It was a Super Saturday and Sunday to remember for Garvey’s Tralee Warriors with all four of their teams winning their respective playoffs, beginning with the Mens U20s who comfortably accounted for Phoenix BC by 106-51 to set up a showdown semi-final away to Éanna next weekend.
The Warriors simply overpowered their northern opponents and after a competitive opening quarter the Tralee side took total control of the contest with a 32-6 second quarter to build a 51-20 lead. They extended that to 73-48 by three quarter time and a 33-13 final quarter sealed the 106-51.
Olaf Michalczuk top scored for the defending champions with 23, Ryan Sheehy accounted for 16, Josh Osayanrhion and Evan Boyle for 14 each and Jamie Burke for 12. The Warriors now face a tough trip to Colaiste Éanna to take on Éanna next weekend for a place in the decider and a chance to make it three titles in a row.
Titans of Galway are already through to the other semi final and await the winners of Dundalk Ravens and Limerick Celtics in what is a repeat of the U20 National Cup final that the Dundalk side won.
Meanwhile the Basketball Ireland Development League Womens side are heading to Tallaght after securing their place in the BIDL Plate Final after a 45-38 win away to Cluntech Kilkenny Stars yesterday.
The Warriors trailed their hosts by a 14-13 at the end of the first but edged ahead 23-22 at half time. The Tralee side went 35-31 ahead at the end of the third before seeing out the win by 45-38 in the end.
Holly O’Brien struck for 18 points with Sorcha Casey hitting 9 and Lucy O’Donnell and Niamh Collins both chipping in with 6.
The Warriors Women now await to see who they will play in the final with Glanmire and Portlaoise Panthers set to meet next Sunday in Cork.
The BIDL Mens side completed a picture perfect weekend for the Tralee club with a 74-64 win over Phoenix Wolves.
The Warriors started brightly to lead 22-16 at the end of the first quarter but the Wolves stayed well in touch after a closely fought second quarter to trail by just 42-37. The Belfast side then proceeded to cut the gap and level the contest at 56-56 at three quarter time. However the Warriors asserted late on to seal the 74-64 2 in the end.
Aaron Fleming hit 20 points including a major score in the final minute to secure the win, Josh Osayanrhion backed up after playing Super League the previous day to fire in 17 and Padraig Fleming carded 8 points in what was a determined display by the defending champions to book their ticket to Tallaght in three weeks time.
They will now defend their title against either Trinity College or Limerick Celtics in the final to be played over the weekend of the 11th-13th April.