Champions: Glenties 2nd Yr Girls
GLENTIES second year pupils have scored a double in the schools basketball finals for second years.
The girls pipped PCC by a single point – whilst the boys had a more convincing win in their final.
Folen’s 2nd yr Girls Schools Basketball Final 2014 REPORT:
Glenties pip brave PCC in thriller
PCC 29
Glenties 30
St. Columba’s Glenties were crowned worthy 2nd yr County Champions when they defeated a gallant PCC side in Falcarragh gym on Wednesday last. Glenties were made work hard for their victory right until the dying seconds and their fitness proved a telling factor in the final outcome.
Glenties dominated the first quarter with Rachel Mc Nelis getting them off on the right foot. Meghan Ruddy replied soon after with Mc Nelis again popping one in from close range to keep Glenties in the lead. The athletic Ellie Mc Innes got her first basket of the day in the 6th minute only for Ruddy to again reply with a nifty lay up. Glenties went up a gear as the quarter went on and further scores from Mc Innes (4), Mc Nelis (2) and a scoring rebound from the very tall Aeva Andersen eft the score after the first 7 minutes 12-4 in favour of the away team.
PCC’s second five got things back on track in the second quarter with the skilled Orla Harkin getting the first two baskets, one after a steal at the half way line. Edel Ferry tagged on a free shot and the tigerish Roisín Duggan scored after a sleek fast break leaving the Falcarragh girls just a point behind. With their tails up and their defence being very disciplined, PCC gained three more two pointers from Orla Harkin and Edel Ferry respectively with Hannah Gallagher getting a first. PCC with their fast break game now playing dividends went in at the interval 17-12 up.
It was in the third quarter that the game really kicked came to life with the rules allowing coaches Manus Brennan and Louise Diver to put out their strongest performing fives of the day. It was PCC carrying on from where they left off in the second with a basket each from Hannah Gallagher and a sweet back door cut from Meghan Ruddy. The influential Mc Innes and Mc Nelis got scores back for Glenties whilst Roisin Duggan restored PCC’s new found confidence with a drive in basket. Vicky Bonner then added to Glenties tally. The same player was then fouled and subsequently missed her free shots though Aeva Andersen made up with the rebound. That score gave Glenties great hope as the game entered overdrive at the twenty minute mark. The stylish Ruddy and omnipresent Mc Nelis for Glenties again traded scores to leave a mouth-watering fourth quarter teetering on the brink, with Alisha Kee tagging on another score for the Glenties girls. Half time score: PCC 25 Glenties 22.
The noise in the hall cranked up a notch as the fourth quarter got underway and it was Ellie Mc Innes who got first blood for the south western side. It was at this junction that they put a stranglehold on the game as Rachel Mc Nelis put Glenties into the lead for the first time since the first quarter. Ellie Mc Innes, who was constantly up and down the court scored two more baskets, one in which the PCC rearguard were caught napping. PCC weren’t finished however as a superb outside shot from Orla Harkin and a Roisín Duggan lay up left the minimum between the sides and PCC in front, 29-28. Aeva Andersen who was a thorn in PCC’s side throughout responded with a jump shot and it proved to be crucial and put Glenties back in the driving seat. With both teams grappling for possession, and the game reaching fever pitch an inbound ball was given to Glenties on PCC’s baseline. Glenties smartly called a time out to calm things down for their team with 22 seconds remaining on the clock. The streetwise Mc Nelis intelligently kept control of the ball with help from her teammates and there was no way back for PCC with the hooter sounding and leaving Glenties champions 2014.
Glenties were best served by the supremely fit Ellie Mc Innes, the rebounding skills of Aeva Andersen and the leadership of Rachel Mc Neilis whilst for PCC, Roisin Duggan, Orla Harkin and Meghan Ruddy were to the fore at every opportunity.
PCC: Orla Harkin (8), Cora Moore, Jena De Groot, Emma Whoriskey, Clodagh Langan, Alexandra Halligan, Edel Ferry (3), Megan Ruddy (8), Roisin Duggan (6), Lorraine Doherty, Eilis Russell, Hannah Gallagher (4), Monica Morahan, Áine Gallagher, Catherine Hagney.
Glenties: Clodagh Boyle, Tara Black, Áine Ní Mhurchú, Rían Boyle, Ellie Mc Innes (8), Vicky Bonner (2), Clar Gyo, Alisha Kee (4), Eileen Conway, Hannah Sweeney, Rebecca Gavigan, Sarah Arnold, Rachel Mc Nelis (8), Aeva Andersen (8).
Folen’s 2nd Year Boys Schools Basketball Final
Glenties power way to win
PCC 11
Glenties 31
A hungry and determined showing from St. Columbas, Glenties meant they were crowned 2nd Yr Boys champions for 2014 having defeated an out of sorts PCC at Falcarragh gym on Wednesday last.
The Glenties team dominated throughout and set out their stall in the first quarter and their play was more controlled than PCC’s. The home side often took the wrong option when passing and shooting and the perhaps nerves of being the home team had a bearing on the outcome, particularly in the first half.
Oisín Brennan got Glenties off the mark with a score, this after an early time out was called to gather together their game plan. Soon after they pressed on PCC at every opportunity and Shane Mc Devitt was instrumental in everything they done in attack . With the Falcarragh side failing to get to the tempo of the game two baskets from Ultan Brennan in the 4th and 6th minute left the score after the first quarter 6-0 in favour of the south west school.
With two new fives on court in the second quarter PCC started brighter. Padraic Sweeney scoring the second free throw offered to him and Paul Doherty made sure with a fast break lay up. The home sides rhythm was affected by a head injury to the diminutive Neil Kelly. The Glenties lads then awoke from their slumber and with a number of free shots gained they piled on the pressure. Baskets from Jordan Watters, one from outside the key, Niall Mc Crossan and Cian Bennett respectively allowed Genties to pull away though Paul Doherty got a basket back for the seasiders to leave the half time score 14-5.
The game followed a regular pattern in the third quarter and baskets from Niall Mc Crossan, Conor Mc Keown, Jordan Watters and Aaron Mc Hugh increased Glenties’ deficit. Kyron Glennon was PCC’s sole scorer in the third quarter and a wrist injury to the very talented PCC point guard Paul Doherty at this stage was the last thing they needed. HT 22-7.
PCC were faced with a mountain to climb in the last quarter and weren’t helped with Aaron Mc Hugh getting the visitors another score. Sweeney replied to give hope to the Falcarragh side but further baskets from Gerard Mc Hugh and Mc Crossan put paid to any chance of a comeback. At this point PCC were being forced to shoot from outside and any chance they had wasn’t falling favourably for them. Two baskets each from Oisín Brennan and Ultan Brennan and a free throw from Ultan completed the Glenties scoring and resulted in the team in black running out easy winners.
PCC, for their part tried hard in spurts but their effort was not sustained or composed enough despite the endeavours of Padraic Sweeney, Paul Doherty and Aiden Mc Fadden. Glenties on the other hand put in a terrific team performance and their fast break and high pressure game paid dividends time and time again to deservedly allow them to capture the Folens cup and run out convincing winners.
Glenties: Eoghan Harkin, Aaron Mc Hugh (2), Ultan Brennan (12), Odhran Doherty, Oisín Brennan (6), Gerard Mc Hugh, Jordan Watters (4), Kevin Gavigan, Conor Breslin, Cian Doherty, Kian Bennett (2), Fiachra Breslin,Shane Mc Devitt, Niall Mc Crossan (4), Joe Sweeney, Conor Mc Keown (2).
PCC Falcarragh: Aiden Mc Fadden, Fionn mac Fhionnaighle, Jason Wilkinson, Kyron Glennon (2), Padraic Sweeney (4), PJ Doogan, Adam Boyle, Adam Boyle, Paul Doherty (4), Neil Kelly, Shane Corless, Michéal Mc Hugh, Ultan Boyle, Andrew Doohan.
Stephen Doohan co-ordinator Donegal Schools Basketball presents the “Folens” Cup to Glenties Comprehensive Captain Shane McDevitt.
