Action Hots Up Across the Hardwood

Action heats up on the KABB Hardwood:

Teams across the county are now getting into the swing of the new Kerry Airport KABB season with games continuing on most nights of the week and here are some of the highlights.

Debut day for Magic 12’s: Tralee Magic’s u12C side and their coaches played their first ever League game when they took on St Mary’s Black in Mounthawk. The first two quarters were very tight with both sides playing well in defence.

Liam Costello has the honour of getting this Tralee Magic’s sides first scores hitting two from the free throw line. These were added to by baskets from Daire Hanlon and Aaryan Nair but St Mary’s Black showed that extra bit of experience to take the win 14-8.

Kestrels just get over Cougars: The Kestrels welcomed Killarney Cougars to Kenmare in this 13 Boys encounter and it was the visitors who made the better of the early stages leading 12-5 with Luke Foley hitting 8 of their 12 points.

Kestrels found their range in the second quarter taking it by 10 points to 2 but Cougars again fought back in the third. However a strong finish by the home side, with Noel O’Neil very strong in defence they eeked out a 4 point win 29-25. Ronan Hussey led the Kestrels scoring on 10 with Noel O’Neill hitting 6 points.

Tornadoes first outing: For a number of the St Joseph’s Tornadoes it was a first competitive outing and while they were a little nervous they settled into the game against St Mary’s in Castleisland. The home side ended up with a 16-7 win as Katie Lane and Holly Carmody got the Tornadoes baskets.

Paul’s lower the Ravens: In the u12’s Girls Pool F St Paul’s girls saw off Rathmore Ravens after a good battle 28-17. On the score-sheet for the Rathmore club were Eimear Rahilly, Caoimhe Corkery, Roisin O’Sullivan, Danielle Buckley and debutant Lilly Fitzgerald.

Glenbeigh win 14’s Girls derby:  In the 14’s Girls Pool D Killorglin made a strong start against Glenbeigh Falcons but they bounced back with big baskets from Caitlin McKenna, Kate O’Sullivan and Aisling McCarthy. Killorglin battled hard but the Falcons were just able to get the vital baskets to keep themselves in front.

Glenbeigh Falcons scoring was led by Caitlin McKenna, Isabel Sweeney and Sophie Baggett.

Magic time in 14’s Boys: The clash of Tralee Magic and Kenmare Kestrels in the u14 Boys Pool A went right to the buzzer with the home side winning by just one basket 27-25. The home side were 6 up at the break but had to withstand a strong Kestrels fight back, led by Oisin O’Connor on 9 points, to hold on for the win. 

Busy week for the Cougars: Killarney Cougars u14 Girls had a 57-35 point win over Ballybunion Wildcats with Faye Lynch contributing 18 points. The visitors scoring was led by Gracie O’Sullivan who hit a huge 31 points in a game where they led early on but the Cougars gradually took over for the win.

The u12’s boys just managed to see off St Colman’s 16-12 after being behind by 2 points at the half while the u16 boys narrowly lost out to St Bridget’s despite a great fight back from the Killarney side.

Weekly Heroes on the Hardwood:

Donnacha Foley &Sam Galvin – Tralee Magic 12’s

Noel O’Neil & Ronan Hussey – Kenmare Kestrels 13’s

Setanta Hurley (12’s), Faye Lynch (14’s), Conor O’Mahony (16’s) – Killarney Cougars

Caitlin McKenna – Glenbeigh Falcons 14’s