UCD MARIAN top the Men’s Super League after two rounds thanks to a resounding 107-84 win over reigning champions UCC Demons in Belfield. Dustan Moreira and Mike Garrow combined for 43 points while Head Coach Ioannis Liapakis was equally impressed with his side’s defence.
“People who talk about basketball will say this was a surprise result but we weren’t surprised at all,” said Liapakis. “I’m really happy with our depth and our chemistry is a lot better. That was something we’d been missing before.”
Neil Randolph inspired Temploegue to a comeback win at home to Pyrobel Killester with three three-pointers in a row on a 17-2 run in the final quarter. The brother of West Ham Goalkeeper Darren finished with 22 points in total.
Griffith Swords Thunder kept up their 100% record while Irish TV Tralee Warriors, UL Eagles and DCU Saints all picked up first wins.
EDIT – Match Report – UL Eagles v KUBS Oct 1st UL Arena 8pm
Result UL Eagles: 90 KUBS 60
UL played their first home game of the season against league new boys KUBS from Dublin. The Eagles needed to produce a good response to their one point loss away to Belfast Star in Belfast on the previous weekend. With a near full strength roster including newly arrived USA professional Zedric Sadler from Rider University the team put in a very strong performance build around a strong defensive work ethic that Coach Tommy Walsh has been trying to instil into the young team throughout the pre-season.
KUBS took an early lead but after 4 minutes on the clock the Eagles went ahead and never looked back. KUBS had a significant height advantage on the boards but hard work from the Eagles made sure that there were no soft scores given up. By half time the Eagles lead 64 to 45. The second half was similar to the first with KUBS never being allowed to get a foot hold in the game despite their attempts to make adjustments to their play with the home team running out easy winners by 90 to 61.
All 12 Eagles players saw significant time with 11 getting on the score sheet, 4 players getting into double figure. Leading the scorers were Neil Campbell and Zedric Sadler with 14 pts, Jack Kelly collect 8 rebounds in his 10 minutes while Krystian Burchart was also strong on the boards. Veteran Matt Hall rolled back the years providing game control and leadership during his time on the court.
The first 2 games have provided a promising start to the season especially for the players who have just stepped form the under 20 ranks. Next week we are away to DCU Saints who won comfortably at the weekend against Moycullen.
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Courtyard Liffey Celtics had too much firepower for Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell in their opening round of the Women’s Super League. Brunell had high hopes dashed in pre-season with the loss to injury of point guard Kelly Diggin (ACL) and Canadian post-player Kaylee Kilpatrick (Dislocated Shoulder).
“You can only beat what’s in front of you,” said new Celtics Coach Mark Byrne. “It’s only one game and we’ve a long way to go yet.”
A number of American recruits made their debuts this weekend, but it was the Irish who caught the eye as Cathy Grant scored 20 points for Maxol WIT Wildcats in a comprehensive win over NUIG Mystics. Irish Internationals Grainne Dwyer and Claire Rockall led the way with 24 points apiece in UCC Glanmire’s 23 point win at Portlaoise Panthers.
Meteors secured the result of the weekend with a 59-57 win at home to defending regular season champions DCU Mercy.
Saturday 1st October 2016
Basketball Ireland Men’s Super League: Commercial.ie Eanna 57, Griffith Swords Thunder 84; SSE Airtricity Moycullen, 74 DCU Saints 76; UCD Marian 107, UCC Demons 84; UL Eagles 90, KUBS BC 61; Irish TV Tralee Warriors 63, Belfast Star 56.
Basketball Ireland Women’s Super League: Meteors 59, DCU Mercy 57; Maxol WIT Wildcats 75, NUIG Mystics 41; Portlaoise Panthers 59, UCC Glanmire 82; Courtyard Liffey Celtics 73, Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell 56.
Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One: ITC Basketball 88, Fr Mathews 66; LYIT Donegal 56, Ulster University Elks 83; Titans 86, Sligo All-Stars 76; Team Kilkenny 77, Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin 90; BFG Neptune 102, Kestrels 83.
Basketball Ireland Women’s Division One: UL Huskies 60, Fr Mathews 55; Oblate Dynamos 87, Ulster University Elks 66.
Sunday 2nd October 2016:
Basketball Ireland Men’s Super League: Templeogue 82, Pyrobel Killester 74.
Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One: Dublin Lions 52, Maree 64.
