Warriors turn the tables on Keanes in derby

MEN’S SUPERLEAGUE Keanes Supervalu Killorglin 68 Garveys Tralee Warriors 77

IT was derby day in Kerry on Saturday as Keanes Supervalu Killorglin welcomed Tralee warriors to Killorglin sports complex in the latest round of the men’s basketball Super League.

The teams are at opposite ends of the table, with Tralee challenging for the title while Killorglin are in a battle to retain their place in the top league. Both teams had wins last weekend, with Warriors doing the business up in Cork against Neptune, while Killorglin got a vital win at home to UCC Demons.

The two teams met in the opening fixtures in Tralee last September and that game was a win for Keanes, so if any was needed, Tralee had extra incentive going into last night’s game as they sought revenge for that loss.

The entry queue started forming two hours before tip off and the hall was hop- ping all night and the fantastic atmosphere was a credit to both sets of supporters and both clubs.

Tralee gained the opening possession and Paul Dick immediately drove straight for the basket, but lost control and Killorglin broke up the court, but Pierre Newton’s three attempt was out.

It was clear that both sets of players were feeding big time off the atmosphere and it was going to take some time for the game to settle. Keanes’ youngster Adam Donoghue opened the scoring when he laid up the ball but missed the bonus shot after the foul was called.

Daniel Jackobitus made another two, and followed it up with a three before Darragh O’Hanlon responded with a lob shot for two to Warriors going. Jordan Evans hit his opening score with a three from way out, and with 6.33 left, it was 10 – 5 to Keanes.

Keanes were struggling a little under the boards and this was highlighted when Warriors won six offensive rebounds in a row – Keanes Coach Ignas Sijanus responed by introducing eighteen year old Eoin Evans into the battle and that steadied the defensive ship a little.

After Brzica hit a three and another Killorglin youngster Eoin O’Sullivan a two from the corner, the quarter ended with the score Keanes Supervalu Killorglin 28 Garveys Tralee Warriors 17

Tralee came out strongly in the second, and reduced the deficit with a couple of scores from Dusan Bogdanovic and Jordan Evans. However, Daniel Jackobitus was on fire for Killorglin, hitting five points on the bounce and Tralee were struggling to contain him.

However, when you need a big personality to step up, it helps when you have the star, Kieran Donaghy in your ranks, and he first took a charge from American Stacey Lambert and got the call and then on the next play, he made a huge defensive block on Eoin O’Sullivan.

Tralee scored from the resulting fast break via Janis Dumbers, but Killorglin responded themselves, with a two from Ivan Bogdanovic. Both teams were giving it everything and matched each other score for score until the buzzer went with the half time score Keanes Supervalu Killorglin 41 Garveys Tralee Warriors 31

Tralee opened the third with an old fashioned lay up from Dusan, after a lovely pass by Donnehy, before Brzica and Evans traded three pointers. Jacobitus hit another bucket while warriors were finding their range from outside, with Darragh O’Hanlon particularly impressive.

Kieran Donaghy again got the Tralee crowd roaring when he broke away with the ball, and faced with a one on one situation, he showed fantastic skill to put the ball behind his back, before making the score and getting fouled for the bonus shot.

Tralee went on a run after this, with scores from O’Hanlon, Evans and that man Donoghy again reduced Killorlgin’s lead to three points with 5:20 left on the clock.

Declan Wall was introduced by Keanes to try to steady the ship, and he hit a two before Brizca and Newton both hit threes, while Bogdanovic used his height to great effect when he dunked the ball.

It really was game on going into the last with the score at the end of the third quarter Keanes Supervalu Killorglin 58 Garveys Tralee Warriors 54.

Pierre Newton increased Killorglin’s lead with a swished three pointer before Keith Jumper and Donghy both made a twos for Tralee. It was at this stage that the game changed when Killorglin’s Jacobitus was ejected from the game for two technicals and suddenly the momentum was all with the Warriors.

Warriors scored via Paul Dick and Evans, while Killorglin’s attempts started to be off target.

When Quigley hot a two, it gave the Warriors a ten point lead, and with 3:38 left, it was always going to be a big ask for Keanes to haul them back.

Jordan Evans made a couple of scores, while Killroglin didn’t give up, with Declan Wall and Pierre Newton both making baskets. With 41 seconds left, it was the warriors by seven, and there was a sense that if Killorglin made the next score, a miracle might happen.

However, Paul Dick showed superb composure to nail a couple of free throws at the end and this secured a massive win for Tralee Warriors.

Top Scorers

KEANES SUPERVALU KILLORGLIN: Daniel Jacobitus 17 pts, Pierre Newton 16 pts, Ivan Bogdanovic 11 pts

GARVEYS TRALEE WARRIORS: Jordan Evans 18 pts, Kieran Donaghy 16 pts, Darragh O’Hanlon 12 pts Next weekend is National Cup weekend so no game for Killorglin.