The Bower senior basketball team took on Presentation Convent, Thurles in a Midland A League home fixture on Tuesday, 20 October in one of the most thrilling fixtures played in this venue so far. The visitors got the better start, putting ten points on the board in the opening quarter. The Bower team spent much of the quarter figuring out the Thurles defense, only managing three points from Aobh Nic Ghiolla Phadraig.
A few brief words from coach Des Reilly and the girls took to the court for a very different eight minutes of basketball in the second quarter. Their man to man defense held Thurles to six points, while captain Niamh Brady and point guard Edel Ryan scored fourteen points between them for the Bower. Score at half time whistle – Thurles 16 : 17 Our Lady’s Bower.
Both teams upped their defense in the third quarter and this was noticeable on the scoreboard with Thurles shading this by one point.
With the scores level at twenty one each heading into the final quarter the stage was set for eight minutes of the most exciting, nail biting, nerve wracking basketball that would decide the game. Neither team could pull away, mistakes abounded on both sides but the Bower full court pressure caused Thurles to cough up the ball four times in two minutes and the Bower took full advantage with five different players recording baskets.
With only thirty seconds left on the clock and the Bower trailing by two points Edel Ryan put up a three point shot and the entire gym held its breath as the ball sailed through the air and into the net! Defensive pressure caused Thurles to turn over the ball one more time and Edel Ryan’s free throw put three points between the teams. Final score – Thurles 32 : 35 Our Lady’s Bower.
Squad: N. Brady, A. Nic Ghiolla Phadraig, E. Ryan, A. Benson, R. Armstrong, B. Rios Ruiz, C. Fernandez, M. Dominuez, G. Halligan, A. Nic Ghiolla Phadraig.
Seniors v Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise
On 16 October the seniors had a tough away match to Portlaoise, getting off to a slow start against a very strong team. After allowing the Laois team easy baskets, the girls worked hard on their defense and scores from Niamh Brady, Aisling Benson, Edel Ryan and Beatriz Rios Ruiz narrowed the gap.
In the second half the Portlaoise girls were allowed score at will, but fortunately our team tightened up their defense, got steals and fast breaks and in a brilliant last five minutes almost reversed the score before they ran out of time. A great effort by all!