Overtime proves costly as Lakers bow out of National Cup

PRESIDENT’S NATIONAL CUP

Scotts Lakers Killarney 81 Limerick Celtics 83 (after overtime)

DESPITE leading by 11 points early in the final quarter, Scotts Lakers were agonisingly pipped in overtime by Limerick Celtics in a pulsating National Cup quarter-final in Killarney last Saturday.

The home side entered this match as firm favourites having beaten the Celtics by 23 points in Limerick last month. The Lakers were also coming off a seven match unbeaten run and the return of Papito Hersisia ( pictured below) from a two match suspension was also considered a strong factor in favour of the home side. However knockout cup matches are different and Limerick Celtics stepped it up on the big occasion with American Turrell Morris hitting a game high of 37 points.

The visitors dominated the early exchanges racing into 24-15 lead but a big three -pointer from Scotts Lakers captain Mark Greene narrowed it to 24-18 at the end of the first quarter. It appeared obvious from an early stage that match officials Maurice Thornhill and Eddie Cooke were leaving a lot go and held back on calling potential fouls on both sides and this contributed to a more physical encounter. Papito Hersisia wasn’t getting much satisfaction from the officials and was clearly fouled on a number of occasions but there was no call from either official. At the same time the referees were also slow to call fouls at the other end of the court with Lakers benefiting on a few occasions.

The second quarter started with two three-pointers, one from Jordan Hehir for Limerick Celtics and one from Mark Greene for Scotts Lakers. Limerick’s American Turrell Morris was on a hot streak and scored his side’s next five scores, three baskets and two free-throws. Apart from a basket each from Mark Greene Seán O’Brien and Papito Hersisia, Lakers’ relied on free-throws from Seamus Brosnan, Padraig Lucey and Seán O’Brien for scores for the rest of this quarter. Jordan Hehir hit his second three-pointer and followed up with a free-throw. Limerick enjoyed a 39-34 advantage at half-time.

It was in the third quarter where Lakers took control of this match and stamped their authority outscoring the Celtics on a 19-6 margin. Sean O’Brien found his range with three big three-pointers while Hersisia added further scores to give the Lakers 46-41 lead with 6.10 left. The crowd came alive as Dailian Mason made a massive jump to reject a shot from Fabio Hernandez and followed this up with a three-pointer. Lakers were playing brilliantly in defence and turned the ball over a number of times, which Papito Hersisia and Sean O’Brien converted into baskets. Lakers looked comfortable at the end of the third quarter leading 53-45.

The home side started the final period with another big three-pointer from Mark Greene to open up a 56-45 lead. However it took them a full three minutes before registering another score while Papito Hersisia also picked up his fourth foul. Celtics gradually clawed their way back going on a 10-0 run with Alvaro Martinez particularly prominent. Both sides enjoyed the advantage but Scotts Lakers led 68-63 with two minutes left followong another three-pointer and basket from Sean O’Brien.

Celtics weren’t finished as Lakers squandered further scoring opportunities with poor shot selection. to premature celebrations by the home fans but the referees called it as a two-pointer which sent the tie to five minutes of overtime. In the extra period the lead swung again to both sides with Lakers going three ahead but trailed 79-75 with a minute to go. The outstanding Mark Greene narrowed it to a basket but Turrell Morris added the late insurance baskets for the visitors to secure a dramatic victory and progress to the final four of the competition.

Scotts Lakers had several chances to win this match despite the overall team performance not as impressive as some recent outings. The Killarney side scored 12 three-pointers on the night but were over reliant on the three-pointer at times and missed some costly ones along with several free throws.

Team captain Mark Greene and Sean O’Brien led the way for Scotts Lakers on the night with 21 points each and their outstanding performances deserved more on this occasion.

SCOTTS LAKERS: Mark Greene 21, Sean O’Brien 21, Papito Hersisia 18, Dailian Mason 10, Seamus Brosnan 6, Padraig Lucey 3, Andrew Fitzgerald 2.

LIMERICK CELTICS: Turrell Morris 37, Alvero Martinez 16, Fabio Hernandez 10, Jordan Hehir 10, Shane O’Connell 7, Cian O’Reilly 3.

Tough double league fixture for

Lakers

SCOTTS Lakers are at home in the league this Sunday welcoming Carlow IT at 3.00 pm. Carlow enjoyed a 108-62 Cup win over LYIT Donegal last weekend and will be a tough obstacle to overcome. It is also a double header weekend with Lakers travelling to Cork on Saturday to face league leaders Ballincollig. It will be difficult weekend for the Killarney side against two teams that have beaten Lakers in their only two league losses this season. Lakers coach Cormac O’Donoghue received the Basketball Ireland Division One coach of the month award for November. It follows impressive wins for his side against Limerick IT, Wa-