Bish, having overpowered St Mary’s College two weeks previous, defeated Calasanctius College Oranmore, in Knocknacarra Community Centre by 54-36 to lift the U16A Western Regional basketball schools' title.
The final was as expected a competitive affair with both sides trading early baskets with the impressive Oranmore Irish International squad members Conor Loughran and Daniel Arimoro leading their team with some well executed scores. Calasanctius held a two-point advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Bish captain and Irish International James Lyons combined well with Aaron Kiernan, Cian Doheny and Padraic Lenihan on various set offences to remain focused on their game plan and they managed to push out a lead for the Bish in the second quarter which saw them take a 10-points advantage at half time.
The introduction of Daniel Burke for the Oranmore school in the third quarter, along with a defensive change, resulted in a scoring run by Calasanctius, but the Bish regained control of the game and continued to pick off scores through their in-form shooting guards Pavel Gillick, James Connaire, Kevyn Burke and Dara McNulty.
This was a good preparation game for The Bish, who have a tough schedule in the New Year as they are also in the U16A Subway Schools Cup semi final against St Malachy’s, Belfast ,in early January in Dublin. This regional win will ensure the Bish take a seeded quarter final berth in the U16A League playoffs in the NBA Tallaght in February.
Bish captain James Lyons has a goal in mind. “We enjoy playing together and we have already won the regional title at minor and junior with this team, and from there we went on to win All Ireland bronze and silver medals. Hopefully this year we might be able to take a gold like our Bish seniors did last year. We will try our best to make it happen.”
