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Ballina may have opened the scoring at the Ursuline Gym in Sligo town in the first game of the Basketball Ireland U-18 Men's National Shield but the home team Sligo diplayed their warrior-like characteristics to hold out for the win...

Ryan Honnigan from Ballina opend the scores in the Ursuline Gym in Sligo town but a three from Sligo's Dunleavy brought the scores tied at 4-4 with 2:30 gone in the game. Sligo Giant Warriors Monaghan got his team moving with a backdoor lay-up, spliting the Ballina defence but Blais Dovannoy worked hard for Ballina and Anthony Flores worked his bench throughout the first quarter to finish on a scoreline of 6-13 to the visitors.

Ballina offence worked their screens well to set-up O'Malley up for an easy basket at the start of the second and then midway through the second quarter Ballina's O'Brien caught the Sligo defence off gaurd and scored a lay-up - with the visitors making all their baskets count they stretched their lead to 19-9. This however was answered by a big three from Sligo's Dunleavy and the Sligo Giant Warriors came back into the game by stepping it up a notch and closing the gap 21-25 at half time.

It was Dunleavy again that added to his teams tally and brought the sides tied for the second time in the game at 27 all a few minutes into the third. Ballina coach, Daniel Cunningham, called a time out as the Giant Warriors started their come-back, with Dunleavy being instrumental. Dovannoy for Ballina stole the lead for his team mid way through the third quarter again but Sligo began to find their rhythm and being punished any mistakes by the opposition with a score. Munnelly linked well with his team, to close the gap to 36-33 in favour of the home team. Sligo Giant Warriors stretched their lead to 50-33 at the end of the third after stepping up the speed and closing out the Ballina offence.

Sudga for Ballina was fouled out in the final quarter and Sligo's Dunleavy made both free throws to extend their lead further with 7 minutes remaining in the game. Fouls feom both sides left Sligo on team fouls with five minutes left in the game but Ballina could not pull back the scoreline and The home team ran out eventual winners 64-44 in a game that was much tighter than the scoreline reflected.

High standard of Sligo sport facilities continues to impress. Ursuline gym in Sligo town got top marks from the teams and officials that came to Sligo to take part in U18 Men's National Shield competition. With the Ursuline gym, new multi-purpose centre at the Sligo Institute of Technology and the Grammar hall, Sligo is definitely equipped to host many national competitions.

It is not just the facilities that have improved over the years; we got our own Basketball Ireland regional development officer now, she is responsible for the Northwest region and works full time at the development of basketball in the area. Some of the main improvements I have noticed so far:

• North West Regional board - over the last two years is in charge of organising leagues, cups and blitz type competitions at all age levels.
• Referring courses - have brought many new and talented refs to the NW scene, our own club has grown from 2 referees to 6
• Coaching courses
• Advertisement of basketball in the local newspapers and radio

About the North Western area board:

Regional Development Officer: Aisling Hubbard

Chairperson of the Northwest Regional Board: Nigel Weir

Board members; Simon Waugh, Cathal Campbell, Brian McHugh Snr., Brian McHugh Jnr., Stephen Carty, Breege Scanlon, Pat Hickey, Francis McGowan.

For more info visit: Basketball Ireland website http://www.basketballireland.ie/regions/North%20Western/index.jsp?newsid=894

Details of the upcoming U12 Blitz to be held on the 20th of December, 2008 in Sligo IT.

Sligo IT 1pm to 6pm

Contact person; Gorana Leahy 071 914 7872

Court 1

Court 2

Rules

• The main aim of the Northwest U12 league is participation and fun!!
• This is a development league to expose the U12s to basketball activity and so there will be no winner at the end of the league.
• Man to man half court defence only.
• No three pointers
• A minimum of 10 players is required and the fiver players that play the first quarter cannot play the second, it must be a different 5. However if a team does not have 10 players they will not be disqualified, but in the interest of the game all teams are encouraged to have a full squad.
• The quarters will be 6 minute stop clock
• 1 minute break for quarters
• 2 minute half time
• 1 Time out per half per team

Please note that the hall is booked from 1pm to 6pm and in order to fit all games in teams will need to be on time. Both courts in the IT are being used so two games will be running at once with each team being involved in either a boys or girls game at once.

Thanks you all for your co-operation and if you have any queries please contact Gorana or myself, Aisling Hubbard 086 8565241