TBC’s Super League Squad took part in the Annual Stuart Robbins Memorial Tournament in University of Limerick last weekend. First pool game was against Moycullen. This was TBC’s first game of preseason and proved to be very scrappy with players finding it difficult to get up to match speed and sharpness. TBC trailed by 6 points at the end of the first quarter, 2 points at halftime and by 1 point by the end of the third.
Struggling to stop Moycullen hitting 3 pointers, with 3 minutes remaining Moycullen lead by 5 points and TBC were staring at an early exit from the tournament. However, some good defence and extra intensity saw TBC up their game and score the last 10 points of the game and run out winners by 5 points. Mike Bonaparte top scored for TBC with 21 points and Neil Randolph, on his TBC debut, contributed an excellent 16 points, including 4 three pointers.
Next up were hosts UL Eagles. TBC started with more speed and accuracy in offence and stepped up the defence. With Lorcan Murphy in flying form, literally, TBC ran up an 11 point lead at end of the first quarter, pushing it out to 19 at halftime and 25 at end of the third. The bench was well used and included under 18 players Sam Walsh & Mark Gilleran getting their first experience of court time at this level. TBC ran out comfortable winners by 29 points to reach the final. Lorcan top scored with 25 and good contribution too from Rob Daly with 10 from the bench.
USA Select beat Swords Thunder in an exciting overtime game to set up a final with TBC. In the final, both teams scored freely but resulted in a fast exciting game. At the end of the first quarter TBC lead 23-18 with some spectacular scores from Lorcan who was now in double figures for dunks during the day. USA enjoyed a much better second quarter and lead at half time 45-37. TBC came out very strong at the start of the third quarter and regained the lead quite quickly, heading into the final quarter with a 63-61 lead. The fourth quarter was tight and TBC opened up a 5 point lead but some sloppy play and poor defence allowed USA Select to hit a few 3 pointers and get back in front to close out the game 88-81.
All in all, it was a great warm up for the new season and helped greatly for some of the players to start getting up to match pace. It was disappointing to lose the final, as it was a game the team could and should have won, but more importantly it was a great workout with the start of the league only 2 weeks away.
TBC open their Super League campaign with an away game to DCU Saints on Saturday, 24th September. Tip-off is at 7pm in St Vincents, Glasnevin.