U18 Boys – Cork Area Board Finalists

Liffey Celtics made the long trip to Parochial Hall, Cork to take part in the local area board tournament in September 2016. A really high standard of basketball and many of the top teams in this age group from around the country. A super performance from the Liffey Celtics lads, with only eight available players, saw the lads go through to the final. Well done to the lads and their mentors Erin and Mark. A short update from each of the games below.

 

First group game vs Titans

Lads got off to a good start led by 10 early points from Stephen Saunders who shot the ball well from 3pt range but also was strong in transition. He finished with the game high of 18 points despite battling a stomach bug all day. Finn, David and Guerschom cleaned up on the boards and Titans struggled with the speed of Renz and Mikus in transition.  Adam Power got in on the act with a couple of 3s of his own in the second half.

Final score 65:27 

 

2nd group game vs Neptune.

Playing the favourites of the tournament, Neptune have an excellent squad with 8 players that competed at international level this year. The lads didn’t let that phase them however, Mikus was the one to start off the good start with three 3 pointers In the first half. He sat for much of the second half after getting an elbow to the face but with support from everyone else, Renz and his defense lead to him sparking the transition game, Finn and David continued to dominate instead despite Neptune having 3 players over 6ft6. Stephen and Adam were still on fire from 3pt range and the team finished with eight 3s in total. Down by 3 with 45 seconds to go, Neptune were just too much and won the game 52:44 in the end. 

 

Quarter final vs Drogheda Bullets

Facing another strong outfit in Bullets the 7 lads were fatigued at this point but Guerschoms energy and intensity was infectious and spread through the team. Bullets played a box and 1 defence on Mikus but it didn’t matter as it was a full team effort lead by the scoring of Renz and Finn. 

Final score 56:43

 

Semi Final vs Ballincollig.

Facing another strong Cork side the already depleted liffey Celtics squad were continuing to drop as Adam sprained his wrist, but the lads will and determination got them over the line and into the tournament final as the ran out winners on a scoreline of 49:46.

 

Final vs Neptune.

A replay of what some spectators might have said was the game of the day Neptunes depth and strength was too much at this late stage.

Neptune got off to a blazing start and were lethal in transition, however a better second half from the Celtics lads including a half court buzzer beater from Stephen gave them a lift and finished the day on a high.

Final score 64:32.