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U16 & U18 Girls Preseason Friendly
U16 Girls Sponsored by KRM Kearney Roche & McGuinn LLP Solicitors
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U16 Girls from Kilkenny and Templeogue
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U18 Girls Sponsored by Robert Quinn Ltd
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The Kilkenny Stars women packed their brand new kits and traveled to Dublin at the weekend for some preseason "friendly" games. Huge thanks to KRM Kearney Roche & McGuinn LLP Solicitors who have kindly sponsored our U16 Black team and Robert Quinn Ltd who have kindly sponsored our U18 team.
U16 Girls vs Templeogue
Our u16 girls took the court for the first time this season against arguably the best team in the country at this age. Templeogue won the u14 AICCS two years ago at this age group and have continued to progress since then, so the girls knew they were up for a big challenge. The game was nip and tuck ALL GAME with both teams never taking more than a five point lead throughout. Templeogue beat our girls pretty handily a couple years ago at this age and it was because of the
rebounding disparity, but the additions of Aimee O’Reilly and Niamh Mulhall to our squad have cut that disparity remarkably, on top of our guards really sticking their noses in and helping with the rebounding battle. Our girls’ pressure defense affected the Templeogue attack, but they methodically kept the pressure on Stars with an array of three point shots. Kaitlyn Summers and Caoimhe Timmons led the way scoring wise for Stars, but Lucy Coomey and Emily Lauhoff also
chipped in with some huge baskets. Down by 1 point with 13 seconds left, Kaitlyn was fouled and went to the line and made both free throws to put us up by 1, and then Templeogue was fouled on the other end and also made their two free throws! Stars then had the ball with four seconds left, and after a beautifully executed play, Kaitlyn just barely missed out on a corner jumpshot, giving Templeogue the win by one point. The girls were visibly upset, but Puff quickly let them know that if Templeogue were the bar of excellence for this age group that we definitely had an opportunity to meet that bar this season and that a performance like that against one of the best teams in the country definitely lifted the expectations as to how good this team can be this year! Exciting times for both of our teams this weekend!
rebounding disparity, but the additions of Aimee O’Reilly and Niamh Mulhall to our squad have cut that disparity remarkably, on top of our guards really sticking their noses in and helping with the rebounding battle. Our girls’ pressure defense affected the Templeogue attack, but they methodically kept the pressure on Stars with an array of three point shots. Kaitlyn Summers and Caoimhe Timmons led the way scoring wise for Stars, but Lucy Coomey and Emily Lauhoff also
chipped in with some huge baskets. Down by 1 point with 13 seconds left, Kaitlyn was fouled and went to the line and made both free throws to put us up by 1, and then Templeogue was fouled on the other end and also made their two free throws! Stars then had the ball with four seconds left, and after a beautifully executed play, Kaitlyn just barely missed out on a corner jumpshot, giving Templeogue the win by one point. The girls were visibly upset, but Puff quickly let them know that if Templeogue were the bar of excellence for this age group that we definitely had an opportunity to meet that bar this season and that a performance like that against one of the best teams in the country definitely lifted the expectations as to how good this team can be this year! Exciting times for both of our teams this weekend!
U18 Girls vs Oblates
This was the first outing for our u18 girls this year, and were notably missing a few of our girls who couldn’t travel to Dublin for various reasons. The squad that did travel, which actually included five of our u16 players, set out to play a very experienced Oblates squad, led by Sophie Staunton, who was a teammate of Faye and Kaitlyn last summer at the European championships. Our girls took the game by storm, gaining a nine point lead going into halftime. Oblates changed to a zone defense in the second half, where we struggled in the third quarter, allowing Oblates to creep back into the game and left us only one point ahead going into the fourth quarter. The final quarter was back and forth, with Aoibhin Dunphy and Clodagh O’Neill leading the way for us and scoring crucial baskets to keep us in contention. With 13 seconds left and Stars down by 3 points, Aoibhin got a great look at a three pointer that just rimmed out, and when Oblates attempted a full court pass, Caoimhe Timmons stole the pass and quickly advanced it to Kaitlyn, who then got a long three point attempt to try and tie the game. It flirted with going in only to fall out and Stars lost the game by three points, which the girls were upset with, but Puff felt it was exactly what the girls needed going into the season, a competitive game filled with highs and lows, and it will hopefully stand to them going forward, especially when we enter the National Cup with our full squad.
U12 Boys and U14 Girls Preseason Tournaments
Our U12 boys and U14 girls stepped out in style this weekend in their brand new kits. A huge thanks to CluneTech who have kindly sponsored our U12 boys. Thanks also to Specsavers who have kindly sponsored our U14 girls.
On Saturday, our under 14's girls welcomed Carlow BC, Drogheda Wolves and Dublin clubs Ongar Chasers, Meteors and Dublin Lions. The games were very competitive. Congratulations to Dublin Lions who came out winners after a period of overtime.
On Sunday, our U12 boys welcomed Tramore BC, Limerick Celtics, Cork's Neptune BC and Dublin clubs Eanna BC and Ongar Chasers. It was an action packed day of basketball. Congratulations to Eanna BC who came out winners in the end.
We look forward to seeing all our friends from the forementioned clubs in the near future.
On Saturday, our under 14's girls welcomed Carlow BC, Drogheda Wolves and Dublin clubs Ongar Chasers, Meteors and Dublin Lions. The games were very competitive. Congratulations to Dublin Lions who came out winners after a period of overtime.
On Sunday, our U12 boys welcomed Tramore BC, Limerick Celtics, Cork's Neptune BC and Dublin clubs Eanna BC and Ongar Chasers. It was an action packed day of basketball. Congratulations to Eanna BC who came out winners in the end.
We look forward to seeing all our friends from the forementioned clubs in the near future.
U14 Girls Sponsored by Specsavers
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U12 Boys in action v Tramore
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U12 Boys Sponsored by CluneTech
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