Newry Fliers U19 Boys were on the road again on Saturday, travelling to Belfast to play Queens. Having beat Queens in a tight game earlier in the season, the Fliers would have to repeat this performance if they were to hold on to their 2nd place in the BNI league table. However, with the absence of fast point guard, Conor Campbell and tough rebounder, Aled Jenkins, who together scored 26 points in the last game, the boys knew that this would be a hard battle.
It was clear from the tipoff that this was going to be a tough, defensive game, with the Newry side scoring just 2 points in the first quarter and holding Queens to 8 points.With both teams playing a strong, zone defence, it was difficult for either team to convert their shots into points. However, the Fliers fought back hard in the second quarter, moving the ball quickly and creating gaps in which to penetrate the Queens zone. With fast movement from David Ruddy and Terry Guo, the Newry side were able to make the most of these gaps in the defence and score 12 points in this quarter, compared to Queens’ 6 points. At the end of the half, both teams were on an even keel, with 14 points each.
Both teams knew that the 3rd quarter was going to be significant and a good opportunity to pull away and take the lead. Once again, both teams came out with a strong zone defence, hoping to force each other into taking outside shots, and then winning the rebound for a turnover. Queens opened the scoring in the quarter, immediately followed by 2 points inside from Niall McArdle. The teams were neck and neck throughout, with only a one point gap for most of this quarter. Once again, excellent inside play from Guo and outside shooting from Ruddy ensured the Fliers stayed in the game, 5 points down at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Going into the final quarter, the Newry side knew they would have to put in their best effort if they wanted to win. With strong encouragement from Coach Paul Crawley, the players could see the win within their grasp and knew they would have to up their game even further. However, Queens’ size and strength became apparent at this point, and the Fliers were unable to match it. Tough rebounding under the basket gave the Queens side an advantage, allowing them to create a points gap at an important time. Despite their best efforts, the final score was Queens 36 Newry Fliers 24.
Newry Fliers MVP’s: David Ruddy and Sean Bannon
Newry Fliers: David Ruddy (10 pts), Terry Guo (7 pts), Niall McArdle (5 pts), Niall Byrne (C) (2 pts), Paul Kavanagh, Conleth Cull, Mark Hanratty, Sean Bannon, H. Liu
