Basketball: Conor Meany's round-up of weekend action
MORE NEEDED: Nikola Roso, centre, managed just two points in Ballincollig’s 81-76 win over Killorglin on Saturday. Performances in recent weeks haven’t matched up to the level of which Ballincollig are capable.
Liffey Celtics' perfect start to the season has ended as they suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of fellow title challengers Brunell. In many ways this was a must-win game for the Nellies as they had already dropped one game (when they were missing Edel Thornton against Killester), and a second loss would open a two-game gap with Liffey. Instead Brunell’s athleticism and directness paid huge dividends as they opened a double-digit first-half lead before surviving Liffey’s second half fightback.
Liam Culloty deserves huge credit for surviving through last season’s challenges as they were shorthanded and then building a squad that plays to Brunell’s direct identity. Last year, Edel Thornton carried the whole load but in this crucial win Danielle O’Leary and Lauren Homan combined for 20 and then Brunell’s American duo of Kyaja Williams and Jayla Johnson were the games two top scorers as they combined for 44.
For Liffey this wasn’t a bad loss, as they went on the road against a good team and Karl Kilbride will still feel his team can improve. The title race has plenty of twists and turns left but both these teams look likely to be there when silverware is handed out.
Lorcan Murphy carried Templeogue to a huge 95-90 win at home against Sligo. Trailing by three at the half, and with only one win so far this season, it was desperation time for the Dubliners. Lorcan more than delivered with 18 third-quarter points, 25 in the half and 44 overall. Murphy has been a special player in Ireland for over a decade, but this performance is even more impressive given that only 12 months ago he had such a severe neck injury that there was a worry he would never play again. Templeogue are unlikely to contend this year but let’s enjoy the Lorcan Murphy show while we still have it.
We may finally be seeing the return of Glanmire to the level of their peers around them. The most dominant team in Irish women’s basketball over the past decade have now lost four league games and been knocked out of the Cup all before the end of November. It looks like Glanmire are out of the running for both competitions which is unheard of this early in the year. On the other side Ulster’s offense was excellent and they were fully deserving of their third win of the year. Recent signing Trinity Oliver looks to be excellent and can really lift the team’s expectations.
Demons have dropped three straight games after their 76-72 loss at home to Tralee. Without Seventh Woods, Demons had to bring in a temporary replacement Da’Kquan Davis who had just been released by UL Eagles in the National League. Davis scored 30 but without Woods and Kyle Hosford, Demons were out of sorts and none of their other role players delivered (Deandre Johnson limited to 10 and Tala Fam getting just six). It really highlights just how important Seventh Woods is to run the show for Demons. The loss adds to a growing concern for Demons as they are now 2-5 (their opening week win over Killorglin was given as a walkover due to Demons playing three Category 2 players). It’s looking like Demons and Neptune could be in a scrap for the last playoff place in the Southern Conference if things stay like they are. For two teams with so much talent it’s hard to fathom.
It wasn’t a pretty win for Tralee in the Mardyke but that doesn’t matter. Without their primary American Johnny Williams (injured), Tralee relied on Ken-Jah Bosley for the second week in a row. The Warriors were fantastic in the first quarter but overall, their offense was disjointed, and they need Williams back soon. On a positive note, Ryan Leonard has really impressed recently and has settled back into life in Ireland. In his first four games of the league Leonard averaged 9.5 points but in the last four games he has averaged 17.25. Leonard is dynamic and athletic and if he maintains this level of play Tralee can compete with the top teams.
I’m still not 100% about Star as favourites for the title despite them starting 8-0 in the league and having nine straight wins overall. Saturday’s win against Neptune was one of their bigger wins and at times they looked unstoppable. DeOndre Jackson has elevated to the arguably the best American in the country and his 39 were special, especially his 17 in the big second quarter push. But despite all the good, Star almost let it slip and let Neptune back into the game late on. The fightback was positive for Paul Kelleher’s team who didn’t give up when they easily could have, but Adrian Fulton will still be concerned that they were in a tight game when they had no reason to be. So far this year Star’s statement wins are away to Eanna in the Cup, at home against Killester (with one American) and at home to Tralee (shorthanded). A big road game against an underperforming but talented Demons team in the quarter final, of a Cup competition that Star have historically struggled in, followed by a home game vs Maree are the two tests needed to see just how good this Star team are.
Going by the standings Ballincollig have been excellent at 6-2. But the performances in recent weeks haven’t matched up to the level of which they are capable. The professionals are a large part of that issue with Nikola Roso managing just two points on Saturday in their 81-76 win over Killorglin, while American Jordan Campbell managed 7 points in 21 minutes. Incredibly Campbell’s +/- was -9 on the day, so clearly Ballincollig were better with him off the floor. They should have plenty to spare next week in Ulster in the Cup but there are still questions that Ballincollig need to figure out relatively soon.
I feel for Mystics as they got bullied by Fr Mathews on Saturday losing 106-74. Mathews were physically dominant and with Ariel Johnson exploding for 35 there was only going to be one winner. Mathews are improving each week under Pat Price, and they could be the team to deal a contender a major loss in the title chase. The talented young Mystics badly need help, they have talent they just need American support.
DCU Mercy used a dominant first quarter to handle Trinity Meteors 77-62. A loss would have left Mercy just one win off the bottom two teams, but the important win keeps them connected to the chasing pack. Mercy faces a mammoth task in the Cup quarter next week as they host Brunell in Dublin but if any coach can mastermind a way to shut down Brunell it will be Mark Ingle.
Killester easily dispatched Ulster 103-80 behind Kason Harrell’s best performance of the year. Harrell scored 31 points in just 24 minutes, which included shooting 7/10 from three. It was interesting that Harrell’s best performance was without Paul Dick beside him. Both players are at their best when they have the ball in their hands, and they still must figure out how best to compliment each other.
