BASKETBALL: Ballina completed a remarkable two years by guaranteeing top spot in the northern conference for 2006, a week ahead of schedule, with a convincing 123-106 victory over Star of the Sea on Saturday evening.
Team captain Ronan McGarrity was in inspired form, finishing with 28 points. Dan Zapior finished on the same individual total, while another 24 points from Patrick Pope ensured the University of Jordanstown club were overrun.
What is remarkable is that Ballina only returned to the Superleague two seasons ago.
St Vincent's took a firm grip on second spot in the conference with back-to-back victories in 24 hours, including an 82-65 destruction of main rivals Killester on Saturday night. This was followed by an equally impressive home win over UCD.
None of the southern play-off qualifiers will fear double- chasing UCC Demons after their two-month winning streak was ended by Killarney Lakers.
The Mardyke Arena was confirmed last week as the venue for the league finals on the weekend of March 25th-26th.
In the woman's quarter-finals, UL-Aughinish proved too strong for Killester in a repeat of the national cup final.
