Ballina Braves shoot down Mayo Meteors to go top of the table
The top of the table clash in the LLR Senior Mens’s Basketball League between Mayo Meteors and Ballina Braves lived up to expectations in what was a thrilling encounter at the De La Salle Hall, Castlebar, last night (Wednesday), with the away side winning 85-61, writes John Melvin.
In a game which produced 20 three-pointers, 12 of those coming from Ballina, it was the physical strength under the boards which swung this game for the visiting side, particularly in the third quarter when the Meteors were outscored 23-7.
Ballina’s grater experience against what was a young Meteors team also proved crucial and the key man for the winners was Ronan McGarrity, who shot the game high of 28 – a tally which included six three-pointers.
If McGarrity was the standout player for Ballina, Castlebar man Herman Heyl rolled back the years for Meteors, his performance reminiscent of the time he led St. Gerald’s College to an Under 19 A Schoolboys Cup title. He finished the game on 26 points, including five three-pointers.
The first two quarters produced some of the best basketball we have seen at the De La Salle Hall in years before an enthusiastic crowd who packed into the local venue in anticipation of some fireworks, and they didn’t go home disappointed.
Just a point separated the teams at the end of the first quarter, Ballina edging it 26-25, in a period which produced nine three-pointers, six coming from the Braves, while the second quarter was shared 18 apiece,
However, Meteors lost their shape in the third quarter as Ballina’s stronger bench began to make an impact, Ronan O’Malley, Markie Cunningham, Rory Upton and Stephen Popplewell along with Lithuanian Martynas Pankunas coming more into the game.
Alex Evans, who finished on 12 points, including two three-pointers, Daniel Nyland, who also nailed a three-pointer, James McMenamon, Barry Redmond and Luke Jordan battled hard to the end, but it was the visiting side who deservedly prevailed to go top of the table and remain unbeaten.
Meteors will get a second crack at their great rivals in the away tie and both teams look destined to meet in the semi-final if not the final of this league, which is just at the halfway stage.
The good news is that basketball is back and looks set to return to the National League stage next season given the quality on show last night.
Top scorers for Ballina Braves were: Ronan McGarrity 28, Martynas Pankunas 14, Markie Cunningham 9, Ronan O’Malley 8, Rory Upton 8, Paul Barrett 8, Peter Papik 6.
The top scorers for Meteors were: Herman Heyl 26, Alex Evans 12, Daniel Nyland 6, James McManamon 6, Luke Jordan 4.