It’s home sweet home
THE Our Lady’s College 1st Year A and 2nd Year A basketball teams both picked up home wins over their Dominican College (Drumcondra) counterparts last week in two very different matches.
First to play were the 2nd Years and they almost paid the price for a very poor start, during which they left a dozen points behind them and ended the first quarter at one basket apiece thanks to Loveth Edonwande.
By half-time it was 8-6 to Dominican College, with Sara Jane Hughes dogged in defence to keep the opposition point guard scoreless in the second quarter.
The game was effectively won in quarter three as Edonwande hit two baskets and Our Lady’s stormed into an 18-10 lead. However, Dominican, who were unbeaten so far in the league, turned it around again to lead by one as their number one point guard destroyed the Boynesiders by hitting 13 points in quick succession.
Cliona McKernan hit a huge two from the line to edge Our Lady’s 25-24 in front with less than one minute on the clock and Niamh Byrne subsequently prevented a sure basket with a crucial intervention.
Our Lady’s went up the floor with eight seconds remaining and seemed to have the game won, but instead of holding procession they took a risky shot and gave Dominican back the ball and fortunately time ran out before the Drumcondra girls could get another shot off.
The two schools’ 1st Year A teams met in the second half and Our Lady’s point guard Jessica Carron was straight out of the blocks, laying down her intent and scoring off the jump ball. With further baskets from Heather Breen, Eabha Woods and Carron they led 10-0 at the first break.
Not wanting to be outdone, the next five players to the court continued, hitting another seven points, with Joy Mooney picking up six and Sheila Whyte successful with one from the line.
Dominican improved in the second half but could not match the overall scoring power of the young Drogheda side. There were some nice performances from Sophie McNally and Leah Brodigan, but it was Carron who stole the show with 12 points in all in a 33-12 victory. Jessica also topped scored in the previous week’s game with a season-high 22 points.
2ND YEAR: Niamh Burke 4pts; Uyi Aghavbere; Subomi Dele 1; Loveth Edonwande 13; Ella Flanagan 2; Sarah Jane Hughes 1; Amelia Lawrence; Ellen McCarthy; Kate McGuigan; Cliona McKernan 6; Jowita Wyka.
1ST YEAR: Heather Breen 2pts; Leah Brodigan 2; Jessica Carron 12; Katie Dawson; Molly Dixon; Emily Fitzpatrick; Armela Hotaj; Liana Karkle; Erin Kearney; Kate McDermott 2; Sophie McNally; Kiera McWilliams; Joy Mooney 6; Clodagh O’Connor; Sheila Whyte 3; Eabha Woods 6.
•Drogheda Sparks Under-16s were awarded a walkover on Saturday last when scheduled North East League opponents Muckno Lakers failed to show for the league match at Sacred Heart School.
This coming Saturday the Sparks make the short trip to Dromiskin to face Libby Dynamites - tip-off 4pm at St Joseph’s.
MARTIAL ARTS