WIT Wildcats basketball club

WIT Wildcats basketball club Wildcats given lesson by DCU

WIT-Wildcats were beaten by Dublin City University (DCU) in the National Cup earlier this season and were hoping to put up a better display at home last weekend in the Superleague but this was not to be. DCU have qualified for the National Cup final against University of Limerick (UL) later this month and were in great form as they easily overcame WIT-Wildcats on Saturday night last. Wildcats never came out of the starting blocks and the dubliners took full advantage running up a big score in the first half to lead 43-11 at the break. WIT-Wildcats who had run UL so close in their last game did not produce anything like the basketball they are capable of and suffered their biggest defeat of the season. DCU were shooting three pointers for fun and despite a better effort from WIT-Wildcats in the second half, DCU ran out very easy winners on a scoreline of 84-31. Coach Tommy O'Mahony has a big task ahead to raise his team for the last 5 games of the season but he knows, as do the players, that if they can produce the form they are capable of then they can still qualify for the end of season playoffs. Having played the top 3 teams in the country in their last 3 games, WIT-Wildcats face the lower placed teams in the league over the coming weeks and have every chance of moving up the table into contention for the playoff spots. WIT-Wildcats will travel to play Dublin sides Liffey Celtics and Dynamo Oblates in the next two games before returning to the Mercy Gym for their final home game of the season against Ulster Rockets.

Underage Update

Wildcat U16 Kilkenny team had a good win last Thursday against Old Leighlin from Carlow and travel to Kilkenny to play Berkley next Tuesday evening.

There were 3 underage cup games in the Mercy gym last Sunday with only the U14 team overcoming the visiting Cork opposition. Wildcats U16s suffered a disappointing 55-35 defeat to an excellent Brunel side last Sunday in the Mercy gym. The young Wildcats started well but some poor turnovers contributed to them going behind by 21-34 at the end of the first half. Wildcats were having no luck with their outside shooting and were staying in the game only due to great work from Niamh O Brien, Dana Aspel and the excellent Ruthie Leavey. While Wildcats stayed in the game, the Cork side always had the edge in this match. However if the young Wildcats could convert even half the scoring chances they create there is still a lot more to come from this team.

Scorers Ruthie Leavey (9), Aoife Frisby (5), Niamh O Neill (3), Emily Fanning (5), Niamh O Brien (7), Dana Aspel (6), Jane Crowley (2).

The second game saw the U14 team produce a great team effort to comfortably beat a strong Brunel side. This was just rewards for this U14 team who have been training hard and despite losing to Brunel in the league were determined to show what they can do. Beth Carton was as dependable as ever and was ably assisted by Annie Fanning, Stephanie Coldrick and Brianna O'Regan.

In the third game the Wildcats U18s lost to a Carraig na bhFearr side who were much more up for the game from the tip off. Wildcats took the whole first quarter before they showed any signs of life, as the visitors lead 16-4 after 8 minutes play. In the second quarter Wildcats made it difficult for the opposition with a good zone defence and some fine play and excellent leadership from Rachel Taheny and Valerie O'Brien helped reduce the difference to 8 by half-time. The rebels from Cork played some great basketball to maintain their lead but with 3 minutes to go the home side finally looked up for the challenge. A full court press and some great 3 pointers from the outstanding Claire Leavey left just 2 points between the sides as the game entered the final minute. Sadly it was too little too late as Carraig na bhFearr held on to win 61-57.

Fixtures

U16 Kilkenny away to Berkley Tue 24th. U16 Coek away to St. Anthonys Sun. 29th Jan.