Wins for KCYMS & Lakers; Warriors & Cougars beaten-Pauls ladies play today

Flexachem KCYMS defeated Templeogue 97-71 in the Men’s Super League.

In an electrifying encounter at the National Basketball Arena, Flexachem KCYMS showcased their dominance with a resounding 97-71 victory over the local team, Templeogue. The visitors dazzled with 13 three-pointers, while Templeogue kept pace with 12. Flexachem KCYMS's largest lead soared to an impressive 32 points, underlining their skill and teamwork. This match was a testament to the thrilling spectacle of mixed basketball.

From the tip-off, Flexachem KCYMS asserted their dominance, racing to a staggering 34-17 lead in the first period, led by the sharpshooting Clayton Riggs Ladine, who netted 18 points, including six three-pointers. The second period saw Templeogue fight back, matching the visitors with 19 points, but they still trailed 53-36 at halftime.

The third period was a display of Flexachem KCYMS's defensive prowess, limiting Templeogue to just 8 points while scoring 20, extending their lead to 73-44. Jeffery Echezonachukwu Okeke shone brightly, adding 10 points and securing 10 rebounds, showcasing his double-double performance. Though Templeogue rallied in the final period, outscoring Flexachem KCYMS 27-24, it was not enough to close the gap. Clayton Riggs Ladine finished with a remarkable double-double of 30 points and 14 rebounds, sealing a resounding victory for the visitors at 97-71.

Flexachem KCYMS will look to make it 3 from 3 when they face Neptune on Saturday 11th at 19:15 in the Killorglin sports complex. This will be the first of four home games

Garvey's Tralee Warriors good run of form over the Christmas break hit the skids in their first Super League clash of the new year when they went down 103-93 to the League leaders Killester at the Tralee Sports Complex yesterday. Killester were gifted a fast start in the opening quarter and a lead that the Warriors spent most of the rest of the game chasing down. Apart from the hosts leading by a single point early in the third, it was Killester that dictated the pace and tempo of the game to prevail by 10 in the end, avenging their defeat at home to the Warriors in Round 3.

Killester blasted out of the blocks, and from the moment sharp shooter Kason Harrell drained a corner three with the opening play, it signalled an all out attack from the Dublin side. Harrell fired in another two more majors blows before Ciaran Roe and the outstanding former Warrior Paul Dick got in on the act to see the visitors lead 21-7 midway through the quarter. The Warriors suddenly got to the pace of the game when Daniel Jokubaitis found the target from distance and scores from Rap Buivydas, Josh Osayanrhion and Eoin Quigley helped to steady the ship and when Mark Stephens got a good look at the target to drill a three pointer, it cut the Killester lead back to 26-23 at quarter time.

The second quarter saw the sides go score for score from the moment Isaac Westbrooks opened his account for Killester. A hat trick of inside efforts from Mark Stephens was countered by three more from Isiah Dasher to keep the visitors one score ahead but Stephens then chose his moment to kick start a three point shootout with his second major, quickly followed by another from Brandon Mahan. Killester struck back through Andrew McGeever with a three from the corner and by the end of the quarter he would follow that with another two majors. However Warriors radar from range was also in full working order and Jokubaitis, Greg Adon and Mahan lined up to fire down three cracking efforts from beyond the arc to hold the Killester lead to 53-51 at half time.

The third quarter is often the 'moving quarter' where one team looks to spread the game and it proved to be Killester that took this initiative when they blitzed the Warriors with a 17-5 volley to take control of the contest. Doubles each from Paul Dick, Harrell and Dasher quickly built a 70-56 lead that only Buivydas and Stephens were able to reply to. The Warriors did bridge the gap with two more threes from Stephens and Jokubaitis with his fourth major, but McGeever also hit his fourth from distance to keep 10 between the sides. The Warriors discipline began to creak under the weight of the Killester challenge and a couple of technical fouls were duly punished before the Killester’s Baptiste Chazelas struck for identical efforts from close range to see the Dublin side lead 82-70 at the end of the third.

The Warriors needed a quick start in the fourth to begin the rescue mission but after Greg Adon and Stephens were on the mark Killester again took the reins of the game and Harrell, Dick and Chazelas shared 13 points between them to put the contest to bed as the visitors went 22 points up at 96-74. The Warriors did rally late with Mahan and Jokubaitis combining for 14 points to cut the Killester lead to 98-89 as the clock ticked down. There was still time for Greg Adon to pick up his second technical foul and Jokubaitis exhaust his five fouls and despite Buivydas and Mahan firing in the final seconds, Ciaran Roe and Kason Harrell gladly obliged from the free throw line to seal their 103-93 win in the end.

Scorers:
Garvey's Tralee Warriors: Mark Stephens 28, Brandon Mahan 21, Daniel Jokubaitis 19
Killester: Kason Harrell 27, Paul Dick 25, Isiah Dasher 14

Next up for the Warriors after a break for both the National Cup weekends as well as a rostered weekend off, is a double header of fixtures on the road when they take on St. Vincent’s in Glasnevin on Saturday 1st February before travelling on to play Belfast Star the following day.

Alan Cantwell reports