The first year basketball team got their league campaign off to a good start last Tuesday throwing aside the challenge of a spirited Mount Saint Michael team. The final score of 32 to 16 does not reflect the supremacy of the SCS panel and it is something we have to take on board for the games that follow. The Skibbereen sides final score of 32 does not reflect the huge number of relatively easy chances that we got.
Ross were first to score and that was the last time they led. Aided by some swift passing and excellent teamwork , Evidas Andreikus was released and responded with three beautifully taken baskets in a row. Evidas is one of those players who is a joy to watch. His control of the game, skill and intelligent approach to play is central to everything that is good about the team.
From start to finish of this game, the Castlehaven duo of Thomas O'Mahony and the brilliant Robbie Minihane tormented the opposition with their masterful 'Haven' spirit in defence. Robbie dominated the boards with majestic rebounding and contributed 6 points in offence. The tenacious Thomas kept the Rosscarbery team's stars quiet from start to finish of this game. Very quiet.
James O'Neill was another player to really impress in this match. His defence was superb as always and he added 6 points in attack, his scores often coming at vital times when Ross were threatening to ignite their attack..
Stevie Redmond took over the point guard role for the second five and created some wonderful scoring opportunities with his purposeful passes and skillful attacking play. However once again, we squandered far too many of these opportunities. In this quarter, Skib only scored two baskets and Killian Gray took both.
In the second half, the SCS team dominated the action all over the court with some beautifully executed moves and added a further 18 points to the score. Some of these were spectacular long shots from Stevie and Captain Adam. However, we continued our careless short shooting which is something we will have to get right before our next game in two weeks time.
The first year boys team are a very hardworking group who train when many of you are asleep at 7.30 in the morning on Friday and sometimes Wednesdays. They also train four times a week at lunchtimes. They deserve what ever success comes their way as they are willing to make it happen.
Team. Captain Adam O'Regan, Thomas O'Mahony, Robbie Minihane, Evidas Andreikus, James O'Neill, Stevie Redmond, Ultan O Donovan, Eoghan Barry, Teddy Gallagher, Finn Blackburn, Keith McCarthy, Killian Gray.