Oranmore are class apart in league finals

Date Published: {J}

CALASANCTIUS College, Oranmore basketballers made history in more ways than one at the All-Ireland Schools League finals at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght last Friday.

For a start, the school achieved its first ever win at under 16A boys level, the Under 16A girls completed a hat-trick of league titles and, to crown it all, the U19A girls achieved a magnificent ‘triple double’ – winning three consecutive league and cup titles. A feat never achieved before.

Both the Calasanctius U16 teams will now represent Ireland in the World Schools Championship in China in 2011. This is a unique achievement to have the same school represent Ireland in both boys and girls.

Calasanctius 54

Skibereen 39

In the first game of the day, the U16 girls, from Oranmore, won an historic three-in-a-row thanks to a comprehensive defeat of Cork rivals, Skibereen.

Though Skibereen opened the scoring with a 3-pointer from Niamh O’Sullivan, a drive to the basket from Caitriona Finn, an inside move from Sarah Reymolds and a 3-pointer from Ailish O’Reilly quickly opened up a 7-3 lead for Oranmore.

Skibereen fought back and took the lead again 10-7 before O’Reilly took the game to the Cork girls, scoring eight more points, to leave Oranmore 16-15 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

An adjustment in defense stifled the Skibereen offense, while at the other end, fast breaks and three further 3-pointers from O’Reilly meant that Oranmore outscored Skibereen 18-2 in the second quarter to lead 34-17 at half time.

Scoring the first eight points, Skibereen rallied in the third quarter. However, five points from O’Reilly and from points from inside the paint from Sarah Reynolds left Oranmore 43-31ahead at the end of the third.

O’Reilly scored her sixth 3-pointer at the start of the 4th quarter and there was no way back for Skibereen. MVP O’Reilly led her team to victory with a magnificent 34 points.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.