F

Following a successful debut season, Scotts Lakers St Paul’s are looking forward with optimism to the new basketball campaign which is only weeks away. After an absence of nearly a decade, top flight National League basketball returned to Killarney last season and the Scotts Lakers attracted record crowds to the Killarney Sports Centre for their home games.

It was a case of Saturday Night Fever in Killarney as the biggest crowds in the division flocked to see their heroes play. Indeed, the attendances were consistently larger than any Super League venue in the country, apart from the ones attracted by our neighbours the Tralee Warriors. The Killarney Sports Centre hosted a crowd of 950 people for the Lakers’ clash with Killorglin last October. This was a record crowd for any National League or Super League game in the history of Killarney basketball.

Scotts Lakers didn't disappoint in their opening season, enjoying a good cup run before bowing out at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Ballincollig. They then went on the secure the Division 1B Shield title.

Team coach Cormac O'Donoghue is in charge of the Lakers again for the new campaign and his squad has been boosted by some exciting new signings.

American Harrison Deneka is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and has just graduated from Birmingham Southern College, Alabama. At 6’7” he is very versatile and can play the shooting guard or small forward role. In his final season, he led the Birmingham SC Panthers in total points (474), total rebounds (250), points per game (17.6) and rebounds per game (9.3). He also dominated the conference in rebounds and finished top 10 in five categories, recording 13 double-doubles and scoring a career-high 37 points in one match.

Another significant new signing for the Scotts Lakers is Dutch power forward Papito Hersisia, who has experience from playing in Holland and Germany. His huge 6'8" frame and ability to dominate under the boards will give the Lakers extra strength this season.

Exciting point guard Dailian Mason from Birmingham is back with the

Scotts Lakers again after joining the squad during the middle of last season. An outstanding three-point shooter, Mason will give the Lakers that extra outside scoring threat.

Cormac O'Donoghue and his squad of players have been in pre-season training for a number of weeks and it has been announced that Mark Greene will captain the side this year. The Killarney native was the Lakers most consistent Irish player last season and will have another huge role to play in the campaign ahead.