LETTERKENNY BLAZE BASKETBALL ROUND-UP
Northwest U12 Girls Final
The U12 Girls faced a tough match against Ballyshannon in the U12 North West Girls Final in Ballyshannon on Saturday evening last. This game proved to be a very close and competitive game for both sides. Blaze girls were focused from tip off to the final whistle. They played well together in the first quarter especially in the offensive court. However, Ballyshannon began to find their feet and were able to chip away at the Letterkenny girls lead to make it a 4 point game by the end of the first quarter with a scoreline 7 – 11 in favour of Blaze.
The second quarter was just as intense as the first with both teams playing a very strong defensive game. Rebounds on both ends of the court were strongly battled for and the game picked up in pace as Ballyshannon notched a few scores to level the game at half time with 11 points all.
In the third quarter, Ballyshannon managed to take the lead 21-17 with strong drives to the basket. Both teams had plenty of chances in the final quarter. Blaze managed to score a lay up from some excellent open passes and a hard drive to basket to narrow the scoreline to one basket. The intensity on and off the court was superb with all supporters cheering on their side. Ballyshannon were awarded 2 free throws and scored one from two to extend their lead to a 3 point game. In the last seconds Ballyshannon were able to keep their lead while Blaze threatened the score line on many occasions. Unable to clinch the lead, the Blaze girls played a highly impressive game and fought hard to the final whistle. The girls played with their hearts and should be very proud of themselves.
North West u12 Boys League Final
U12 boys travelled to Ballyshannon in optimistic form having won 3 matches apiece throughout the season. They opened the first quarter brightly with a 8-4 scoreline to blaze at the 1st break. The hosts negated that lead, foiling blazes attack and counter attacking in the second quarter. Halftime score was 15-8 to hosts with all to play for. In the second half ballyshannon stepped up a gear and despite our best efforts they pulled away to win by 15 points at the final whistle. The blaze boys will have Learned much from this defeat and despite coming second their effort to the end was admirable. A season and a group of boys to be proud of and they will have better days ahead.
Super Cup Finals
The Super Cup finals were hosted this year by Donegal Town Basketball Club. These finals see the league winners and the cup winners playoff. The days started with our u14 girls playing the host team, Donegal Town. The girls got off to a great start but at the half there was just a basket in it. Both teams who were evenly matched played some great ball but the hosts came out winners by just 2 baskets.
Our u16 girls were up next led by their coaches Laura Deeney and Denise Bourne. Their opposition was Ballyshannon BC who had also won the league but most of these girls had been winners in the BI Schools Cup “B” earlier in the year. It was again a game played a great speed with lots of skill on show. In the end the Ballyshannon took the title by a margin of just 4 points.
Our u14 boys played next against Sligo All Stars. However, this was not the team they had come up against in the league who had chosen play elsewhere this weekend. Our boys were far too strong in ability and skill for what Sligo had presented and ran out easy winners by a host of points. Blaze u14 boys would have much preferred a tighter competition albeit that they came away with the Super Cup. Well done guys.
Last up were our u16 boys against a strong Sligo All Stars team. This was a really good game of basketball with our boys staying in touch for most of the game with their opposition. Towards the end of the game and to gain every player valuable experience, Coach John Grant made sure all players got a good run out. These games were deemed as vital preparation for the upcoming All Ireland Club Championships for which all four of our Blaze teams have qualified. Details of which are yet to be clarified but we know as of today that the North West are hosting U16Girls B’s, our u14 boys travel to Kerry, our u14 girls go to Antrim outside Belfast with a venue for the u16 boys still to be confirmed.
Back at our home gym our U12 development boys had a really enjoyable days basketball as they took part in the last under 12 blitz Sun 13th at home against Mulroy Hoops and Dungloe
Demons.
Great fun, good sportsmanship behaviour and competitive basketball was displayed by all involved. Blaze players had to compete for the other teams today so we were all winners at the end of the season!