Team Loftus Recycling picked up two valuable National League (Division 1 ) points with a hard-earned victory against PV Falcons, Longford in the Mall Complex, Longford, on Saturday night. This was an important game for both sides with the home side very anxious to record their first victory in the current league campaign and Ballina keen to get back on a winning track following a shock defeat to league débutantes, Lisburn 94s, the previous weekend in Ballina.
This was a fiercely contested match which was very physical and played at a hectic pace from start to finish. For Loftus Recycling, it was a case of the old dog for the hard road with veteran Liam McHale putting in a massive performance in both defence and offence. Ballina’s victory was fashioned around McHale’s huge effort and an excellent game by youngster Peter Papic who hit a game high of 28 points as well as grabbing some great rebounds. New signing Toafik Mustapha, who started the game with a broken thumb, sustained during the week in a schools game, worked hard early in the game but played little part in the second half and was obviously affected by the injury.
Loftus Recycling raced into an early lead with a basket by Papic and this was quickly followed by one from Willie Popplewell before Mindas Loda got the home side off the mark. While Papic hit a further six points for Ballina and McHale, Popplewell and Mustapha all landed baskets, Longford shooter Mick Murphy hit two three-pointers and a two-pointer for the home side while Shane Campbell and Shane McGuckian also had baskets for the Falcons to level the game at the end of the quarter on a score of 17-17.
Longford started the second quarter strongly with veteran American Lenny McMillan giving a brilliant pass inside to Campbell who made no mistake with the lay-up. This was quickly followed by another basket by Loda before Mark Cunningham hit a big three-pointer to cut the deficit to a single point. Following this, Ballina played their best basketball and raced into a nine-point lead with McHale rebounding superbly as well as hitting six points and Papic chipping in with seven, as well as scores by Paul Barrett and Popplewell, to put Team Loftus into a nine-point lead at half-time on a score of 40-31.
Loftus Recycling maintained the lead throughout the third quarter but three more good outside shots from Murphy helped Longford cut the lead to just four points mid-way through the quarter. For Ballina, Paul Barrett had his best period of the match and hit four good outside shots, including a three-pointer, to ensure that his side had a 10-point lead at the end of the period (58-48 ).
The final period again started with Niall Morrissey getting the opening basket for Longford. However, despite intense pressure by the home side, Loftus Recycling were not going to lose this game and further scores by Papic, McHale, Popplewell and Toafik ensured victory. Brian O’Malley worked hard for Ballina and was unlucky with several attempted shots. Both Lamar Marsh and Gavin Roche were also given valuable court time by coach Oisin Ginty, whose team’s next assignment is in Ballina against neighbours, Sligo All Stars, on November 1.
U20s in cup action next week
Next weekend, the focus is very much on Ballina’s up and coming young stars when the Braves under 20 team host Queens, Belfast, in the National U20 Cup in Ballina Sports and Leisure Centre at 8pm. The Ballina side will feature several members of the senior team panel including Stephen Popplewell, Lamar Marsh, Gavin Roche, Ronan Judge and Blaise Devanney. The team is coached by Daniel Cunningham.
