Another 100-plus points total for Ballina Braves
BALLINA Braves hit their second 100-plus points total in the LLR Senior Men’s Basketball League as they racked up their sixth consecutive win to remain unbeaten.
Despite being without their Lithuanian player, who has returned home for Christmas, the home side called the shots for most of what proved to be an entertaining game played before a good crowd at the Ballina Community Sports Centre on Wednesday night last.
It was exhibition stuff at times as ‘veterans’ of many a battle on the higher platform of the National League and championship ran the show. Ronan McGarrity popped 33 points but it was as much his rebounds and assists which rolled back the memories of some great nights in Killala for this scribe in particular.
Barrett, who had limited court time. still manged to nail three three-pointers, while Ronan O’Malley hit 15, which he complemented with a huge rebounding performance.
Markie Cunningham is growing in experience and confidence, and this young player is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Ballina since the days of McGarity himself and the legend Liam McHale. He finished on 13 points on a night when coach Derek Cunningham ran his bench, with all players getting plenty of court time.
Cunningham wasn’t losing the run of himself given the huge gap in quality between the two teams but he still enjoyed the show, as did many of their supporters.
“It was an enjoyable game for the supporters to watch and it also provided the opportunity to give some of the younger players valuable court time,” said Cunningham, who is looking forward to a bigger challenge when his side takes on great rivals Mayo Meteors at the De Le Salle Hall in Castlebar on Wednesday night, January 4.
Both Mayo teams remain unbeaten but Ballina do have the edge in terms of scoring averages as this was the second ton they have hit int his competition – and it could have been a lot more, McGarrity, O’Malley and Barrett given lenghty rest periods in the third quarter when the young guns such as Kyle Armstrong, Cillian McStay, Eoin Noone and Jack Armstrong were sent into battle.
Sligo found it difficult to stay the pace and were under pressure by the end of the first quarter as they trailed 11-35, McGarrity hitting back-to-back three-pointers in the opening quarter, while Paul Barrett announced his arrival with two three-pointers, adding a third before the quarter finished.
By half-time Ballina had opened up a 30 point gap 61-31, Mark Cunningham, Peter Papik and Stephen Popplewell hitting some good scores, while Rory Upton also popped some excellent baskets when introduced.
Sligo came more into the game in the third quarter, picking off some good scores on the break, but they really struggled to compete with Ballina under the boards, where O’Malley and McGarrity were the dominant forces. You just can’t buy experience.
Ballina Braves: R. McGarrity (33), R. O’Malley (15), M. Cunningham (13), S. Popplewell (12), P. Barrett (9), P. Papik (7), R. Upton (6), C. McStay, K. Armstrong (4), E. Noone (2), J. Armstrong (2).