Belfast Star and University of Galway Maree remain top of the North and South Conferences in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League, thanks to victories on Saturday and there was derby success for Garvey's Tralee Warriors, UCC Demons, Killester and DBS Éanna.
Belfast Star defeated bottom club UCD Marian 83-60. In the absence of Max Cooper – who is out for the rest of the season - it was Max Richardson led their offense with 33, while Chrishon Briggs had 13.
Their nearest challengers in the North Conference, DBS Éanna, were 82-60 Dublin derby winners over Bright St. Vincent’s. It was a tight opening half, with just a point separating the sides, DBS Éanna ahead 41-40. Joshua Wilson and Marko Tomic headed their scoring efforts with 17 apiece, as they moved to 10-4 for the season.
The other Dublin derby of the weekend went the way of Killester, winning 90-85 against Griffith College Templeogue at the National Basketball Arena. Brian O’Malley hailed the "majestic" Paul Dick, who finished with a game-high 32 points in their victory.
Killester had a 16 point lead six minutes into the opening quarter, but it was a three point game by half-time, Brian O’Malley’s side 44-41 in front. In a topsy turvy game, which had 11 lead changes, Killester got their noses in front at the crucial stage.
University of Galway Maree remain the team to catch in the South Conference, after an 86-72 road win at Ej Sligo All-Stars. There was just two points in it, 34-32 to the Galway club, with just under two minutes to go in the second quarter, but that advantage was 22 points ten minutes later - a strong third quarter saw Charlie Crowley’s side ahead 66-44 with 2’27 to go and they weren’t going to be caught after that.
Their closest challengers in the South Conference are UCC Demons, on a 10-4 record. Head coach Daniel O’Mahony hailed Michael Randolph Jr. as "the best player in the league", as his 35 point contribution helped them narrowly edge Energywise Ireland Neptune, 93-91 in a thrilling local derby at the Mardyke Arena on Friday.
Colin O’Reilly’s side were fast out of the blocks and led by 12 points at the end of the first quarter, 35-23. A strong second and third quarter saw UCC Demons move in front, with Michael Randolph Jr. to the fore, hitting 20 points in that time. It went down to the wire and Roy Downey had an opportunity in the dying seconds to force overtime, but his jump shot didn’t land.
Ireland international Blount was Energywise Ireland Neptune’s leading scorer, finishing with 32 points.
The Kerry derby went the way of Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, as they won 90-78 at Flexachem KCYMS. John Dowling’s side had to come from behind, Flexachem KCYMS held a 47-42 half-time lead with the potent Robert Alan Kelly Jr. scoring 11 of his 18 points in first two quarters.
The game turned in the third quarter, Daniel Jokubaitis, Matija Jokic and De’Ondre Jackson with 9, 8 and 7 points respectively - Garvey’s Tralee Warriors outscored their opponents 26-13, for an eight point lead going into the final quarter, 68-60.
Jackson finished with 22 points for Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, while Jokubaitis and Jokic had 21 apiece.
Emporium Cork Basketball are third in the South Conference, they led from start to finish in their 82-59 win at Moycullen. Jose Jimenez Gonzales top scored with 17, while American John Dawson racked up 16.
