Cork Basketball: UCC Demons head to Ballincollig after finding real form

Ballincollig were back to their best last weekend when they secured a crucial 82-73 Super League win over Tralee Warriors on the road.

Ciarán O'Sullivan's side remain joint second and are guaranteed a home quarter-final. They're battling Killester and leaders Belfast Star for a top-two spot, which also ensures a home semi.

In one of the strangest league tables for years, you have Belfast Star with four defeats at the summit while the final eight places show sides with 11 defeats. 

Ballincollig's professional trio are the best in the league by a country mile and barring a total meltdown in the closing weeks, could secure the elusive double.

On Thursday, there should be a decent attendance at the MTU Arena when Ballincollig host their Cork rivals UCC Demons in a mouth-watering derby.

Demons were buoyant after their win on Sunday over Eanna who were coming off an impressive win in demolishing leaders Belfast Star.

So what has changed for Demons in recent weeks?

Coach Danny O’Mahony, after a few frustrating months, has gotten his American pairing right as Tamyrik Fields and Jordan Washington are now a handful for any professionals in the league.

Fields looked a little ring-rusty when he came in but has gotten better with each game. Washington is basically unstoppable with the correct assists at the post.

Another plus for the Demons coach has seen the return of the injured James Beckom and how he has adapted is testament to the player.

Beckom is possibly one of the best defenders in the Super League and his return has sparked a major revival in that department for his side.

It was a disappointing weekend for Neptune as they lost on the road after overtime to Killester and on Sunday lost at the death to fellow relegation strugglers Killorglin.

On both occasions, the finish line was within sight but they managed to turn the ball over with schoolboy errors.

The Killester loss was hard to take for Neptune, who were missing their injured American Mike Hayes. In fairness, they'd done everything right up to those last frustrating two minutes.

In the end, they suffered a 105-95 loss that made Sunday’s game against Killorglin a potential six-pointer.

In a game that was there for the taking, Neptune basically lost the run of themselves again coming down the stretch as they failed to inbound the ball correctly with seconds remaining.

The resultant possession for Killorglin was heartbreaking as Bulgarian Emiliyan Grudov nailed a long-range three that stunned the Neptune faithful into submission.

No excuses, but it seems Neptune are not organised in the coaching department as too many players are giving their opinions both on and off court.

At this level of basketball, there can only be one voice to give instructions. It's bewildering how they failed to close out crucial games when in winning positions twice in one weekend.

DROP ZONE

In the Women’s Super League, Fr Mathew’s are destined for Division 1 basketball next season. That will be rubber-stamped on Saturday if they lose their home derby game to Gurranbraher Credit Union Brunell.

UCC Glanmire didn’t have to break sweat in their derby win over Fr Mathew’s and now coach Mark Scannell will be looking to finish the season with an unbeaten run before the play-offs.

Brunell parted ways with American Maddie Cluse and will have a new signing on court for Saturday’s derby game against Fr Mathew’s. In their win over Portlaoise Panthers Brunell’s captain Edel Thornton stepped up to the mark with a 31-point tally that helped her side avoid a potential banana skin.