Scotts Lakers head up Division 1B

MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 1B Sligo All-Stars 75 Scotts Lakers St Paul’s 81

SCOTTS Lakers remain top of Division 1 following another impressive win against Sligo All-Stars in Mercy College Sligo last Saturday. Despite trailing by ten points at an early stage, the Killarney side gradually came back into the game to make it a closely contested encounter before pulling away in the final quarter to claim a well earned victory on the road.

Sligo paraded new American Eric Kittel for this match and he made an early impression as the home side knocked down six three-pointers in the opening quarter to enjoy a 25-15 lead. Scotts Lakers responded well with Antuan Bootle making his presence felt while Andrew Fitzgerald, Dailian Mason, Dan Griffin and Cian Clernon added big baskets as the visitors turned it around to lead 35-34 midway through the second quarter. Mark Greene was also in outstanding form as Lakers stayed in front to lead 45-42 at half-time.

The Killarney side maintained their advantage to lead 56-52 midway through the third quarter but Sligo bounced back through Mark Chambers and Eric Kittel and the home side led 58-56 with three minutes left in the third quarter. With the home supporters fully behind them, Sligo held on to a narrow advantage before a big three-pointer from Scotts Lakers captain Philip O’Connor levelled matters at 61 points each as the game entered the final quarter.

The Killarney side stepped it up in the closing period with Bootle, Mason, Fitzgerald, Griffin and Greene all on target to open up a 71-65 lead with four minutes remaining.

It was an evenly contested after this as Sligo matched the Lakers basket for basket but just

couldn’t get close enough. The Killarney side secured victory with insurance baskets from the free throw line from Mark Greene and Andrew Fitzgerald.

Overall it was a very impressive win for coach Cormac O’Donoghue and the ten players he had on duty. Four players finished on double figures with Bootle leading the way on 21 points followed by Mason 15, Fitzgerald 13 and Mark Greene 13. Dan Griffin, Philip O’Connor and Cian Clernon were also impressive while Paul Clarke, Mark O’Shea and Con O’Mahony also contributed handsomely to the victory.

Sligo All-Stars shot 13 three-pointers compared to just six from Lakers. Top scorers for the home side were Mark Chambers 20, Eric Kittel 19 and Tobi Brockmann 13.

SCOTTS Lakers have just three league games remaining and are on top of the Division 1B Table ahead of LYIT Donegal and Kilkenny, two teams that they face in Killarney in the next few weeks.

This Saturday night, Scotts Lakers face LYIT Donegal in Killarney Sports Centre at 7.30pm. When the sides clashed last October the Northerners snatched a dramatic 76-75 win and the Killarney side will be anxious to make amends for that result this time round. Donegal have some talented players in the likes of Chaz Watler, Jon McGill and Jordan McClelland but Scotts Lakers are capable of securing another win if they can reproduce their recent good league form with the aid of the home supporters.

Scotts Lakers have a home game against Kilkenny (March 4) and an away game against Dublin Lions (February 24).