Killester forced to rotate

BASKETBALL:Did you know there is a severe influenza outbreak doing the rounds? The foreign brigade in the Superleague can attest to its potency this week with three Americans and Killester's Polish player Michael Goj all in quarantine.

Killester are on the cusp of the Northern Conference title and a place in the Superleague play-off semi-finals on March 24th but along with Goj they are hoping Bryce Burch can recover from this terrible affliction before Belfast Star arrive at the IWA in Clontarf tomorrow evening.

"Bryce did really well last Sunday considering he was in bits," said Killester coach Mark Keenan. "We were fortunate to be able to rotate the squad and give Bryce plenty of rest using Jerome Westbrooks and Ed Randolph."

If they fail at home they will have a second opportunity in Ballina on Sunday afternoon but the task hardly becomes easier by the absence of Keith Anderson due to international training.

It is bizarre timing considering the stakes, not to mention a genuine snub to what is supposed to be Basketball Ireland's flagship competition, by the schedule organisers of international training camps.

Such is their points differential, Killester can afford to lose one game but the battle for the remaining spots in the Northern Conference remains a three-way dogfight.

Because of their points spread, Ballina look best placed and they also play two games, starting with UCD in Dublin tomorrow. They are equal on 30 points with St Vincent's and Shamrock Rovers Hoops.

Still, it has been a torrid week for the Mayo club as one of their most important players Ronan McGarrity has been forced to step away from the game with immediate effect to receive treatment for testicular cancer. The multi-talented McGarrity is a significant loss to both the Superleague and Gaelic football.

The game of the weekend could well be the meeting of St Vincent's and Shamrock Rovers Hoops in the National Basketball Arena tomorrow as both teams scramble for the play-offs. St Vincent's finished third last year before travelling to Cork to claim the overall title.

Mike Trimmer is unavailable for the defending champions, while Jermaine Turner is trying to shrug off flu.

Meanwhile, the Southern Conference title was sorted out last Tuesday in Killarney when the Tralee Tigers claimed a memorable 114-89 victory over their local rivals St Paul's.

That result leaves the UCC Demons secure in second spot and St Paul's third with a game each to play. Regardless of the weekend results, the Demons' win ratio - three-nil - over St Paul's this season means they cannot slip back.

The dates for the play-off games, where second place in the North Conference play third in the South and vice versa, will be announced next week. The winners go through to the semi-finals against the conference champions, at the University of Limerick arena. The final takes place the following day, Sunday, March 25th, also in UL.

TOMORROW: Men's Superleague: UCD Marian v Ballina, UCD Sports Centre, 7.0; Killester v Belfast Star, IWA, Clontarf 8.0; Shamrock Rovers Hoops v St Vincent's, National Basketball Arena, 7.30; Limerick Lions v UCC Demons, UL Arena, 7.30; Neptune v St Paul's, Neptune Stadium, 8.0. SUNDAY: Men's Superleague: Ballina v Killester, Ballina SLC, 3.0.