Cork basketball: Neptune in last chance saloon with play-offs looming

The pressure remains on Neptune this weekend in their bid to win a play-off spot in the Men’s Super League when they travel to play National Cup champions Killester.

At the start of the season the Blackpool outfit were being touted as potential championship contenders but six months down the road they now find themselves in a battle for a play-off berth.

There is little doubt there is a fine group of people involved with the Blackpool club both on and off court, but their Super League team has underachieved in recent years.

Last season was similar with American personnel changing and, in this campaign, Jahmal Wright was replaced by Tamyrik Fields.

Few would doubt Fields is a better scorer but sadly despite getting wins on the road against Killorglin, Maree and Eanna they fell short in their local derby defeat to great rivals UCC Demons.

Neptune had a few of their former stars in attendance as Jim Nugent, Tom O’Sullivan and Brendan O’Flaherty took in the game. When these guys wore the Neptune jersey they played with pride and with a spirit that was always hard to compete against but this present squad lack that spark.

Coach Pat Price was brought in to revive the former golden days but looking at his work to date his team look miles off the pace.

Killester showed in the cup final against UCC Demons they are a serious team in transition and it will be interesting to see if their ace Irish senior international Paul Dick will be in their line up.

There have been contrasting reports coming from the Killester camp on the progress of Dick’s injury but Neptune will feel they have a chance of toppling them just as their Cork rivals Ballincollig achieved in recent weeks.

The Neptune American pairing of Fields and his partner Chance Hunter seem to rely on individualism and they will need a plan to shut down their Killester counterparts Kason Harrell and Isiah Dasher.

The Neptune point guard Conor O’Sullivan is reportedly heading to Australia in early March and he will be hoping to finish his time with the club with notable contributions.

Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig have a free weekend but UCC Demons are back on old stomping ground tomorrow when they host Templeogue at the GCU Arena (6pm).

Demons looked impressive at times in their win over Neptune particularly American Patrick Robinson who finished with a game-high 36 points.

Robinson is a clutch player and since he joined Demons he consistently has come up trumps coming down the stretch when his side need inspiration.

The big Demons post player Elijah Tillman is having a tough time getting calls from various match officials but his inclination to pout doesn’t suit his game.

It is very simple if Tillman gets proper assists he is capable of hurting any side in this league.

Templeogue did manage to defeat Belfast Star on their home court a fortnight ago but surely if Demons come to play there can only be one outcome from this clash.

DERBY

The Cork derby run of games continue and this time it’s the clash between The Address UCC Glanmire and Catalyst Fr Mathew’s at Upper Glanmire Sports Complex with a 5pm tip-off.

Glanmire will be hoping to get back to winning ways following the home derby loss to fellow Cork side Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell.

Glanmire have recently welcomed back Claire O’Sullivan and she hasn’t lost much of her skills that made her one of best players in this country.

The biggest problem for Glanmire has been their underperforming American duo of Callie Cavanaugh and Deljanae Williams and they will need to pick it up big time for this clash.

The other Cork side Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell also have formidable opponents tomorrow at the GCU Arena when National cup champions Liffey Celtics are in town (2.45).

Just like their fellow Cork clubs Brunell’s professionals haven’t been doing the business but with Edel Thornton back from International duty the northside club will be hoping for season-best against the table toppers.