Eurobasket.com All-Irish Superleague Awards 2011-12 - Mar 28, 2012
Eurobasket.com All-Irish Superleague Team 2012
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Killeen
Noonan
Coughlan
Turner
Thompson
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Player of the Year:Jason Killeen (211-C-85) of UL Eagles Guard of the Year:Gerard Noonan (180-G-82) of B.Gais Neptune Forward of the Year:Jermaine Turner (195-F-74) of 11890 Killester Centre of the Year:Martins Provizors (202-C-87) of DCU Saints Bosman Player of the Year:Martins Provizors (202-C-87) of DCU Saints Import Player of the Year:Shawn Atupem (200-F-89) of UCC Demons Domestic Player of the Year:Jason Killeen (211-C-85) of UL Eagles Defensive Player of the Year:Jermaine Turner (195-F-74) of 11890 Killester Coach of the Year:Mark Keenan of UL Eagles
UL Eagles celebrate Superleague title - Mar 23, 2012
UL Eagles - DCU Saints 70:56
UL Eagles earned Superleague title. They overcame DCU Saints in the championship game tonight. The victory meant UL Eagles completed the double this season claiming both Superleague and Cup titles. UL Eagles and DCU Saints kept neck and neck throughout the first quarter. The scoreboard read 12:12 after ten minutes of action. DCU Saints pulled in front in the second quarter. They eked out a narrow 26:25 halftime advantage. The tempo increased in the second half. UL Eagles unloaded 21 points in the third term to surge ahead. They accumulated a 46:40 advantage with one quarter remaining. DCU Saints could not find an answer in the fourth frame. UL Eagles delivered 24 points more and ran away with the trophy. Jason Killeen came up with 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead the effort. Robert Taylor (188-G-83, college: Rider) added 15 points, while Matthew Hall (186-G-75, college: Earlham) contributed 12 points for UL Eagles. Pat Patrick Glover (193-F-77) responded with 16 points for DCU Saints. Martins Provizors (202-C-87) had 14 points in the loss.
U.L. Eagles Achieve Double on the back of Jason Killeen. - Mar 27, 2012
2012 Nivea For Mens SuperLeague Final
UL Eagles 70 (25) (J Killeen 25, R Taylor 15, M Hall 12) DCU Saints 56 (26) (P Glover 16, M Provizors 14, K Anderson 8) MVP; Jason Killeen (UL Eagles)
UL Eagles ensured it was a double-double, as Mark Keenans mens side followed up an earlier victory by UL Womens, to crown a momentous year for the Shannonsiders. UL overcame Northern Conference winners DCU Saints 70-56 after a captivating Nivea For Mens SuperLeague final at the National Basketball Arena.
Eagles have been a revelation in 2012, surprising everyone by lifting the National Cup earlier on this year, before blitzing their way through the playoffs to this final. This win marks the end of a tremendous debut season at UL for coach Mark Keenan, the deposed former Killester coach, who has brought success to Eagles after years of frustration.
Keenan said: 'Its a fantastic way to finish the season. Since Christmas I think we have shown we are the best team in the country. We had a tough start to the season, but everyone bought into what we are doing and this is a great reward.'
Keenan reserved extra praise for MVP Jason Killeen: 'Jason has been brilliant all season. Tonight he got their big guys in foul trouble and he was just immense all night,' he added.
A high octane opening saw DCU press UL high up the court, and the strategy reaped its rewards in the early stages, David Donnellys side taking an early 6-2 lead. Robert Taylor and Jason Kileen responded for UL to bring the sides level halfway through the first quarter. Kileen rebounded a Scott Kinevane drive superbly to give UL the lead. Alas for Eagles that passage of play left Kinevane stricken on the court. UL Coach Mark Keenan cut an anxious figure as Kinevane was helped away just moments after being introduced into the game with a serious looking ankle injury. Killeen was gobbling everything inside for UL, but DCU were showing a great variety in attack. There was nothing between the sides at the end of the first.12-12.
DCU were the superior side in the opening stages of the second quarter thanks to some excellent work from Martin Provisors and Mike Trimmer. Michael Chubb stretched the DCU lead out to five before UL responded through Eoin Quigley. Robert Taylor followed up quickly after to bring UL back to within two. Taylors influence was growing in the game, and soon he had UL level at 20-20. A sumptuous pass from Matt Hall was rounded off by Eoin Quigley before Michael Chubb responded to give DCU the narrowest of half time leads.26-25.
UL emerged for the second half in decisive mood, Matt Halls three pointer giving his side a two point lead. Killeen followed it up with two to give UL a four point advantage. Keith Anderson replied for DCU before Hall struck again for Eagles. Pat Glover went to the line to reduce the margin again, as the game looked destined to go down to the wire. Kevin Lacey scored a fine lay-up for DCU before Killeen and Rob Lynch edged UL in front once more. With seconds remaining in the quarter, UL veteran Matt Hall struck a massively significant three for UL to give them a six point lead heading into the final quarter.46-40
UL increased their intensity on defense in the final quarter as DCU desperately tried to regain parity. The Dublin side were finding it increasingly difficult to penetrate the UL rear-guard and Eagles managed to hold their six point lead with five minutes to go and went on to secure this momentous title with a 70-56 victory.
Basketball Ireland Mens Division One Final
Ballon v Matt OFlaherty Chemist Titans
Ballon 80 (42) (L Griskas 19, A Statkus 12, G Trakaustus 11) Matt O Flaherty Chemist Titans 78 (44) ( P Peldzius 29, WArchambaut 15, P Freeman 13) MVP; Audrius Stakus (Ballon)
Ballon were crowned Mens Division One champions having defeated Matt OFlaherty Chemist Titans in a breathtaking final. Ballon eventually secured the crown 80-78 after a nail-biting finale. It was unfortunate that someone had to lose this tie, both sets of supporters having been treated to a tremendous exhibition of basketball.
A blistering opening to this one saw some superb shooting from both sides. Giedrius Trakauskas found his range early on, shooting a superb three for Ballon to bring the scores to eight apiece. Titans were well up for this contest however and Gintaras Sedebskis was integral in establishing a 14-10 lead for his side at the midway point in the quarter. Titans were certainly showing more steel in offense, exemplified by a 21-19 score at the end of the opening quarter.
Ballon redoubled their efforts at the beginning of the second, Irmantas Griskas hitting three and drawing the foul to give his side a three point lead. It was a superb quarter in truth, with both sides tussling for supremacy in what was a hugely physical encounter. Paulius Peldzius helpedTitans stay in contention and soon afterwards gave them the lead with a fine three point shot.
The sides were level early in the third quarter as Imantas Griskas again weighed in for Ballon. The sides were so evenly matched throughout, it was impossible to pick a winner as the sides traded baskets throughout the third. It was Titans who held a marginal advantage heading into the final quarter, leading 63-61.
The fourth quarter was a hugely passionate affair with both sets of fans noisily attempting to spur their side over the line. There was some splendid attacking talent on display, none more so than from Will Archambault who produced a breathtaking dunk to edge Titans in front. Still there was nothing to separate the sides with just three minutes on the clock.71-71.Ballon were back in front with ninety seconds remaining thanks to a huge shot outside from Mazvydas Cepliauskas. A huge score from Conall MacMichael gave Titans a two point advantage with two remaining before Ballon responded, Aurimas Statkus hitting three for Ballon to give them a two point lead. With just 16 seconds remaining Paul Freeman made light of the pressure, superbly firing home to square the teams once again. With just seconds on the clock, Mazvydas Cepliauskus-the smallest player on the court- took advantage of space inside to drive to the basket for what turned out to be the decisive score. Titans had pulses racing with a shot on the buzzer, but it was to be Ballons day, albeit by the slenderest of margins. Final score 80-78.
National League Finals 2012 Results
Nivea For Mens SuperLeague Finals
UL Eagles (Limerick) 70 (25) (J Killeen 25, R Taylor 15, M Hall 12) DCU Saints (Dublin) 56 (26) (P Glover 16, M Provizors 14, K Anderson 8)
MVP; Jason Killeen (UL Eagles)
Saturday March 24 2012
Basketball Ireland Mens National League Division One Final
Ballon 80 (42) (L Griskas 19, A Statkus 12, G Trakaustus 11) Matt O Flaherty Chemist Titans 78 (44) ( P Peldzius 29, WArchambaut 15, P Freeman 13) MVP; Audrius Stakus (Ballon)
UL Eagles wins SuperLeague National Cup - Feb 6, 2012
UL 72 (29) (R Taylor 29, N Campbell 12, M Hall 9) UCC Demons 65 (34) (S Atupem 16, S Coughlan 11, N Hosford 9) MVP; Robert Taylor (188-G-83, college: Rider) (UL) UL secured a memorable Mens SuperLeague National Cup title in front of a sold out National Basketball Arena, running out eventual 72-65 winners after a gargantuan battle with UCC Demons. Inspired by 'MVP' Robert Taylor, UL produced a remarkable second half performance to secure a memorable victory. An explosive opening saw the sides trade scores in quick succession. Robert Taylor embodied everything that was good about UL in the early stages. Quick-minded, decisive and athletic, the American helped his side to a 10-7 lead mid-way through the first quarter. Kyle Hosford (89) and Ciaran O'Sullivan (193-G-90) responded in style for Demons as the Cork side began to reel in the UL lead. Jason Killeen (211-C-85, agency: JEMsports, college: Augusta St.) and Shaun Atupem were having a titanic tussle inside, the Limerick man coming out on top early on. There was little to separate the sides at the end of the first, Demons leading 21-20. Demons began the second quarter in superb style, some wonderful combinations stretching the lead out to six. Kyle Hosford and Ciaran O'Sullivan began to stamp their authority on proceedings with UL fighting desperately to keep the Cork side within range. It was still anyones game at the half time interval, Demons leading 39-34. Scott Kinevane (175-G-87) got UL off to a flyer at the beginning of the third to reduce the deficit to three. Neil Campbell (193-G-83) stepped up moments later to bring Eagles to within one. Taylor brought the sides level soon afterwards as ULs charge gathered further momentum. Taylor ran riot in the space of a minute to give Eagles a stirring four point lead. Shaun Atupem completed a tremendous lay up as Demons retook the lead. Matthew Hall (186-G-75, college: Earlham) hit a superb shot on the buzzer to bring UL back to within two heading into the final quarter.55-53 A superb effort from Daniel O'Sullivan (186-G-90) early in the fourth gave Demons a five point lead. UL lost the influential Jason Killeen mid-way through, but Eagles responded well with consecutive scores from Matthew Hall and Scott Kinevane. Taylor gave UL the lead soon afterwards before Neil Campbell raised the roof with a superb three to give Eagles a three point lead with as many minutes remaining. It was a stirring final quarter from Eagles, who rounded off in style through Matthew Hall to secure a memorable 72-65 winners after an epic contest.
Courtesy Jolie Niland and Shane Whelan . www.basketballireland.ie
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UL Eagles wins SuperLeague National Cup (Photo: basketballireland.ie)
UL Eagles celebrate Superleague title (Photo: basketballireland.ie)
Keenan
