EJ’S All- Stars defeat table toppers
EJ’S SLIGO ALL STARS ULSTER ELKS 96 89 EJ Sligo All- Stars secured their fourth win of the season at the weekend and still remain undefeated at home despite facing their toughest challenge to date.
On Saturday night, they took to the court against the league leading Ulster Elks who were undefeated to date and were sitting pretty alongside Killorglin on the top of the table.
The home side were missing some major fire power in Ronan McGarrity who had 17 points last week in the Cup victory over Dublin side Tolka Rovers and along with his talismanic scoring big Ronan brings maturity and experience to an otherwise babyfaced All- Stars team.
Coach O’Meara was glad to see the return of the other Mayo big man, Aidan O’ Shea, who stayed at home from a GAA Alls- Star trip to Abu Dhabi to help his new team- mates to an incredible victory.
This was Aidan’s first start of the season and he relished every second of his court time, giving his team something that was sadly lacking before his arrival, physical presence and rebounding.
The game got off to a blistering start with only the minimum separating the sides after the first quarter as the All- Stars led 23- 22 going into the second.
The starting five of Noel, O’Reilly, Mc Loughlin, Hamilton and O’Shea let the Ulster men know that there would be a battle to be fought.
Ever consistent Noel and O’ Reilly combined for 16 of the side’s points but it was the welcome bonus of six points from O’ Shea that really impressed the massive crowd in the Mercy gym.
Cian Lally was unleashed from the bench just before the second quarter and he brought his usual menace to the court, grabbing huge rebounds and contributing nine points in the quarter.
EJ’s played small ball for most of the second period and Elks found it almost impossible to defend the continuous penetration and passing game of the Sligo men. The All- Stars opened a gap that must have left their opposition reeling going in at the half as they outscored them 33- 18 in the second quarter. Again Noel and O’ Reilly were the main contributors with 10 and nine points respectively.
Going in at half time with a lead of 16 points, 56- 40, was just what the Sligo men would have wanted but they were only too aware that the Elks were well capable of a comeback. They were league leaders for a reason.
The third quarter proved a tough one for the home side as they only managed 18 points during this period.
The Elk’s American player Ryan Oliver had been limited to just two points in the opening half by fantastic defending by Kaylim Noel but he began to find his range as he poured in 16 points, reducing the All- Stars lead considerably.
Going into the fourth quarter the local side had lost the strangle hold they seemed to have on the game but they still held on to a seven point lead.
The northern opposition smelled blood and they seemed to be in the driving seat for the first few minutes of the final period. Scores seemed to be very hard got and mid- way through the quarter it seemed like the writing was on the wall as the Elks took their first lead of the night, one point ahead at 84- 83.
Thankfully for the hosts, this lead was short- lived as Aidan O’Shea made a clutch free- throw to balance the books for EJ’s troops.
This was followed by a huge three by American import Noel and a pair of free throws from Sligo’s own GAA star Cian Lally.
With time running out, the visitors were forced to foul to stop the clock and gamble on the Sligo men missing the ensuing free- trows.
Kaylim Noel is made of stern stuff as he nailed seven for eight free throws in the dying seconds much to the delight of the vociferous home crowd.
Indeed Noel finished the game with a grand total of 35 points to lead all scorers. It was his thunderous dunk that earned the biggest cheer of the night and a block on the sharp shooting Marty McDonald that sealed the deal for the Sligo men
EJ’s All- Stars next travel to Dublin to face the Clondalkin side Dublin Lions who beat Elks in the first round of the Cup last weekend.
This game tips off at 4pm and will be available to view on Facebook Live on the EJ’s All- Stars Facebook page.
The next home game is against Maree of Galway on Saturday, December 17th at 7: 30pm which should be another exciting encounter.