The schools basketball competitions were late starting this year due to the fluid situation with Covid-19 and, having missed a full year of training and matches, it was with great pleasure and not a little relief that we finally got under way in mid-November. Our under 19 and under 16 basketball teams were drawn into a group with schools from Dunmore, Headford and Castlerea and the games were played as a series of double headers, with the top two teams from the group to qualify for the semi-finals. In the first round, away to Dunmore CS, the home teams clearly benefited from having already played matches and St Jarlath’s couldn’t compete with their opponents’ fast break as they tried to adjust to the speed of the game, Dunmore running out comfortable winners in both grades.
With some match practice under their belts, the second set of games away to Presentation Headford was a completely different matter as the Jarlath’s lads showed marked improvement. The under 16s game was tight all the way but Headford sneaked it by five points. However, the under 19 performance was controlled, intelligent and steady and they held their nerve for a four point win over the team which had already beaten Dunmore in their first match. In the last group games, St Jarlath’s hosted Castlerea CS and this time it was the under 16 team which stole the headlines. Taking a 14-2 lead in the first quarter, the victory was never in doubt and all the squad got to contribute to a comfortable victory, 30-19. Jack Heneghan (12) and Ciaran Collins (8) did most of the scoring.The under 19 team were confronted with strong and skilful opponents who were always able to keep the home team at arm’s length. 25-42 was the outcome. Our top scorers in this game were captain Israel Adewumni (10) and Jack Heneghan (7).