Fitness and strength-in-depth will be pivotal factors in a bumper weekend of National League basketball. Four teams will play twice in less than 24 hours in the Men’s Premier League.
Killester host C&S UCC Demons in the tie of the round. Both sides are unbeaten and expected to fight for silverware at the end of the season. The game will be streamed live on Killester’s website and Demon’s coach Colin O’Reilly is expecting a nail biter.
“A trip to the league holders is always a challenge but we’re looking forward to it. There’s been a healthy rivalry over the last year and we’re expecting a close-fought clash in front of a full house at the IWA,” said O’Reilly.
Demons will need to rotate key players across the weekend as they host Travelodge Swords Thunder at the Mardyke on Sunday. Thunder point guard Isaac Westbrooks is nursing a finger injury picked up mid-week but is expected to start.
Dublin Inter host teams on either side of them in the Men’s Premier League table this weekend. First up is a National Cup dress rehearsal against UL Eagles before Belfast Star take a Sunday drive to Mountview.
Star head coach Neal McCotter is looking for the right balance between securing a win and keeping his players fresh.
He said: “Everybody has to be minded – basketball is too intense for anything else. We’re targeting two wins from two this weekend but players have to be managed, especially the bigger guys.”
Star’s new American recruit Ricky Taylor explains it from a player’s perspective.
“It’ll be about rest and hydration on the Saturday night,” he said. We have a very young team and I’m hoping to lead them and teach them some things I’ve learned in my pro experience.”
UCD Marian, fresh from their first win of the season, are Belfast Star’s opponents on Saturday evening.
BFG Neptune are the remaining team with back-to-back games this weekend. First up will be a high octane affair when DCU Saints make the trip to Cork. Saints coach Joey Boylan knows what to expect from the Cork men.
“The big thing we have to do is get back against their fast break. We’ll be in trouble if we let them run at us. If we can make them set up and work for it, we’ll be there or thereabouts at the end,” he said.
"The big thing we have to do is get back against their fast break. We’ll be in trouble if we let them run at us"
Templeogue will be hoping that Saturday’s exploits take their toll on Neptune. Mark Killeen’s side face them on Sunday in search of their first points of the season.
It’s a double header at the IWA in Clontarf this weekend as Killester’s Women’s Premier League team are also at home.
Courtyard Liffey Celtics provide the opposition for a side still seeking their first win of the season.
UL Huskies will be hoping for greater player availability when they welcome Team Montenotte Hotel to the Arena. Huskies travelled to Dublin last weekend with just a handful of fit players and suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Meteors.
Huskies Point Guard Kelsey Harris was still playing US college ball at the height of Huskies/TMH rivalry.
“I’ve heard all about Glanmire and last year’s defeat [in the National Cup Final]. We’re just preparing for them like any other team and know we’ve a tough match ahead of us,” she said.
Meteors play their third game in a row at home on Saturday and forward Katie Ganser is looking forward to welcoming Singleton Supervalu Brunell.
“We had a couple of tough games against them last year. They were fast and mobile and I know they’ve since recruited players who offer plenty of height as well. It’ll certainly be interesting,” she said.
DCU Mercy and Maxol WIT Wildcats round off the weekend’s action. The foul count in Mercy’s last outing went against them 23-6 and they had to finish the game without three of their starting five.
As well as keeping key players on the floor, they’ll need to be accurate this weekend - Wildcats may lack consistency but through Olivia Applewhite, they lead the way in defensive rebounds for the season.
Point guard Diara Moore has been released from playing duties and returns to the US this week.
