Hosford glad to be guarding the house again

UCC Demons point guard Kyle Hosford has just returned from his daily workout at the Mardyke Arena. Commitment to basketball and the Mardyke club is unconditional, but it wasn’t always that way.

Hosford works out five times a week and still manages to train three times with his beloved UCC Demons. Tomorrow he will be hoping to help his team defeat fellow joint leaders Killester in what is being touted as the game of the season in the Men’s Premier League.

Now in the best shape of his young career, the 24-year-old almost walked away from the sport last season when he dropped down a division and helped his club win a league and cup double.

Knowing his talent, the move shocked Ireland’s basketball fraternity. But Hosford had fallen out of love with the top tier of Irish basketball and reflected on the saddest days of his life.

“I basically wasn’t enjoying it and in hindsight it was probably the best decision I ever made because this season I have come back stronger,” Kyle said.

The reason? Hosford could not work with the former Demons coach Paul Kelleher.

“I have put it behind me as not seeing eye to eye with a coach is not a sin and good luck to Paul he has moved on with Glanmire,” added Kyle.

This season Kyle has excelled at both ends of the floor and paid tribute to his present coach Colin O’Reilly for helping him get up to speed.

“Colin is a true professional who makes you enjoy the sport and that is very important when you are an amateur.”

In this campaign Hosford is consistently given the job of picking up the opposing starting point guard and enjoys putting the shackles on them..

“Colin encourages me to believe in my own ability and give your all in shutting down your opponent. So I guess that’s my weekly challenge.”

Tomorrow the duel between Kyle and the Killester’s ace Isaac Wesbrooks will be worth the admission alone.

“Isaac is a different class and that’s why he was good enough to play pro ball in England and to be honest I have never guarded any player that has quicker hands than him,” Hosford said.

“The most important aspect for me when guarding Isaac is that he controls his team so well, and when he is not at the point they do not function in the same manner.”

Demons have already defeated Killester twice this season including one win in the national cup semi-final but Hosford believes his team will have to come out of the traps quicker in this do-or-die game.

“In our two wins we only actually played to our potential in one quarter but that’s credit to Killester who shot the ball really well.”

Since the arrival of Colin O’Reilly as player coach some players minutes have been restricted but Hosford believes the camaraderie in the team is the best he has ever witnessed.

“Every player in the squad gets on doing what they are supposed to do and as a team I am privileged to be involved with a great bunch of guys.”

If Demons win the league title Kyle will become the first player in the history of the sport to win a double in consecutive seasons at different levels.”