Lakers open season with win away to Limerick IT

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Limerick IT 60 Scotts Lakers St Paul’s 67

IT was a winning start to the new season for Scotts Lakers against Limerick IT in Limerick IT Sports Hall last Saturday night. In a low scoring encounter that was keenly contested for long periods, the Killarney side gained a slight upper hand in the final quarter to secure the victory.

Scotts Lakers paraded new American signing Sean O’Brien for this match and he didn’t disappoint hitting 22 points which included 16 in the second half alone. His ball handling skills, vision, control and superb defence were evident throughout and the Killarney side appear to have signed a quality player who should be an influential force in the league this season. Equally impressive in the scoring returns was Dutch power forward Papito Hersisia, who also chipped in with 22 points.

Lakers coach Cormac O’Donoghue started Hersisia and O’Brien alongside Andrew Fitzgerald, Shane McCarthy and team captain Mark Greene. Early baskets from Hersisia and O’Brien kept the Lakers in touch while Shane McCarthy and Philip O’Connor also added scores but the Limerick side enjoyed a slight advantage in the opening quarter and led 18-15 at the end of the first period. Limerick’s European players Egidijus Baksys and Deividas Venckunas were making their presence felt while Americans Matt Scamaffo and Andrew Curiel were also effective.

The Killarney side closed the gap in the second quarter with Justin Tuason and Marko Bencic contributing well upon their introductions and it was a tied game at 33 points all at the half-time interval.

Hersisia and O’Brien continued to be the main scoring threats for Scotts Lakers while Mark Greene and Cian Clernon also added baskets and the Killarney side led 53-49 entering the final quarter.

With Dylan O’Sullivan and Andrew Fitzgerald netting further scores along with the dynamic duo of Hersisia and O’Brien, Scotts Lakers opened up an eight point lead and held on to win by seven in the end.

While it was great to secure the victory, it wasn’t any exceptional team performance from Scotts Lakers. Huge improvements will be required all round if they are to make any serious impact in the league this season. The most alarming statistic from the night was a return of just one three-pointer from 27 attempts from outside the arc. It is safe to say that the team is more than capable of improvement in this area when they return to more familiar surroundings in Killarney Sports Centre this weekend.

Coach O’Donoghue used ten players with each one featuring in the scoring returns. The Lakers were slightly under-strength without the injured Dailian Mason and gaelic footballers Seamus Brosnan, Padraig Lucey and Paul Clarke, who were on county championship duty.

SCORERS

SCOTTS Lakers St Paul’s Killarney: Papito Hersisia 22, Sean O’Brien 22, Andrew Fitzgerald 4, Dylan O’Sullivan 4, Philip O’Connor 4, Mark Greene 3, Justin Tuason 2, Cian Clernon 2, Marko Bencic 2, Shane McCarthy 2.

LIMERICK IT: Egidijus Baksys 19, Deividas Venckunas 11, Matt Scamaffo 9 Andrew Curiel 8