Scott’s Lakers 80
Tipp Talons 76
Report: Enda Walshe
Scotts Lakers got there in the end, but only just!
The visitors, TippTalons, had made a booming start to the fourth quarter, hitting 13 points in five minutes and putting themselves in the box seat with a 67- 61 lead.
Killarney coach Ron Howard called a time out and out of adversity was born a comeback.
Mikah Blackwell was first to take a bite out of the lead, his five points making it a one-point game. He then went to the free throw line to nudge the Lakers in front.
All the while the Lakers’ defence had upped the ante getting some big stops in. Mark Sheehan danced in along the baseline to give some breathing space, Eoin Carroll bobbed and weaved inside, his points emphasising a 11-0 scoring run. Was order restored? Not quite yet.
Miles Felletti, Sammy Bah and Justin Wickham gave the Premier boys a chance and despite Blackwell and Sheehan’s ice cold nerve. it was still a one-point game, 77-76, with seconds to go.
The bumper crowd in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre had paid for their seats but they were sitting on the edge of them as the Lakers eventually saw out the game with Blackwell sealing the matter from charity stripe.
The St Paul’s support had played its part, something coach Howard enthused about after: “I was so proud when I saw the fans out there cheering for us hard and they were right there with us on our side, being the sixth man”.
Game MVP Blackwell felt the vibe as well: “The crowd is amazing. All these games are tough and we need everyone out there rooting for us. I look forward to seeing as many fans as we can for our game next weekend (against the Titans).”
The opening quarter was a slow burner, Blackwell finding his feet early while Justin Wickham was making his presence felt inside for the Talons. Shemarri Miles was pulling the visitors’ strings but a three from Mark Sheehan kept the Lakers in tow.
Both teams had run into foul trouble with the Talons cashing in to open up a 16-12 lead.
Blackwell and another three from Jack O’Sullivan drew the sides level but a late surge from Patrick Lanipekun put the Lakers in front at 21-17.
Blackwell took the bull by the horns and when Oisin Spring, with a three-point play following a quick break, found his range it was suddenly a 10-point game. Eoin Carroll was working hard – he would finish the game with 12 rebounds – and further points from Lanipekun and Blackwell had the Lakers in charge as they hit the locker rooms, 37-28.
This quarter was also notable as it saw Darragh O’Callaghan and John Hughes make their home national league debuts.
The third quarter saw the Talons grow into the game and it coincided with a period of sloppiness for the hosts as they struggled to get any rhythm, especially in offence.
Miles, Niall Walsh and Arthur Geronimo gave the Premier men confidence and it took a period of inspirational play from Lanipekun, with help from Rui Saravia, to keep the Lakers in front.
He first stole in for a dunk, then set up Carroll for a basket. He followed that with a three but Sammy Bah and Miles had the Talons on the Lakers’ shoulder. Blackwell nailed two threes and two free throws and that helped the Lakers hold a 56-54 lead going down the stretch.
Sensing the game may be there for the taking, the Talons took on the fourth quarter with abandon. They answered Blackwell’s early five-point contribution with baskets from Miles, Wickham, Bah and Miles Felletti.
That gave them that 67-61 cushion and with the ball bouncing every way but the Lakers it looked as though the Tipp men were about to claim their ever win in national league basketball.
But they didn’t count for the coolness of Messrs Blackwell, Sheehan and Carroll who resuscitated the Lakers’ efforts to get them over the line.
That resilience had coach Howard smiling: “I’m always preaching to them about playing through adversity. They did it last weekend and today they battled it out at tough times. These guys are young and with Mikah leading the charge for them they stepped up.”
Mikah Blackwell led the scoring with 35 points, Patrick Lanipekun had 13, Mark Sheehan hit an important 12, Eoin Carroll grabbed 12 rebounds and 10 points, Rui Saravia notched while Jack O’Sullivan and Oisin Spring both contributed three.
For the Talons Shemarri Miles top scored with 19 with good assistance from Sammy Bah with 16 and Justin Wickham with 14. Miles Felletti and Arthur Geronimo had eight each.
The Titans are next to visit Killarney as they bring their unbeaten start down south. They had a very impressive win over the Limerick Sport Eagles last time out, following on from their opening day win against the Killarney Cougars.
Tip-off in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre is 7.30pm.
