Girls u14 A league Div 1: Imperials v Cahersiveen

This much anticipated game at the John Mitchels Complex was played at high intensity and exhilarating basketball and both teams giving everything.

In the first quarter the visitors started strong but Imperials opened there scoring through Alison Guerin answered by Siofra O shea Cahersiveen with further baskets from Imperials Alison Guerin and Mary O Connell well supported by Ciara Rath ,Emily O Donoghue and Abi Casey in defence leaving qtr 1 score Imperials 5 Cahersiveen 9.

Second Quarter saw Imperials Rachel Kilgallen score 6 points and Sarah Healy,Aoife Dillane and Rebbeca Conway a basket each assisted by Lara Flynn in defence.Cahirciveen scores from Rachel Dwyer and Cliona Murphy.Half time Imperials 17 Cahersiveen 17.

The third quarter was again nip and tuck with excellent basketball from both teams. Imperials were driven on by Abi Casey ,Rachel KIlgallen , Mary O Connell ,Aoife Dillane and Alison Guerin with baskets from Mary and Rachel.Cahirciveen scores from Rachel Dwyer,Ava O Sullivan and Siofra O Shea.LOw scoring but IMperials defence outstanding.

Entering the final quarter Imperials lifted their game with points from ALison Guerin,Mary O Connell 4 points and Rachel KIlgallen 3 points and Alison Guerin 2 points putting imperials in front by the slimmest of margins despite baskets from Cahersiveens Siofra O Shea and Ava O Sullivan Imperials came out on top in a dramatic finish which kept the large crowd on edge until the final buzzer.

Final Score Tralee Imperials 30 – Cahirciveen 29.

Credit must go to both teams for an excellent game of basketball played in a very sporting spirit and a great advertisement for Kerry Basketball.Imperials Squad.

Aoife Dillane, Alison Guerin, Lara FLynn, Abi Casey, Rachel KIlgallen, Mary O Connell, Rebecca Conway, Ciara Rath, Emil O Donoghue, Mimi King, Sarah Healy. Referee Julie Stack kept the game flowing with excellent refereeing.

Ladies Division 1 Co League Imperials v TK Cougars

This game was played in a very spirited manner last Tuesday night with TK Cougars having the better start and up 11 v 2 very early on. Imperials quickly regrouped and were 10 points up at half time.At the end it was TK Cougars shooting that won the game for them on a scoreline 53 v 50. Great effort by Sinead, Caitriona, Grainne, Maeve mc G, Danielle and Maeve C.

Team Garveys defuse the Rockets

Team Garveys : 61
Ulster Rockets: 48

Tralee continued their recent improved away form against the Ulster Rockets in Belfast and pulled off a well merited win-61-48 against the same opposition on home court on Sunday. This was a solid display from the home side, with superb individual performances from Rheanne O Shea (19 points) and Sinead Mackessy (18 points), and an overall determination in the team to succeed, an attitude that won the hearts of their supporters.

An excellent opening quarter saw Tralee lead 22-15, with Rockets showing some signs of tiredness from their game against Castleisland on Saturday night. It was the start the home side needed and they built steadily on it in the second quarter to lead 37-26 at half time. While O Shea and Mackessy were doing the finishing, the energetic Cassandra Buckley, Deirdre Kearney and Deirdre Geaney were prominent throughout on the defensive board and very creative on offense.

The third quarter saw a nervy opening from Tralee and some very score-able shots went a begging. Rockets tried to get back into the game with American Emma O Connor and Irish U 18 international Maguire inspirational. The introduction of Maeve Barry –returning after a long enforced absence due to Cruciate Ligament damage brought a big cheer from the home support, as did her opening basket from an offensive rebound; and with Laura Hoffman, Deirdre Geaney, Amy Fitzgerald and Buckley adding to the scoreboard the home side remained in control and led by 13 entering final quarter.

Rockets threw everything at Imperials in the final 5 minutes especially and reduced the gap to 9 points at one stage-not a big lead against their 3 point expertise but Tralee showed great composure against the press and scored some fantastic baskets on the break to maintain that 13 point gap.

It was an encouraging and welcome win for the team and they can feel well pleased with both the performance and the result. Next up is their final league game of the season away to Fr Matthews in Cork next Saturday.

Team: Sinead Mackessy 18, Rheanne O Shea 19, Amy Fitzgerald 2, Cassandra Buckley 6, Laura Hoffman 5, Deirdre Geaney 4, Deirdre Kearney 4, Maeve Barry 4, Maeve Caermody, Aoife Crowley, Roisin Lucey.

U10 Girls

The u10 girls team travelled to Castleisland on Sunday for the last blitz of the season. The girls performed brilliantly in both games and showed how much they have improved since the start of the year.

Holly brought up the ball with skill and with great help from Kim and Grace, showing how much our dribbling has come on. Passing was excellent from both Shauna and Brid.

Lovely shots scored by Sorcha and Aoibhinn kept us in the games and under the boards rebounding well were Ella, Sara Jane and Emma.

There was some great work in defence by Aoibhinn and Labhraidh, winning great steals and setting up some brilliant fast breaks by Hannah Mai. All round a great team effort.

Thanks to all the parents for your support during the year and to the coach Helen and team manager Caroline.
Looking forward to next year!