Team Tom McCarthy’s St. Mary’s suffered its second loss of the season in what was possibly its most challenging game to date.
By Liz Galwey, PRO
The St. Mary’s team travelled to Belfast where they faced Phoenix Rockets in a cross conference game that went to overtime.
Rockets Launch Big Opening
Rockets had a big opening quarter from Charisse Williams, Kayonna Lee and Charley McGrath. For St. Mary’s it was Emma Sherwood, Denise Dunlea and Loretta Maher who kept their side in touch with Maher hitting the opening score of the game.
The quarter finished 21 points to eighteen in favour of Rockets. The Belfast side kept the upper hand in the second period, going nine ahead by the half time interval although mid way through just a point separated the sides.
Game’s Turning Point
Loretta Maher was the biggest threat to the opposition. A three from Eimhear Morris though was instrumental while Lee was still a threat to the St. Mary’s side. Dunlea and Sherwood kept the pressure on for the Castleisland girls.
The game turned around in the third quarter. Rockets did take the opening score and St. Mary’s missed some opportunities but Lorraine Scanlon was becoming a real threat inside now.
A Three Point Lead
A much needed three from Deirdre Geaney resulted in Team Tom McCarthy’s taking the quarter by four to reduce the gap to just five points going into the final period.
The Castleisland girls had reduced the gap to the minimum just a minute into the final quarter.
Mid way through Rockets held a three point lead and the sides traded scores as the quarter progressed.
A Seven Point Lead
Team Tom McCarthy’s took a seven point lead, scores coming from Deirdre Geaney, Miriam Leane, Scanlon and Maher and it was looking good with less than a minute to play when Rockets hit two threes in succession and a basket with two seconds to go to send the game to overtime.
Scores Exchanged
The sides exchanged scores in the early part of the extra period but accuracy from the free throw line secured the win for the northern conference side. Final Score: Phoenix Rockets 74 – Team Tom McCarthy’s 70,
Top scorers for Phoenix Rockets were: Kayonna Lee 25, Eimhear Morris 11 and Charisse Williams 10.
Team Tom McCarthy’s: Lorraine Scanlon 20, Loretta Maher 18, Denise Dunlea 13.
Results and Fixtures:
Division two men Cahersiveen 85 St. Mary’s 77.
U-16 girls TK Cobras 30 St. Mary’s 68.
U-12 boys division two St. Mary’s 38 St. Bridget’s 35.
U-12 boys division three Glenbeigh 37 St. Mary’s 24.
U-14 girls division two St. Mary’s 27 St. Colman’s 26.
Division one men St Mary’s 76 St. Paul’s 56.
U-12 boys division three St. Paul’s 22 St. Mary’s 18.
Club Fixtures
Friday February 21st: U-12 boys division one Tralee Imperials v St. Mary’s 7.30pm in Mounthawk.
Division two ladies cross conference: Glenbeigh Falcons v St. Mary’s 7pm Glenbeigh.
Division two men Cahersiveen v St. Mary’s 8pm Coláiste na Sceilge.
Saturday February 22nd: U-12 girls division three St. Mary’s v Rathmore 1pm Castleisland Community Centre.
U-12 boys division St. Mary’s v Bobcats 4pm Castleisland Community Centre.
U-14 boys division two, Cahersiveen v St. Mary’s 5pm Coláiste na Sceilge,
Sunday February 23rd: U-14 boys division one, St. Brendan’s v St. Mary’s 10am Moyderwell,
U-16 boys division two St. Brendan’s v St. Mary’s 12 noon Moyderwell,
U-12 boys division two St. Mary’s v KCYMS 12.10 Castleisland Community Centre.
U-12 girls division two T.K. Cobras v St. Mary’s 6.10pm Causeway Comprehensive.
