Defending Champs get new season off to the perfect start

Defending MissQuote.ie Super League champions The Address UCC Glanmire and InsureMyVan.ie Super League holders Garvey's Tralee Warriors got off to a winning starts on the opening weekend of the National League.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors were narrow 105-103 overtime winners against Flexachem KCYMS in a thrilling local derby. The home side had Daniel Jokubaitis to thank, his two point jump shot with just five seconds to go brought it level at 93 apiece and forced overtime.

The additional five minutes was also tight, it was Garvey’s Tralee Warriors’ summer signing De’Ondre Jackson’s driving layup with 11 seconds to go which clinched victory. The American, who joined from University of Galway Maree, top scored with 28 points.

John Dowling admitted his side rode their luck. "A nail biter of a game. Very lucky to get out with a win. Killorgan played some fantastic basketball, but the home crowd helped bring us across the line. Packed complex, a great advertisement for Kerry basketball."

The Address UCC Glanmire had a more comfortable opening day, defeating Killester 93-70 at Neptune Stadium. Their two new Americans Brittany Byrd and Khiarica Rasheed caught the eye, with 27 and 15 points respectively.

Head coach Mark Scannell said: "Yeah very good start, we played well for the first game of the season. I thought we got great contributions from our bench, which augurs well for the season. Killester are always dogged and hard to put away, but we wore them down, despite the effort of their two very good Americans. Our new additions settled in very well, so a good start, but lots to improve on."

Neptune Stadium also hosted the local derby between Energywise Ireland Neptune and UCC Demons, which went down to the wire. A pair of Jordan