Preview: Enda Walshe
Utility Trust St Paul’s take their unbeaten run on a flight path to the Aer Lingus Social and Athletics Association Arena this Saturday where they will face Swords Thunder in the women’s basketball league.
A look at last season’s encounter between the sides shows St Paul’s won on a monster 101-42 scoreline, would give the sense of a foregone conclusion but that doesn’t do justice to the turnaround in fortunes for the Dublin side, who are a much improved outfit this season.
Central to this turnaround has undoubtedly been the influence of Jasmine Walker and Jensen Caretti. Walker, from New Jersey, has vast experience of playing in Ireland having lined out in the Superleague for the Waterford Wildcats while Jensen, who is also studying in Dundalk IT, played division 1 basketball with Ohio State University.
Equally hell-bent on hanging onto their 100 per cent record will be St Paul’s with an unblotted copybook but with each passing win comes the pressure of hanging onto that accolade. That hasn’t affected them unduly so far and it could be argued that the team has learned more about itself this season.
They have had the luxury of getting extended game time into the entire squad by virtue of some facile wins but also had recent and stern gut checks against Templeogue and the Phoenix Rockets. It will have pleased coach James Fleming to know that the resolve is there when the going gets tough and he will have learned plenty in the process.
Sofia Paska and Khiarica Rasheed both had timely interventions in those recent tests while the form of joint captains Lynn Jones and Rheanne O’Shea has taken an upward turn.
Leah McMahon is playing with a wisdom beyond her years while Lorraine Scanlon continues to exhibit her high basketball acumen.
Denise Dunlea and Meabh Barry bring serious options with them and the experience gained by Niamh Ni Chonchubhair, Liadh Tobin and Cliona Coffey will stand to the squad in the long run.
Swords Thunder will be looking to regenerate their early season momentum and with some proven performers in their ranks that makes them dangerous opponents. A glance at the league standings show that they have the second best defence in the league – only St Paul’s fare better – and if they can up their offensive effort they will be a tough nut to crack.
Tip off in the ALSAA is 1.00pm.
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