It was an action-packed weekend for Donegal Town Basketball Club as both boys and girls teams played in high-quality games throughout the county.
DTBC 42 Blaze 63 (After Extra Time)
Our u19s hosted League leaders Blaze at the weekend and could have turned over the All Ireland u18 Cup Quarter Finalists in what was a great tussle between these two great rivals missing the chance to go level with the league leaders.
Both teams didn’t have their shooting dialled in and where guilty off missing easy chances but in fairness, both teams did defend tremendously well especially Orla Carbery for the home side while the rebounding of Andrea Furey was also a highlight.
Blaze led 20-14 at half-time but the home side did stretch ahead towards the end of the game to take what looked like a winning lead. But Blaze dug deep and clawed their way back aided by the fouling out of DTBC’s defensive powerhouse Carbery which in turn saw Blaze get the easy buckets they didn’t get up to that point.
Sophie Carr again was the point getter for DTBC at crucial times and a deep three-pointer at the start of the 4th quarter gave the home team that bit of a lead for the first time.
Blaze switched up to Man to man and our attacked failed from that point giving Blaze the chance to get back into the game. With Carbery not protecting the rim, Cunningham got on a run of scores to drag her side level and run out easy winners in overtime as DTBC’s top player Carr got fouled out.
Fantastic advert for the talent that’s playing ball at this age group in Donegal now and if both teams can hold onto these girls the league will have a bright future. Cunningham was terrific for Blaze while Furey and Carr were fantastic for DTBC.
Team: Aoife Mackle, Andrea Furey 13, Sophie Carr 22, Courtney Harron 4, Sarah Donovan, Nadine Mcgeoghan 1, Katie Gillespie, Ella Pearmain, Amy Carr, Orla Carbery 2, Orla Mc Gonagle 4. Coach Kevin Sinclair & Rosa Devaney
DTBC’s Under 16 Girls continued their progress as they had an easy win away to Mulroy Hoops who in fairness are new to the game and it’s very hard for them to start the game at this level.
But they never threw in the towel and can hold their heads high as they never give up. As for our girls, they have now got seven points from a possible 9 and go into next weekend’s game against GAP with renewed confidence.
They have trained well up to this point and are showing signs of developing into a good side. Blaze led the way while, All-Stars, 88ers and ourselves are locked in a great battle in behind them.
U12 Boys North West League
Division 1
DTBC 57 Sligo All Stars 47
The lads played their third game of the season against Sligo All-Stars on Saturday and what a game it turned out to be.
With both teams evenly matched this proved to be a highly entertaining spectacle, played in a competitive but very sporting manner. Everyone in attendance was treated to a high scoring and nail-biting game which was only decided after the second period of overtime.
Last week it was mentioned if the lad’s performances continued at the level they were playing at then it was only a matter of time before results started going their way and this proved to be the case.
It was all action from the onset with baskets being traded at a frantic pace.
Sligo were a delight to watch with their well-worked game plays and had excellent performances from Sean Walsh and Daniel O Meara who had an outstanding match finishing with 21 points in total.
Despite DTBC missing a few regulars, it gave an opportunity for some of the other squad members to play Division 1 basketball and boy did they take their opportunity.
Oran Boyle gave a sublime display of passing creating numerous scoring chances for his teammates. Senan Mc Ginty was unselfish in an all-action performance and Thomas Mchugh played beyond his years and was coolness personified.
Score at half-time was DTBC 19 Sligo 14
All-Stars rallied in the second half to cut the deficit and outscored DTBC 18 v 23 to set up 5 minutes of overtime. Sligo’s equalizing score in normal time with only seconds remaining showed great composure and shot selection.
Again the first period of overtime was hugely exciting as both teams couldn’t be separated but in the second period of overtime cometh the hour cometh the man and it was Nico who went on a scoring spree to get the lads over the line. Indeed he finished with 26 points in what was truly a brilliant and memorizing performance.
Huge congrats to the lads and hard luck to Sligo in what was an epic battle. Both teams were a credit to themselves and served up a magnificent display of basketball as the scoreline suggests.
MVP Nico Dominik.
Team: Thomas Mchugh 4, Christian Ward 7, Se Cassidy 3, John Farren 7, Senan Mc Ginty 2, Oran Boyle, Nico Dominik 26, Alan Mchugh, Charlie Mc Neely 3, Leon Mc Ginty 5. Coaches Garry Prendiville & Emmett Cassidy
U14 Girls North West League
Division 1
Ballyshannon 42 Donegal Town 19
A much-improved performance from the girls this week as they travelled to play local rivals Ballyshannon.
It was tight fought first half with all the girls doing well. Ballyshannon pulled away in the third and fourth quarters.
Team: Emma Sweeney (8), Laura Sweeney, Holly Roarty(2), Aoife Cox (4), Kasey McKinney (2), Kayleigh Boyle (1), Hannah McCaughan (2), Grace Masterson, Mya Rowley, Holly Towey, Roisin Lynch. Coach Stephen Carty & David Seeney
