Cork Basketball preview: Neptune must beat Maree to keep their season alive 

THE Bank Holiday weekend will see crucial games in the Men’s and Women’s Super Leagues with the Energywise Ireland Neptune and Maree clash tomorrow at the Neptune Stadium topping the bill.

Neptune have now been dragged into a relegation battle and a defeat in this game would put them in a precarious situation. Despite putting in a battling display in their loss to Killester last weekend it was their opening quarter display that will worry the faithful.

It has been a strange season on the American front for Neptune with their original three professionals all departed to be replaced by their present duo Derek Murphy and Andrew Gardener. Looking at the present pairing they haven’t improved the team and don’t look as good as the original duo of Chrishon Briggs and Jonathon Lawton.

Colin O’Reilly, who was then Neptune coach, hired both before his departure but new coach Paul Kelleher decided he wanted to freshen up his squad. There is no problem firing professionals but getting better players is crucial and coach Kelleher has failed in his latest recruiting campaign.

Cian Heaphy and Roy Downey missed the Killester defeat but are expected to return for the Maree clash.

Maree were clinical in their 95-72 win against Templeogue and with Terence Lewis and Tahmir Gadsden solid Americans and Europeans Zvonomir Cutuk and Kyle Carey all capable of putting up big numbers Neptune could be in for a tough test on their home court.

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Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig @ MTU were without ace American Andre Nation in their loss at Sligo All Stars and it is unclear whether or not he will be fit when they visit the inform Galway side Moycullen at the Kingfisher Arena on Sunday.

Ballincollig having lost the cup final to UCC Demons haven’t become a bad side overnight and player-coach Ciaran O’Sullivan is sure to have his troops primed to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Moycullen have surprised many pundits this season and last weekend they ground out another win in Belfast against Ulster University. Over many years Moycullen are consistently battling on a tight budget but surely if Ballincollig get their act together they will depart from the west with maximum points.

UCC Demons are also involved in a crucial game when they welcome Templeogue to the Mardyke Arena on Sunday. The Dublin side have already defeated Neptune on Leeside this season and almost eliminated Ballincollig from the National Cup which suggests they will be no pushover.

It will also be interesting for the former Demons American Zoe Tyson who will no doubt be trying to prove his former club were wrong to replace him. Templeogue were defeated by Maree last weekend and Demons after dominating for long periods were fortunate to get over Bright St Vincent’s in Dublin.

James Hannigan, who missed the Vincent’s win is back from New York, and is sure to be ready to impress the Irish senior men’s coach Mark Keenan who is also at the helm for Templeogue.

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Kyle Hosford and Carleton Cuff also missed the Vincent’s win and the Demons faithful will be hoping to see them back for this crucial game.

When Elijah Tillman was signed by coach Danny O’Mahony many pundits felt it was a risky acquisition but he has proved many doubters wrong. In his latest game against Vincent’s he checked out with 55 points and 20 rebounds and a near repeat performance will be needed against Templeogue.

In the Women’s Super League leaders Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell travel north to play Ulster University. Captain Edel Thornton will not be fit to play following an ACL injury picked up in their win over Portlaoise Panthers but on present form they should win this game in a canter.

Catalyst Fr Mathew’s will have to produce a season-best to avoid their third defeat on the bounce when they entertain Waterford Wildcats at the Fr Mathew’s Arena tomorrow. It will also be a tough test for The Address UCC Glanmire when they travel to the capital for a clash against title contenders Killester.

Glanmire have improved since replacing their Americans with a new duo in Yasriyyah Wazweerud and Cheat Real Whitsitt but they will need to put in a huge shift to depart from Clontarf with a win.