Maree’s men’s basketball could be heading for the big time. The Oranmore-based outfit has begun the Superleague application process which, if accepted, could see them playing in the top league alongside fellow Galway side Moycullen.
Maree’s rise in men’s basketball comes after just two seasons in the National League. They currently top the league, with nine wins and two losses, having consolidated that position with a 75-57 over Portloaise last weekend. Next up is Saturday’s fixture in Calasanctius Gym (7.45pm ) when they host St Brendan’s Tralee, surprise losers in Waterford last weekend.
Maree again will look to last weekend’s top scorer Liam Conroy, whose 17 points helped Maree to victory over Portloaise.
A cautious first period of play ended with Maree ahead 16-14. Sarunas Zvirblinskas and Danny Finn combined for 10 of Maree’s 16, with Callanan good for four and Conroy scoring their last basket of the quarter.
GraduallyPortlaoise took hold of the game, at one stage taking a seven-point lead. Maree, however, reeled them in a little, with Finn’s second three of the game a big help to reduce the deficit to Portlaoise 32-29.
The Maree fast-break, launched off good defensive rebounding, kicked in after the half, with Conroy taking the ball to the home defence at every opportunity. Portlaoise began to find the pace difficult, and their foul-count mounted. On the back of two Conroy threes and one from Crowley - who hit 10 points in the quarter - the visitors retook the lead, held Portlaoise to just eight points in the period, and went ahead 52 – 40 with one quarter to play. Maree kept up the intensity and, with scores coming from all over the floor, doubled their lead to win comfortably.
Maree: Sarunas Zvirblinskas (12 ), Danny Finn (15 ), Darren Callanan (6 ), Niall Higgins, Dave Hansberry (7 ), Liam Conroy (17 ), Con Crowley (14 ), Colm O’Hagan (4 ).
