It's as you were in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League Southern Conference playoff race, as Energywise Ireland Neptune, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors and Emporium Cork Basketball all claimed valuable wins to keep one game between them in the standings.
Emporium Cork Basketball took care of business first, rallying from a halftime deficit to defeat Northern Conference playoff chasing EJ Sligo All-Stars, 91-67. John Dawson had 28 points and Jose Gonzales 27 in a must win game for the home side. Shane O’Meara’s All-Stars remain in the final playoff place with two regular season games to go. Christian Williams and Tom Childs proving pivotal once more in defeat.
Tarkus Ferguson, Jordan Blount and Cian Heaphy all reached double digits for Energywise Ireland Neptune in their 72-65 win over Northern Conference leading Belfast Star. The win solidifies their third spot in the Southern Conference table, maintaining a one win advantage over their rivals. The loss sees Belfast Star slip to 12-5, but their playoff position is firmly secure at this stage.
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors resurgence continued in front of the onlooking Armagh GAA panel. The Kerry team were dominant 84-54 winners against a Killester team who are now without a win in three games. Matija Jokic was a nightmare to match up with for the Warriors opponents once more, he led the scoring charts with 19 points. Irish international Eoin Quigley not far behind with 17.
Elsewhere, DBS Éanna made it back-to-back InsureMyVan.ie Super League wins to join Belfast Star at the top of the Northern Conference on 12-5. Darren McGovern’s team can thank a powerful shooting period in the third quarter for overturning a halftime deficit against Flexachem KCYMS, who are now in danger of slipping into the relegation playoff despite many excellent performances during the regular season.
Moycullen are the team aiming to leapfrog the Killorglin outfit. Paul Cunningham has gotten a tune from Grant Olsson in recent weeks, and he was to the fore once more as they gained an invaluable 82-79 win against Griffith College Templeogue. It’s their fourth win of the campaign and draws them level with Flexachem KCYMS in the Southern Conference standings. The result puts a dent in Mark Keenan and Griffith College Templeogue’s lingering ambitions of a playoff spot.
The team with the best record in Irish basketball, University of Galway Maree accounted for UCD Marian 91-72 to take their record to 14-3 on the year. It’s Charlie Crowley’s fifth win on the bounce, with the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup champions looking strong as the playoffs approach. Jarret Haines turned in another spectacular scoring performance to grab 25 points, but it was Jonathan Jean who was the game’s leading scoring with 30. For UCD Marian, their eyes are firmly focused on getting the balance right for the relegation playoff.
UCC Demons are arguably the hottest team in Irish basketball. Danny O’Mahony’s charges scored 56 points in the opening half of a 92-75 win against Bright St. Vincents. Tala Fam Thiam had his best performance of the season, scoring 27 points for the hosts, who dominated the boards throughout the second and third quarter to pull away from the North Dublin team. Stefan Zecevic and Donovan Fields put up some resistance for Bright St.Vincent’s, who ultimately couldn’t match the scoring prowess of the second place Southern Conference side.
