This bank holiday weekend promises to be a special one on the local basketball scene with the eagerly-awaited first local derby of the national league season between Killarney Cougars and Scotts Lakers scheduled for the Presentation Gym at 7.30pm on Saturday.
Interestingly both games last season went the way of the away side with Lakers triumphant in the Pres Gym on a 101-93 scoreline but the Cougars repaid the compliment by 93-82 in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.
The Lakers will still be licking their wounds following the defeat at the hands of the Titans last weekend and coach Ron Howard has spoken of the need for improvement. He will be looking for quicker ball movement and a little more movement in offence while defensive he will be targeting a bit more awareness.
Aware is what the Lakers will have to be of Kani Glover. The point guard is the league’s leading scorer at present and in the top five for assists. He is coming off a 40-point game last weekend in Moycullen where he shot 71 per cent of his two point attempts.
Joshua Strongman is a mobile presence also and will need careful watching while Iyan Hristov has worked hard in his two games and this trio gives the Cougars a very solid foundation.
Andrew Fitzgerald is belying his years clocking up maximum minutes while, at the other end of the scale, Nathan Cox is enjoying a great start to the season, highlighted by a 15-point showing against the Waterford Vikings. Jack Lynch skippers the side who will be looking to secure their maiden win this season.
The Lakers are doing a lot of things right, it’s just a case of putting them altogether.
Darnell Snyers had a solid debut against the Titans and will be looking to push on from there. Abdul Oladipupo had a quieter game but noticeably picked up seven rebounds, he’ll be better with another week’s preparation with the team.
Mikah Blackwell is definitely the chief score-getter and as a highly regarded defender in college, his input at both ends will be crucial here.
Jack O’Sullivan will be hoping to have recovered from his minor injury in time and will line out alongside fellow teenagers Eoin Carroll and Mark Sheehan who have made a very impressive start to the season.
Oisin Spring is being rewarded for his perseverance while Jamie O’Sullivan will be using this fixture to showcase what he can do. Rui Saravia had a productive time against the Titans and his match up with either Strongman or Fitzgerald will be worth watching.
Shane Daly has shone in his cameos while John Hughes and Darragh O’Callaghan won’t leave anyone down if asked.
KillarneyToday.com: Reaching thousands of readers every day. To advertise call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
