Limerick Celtics make it the perfect ten in Basketball Ireland’s Division One League

A comprehensive 105-70 road win over Team NorthWest saw Basketball Ireland’s South Conference pace setters, Limerick Celtics make it 10 from 10 in Men’s Division One in the Foyle Arena on Saturday evening.

Ariyon Williams served up another huge performance for the table toppers, amassing a game-high 38 points, while Finn Hughes weighed in with an additional 31, along with eight rebounds, to help see off a Team NorthWest outfit, whose own Tyler Mutemasango carded 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

Tipp Talons pulled off a big 87-74 victory at home to Drogheda Wolves in Scoil Ruain to haul themselves off the foot of the South Conference table.

The newly-acquired Joshua Reynolds, along with Adam Parker, played a huge part in what was only a second win of the campaign so far for the hosts, the two racking up 51 points between them- a carbon copy of what Tiago Pereira and Christian Simmons provided for Drogheda.

“I was over the moon with the win, but more importantly, I was excited about our performance” said Niall Berry, Tipp Talons head coach.

“The introduction of Josh was massive and he had an immediate impact, but he was supported with big contributions from other players like Adam, Justin [Wickham] and Miles [O’Donnell].

“We’re very much looking forward to growing in the coming weeks and seeing if we can pick up a few more wins along the way” he added.

Limerick Sport Eagles delivered a big second-quarter display that saw them convert a six-point deficit into a nine-point lead in what proved a crucial period in their 84-78 success over Carrick Cruisers in Phoenix Centre on Saturday night.

Darragh Horkan emerged the game’s top scorer on 26 points, while Alexander Carlisle and Ignacio Folgueiras also featured prominently in Limerick’s victory, with 17 apiece, the later taking 12 defensive boards for good measure.

Scotts Lakers Killarney ended a run of two defeats in the league after they floored the pedal in the fourth quarter to see off Joels Dublin Lions 71-66 in Coláiste Bríde. 

In the Women’s Division One, Limerick Sport Huskies remained hot on the heels of the table toppers after they outpaced Abbey Seals Dublin Lions down the stretch to earn an 84-77 win in St. Munchin’s College.

A big three pointer and two from the free-throw line by Delia Moore fuelled that late surge by the hosts, for whom Scout Frame nailed all four of her attempts from outside the arc on her way to colossal 42-point haul.

Sofia Paska was just as impressive for Lions, as she amassed a huge 39 points and 16 rebounds, but even that was not enough to prevent the Clondalkin side shipping their third loss of the campaign.

“We knew there would be very little between the two teams” admitted Limerick Sport Huskies boss, Trevor Moore.

“Sofia was tough for us to handle as was Miah Ryan, but the Huskies girls were superb on both ends. We had a few shaky moments, but we were solid down the stretch and pulled off the win” he smiled.

In Sunday’s lone Women’s Division One fixture, Limerick Celtics stormed to a 76-51 success over Templeogue in Crescent College.

The hosts did all the heavy lifting in the opening half, establishing a 28-point cushion as Shelby Harmeyer and Stephanie McBride registered a combined 38 points, together with 27 rebounds.