Lakers give Titans a trimming to get back on track

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Scotts Lakers 89 Galway Titans 60

SCOTTS Lakers got their season back on track with a comprehensive 29-point victory over Galway Titans in Killarney last Saturday. It was a magnificent all round team performance from the home side and they laid the foundation for this victory early in the second quarter when they went on a 18-0 scoring run to set them up for a comfortable win. Titans were competitive early in the game with big American Keegan Ryan leading the way hitting 16 points and the visitors were 25-22 in front at the end of the first quarter.

Antuan Bootle already had nine points for Scotts Lakers at this early stage but was rested for long periods of the match playing only 16 minutes overall as Coach Vojkan Bencic utilised his full bench. New signing Dan Griffin, Mark Greene, Justin Tuason, Padraig Lucey, Andrew Fitzgerald, Mihail Kapitanov and Cian Clernon were all on target as Lakers hit 18 unanswered points. Lakers had trailed 25-29 after two minutes of the quarter but this purple patch scoring spree turned it around for the Killarney side to open up a 43-29 lead with two minutes left in the half. Titans could only manage eight points in the whole quarter and Scotts Lakers were well in control to lead 50-33 at half-time.

The home side maintained that advantage to stay 68-49 in front at the end of the third quarter. A Titans comeback was never on the cards and the final quarter was a mere formality. Scotts Lakers finished the match with five local Killarney players all on the court at the same time with young Dylan O’Sullivan outstanding alongside team captain Philip O’Connor, Andrew Fitzgerald and veterans Shane Horgan and Keith O’Grady. A comfortable 29 point win in the end and it was easily Lakers best display of the season so far.

Credit must go to Coach Vojkan Bencic for giving generous court time to 12 players and getting the most out of his squad. Mark Greene played 25 out of 40 minutes and was Lakers stand-out player with 17 points. Equally impressive was Cian Clernon’s magnificent 11 points in just nine minutes of action.

The inclusion of Padraig Lucey and Dan Griffin was a huge advantage to Scotts Lakers and their presence makes this team so much stronger and competitive in all sectors. It has to be said that Galway Titans didn’t offer much resistance. Keegan Ryan was the main threat despite the best efforts of Tom Fabricuss and Jan Stec. SCOTTS LAKERS: Mark Greene 17 pts, Antuan Bootle 15 pts, Andrew Fitzgerald 11 pts, Cian Clernon 11 pts, Padraig Lucey 11 pts, Dan Griffin 8 pts, Dylan O’Sullivan 6 pts, Mihail Kapitanov 4 pts, Justin Tuason 3 pts, Philip O’Connor 3 pts, Shane Horgan, Keith O’Grady. Lakers are away against Ballincollig on this Saturday in Ballincollig Community School at 4pm. The next home game is on November 18 against Ulster Elks.

Presentation of new jerseys to St Anne’s senior ladies basketball team by David Gleeson from ‘The Kerry Food Hub’ in Firies. Front, from left: Kiera Fell, Diane Cooper, sponsor David Gleeson The Kerry food Hub, Joanne O’Mahony, Katie Ellard, Carmel Kate Kelliher. Back, from left: Oonagh Gleeson, Marie O’Shea, Orla O’Sullivan, Grace Crowley, Deirdre O’Sullivan, Aisling O’Sullivan, Sophie Norris and coach Tim Clifford.