Title glory for majestic St Mary’s

St Mary’s, Castleisland produced champagne basketball to win the women’s Division 1 league following their terrific 58-47 win over fellow Kerry side Tralee Imperials at the national basketball arena.

Imperials got off to a good start and commanded a six-point lead midway through the opening quarter.

In the closing minutes St Mary’s got back in the game but a late Emma Sherwood basket saw Imperials lead 17-12.

The trend of the game changed on the restart and some excellent defence from St Mary’s restricted their opponents to five points as the Castleisland side edged into a 29-22 interval lead.

Credit to St Mary’s as they never allowed their opponents take control in the third quarter despite only having a seven-point lead entering the final quarter.

The class of St Marys’ Eileen O’Connor (28 points) earned her the MVP award and she proved the difference between two committed sides.

Ballon and Titans were involved in the game of the weekend in the men’s Division 1 league decider with the former running out 80-78 winners.

Titans were awesome in the first half and a late three pointer from Paul Freeman ensured they led 44-42 at the break.

Coming down the stretch both sides went for glory but just when the game looked to be heading for extra time the smallest player on court, Mazyvydas Cepiliauskas, drove to the hoop sparking wild scenes from the Ballon fans.

In the inaugural women’s SuperLeague Shield final, Ulster Rockets defeated Cork side Brunell 81-77 in another terrific final.

The first-half saw the lead change hands on a number of occasions but Brunell were finding it hard to defend Rockets post player Megan Houlihan and trailed 43-36 at the break.

Brunell did well to reduce to deficit to three points entering the final quarter but Houlihan and Noleen Lenihan broke their hearts with deft moves to the hoop as the Rockets were crowned champions.