Pres Castleisland’s 2023 Basketball Season Off to a Cracking Start

Presentation Castleisland Second Years / Juniors team. Front from left: Leah Griffin, Ella Greaney, Emily O’Rourke Philpott, Kirsten O’Connor and Evelyn McElligott. Back from left: Caitlín Griffin, Saoirse Daly, Grace McGovern, Barbara Dolata, Ellie Curtin, Aimee O’Connor, Laura McShane and Katelyn Brosnan.
Presentation Castleisland First Years / Minor team. Front from left: Julia Donegan, Millie Hughes, Emma Mullane, Alesha Fitzgerald, Maria Jones and Faith Bradley. Back from left: Leah Griffin, Grace Kelly, Alana Kelliher, Megan Herlihy, Holly Forrest, Molly Moran, Maja Moskal and Ella Greaney.

The First and Second Year South West Basketball League has commenced and the visitors to Castleisland were Ennis.

The first years got the proceedings underway and the Pres girls led this one from start to finish, ending the first quarter with a 22-4 lead. The level of skill, tenacity and unselfishness on display was extremely impressive in this, their first ever secondary school game.

Most Impressive Feature

It ended on a scoreline of 68 -14. Top scorers on the day were Alana Kelliher who topped with 16 points with Leah Griffin close behind with 12.

Scoring was not the most impressive feature of the day however, it was the unselfishness of these girls, always playing with their heads up.

Everybody that took to the court did the school proud and all look forward to the next game.

The second years were always going to find it tough to top the the first years impressive performance, though they made quite the attempt.

Ramped up the Pressure

They opened up with a 20-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, and while their opponents reduced the lead to eight at half time,the home girls really ramped up the pressure in the third and fourth quarters, winning out in the end 67 – 32. Leah Griffin top scored with 16 points, Katelyn Brosnan added 15, and Barbora Dolata also got herself in double figures with 14.

Two big wins, two happy squads, and two big encounters with local rivals, Castleisland Community College in round two to come.

Thanks to Aoibhinn Broderick and Lauren Coffey for doing the boards on the day.

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