Dublin Basketball Finals 2018
Mixed Emotions for St. Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle
St. Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle, with a successful tradition in basketball, had two teams playing in the Dublin Finals in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght. Both the Under 19s Division 1 and the Under 16s Division 2 were up against two similar teams from St. Louis High School Rathmines.
St. Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle, with a successful tradition in basketball, had two teams playing in the Dublin Finals in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght. Both the Under 19s Division 1 and the Under 16s Division 2 were up against two similar teams from St. Louis High School Rathmines.
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The Under 19s were up first but it was St. Louis who scored immediately from the start, a quick break and good play has St. Louis 6-0 ahead within a couple of minutes. St. Mary’s fought back and after a number of team misses, Maria Malina pulled two back but St. Louis were dominant, another basket, free shot point and a three pointer soon had St. Louis 12-2 ahead. Malina scored two more baskets but unfortunately St. Louis kept scoring. The first quarter ended 20-6 in favour of St. Louis.
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Coaches Robert Fennell and Ciaran worked hard with the team and St. Mary’s came out flying. A long throw from Maya Keyes and another basket from Malina saw the score become 20-10 with Mary’s being well encouraged by a large number of supporters “Lets Go Mary’s, Lets Go” echoing in the arena. Mary’s continued to dominated but two free shots pushed Louis ahead but baskets from Aine Ryan and Leah Balmer reduced the score to 22-14 but St. Louis fined well to finish the second quarter 25-14 ahead.
The third quarter saw scores coming on both sides including another five points for Malina including one battling basket and also baskets for Aine Ryan and the improving Maya Keyes. However, Louis also scored baskets and they ended the quarter 34-25 ahead but St. Mary’s led by Rachel Dipeolu were looking very strong. |
A Maya Keyes basket and free point score reduced the score to 34-28 and another Malina basket had St. Mary’s in the dominancy and looking good. St. Louis were feeling the pressure but two free point scores steadied their nerves temporarily. However a brilliant break by Dipeolu and powerful pass to Keyes who scored a great basket followed by two consecutive free point scores by Aine Ryan narrowed the Louis lead to just a basket. The St Mary’s supports were all on their feet chanting for St. Mary’s, could the comeback continue but time was running out. Remarkably St Louise score three points from 3 different free shots to edge further ahead 39-34 ahead. Another St. Mary’s attack and a basket by the excellent Dipeolu reduced the score to 39-36 and unfortunately time was not on our time and St Louis, breathing a large sigh of relief, ended up 39-36 winners. It was a great comeback by St. Mary’s and we were all very proud of them all and well done to the winners St. Louis High School. The supporters ran on to the court to offer support to the team.
U16
It was not long until our Under 16s were out on the court against our U19 conquerors St. Louis High School and the coaches Ms. Morgan and Mr. Fennell had them really ready to go. Two quick baskets by Nikta Corrigan and a Gemma Kenna Keenan basket had St. Mary’s 6-0 ahead but St. Louis, against the run of play and some resolute defending, scored a basket to get back into the game. However, a great rob of the basketball ball and a fine shot was followed by a great individual run and score by Niamh Cummins which saw the first quarter end 10-2 in favour of St. Mary’s.
It was not long until our Under 16s were out on the court against our U19 conquerors St. Louis High School and the coaches Ms. Morgan and Mr. Fennell had them really ready to go. Two quick baskets by Nikta Corrigan and a Gemma Kenna Keenan basket had St. Mary’s 6-0 ahead but St. Louis, against the run of play and some resolute defending, scored a basket to get back into the game. However, a great rob of the basketball ball and a fine shot was followed by a great individual run and score by Niamh Cummins which saw the first quarter end 10-2 in favour of St. Mary’s.
The second quarter was a dominant one for St. Mary’s, A pair of baskets by Shauna Benson was followed by scores by Niamh Cummins and Sarah Keenan. Another Benson basket and a Jessica Caroll Basket saw the quarter end 22-2 in favour of St. Mary’s.
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The third quarter saw St. Louis pressure St Mary’s and two baskets and free shot point lifted their spirts but a late Gemma Keenan basket meant St. Mary’s led 24-7 going into the final quarter. The excellent Niamh Cummins was in top form in the final quarter and scored five consecutive baskets for St. Mary’s before a quick St. Louis basket. A final basket by Sarah Keenan, twin sister of Gemma, saw St. Mary’s win the Under 16 Division Two Title by 34-9. Everyone was delighted by the victory as the supporters ran on to the court this time to congratulate the team. Well done to St. Louis and well done to the coaches Ms. Morgan and Mr. Fennell as St. Mary’s continued their proud tradition of success in basketball
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