THE Bank of Ireland-sponsored Schools Cup basketball finals got underway yesterday at the National Arena in Tallaght. The best action of the day was produced in the first match in which Holy Faith, Clontarf, coached by senior men's international Jerome Westbrook, overcame Presentation Convent, Thurles, in extra time, in the girls' B event.
Prompted by Tricia Irwin and Niamh Dwyer, Thurles established an 18-10 lead, but three-pointers from Aidene and Kerry O'Connor edged Clontarf back into the game, and another basket on the stroke of half-time from Kerry O'Connor levelled the scores, 23-23.
Making the most of the rebound prowess of Eimear Smyth, Clontarf raced into a six-point lead at the start of the second period, but they also relinquished the initiative when a last-gasp score from Niamh Miley forced the match into extra time.
With caution uppermost in the minds of both sides, scoring opportunities were restricted to free throws. It was Clontarf who held their nerve to win 57-55.
In the boys' B final, 32 points from Gareth O'Halloran inspired St Mel's, Longford, to a 76-64 win over CBS, Kilkenny, for whom Padraig Morrissey amassed 37. Having averaged 20 points per game en route to the C final, Stephen Hughes of St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon, did not disappoint his followers, notching 25 points to guide his team to a 74-55 victory over CBS Limerick.
