Three wins from three for basketball teams
FOLLOWING a narrow defeat to Demons in Cork last weekend The Garvey’s Tralee Warriors opened their Super League account with a comprehensive win over KUBS from Dublin in front of a full house at the Tralee Sports Complex last Saturday.
The Warriors won this game at their ease and the signs were ominous for the visitors from the outset as the home side shored up the defensive frailty displayed in Cork last week, particularly with the return to action of captain Darren O’Sullivan and offered considerably more threat in offence as they assumed control to lead at quarter time 25-6.
From the moment Trae Pemberton fired his first three pointer of the night early in the first to add to his two successful shots from the free throw line it was clear that KUBS were in for a tough evening. The aeriel threat of Dusan Bogdanovic allowed him to get on the mark in the early stages before back to back three pointers from Pa McCarthy and Eoin Quigley and scores from Goran Pantovic and Fergal O’Sullivan saw the Warriors storm into a commanding lead.
KUBS provided minimal resistance with their only scores from BJ Andrews, Stephen Ingle and Eoin McCann before an O’Sullivan three had the Warriors lead at quarter time by 25-6.
The home side continued to dominate the exchanges in the second and with Pemberton landing another three, Pa McCarthy following suit soon after and Paul McMahon adding a couple of great scores from under the boards the gap between the sides had suddenly shot out to 30.
A score apiece from Shane McCann and a three from Eoin Chubb finally got the visitors into double figures and BJ Andrews and McCann added with free throws. But Pemberton brought his personal tally into double digits to edge the Warriors further ahead by 41-17 at half time.
Pa McCarthy continued his impressive form in the game early in the third as he drove to open the scoring before backing up with a second a minute later. McCann, Chubb and Stephen Ingle tried valiantly for KUBS but the Warriors drove on to hit 20 of the next 21 points scored. Pemberton was allowed step into position to shoot back-to-back threes with nonchalant ease and scores from Bogdanovic and McCarthy had the huge home crowd on their feet. Darren O’Sullivan heralded his return to action following a heavy clash early in the game with a superb three and he finished off the quarter with another fine score to see the Warriors lead by 65 to 26.
To their credit the KUBS never gave up but the final quarter was simply a case of going through the motions as the game as a contest had long since been decided. Eoin Chubb hit six for the visitors with McCann adding two brought the KUBs final tally to 37. At the other end Pa McCarthy fired in to bring his game total to a top scoring 18, Darren O’Sullivan added another and Kieran Donaghy finished off the final score.
Tougher challenges lie ahead for the Warriors with Killester, Templeogue, Swords Thunder and Belfast Star to be faced down in the coming weeks. For now they have points on the board and there is a sense the squad is mobilising well for the games down the track beginning with a trip to Oranmore in Galway next Saturday to play Maree at 7.45pm.
Scorers
Warriors: Patrick McCarthy 18 Trae Pemberton 16, Dusan Bogdanovic 9
KUBS: Eoin Chubb 10, Shane McCann 10, Stephen Ingle 7