Scott’s Lakers 84
Moycullen 77
Report: Enda Walshe
Scott’s Lakers made it four wins in a row as they easily accounted for Moycullen in Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre on Saturday night.
And while it was comfortable from a long way out, the seeds of success were most certainly sown in the first half. The Lakers put in an outstanding defensive effort in that period with their energetic high press and when the Galwegians did manage to bypass it, they were met with great intensity, most impressive when allied with a strict discipline.
It sets up perfectly for next weekend’s clash with the Portlaoise Panthers at home, one of only two teams unbeaten in the league and that will be another litmus test for Ron Howard’s young side.
But if this game is anything to go by, the work they are doing in between games is starting to pay off and one can certainly see major progression.
Coach Howard was certainly pleased to get a fast start: “We started the first quarter well because it was something we hadn’t done in any games so far. It was great to be in control and not play from behind for a change”.
He added: “I’ve been preaching from the start of the season about discipline and they showed tonight that consistency. We’ve been working on our defence for the last six weeks and you see how much we’ve endured and that is the foundation of any win.”
Jack O’Sullivan, making his first start of the season, opened the scoring and it wasn’t long before the talismanic Mikah Blackwell found his range.
Antonio Molina got Moycullen off the mark but O’Sullivan, who looked sharp throughout, made it double scores 8-4. Eoin Carroll weaved in the paint to net with Ivan Basic showing some defiance for Moycullen.
Darnell Snyers was starting to heat up for the Lakers and he made it 14-8. Blackwell, who had eight steals in the game, picked Molinas pocket to race clear and dunk home while the visitors’ main man, Grant Ollson, still seemed to be carrying the legacy of an injury incurred last weekend.
Mark Sheehan, recuperating from illness, came off the bench to hit a three before the buzzer and helped the Lakers into a 21-16 lead.
The second quarter saw the Lakers really turn up the defensive heat giving Moycullen no leeway whatsoever. All the while Blackwell, Abdul Oladipupo and Snyers kept embellishing the scoreboard and despite a Cian Walsh three-pointer Moycullen called a halt for a breather with a timeout.
Shane Daly, Jamie O’Sullivan and Oisin Spring were all introduced at various stages to maintain the intensity and down the other end Jack O’Sullivan, Blackwell and Snyers made it 38-22. Following an exceptional piece of defensive play from Spring, Blackwell raced up to finish and Carroll stole in again. Moycullen’s Molino was trying hard but, despite his efforts, they trailed 47-33 at half time.
If Moycullen thought the second half would get any easier Mikah Blackwell dispelled that theory with a quick steal and another dunk. Snyers and Carroll stretched the lead with Moycullen mercurial Spaniard Aitor Perez doing his utmost.
American guard Ollson would have found it hard to live with the Lakers’ defence on a good day and he was visibly hampered with injury.
Oladipupo, who put in a big hustle all night stepping up in the absence of team captain Rui Saravia, fought hard for a basket while Blackwell made the game look easy. Cian Walsh was making his mark for the visitor – he hit two threes late in the quarter – but Snyers made sure it was a secure lead at the end of the third, 67-52.
The fourth quarter was a steering job and Snyers made sure he had both hands on the wheel with a quick three. The ever battling Basic tried to get a resurgence going but Snyers was now on fire and alongside Jack O’Sullivan they steered the ship home.
Shane Daly had the final word and the lead gave the Lakers the opportunity to hand well deserved minutes to John Hughes and Darragh O’Callaghan who have put in as much work as everyone else in training. Moycullen finished with a flurry of points but there was no danger as the Lakers ran out 84-77 winners.
Darnell Snyers hit a game high 31 points, Mikah Blackwell had 26, Jack O’Sullivan contributed 11, Eoin Carroll and Abdul Oladipupo had six each, Mark Sheehan scored three and Shane Daly notched one.
For Moycullen Antoni Molina had 17, Ivan Basic shot 16, Aitor Perez netted 12 and Cian Walsh had 11.
Game MVP Darnell Snyers enjoyed his outing: “The fast start and our solid defence were the foundations of our win. It’s great, everything is easier when you play well.
He added: “I got on really well with my team-mates. They are great people and I think you can see that when we’re all on the court.”
The Panthers game tips-off in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre next Saturday night at 7.30pm. The Laois side have a perfect start to the league and have come through some tough battles, most notably last weekend in Drogheda when they came out with a three-point win.
Eric Anderson and Xabier Arriaga may lead their scoring efforts but it’s their all squad depth that’s their greatest strength. They also boast the second strongest defence in the league, behind the Lakers. A mouthwatering clash awaits.
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