Basketball Ireland Men’s Super League 2024/2025 – Round 2
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 86
Templeogue 74
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors took full value from the first double-header weekend of the new season by lowering the colours of two of their keenest rivals, Templeogue and Killester, to take their place on top of the Super League table by virtue of points per game scored after three rounds of matches.
On Saturday night the Warriors got their first chance to show off their new signings and new McKeevers Sport playing gear in front of their faithful support and they didn’t disappoint with an 86-74 win over former arch rivals Templeogue. An MVP performance by new American point guard Marquavian Stephens and the performance of the young players James Fernane and Joshua Osayanrhion provided plenty for the vocal home support to applaud.
The Warriors led at the end of all four quarters and in truth were never truly threatened by Templeogue despite a stunning display of shooting by their Americans Tye Fagan who shot 38, and Immanuel Allen who fired in 27. A quick start from the Warriors with 10 unanswered points from Stephens and Daniel Jokubaitis gave the hosts a 15-5 lead midway through the opening quarter. However Fagan and Allen combined to bring the Dublin side right back into the contest to trail by just 20-17 at quarter time.
Gregorio Adon helped himself to an 11 point volley for the Warriors early in the second before young guns James Fernane with three and Joshua Osayanrhion with two spectacular dunks saw the Warriors lead 40-36 at the long break. Stephens, Fernane and Jokubaitis combined to help maintain the Warriors advantage early in the third but scores for Templeogue from Fagan and Allen kept the gap to single figures trailing by just 57-52 at three quarter time.
A scoring blitz at the start of the fourth quarter from Daniel Jokubaitis, Eoin Quigley and another 10 point volley from the outstanding Stephens spread the game out to double digits again. Templeogue continued to dig in with the ever elusive Fagan landing some audacious scores but late baskets from Greg Adon, Josh Osayanrhion and the peerless Stephens sealed the 86-74 win in the end.
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Marquavian Stephens 27, Gregorio Adon 21, Daniel Jokubaitis 9
Templeogue: Tye Fagan 38, Immanuel Allen 27, Jake Mullins 4