Ballincollig survive Tralee Warriors scare to claim narrow three point win
Adrian O'Sullivan, Ballincollig, Irshaad Hunte and Daniel Jokubaitis, Tralee. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Ballincollig survived a mighty scare before defeating Tralee Warriors in a competitive Domino’s Men’s Super League clash at the MTU Arena on Friday.
The Cork side were pushed all the way but a magnificent 24- point contribution from American Latavious Mitchell saved the Leesiders blushes.
In a game that could have went either way Ballincollig showed great character that in the end got them over the line.
Adrian O’Sullivan has been in the form of his career in this campaign and he started with a stunning move to the hoop for the opening basket.
Credit to the Warriors they responded in style and three consecutive baskets gave them a 6-2 lead in the third minute.
The opening exchanges were scrappy with the sides sharing 12 points up to midway through the quarter.
Keelan Cairns drained the first three pointer two minutes later and suddenly the tempo began to increase.
The visitors got a huge contribution off the bench from Olaf Michalczuk with two monstrous shots outside the paint that gave his team a four- point lead.
Credit to Ballincollig they responded to command a 26-24 lead entering the second quarter with Josh Steel increasing their lead on the restart.
In the opening three minutes of this quarter the game became scrappy with poor turnovers on both sides with the home side still commanding a three- point lead.
The Warriors responded to level the game a minute later but for some strange reason this game lacked fire and passion that is usually associated when these sides clash.
Consecutive three pointers from Cairns and Jossell had the home crowd in rapture but star American post player Latavious Mitchell was struggling at this stage to make an impact.
In the closing possession the Warriors ace guard Jordan Perkins made a pull up jumper that ensured his team went in at the break commanding a 49-46 lead.
On the restart the Warriors began dominating at both ends of the court and with Americans Hunte and Perkins showing nice touches they surged into an eight- point lead midway through the quarter.
Just when the visitors looked to be taking control Ballincollig responded with a superb Mitchell basket and bonus.
The Warriors were struggling to get the ball up court with Perkins resting and the home side were back on level terms 60-60 with 1.23 remaining.
After a comedy of errors from both sides in the closing minute Jassell drained a buzzer beater and suddenly Ballincollig were back in control 62-60 entering the final quarter.
Midway through the quarter a stunning Quigley three pointer edged Tralee ahead 69-66 as Ballincollig were now being asked plenty of questions.
Coming down the stretch Mitchell the games MVP gave an exhibition at both ends of the court as they just about survived after a titanic finish.
: L Mitchell 24, L Jossell 24, A O’Sullivan 11, K Cairns 9.
: J Perkins 28 I Hunte 22, D Bowler 9.
A O’Sullivan, J Steel, L Jossell, D O’Herlihy, A Rodriguez, C O’Sullivan, C O’Sullivan, R O’Sullivan, C Blount, L O’Sullivan, D Corkery, L Mitchell.
: I Hunte, J Perkins, O Michalczuk, S Bowler, J Fernane, D Bowler, K Crowe, P Fleming, D Jokubaitis, C Sullivan, E Quigley.
: Jamie Dooley (Portlaoise), Emer Buckley (Kerry), Leanne Ahern (Limerick).
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