Last Saturday saw Newry’s U14 team take to the floor for the second game of the season against an on form Andystown Tigers team. The Tigers had been undefeated all season and had already convincingly beaten omagh, who themselves had beaten Newry several weeks ago. It turned out to be a closer and more thrilling encounter than the statistics foretold.
Newry started confidently with Ross McQuillan opening the scoring. The players looked a lot more settled than their previous game and worked the ball around with ease. On the wing Ross was assisted by Conor “Cobe” Mathers and Glen McLoughlin who heped set the plays up and work the ball in towards the basket. This teed up both post players and Lee Murning and Shay Mcmillan got their respective opening scores of the season. Even though Newry went into the quarter 2 points down, Coach Peter Clarke was feeling confident. Newry were moving the ball well and had a strong defence with only the drives Tigers captain S McParland causing them problems.
In the second half newry was able to close the gap and continue thier run to generate a comfortable lead. Dean McKay and Gareth McMillan both worked superbly on the fast break, each time able to drive at the basket while watching for the other cutting across. Cillian Cumiskey under the basket had also learned from the previous week and was fighting for rebounds and taking first and second chances at scores. On defence the team worked together and kept the tiger's from getting many scoring opportunities. Luke Gachette and Conan Murnin worked hard against the tigers and helped generate the turn overs to allow newry to pull away. Gareth McMillan had to work extra hard on defence as the Tiger’s L Carlin started to show a hunger for points and was driving at Gareth at every opportunity he failed to convert any of these, a testament to Garth’s defending, but at a cost of Gareth finishing the half in serious foul trouble.
Newry went into the half with a healthy 7 point lead, 19 to 12.
In the second half the Tigers came out fighting and showed why they were unbeaten. L Carlin continued his unrelenting attack at the basket and with McMillan already in foul trouble it fell to Ross McQuillan to defend him. Despite the two players being matched in speed, Tigers started to make the conversions and McQuillan also ended up in foul trouble. McMillan once again took the reigns but was fouled out while trying to take a charge. Carlin was unstoppable and made 11 points in the quarter. (the only scorer for tigers). Luckily Cillian Cumiskey and Shay McMillan were able to keep newry in the game and Newry entered the final quarter with the slimmest of lead, 24-23
In the final quarter both teams stepped up their game. Newry’s Ross McQuillan worked hard driving at the basket and was able to help set up Dean McKay and Cillian Cumiskey under the baskets who both were putting their shots away under pressure. McKay was a stand out player for the game hussling after every ball and setting up many of the baskets as well as converting his own opportunities. At the other end it was Tiger’s Captain S. McParland who made the difference and continued driving at the basket and drawing the fould from Newry. He was making his free throws to keep andystown in it. Tigers struggled to get the scores level and it was a crucial score from new comer Conor Crawley that kept newry with 2 point lead into the dieing seconds of the game.
The final minute of game time ended taking over 5 minutes to play. Both Coaches could smell victory and used all their time outs to plan their strategy. McParland drove at the basket and drew the foul to get 2 shots to tie game. Fortunately for newry they didn’t go in and Newry had to hold the ball for 12 seconds to win the game. Tigers didn’t go easy and put the passes under pressure forcing the ball out of bounds with 6 seconds to go.
At this point the pressure seemed to mount on the Newry players and in a rare basic mistake, Newry’s inbound was declared illegal due to the newry inbounder having their a foot on the bounds line. This meant Tigers had 6 seconds to mount an offence to go for extra time. Again another time-out was used as both teams planned their strategies. Newry went for a tough Man to Man half court defense to put the passers under pressure as McParland looked to get the ball for one final drive.
In the end the Newry defence held and Tigers were unable to secure a shot to teh releif of the players, their friends and family watching and not least Newry’s Coach.
“This was a marvelous win for us, and one of the most exiting games I’ve ever coached.”, said Coach Peter Clarke after the game, “ The tigers team had been unbeaten this season and expected to walk this game today. The determination shown today was a credit the players of both teams. We nearly lost the game because of turn overs but the boys kept fighting right to the end and should be very proud of themselves. From a coaches point of view I’m delighted with the way all the older players stepped up today, and the spread of the players on the score sheet shows the depth that this team has, and bodes very well for the rest of the season”
The Final score was Newry Flyers 34 - Andystown tigers 32.
Players and Scorers.
Dean McKay 8
Ross McQuillan (C) 7
Cillian Cumiskey 7
Gareth McMillan 4
Shay McMillan 4
Conor Crawley 2
Lee Murnin 2
Conor Mathers 0
Glen Mc Loughlin 0
Luke Gachette 0
Conan Murnin 0
