National League Division 1B
Scotts Lakers v LYIT Donegal
Saturday, February 17 at 7.30pm
(Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre)

1. Five in a row?

After an inconsistent first half of the season, the Lakers finally seem to have found their feet in the National League. The 65-60 win over Sligo in the final game of 2017 has been followed up with impressive victories over LIT (97-77), the Titans (69-113) and, most recently, Sligo again (75-81).

That six-point road win last weekend was particularly encouraging as the All-Stars played quite well and provided a stern challenge to the visiting Lakers right up to the final minute. Antuan Bootle had 24 points and 11 rebounds in another dominant display while Englishman Dailian Mason added 15. Andrew Fitzgerald and Mark Greene also chipped in with 13 points each.

2. Lakers can make it a two-horse race

The Lakers currently find themselves at the summit of Division 1B with Kilkenny three points behind with a game in hand. LYIT are a further three points back in third so a win this evening will send the Lakers nine points clear of them with three games to play.

That would very much make it a two-horse title race between the Lakers and Kilkenny, who face each other in the Auracle on the last day of the regular season.

Cormac O’Donoghue’s team will also be looking for a bit of payback as the Ulstermen defeated the Lakers back in October by a single point.

3. LYIT out of form

LYIT make the long, long trip down from Donegal on the back of two consecutive defeats. Since the league was divided into two after Christmas, they’ve lost to Sligo (94-80) and also to Kilkenny (58-81). Another defeat this weekend would all but end their Division 1B aspirations.

Tonight's clash with the Lakers is the first leg of a double header for Chaz Walter and co. as they face the LIT Celtics in Limerick tomorrow.

4. Bootle continues to be the focal point

Antuan Bootle has been great at times this season and with Justin Tuason recovering from surgery on a hand injury, the 6’8” powerhouse is guaranteed maximum floor time.

Tuason and Bootle had shared minutes earlier in the season but now the Lakers need the big Bahamian-American to be consistently on it. He has certainly done well of late, averaging 23.75 points over the last four games.

5. Another great show at the Auracle

After a month-long break and with a nice piece of silverware on the horizon, Killarney’s basketball fans are expected to turn out in force for their team’s second last home league game of the season.

Another great night of entertainment lies ahead at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.