Scott’s Lakers end the year on a high
Scotts Lakers Killarney 97 Limerick Celtics 91
DESPITE trailing for long periods, Scotts Lakers produced a storming final quarter to overcome Limerick Celtics in an exciting encounter in Killarney Sports Centre last Saturday night. The Celtics travelled to Killarney in confident form having beaten the Lakers there two weeks previously in the cup quarter final and they were also strengthened with the addition of former Limerick footballer John Galvin.
The first quarter was a showcase for three-point shooting, with five of the first six scores from downtown. Dailian Mason and Mark Greene converted for Scotts Lakers and Turrell Morris, Jordan Hehir and Fabio Hernandez for Limerick Celtics. Andrew Fitzgerald rebounded strongly to pick up that lone two-pointer. Papito Hersisia and Fitzgerald hit two more baskets, while Morris, Hehir and John Galvin scored for Celtics. Limerick finished the quarter stronger to lead 31-23 at the end of the first period.
The home side hit back in the second quarter with Seamus Brosnan particularly impressive while Sean O’Brien began to stamp his authority on the game and the Lakers trailed 38-40 midway through the quarter. However Celtics went on a spree scoring four baskets without reply despite the best efforts Sean O’Brien. John Galvin and Shane O’Connell stretched Limerick’s advantage to ten points, 42 to 52 entering the final minute of the half. Fitzgerald and O’Brien responded for Lakers but John Galvin slotted a three-pointer to close out the second quarter and give Limerick a 55-46 lead at the interval.
Papito Hersisia and Mark Greene narrowed the gap to five points but Celtics remained in control to lead 64-54 midway through the third quarter. Outstanding play from Sean O’Brien and big scores from Papito Hersisia kept the home side in contention but John Galvin and Turrell Morris were equally impressive for the visitors and Limerick led 72-67 entering the final quarter.
Scotts Lakers stepped it up in the final period and a big three-pointer from Sean O’Brien made it a tied game at 72 points each with 8:30 remaining. Two spectacular reverse lay-up baskets from Seamus Brosnan and further scores from Hersisia along with incredible assist play from O’Brien helped to give the Lakers a commanding 82-75 lead with six minutes remaining. Celtics stayed in contention through Turrell Morris to narrow the gap to 84-82 midway through the final quarter. However Scotts Lakers finished much stronger with valuable baskets from Hersisia and Fitzgerald along with big three-pointers from Brosnan and O’Brien and the home side led 94-83 with 3:40 remaining.
The Celtics never gave up and managed to reduce the deficit to six points in the end. Overall it was a very satisfying performance from the Killarney side and keeps them in second place on the southern conference league table. Once again they had a big return from three-point range sinking 12 in total.
SCOTTS LAKERS: Papito Hersisia
30, Sean O’Brien 28, Mark Greene 13, Seamus Brosnan 12, Andrew Fitzgerald 8, Dailian Mason 6.
LIMERICK CELTICS: Turrell Morris 33, John Galvin 18, Jordan Hehir 16.
Lakers next outing will be a home game in Killarney Sports Centre on January 5 against Galway Titans.