Basketball: Ballincollig leading Cork charge as Neptune and UCC Demons falter
Latavious Mitchell, Ballincollig, battles Eoin Quigley, Tralee, in the Men's Super League clash at the MTU Arena. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Another crucial weekend in the Domino’s Men’s Super League with Ballincollig and UCC Demons involved in a local derby tonight at the Mardyke Arena (7.30pm).
Ballincollig are presently second in the table with a 5-2 record and after losing their opening two games they have won six on the belt, including the cup, and in their present rich vein of form will go into this game as raging favourites.
On Friday last Ballincollig didn’t play to their potential at home to Tralee Warriors but when the game hung in the balance, they found a way to win.
Americans Latavious Mitchell and Lattrell Jossell are a fabulous combination and well done to player coach Ciaran O’Sullivan in his recruitment of both professionals.
When Tralee threatened to snatch a famous win from the jaws of Ballincollig, Mitchell battled on the boards like a man possessed.
Strangely, Mitchell wasn’t on his game in the first half but once he got into gear, he showed why he is rated as one of the hardest working professionals in the league. When you need a guy in the trenches for war, Mitchell is the one player you would choose and his work-rate will pose Demons problems.
In the case of Jossell, you have a lightning-quick guard who is a great scorer but, more importantly, an excellent passer and defender.
In the present form of Demons and their inability to defend their basket this could be the stage that Jossell will excel on.
The third Ballincollig professional is English-born Josh Steel, who is a very good fit for his side at both ends of the floor. Steel is consistently in double figures and his body language on court is always positive and it's little wonder that his coach rates him highly.
The importance of having quality professionals has come home to roost this season for Ballincollig but more importantly, the return of Ciaran O’Sullivan as player-coach is another huge boost for the club.
O’Sullivan and his assistant Matt Hall have the team drilled to perfection and with many teams in the league hoping for something to happen on court, Ballincollig always seem to have a plan.
On the other side of the coin, UCC Demons are another side in total meltdown and their latest defeat at Eanna certainly has the alarm bells ringing at the Sunday’s Well club.
Looking at the stats of their latest defeat, they shot 42 inside the paint and made 23 giving them a reading of 55%. Outside the arc, they made eight out the 24 shots attempted a paltry 33%.
Out of the 11 turnovers, seven came from their Americans Shariff Black (4) and Jarvis Doles (3).
Coach Danny O’Mahony must be miffed the reigning champions are firmly rooted at the bottom of the table, but the answer is simple, they are not winning games.
The danger for both Demons and Neptune is that they are getting detached and it will be interesting to see how they will fare against the might of Ballincollig.
Energywise Ireland Neptune are also in a vulnerable position and they travel to Dublin to play an inform St Vincent’s side who are on the back of consecutive wins over Belfast Star and Limerick Celtics.
The strange decision to sack American Roti Ware, who had contributed 18 points in his last game against Tralee Warriors, and replace him with a professional Mike Hayes, who amassed one point against Killester on his debut had heads scratching at the Blackpool venue.
On Sunday, Hayes had 10 points against Killorglin but he needs to pick it up big time against St Vincent’s who have a lot of weapons in their squad.
Make no mistake this Neptune team are in big trouble and they will do very well to return from the capital with maximum points.
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