having the game of her life and contributing massively to the effort. With the Imperials revival gathering momentum, Caoilainn Culloo stormed into the game adding 4 to the Imperials account leaving the score line at 26 – 20 at the end of quarter 3.
When the story of the U14 Team 2 season is told, all will know that the girls are never beaten until the final whistle blows, Sunday morning was no different, the 4th quarter being a classic with both teams giving it everything, Imperials nudging their way back into contention, with both sets of supporters creating a memorable atmosphere for the girls.
Imperials also limited St Pauls to 2 during the quarter with a massive defensive effort, while creating multiple opportunities in offence.
St Pauls were also in foul trouble mid-way through the quarter with Imperials visiting the free throw line.
With 4:54 on the clock, Imperials needed something to get back in the game, the team rallied brilliantly led by Grace Reilly. Grace did what Grace does, brought the game to the opposition and lifted her teammates in the process. Grace drove continuously at the St Paul’s defence creating opportunities and drawing fouls. Grace added 3 in succession from the free throw line to move Imperials within 5 of St Paul’s.
Aoife O’Connell added to the Imperials account with a superb score after strong defensive work from Naomi Osibodu.
As the clock ticked down to full time, Imperials were back to the free throw line. Naomi Osibodu with the free throws and 55.4 on the clock. With the pressure at its highest, Naomi added both free throws to move Imperials to within 1 of St Pauls. The final seconds were scintillating with both teams giving it 100%. St Paul’s taking the deserved win on a score line of 28 – 27.
Congratulations to St Pauls on a fantastic win and for a very enjoyable and competitive game,
Thanks as always to the Table Officials and Referee.
Thanks to the supporters of both teams who created a great atmosphere for the girls.
As the old proverb goes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, that step for our U14s began on May 11th 2021, when
summer basketball began for Imperials. It’s been a fantastic journey with all of the twists and turns that we expect from the basketball season.
As the season now draws to a close, Brenda, Leanne and William would like to acknowledge this exceptional group of girls.
The girls playing 10 games in the league, winning 7 and losing the remaining 3 by a cumulative total of 4 points ( 2 + 1 +1).
As we say every week, it’s not the winning or losing that counts, it’s the team work, the effort, the application, the bond, and most of all that team spirit, that was in evidence in abundance. In this regard, the girls have been amazing. The girls have been a credit to themselves and their families and wonderful ambassadors for Tralee Imperials. We’re proud to have been part of the journey. We look forward to seeing all of the girls back on the court soon, in the Blue and White of Tralee Imperials.
A final word of thanks to KABB and our own Tralee Imperials Committee who make all of this possible.
Imperials scorers.
Caoilainn Culloo 8
Naomi Osibodu 6
Grace Reilly 5
Juliette Gleeson 3
Maria Walsh 1
Sarah Slattery 2
Aoife O’Connell 2
U16 BOYS T1
Rathmore 45-66 Tralee Imperials (06/03/22)
On Sunday 6th March we travelled to Rathmore for our fourth county league game. Due to injuries we were again shorthanded and only had five u16 players available. We were delighted to have Ruairi and Conor join us from the U14 team and they proved crucial in giving the boys some rest during the game.
We started the game very well and jumped out to an early lead with Sean Og and Tomas prominent in the first quarter. Rathmore made a comeback towards the end but we went in to the first break ahead 23-28.
William and Sean Heaslip stepped up the defense in the second quarter and with strong rebounding from Tadgh we extended our lead but with tiredness creeping in we allowed Rathmore to end the half level at 33 points apiece.
Ruairi and Conor from the U14s team were very solid in this quarter and this allowed us to rest some of our starters.
We stepped up our defense even more in the second half and only conceded 12 points in the whole half. Our fast break game was outstanding and we created a lead early in the third that we never relinquished. We led 52-41 at the end of the third quarter and saw out the game in the fourth to win 66-45. Conor got a great block near the end and Ruairi hit a jump shot to cap off a great team performance.
The boys gained great experience which will stand to them in the future.
Top scorers were:
Tomas 25
Sean Og 16
William 14
Sean H 5
Tadgh 4
Ruairi 2
U16 BOYS T2
Tralee Imperials 32-63 Tralee Tigers (03/03/22)
U18 GIRLS T2
Tralee Imperials 20-50 TK Vixens (02/03/22)
SENIORS
SENIOR LADIES
St. Brendan’s 67-26 Tralee Imperials (28/02/22)
MONTHLY TRAINING FEE
Monthly training fees for juvenile (u12-u18) and senior teams can be paid online via ClubZap app or the Club Shop on the website https://www.traleeimperials.ie/products
Any queries email imperialsbc@gmail.com
TRALEE WARRIORS
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors survived a fourth quarter scare in the local derby vs KCYMS. The Killorglin side came within 4 points of Warriors with just minutes to go but big scores from Daniel Jokubaitis secured the win for Tralee
Congratulations to the U20 Warriors and our very own Zygi Kaletka who are through to the U20 national league semifinal following a 63-67 win away to Fr. Matthew’s at the weekend.
U20 Warriors
SCHOOL ALL-IRELANDS
Congratulations to Tralee Imperials players Aisling Hanafin (u18s) and Sorcha Casey (u18s & u16s) who won u19B All Ireland final with Gael Cholaiste Chiarrai. Sorcha also just missed out on a second win in the u16B final by one point to ISK Killorglin.
