Basketball Ireland Mens Super League Round 19
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 103
EJ Sligo All Stars 70
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors took to their new home court in style last night when they easily accounted for EJ Sligo All Stars by 103 – 71 at the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Sports Hall at the Kerry Sport Academy. The Warriors moved into a game winning position as early as midway through the first quarter hitting Sligo with a decisive unanswered 20 point volley that went a long way to settling the contest. Playing for the first time on their adopted home, the Warriors maintained that sizable 20 point lead throughout before sealing their big win to remain in third place on the table heading into a pivotal week of fixtures beginning on Wednesday week away to Flexachem KCYMS.
Mark Stephens had the honour of scoring the first basket at the new venue and his effort was quickly added to by two cracking threes from Daniel Jokubaitis and a tough finish from Rap Buivydas. Jevonnie Scott replied for the visitors to hit 9 points from inside and outside and draw the sides level midway through the quarter. However the Warriors locked up defensively and denied the visitors any further score for the remaining 5 minutes. At the other end the scores rained down with Brandon Mahan, Cian Sullivan, Josh Osayanrhion and Stephens all in range from inside and majors from Ryan Leonard and Jokubaitis with his third to see the Warriors lead 33-13 at quarter time.
Sligo’s Harry Gent came off the bench to strike for a double and Rob Montgomery’s first of the night gave the All Stars the start to the second quarter they needed but when Stephens, Leonard and Buivydas combined the gap was back out to 44-20. The Warriors continued to benefit from shooting from distance with Greg Adon and Mahan converting the home side hit the 50 point mark. Sligo’s resistance came through Montgomery, Jonathan Brown and Scott but at half time the hosts were in total control leading 54-31.
The third quarter saw Sligo go on a run that quickly halved the Warriors lead. Spearheaded by Irish international John Carroll, who hit 10 in the quarter, and added to by captain Tom Child, Montgomery and Scott, and despite Stephens bringing his personal tally to 16 with a quickfire 6 points and scores from Jokubaitis and Adon, the Warriors lead was cut down to 65-53. However the home side finished the quarter with a flourish of their own through Stephens and Jokubaitis with two each and Mahan and Adon to bring a 77-55 lead into the final quarter.
Another major from Adon edged the Warriors lead out to 25 early in the fourth but two majors from Jonathan Brown either side of another from Scott cut the advantage back to 17. That was as good as it got for the All Stars as their effort relented and the Warriors saw out the win in some style beginning with a three each from Adon and Mahan. Harry Gent hit two late scores for the visitors but James Fernane came off the bench for the Warriors to drain a major score with his first touch and he added again before the final buzzer sounded after a Josh Osayanrhion dunk pushed the hosts past the 100 point mark.
It was a relatively straightforward win for the Warriors at their new home and maybe Sligo’s midweek exertions from their one point win away to Neptune told. The Warriors will now face into three fixtures in five days beginning with a trip to Killorglin for a local derby on Wednesday week followed two days later by a journey to Neptune Stadium to take on the Pat Price coached Energywise Ireland Neptune side before heading back to the Kerry Sports Academy on Sunday 2nd March for a battle with Ballincollig. It is a pivotal series of games that will shape the remainder of the Warriors season.
Scorers:
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Mark Stephens 20, Daniel Jokubaitis 17, Brandon Mahan 15
EJ Sligo AllStars: Jevonnie Scott 21, John Carroll 15, Jonathan Brown 11
Thanks to Liam Ryan for the images.