Calasanctius College’s u-16 boys completed an historic double in basketball claiming both the All Ireland league and cup this season.
In the National Basketball Arena recently, Calasanctiuis defeated Summerhill College, Sligo, by 70-47 in the All Ireland A League final to cap a wonderful season for the team.
And, having already beaten the Bish in the All Ireland A Cup final earlier in the year, it is the first time a boys' basketball team from Calasanctius has won this prestigious double.
Final opponents Summerhill College Sligo had defeated Scoil Ard Ris, Dublin, in their semi-final, and they started the decider by hitting the first three baskets.
However Calasanctius settled, and led by strong post play from Adam Cox and some outstanding drives from Rockall, they saw out the quarter leading by 14-10.
Upping their defence in the second, the Oranmore side opened up a 12-point lead before Sligo’s Oisin O'Reilly hit back-to-back three-pointers to reduce the gap to 28-22 at the break. And, any hopes of a comeback for Sligo were dashed in the third when Stephen Commins found his shooting touch and hit 10 points. Rockall and Cox combined for 12 more as Calasanctius surged 19 points ahead.
Calasanctius did not let up in the fourth, with Mark Hughes claiming 10 points to help his side run out convincing 70-47 winners, with Rockall winning the MVP award.
To qualify for the league final, Calasanctius had a rematch of the cup final against the Bish in the semi-final.
The sides were evenly matched in the first quarter, ending eight points apiece. Calasanctius opened up a six-point lead in the second quarter, only to be pegged back leaving the sides level again at half time.
The Bish had the better of the third quarter and were three points up going into the fourth, where they hit the first 5 points to lead 30-38. However a deep three-pointer from Eoin Rockall sparked a Calasanctius revival and Calasanctius closed out the game on an 18-5 run to win 48-43.
The school is now hoping for an invitation to play in the World Schools Championships in France next year.
Calansanctius Boys’ u-16 All Ireland basketball winners: Adam Cox (14 ), Adam Hanniffy, Conor Harte, Eoin Rockall (28 ), Jim Crowley, John Burke, Mark Hughes (10 ), Oisin Doyle, Stephen Commins (18 ).
Coaches: John Finn and Mary Rockall
