Sorry I didn't get these out at the time, was too busy getting ready for xmas :). Pete.
The second half of December was a busy month for the Newry U14 Squad, with 3 games in the 2 weeks running up to Christmas. First was a trip to take on the Andersontown tigers in Belfast followed by a double header against Letterkenny Blaze A and B the week before Christmas.
Andersontown Tigers
Newry U14s traveled to Andersontown tigers running on the back of their undefeated run for the season.
it was hoped that this could be one of the easier games of the season but as is often the case the reality didn't match the expectation.
Newry started with younger starting line up than usual to match the tigers lineup. It was a great experience for the younger players as they will be staying at this level next year, while some of the older team members have to move to the challenge of U16 basketball. It was a slow start but Gareth McMillan opening the scoring for Newry. Ross McQuillan took charge from the point position and made a good account of himself. It was a close match with the tigers and the quarter finished 8 points each.
During the Second quarter both teams struggled to find the basket. The Newry defense worked very hard and Joe Hanna and Mark Thornton managed to get their names on the score-sheet. Even though there was plenty of end to end action quarter finished 14-12 to the tigers.
It was during the third quarter that Newry was able to pull away. The entire team played well together with a strong defense and quick response to the tigers turnovers. Newry scored 10 unanswered points for the quarter but could have had even more but for some missed shots. This should improve as the team gets more experienced and shows great promise for the future. It was also good to see the spread of scorers, meaning nobody was afraid to take their opportunity. Danial Hanratty and Jo McShane worked hard under the basket at both ends and help Newry secure a lead as the quarter finished 22-14.
In the final quarter the tigers staged a strong comeback, managing to cut the lead to 2 points at one stage, but Newry showed they still have plenty of skill in reserve and the game ended 30 points to 24 with Ross McQuillan getting a personal best for the season with 12pts.
Scorers and Players
Ross McQuillan 12 pts
Daniel Hanratty 6 pts
Joe McShane 4 pts
Mark Thornton 4 pts
Gareth McMillan2 pts
Aaron Crawley 2 pts
Kamill McCabe
Shay McMillan
Michael Clarke
Matthew Fegan
Rowan Lewis
Cathal Lewis
Lloyd Clarke
Letterkenny
Newry traveled to Letterkenny on the Sunday before Christmas for a double header with Blaze U14 A & B, this was a good opportunity for entire squad to travel and gave Coach Peter Clarke a chance to try several things in one game day.
Letterkenny have a long history of basketball and have a great depth in the skill of their players, usually with a string bench as well. It was a long journey but the Newry team arrived from the bus in fighting form ready for the showdown.
It was Blaze's B team that took to the floor first and Newry. It was a slow start despite a big effort from Kamill McCabe to lead the team from the point and Micheal Clarke opening the scoring for Newry. First Quarter finished 8-5.
It was the second quarter where Newry took the lead, Danial Hanratty and Eoin McStay used their height to their advantage to control the boards on both ends of the floor and Mark Thornton took point to keep the Newry team controlled for what was an excellent performance. Rowan Lewis also managed to get back into scoring form after a quiet couple of game in the previous month. The defense of Jo Hanna and Matthew Fegan managed to hold back the Letterkenny team to 3 points for the quarter and the half ended 19-11 to Newry.
After establishing the lead in the first half Newry never looked in danger of losing it, Eoin McStay had a strong second half working mainly uncontested underneath the basket and the point guards consisting of Kamill McCabe and Aaron Crawley always kept control of the team and moved the ball into the open spaces left by the loose Letterkenny defense.
Overall it was another excellent controlled performance from Newry with 9 players getting on the score-sheet. The game finished 35-21 to Newry
Scorers and Players
Eoin McStay 6 pts
Mark Thornton 6 pts
Kamill McCabe 5 pts
Ross McQuillan 4 pts
Michael Clarke 4 pts
Daniel Hanratty 4 pts
Connor Yendall 2 pts
Rowan Lewis 2 pts
Jo Hanna 2 pts
Gareth McMillan
Shay McMillan
Aaron Miller
Matthew Fegan
Jo McShane
Cathal Lewis
Next it was the blaze A team ready to take on Newry. Last year this team produced some exciting fast paced basketball, with close competition with the Newry team. Coach Peter Clarke expected a string team to field in the first quarter and so made the same preparations for his own team with a string starting line up.
Aaron Crawley and Connor Yendall have always had strong partnership and showed the sort of synergy players get after playing for a number of years with some excellent pass and move plays. This and some fantastic individual skills allow Crawley to pick 6 pts in the first quarter. Joe Hanna continued to show his dependability with quick hands on defense stripping the Letterkenny players of the ball several times, as well as putting up 4 pts for the quarter. It was a defensive master class from the starting 5 for the quarter (Danial Hanratty and Shay McMillan also involved) with rebounding, steals and forced turnovers. All this hard work held Letterkenny to 3 pts for the quarter while Newry pulled out a quick lead and it ended 14 pts to 3.
This cushion allowed the Newry team to rotate around and keep everyone rested for the second quarter, It meant that many of the players were able to get involved but maybe lacked the cohesion that was demonstrated in the first quarter.
It wasn't as impressive but was still effective against Letterkenny. Eoin McStay, Michael Clarke and Ross McQuillan all managed to get points on the score-sheet and also help to extend Newry's lead going into the half. The score was 22-8.
In the second half Newry were coasting, but never seemed to get a good team rhythm going. Again this was probably due to the player rotation, but it is definitely something that the coach will have to watch out for. Aaron Miller was the only player to make a big difference in the half scoring 9 pts as he sliced through the Letterkenny defense. He could have scored a lot more on the day, but unselfishly lead the team and made sure all the players got involved and got some excellent chances. Cathal Lewis got some very close shots and Gareth McMillan showed no fear as he attacked the basket but never got the basket that seemed so close.
Letterkenny did pull back but Newry were never in danger and the game finished 35-24
Aaron Miller 15 pts
Jo Hanna 4 pts
Eoin McStay 4 pts
Michael Clarke 2 pts
Mark Thornton 2 pts
Daniel Hanratty 2 pts
Connor Yendall 2 pts
Ross McQuillan 2 pts
Shay McMillan 2 pts
Rowan Lewis
Kamill McCabe
Gareth McMillan
Matthew Fegan
Jo McShane
Cathal Lewis
Speaking of the progress in December the Newry coach said "We had a good spread of games at different levels through December which gave an excellent opportunity for the younger players on the squad to get more game minutes. It will all be good experience for the rest of this season and going into next season, but I think we'll have plenty of work to do on finishing and scoring the opportunities that are being given to us. With an unbeaten run so far I'm very optimistic for the rest of the season. We still have some tough games ahead and I need to make sure that the entire team is taking each game seriously and not resting on their laurels. Overall though I think we have an excellent squad of players who all work very hard and are only going to get better."
Newry Basketball would like to take the opportunity to thank their sponsor McQuillan Fruit And Veg, Cullyhanna and also thank the players and their parents for their hard work and support. Club details including upcoming fixtures ,match reports and training times can be found on our website at www.newrybasketball.co.uk.
