Wells looks to fire Neptune for Demons derby

NEPTUNE fans are at their wits end at the moment. Out of the cup and after making a dismal start to the NIVEA for Men’s SuperLeague, their team can only go one way.

Tonight could mark the big turnaround if the predictions of coach Ozell Wells are realised. The American has promised value for money at the Mardyke Arena, where they play arch-rivals UCC Demons in the third derby game of the season.

They took a 48-point beating on the opening night of the SuperLeague, but that margin was cut by 20 when they clashed in the Cup, and their coach says it will come down dramatically tonight when they bid for a first win of the season over Demons.

Ozell Wells, who was brought in to steady a ship floundering in difficult waters following the departure of their original coach, feels he may have all the ingredients at his disposal to serve up a dramatic victory.

Central to his plan tonight will be new signing, Jason Prior from Virginia, a former Division Two Player of the Year in the USA, who has been drafted in from Iceland. He also played in Poland last year.

“He is 6’3” and can play the one, two and three. He is a stand-up guy but, most importantly, we are told this guy can shoot the ball. That’s what we need to complete the mix,” the coach explained.

Coach Wells, a Bachelor of Sport from University of Michigan, is the first to admit that he was handed a pretty difficult task when he arrived at Neptune, where the squad was still simmering following that humiliating loss to Demons.

“We have made progress,” he said. “It is a day-by-day process. It was a challenge and I have enjoyed it.”

Demons’ coach Pat Price is approaching the weekend with caution. After tonight they travel to the National Basketball Arena on Sunday to play Shamrock Rovers Hoops.

“We will be challenged enough with two games over the weekend,” Price admitted. “As well as our own commitments, we have players tied up with the Irish Colleges tournament, so we will certainly need our depth by Sunday.”

Neither Neptune nor Hoops have been setting the boards alight but Price said he will be very surprised if they don’t have their act together tonight.

“The one thing I fear on our part is complacency,” he said. “That’s the fear of every coach when you get off to a good start - you start believing your own press and what the people are saying about you.

“But, let’s face it, this league is not yet at the half way point. We have a long way to go before anybody starts talking about trophies.”

Neptune travel to Killarney next Wednesday night to play Gleneagle Lakers.

Hoops start their weekend programme against DART Killester tonight, and will be hoping for something big from their front line of Will McClerkin and Ciaran White, as well as Reuben Statum, who has scored freely since arriving in Tallaght.

On Sunday Killester will also come head to head with UCD. This will be a tough game for UCD as Killester have shown real improvement since the start of the season and have beaten Tigers and Ballina. Killester overcame UCD in Belfield the last time they met this season (78-87) and they will be looking to maintain their winning ways on Sunday.

Northern Conference leaders Roma St Vincent’s welcome local rivals UCD to Glasnevin tomorrow night. These teams clashed in Round One of the current season when UCD won 104-86. Recently however, UCD have taken a nosedive while St Vincent’s are on a winning streak, winning their last four league games.

UCD are currently advertising for a coach position and new leadership may be just what the team need to reinvent themselves in the league.

On Wednesday night Abrakebabra Tigers overcame Gleneagle Lakers in a close encounter, 100 (71) - 93 (55). Top scorers: Lakers - L Coggins 25, T Sullivan 24, J Wingard 21. Tigers - L Egan 27, M Quirke 18, T Eddie 16, L O’Hea 16.

National Cup draws and fixtures

THE draw for the National Cups was made yesterday. The games will be played at Greendale, Killester, on January 13/14.

Senior Men:Tolka Rovers v Sligo All Stars; Clondalkin Lakers v PVs Falcons.

Senior Women: Club North Cork v Firhouse/Meteors/ DART Killester; PVs Falcons v Tolka Rovers.

Junior Men:Shamrock Rovers Hoops V UCD Marian/Blue Demons: Clondalkin Lakers V DART Killester.

Junior Women: Sligo All Stars V UL Aughinish; Meteors V Glanmire/DART Killester

Upcoming fixtures: NIVEA for Men SuperLeague: Tonight: Shamrock Rovers Hoops v DART Killester, National Basketball Arena, 8 p.m.; UCC Demons v Neptune, Mardyke Arena, 8.15 p.m.

Tomorrow: NIVEA for Men SuperLeague: MDS Star v Merry Monk Ballina, UUJ, 7.15 p.m.; Roma St. Vincent’s v UCD, Glasnevin, 7.30 p.m..

Women’s Superleague: UL Aughinish v DART Killester, UL, 5 p.m.; Bausch & Lomb Wildcats v Peugeot Meteors, Mercy Gym, 7.30 p.m.;

Womens Division 1: Hume Auctioneers v Drinmagh Dynamos, St. Mary’s, 6.30 p.m.; Athlone v Sligo All Stars, Ballymahon, 8 p.m.

Mens Division 1: St. Mary’s v Limerick Lakers, Castleisland, 7.30 p.m.;

Junior Mens Cup: UCD v UCC Demons, UCD, 3 p.m.

Sunday: NIVEA for Men SuperLeague: Shamrock Rovers Hoops v UCC Demons, National Basketball Arena, 3 p.m.; UCD v DART Killester, Belfield, 3.15 p.m.

Women’s Superleague: Oblate Dynamos v Carna Transport Mercy, Oblate Hall, 3.15 p.m.

Womens Div 1: Donoughmore v PVs Falcons, Parochial Hall, 2 p.m.

Mens Division: Newport v Moycullen, UL, 3 p.m.

Junior Womens Quarter Final: Glanmire v DART Killester, Little Island, 2 p.m.

Monday: Senior Women’s Cup: Meteors v Firhouse, St. Olaf’s, 8 p.m.

Wednesday: NIVEA for Men SuperLeague: Gleneagle Lakers v Neptune, INEC, 8.30 p.m.