BASKETBALL:KILLESTER'S hopes of retaining the Nivea For Men's Superleague suffered a blip last weekend but the Dublin club will be hoping their clash with Neptune this weekend will spark the start of a positive end to the season.
The Dubliners suffered a surprise double overtime loss away to Belfast Star in their last outing despite leading 21-3 at one stage in the first quarter.
Despite the defeat, Killester’s 6ft 3in centre Michael Westbrooks believes a win on Saturday would give the reigning champions a massive boost ahead of a crucial month.
“We have four games left against Bord Gáis Neptune, UCD Marian, Moycullen and DCU Saints but we need to achieve consistency,” said Westbrooks.
“Saturday is a crucial one against Neptune and it is one we have to win because realistically we could play them later on in the tournament and it is important the we go into that 2-1 up.”
Killester lost the National Cup semi-final to eventual winners UL Eagles and the defeat has left Westbrooks desperate not to end the season without a trophy.
“When Darren (O’Neill, head coach) took over, we set out our stall and to win a trophy was part of that,” added Westbrooks.
“We were so unlucky to lose in the cup semi-final against UL Eagles and through inconsistency we have lost games that we were coasting in so that is something that we must put right.
“I’m very confident going into the Neptune game even though they are on a very good run. We are at home and the place will be packed. If we can finish the regular season on a winning streak and as we have a home semi-final I see no reason why we cannot win the Superleague.”
In the Nivea Women’s Superleague, the weekend’s big game sees DCU Mercy travel to UL in a repeat of this season’s National Cup final. The game will give Mercy a chance to avenge that loss and massively boost their title hopes.
Mercy’s last league title came in 2007, when they beat UL 79-65.
Suzanne Maguire contributed 21 points on that occasion and she showed last time out against fellow challengers, Team Montenotte Cork, when she notched 17pts, why she is still regarded as one of the league’s best players.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday:Men's Superleague – Belfast Star v Moycullen, DLS Anderstown, 7.15; UL Eagles v DCU Saints, UL Arena, 7.30; 11890 Killester v Bord Gais Neptune, IWA, 8.0. Women's Superleague – UL v DCU Mercy, UL Arena, 4.45; Waterford Wildcats v Ulster Rockets, Mercy Gym, 5.0; 11890 Killester v Liffey Celtics, IWA, 6.0; Team Montenotte Cork v Meteors, Neptune Stadium, 7.0.
Sunday: Men's Superleague – UCC Demons V UCD Marian, Mardyke Arena, 3.15. Women's Superleague – Singleton's SuperValu Brunell v Oblate Dynamos, Parochial Hall, 2.45.
