National League: Division 1

Scotts Lakers 80 Fr Mathews 72

Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre

The Lakers’ mid-season revival continue apace. Last Saturday night, before a healthy home crowd, the Killarney side brushed off the cobwebs to overcome a strong Fr Mathews challenge and pick up their third victory on the bounce. The result leaves them just two wins off the playoff spots with seven games still to play.

Due to COVID-related postponements, the Lakers had to wait four weeks for their first game of 2022 and star player Godwin Boahen admitted that the layoff had an effect. “We were a little rusty,” the Canadian told club PRO Enda Walshe. “I missed a few lay-ups that I'd usually get, but I'm really happy with the boys. Once we got playing, we really clicked.”

The 5’11” guard was the Lakers’ top scorer on the night with 32 and he revealed that picking up his first home win in St Paul’s colours was a major motivation. “I lost my first home game in a Lakers vest against the Limerick Eagles, even though that was a game we could have won. I just want to keep playing and keep winning.”

SLOW START

Boahen and his teammates started slowly and allowed Mathews to race into a 7-0 lead. This forced Lakers coach Jarlath Lee to call a timeout and make some adjustments, and his alterations appeared to do the trick. Mark O’Shea and David Gleeson found their range, and Boahen and the returning Marco Benčić hit big threes to give the hosts a 24-22 first-quarter lead.

Emilian Grudov and Boahen kept tagging on points in the second but Mathews, led by the impressive Jonathan Garcia, were putting up a strong fight. By the time the half-time buzzer sounded, the Lakers had increased their lead to seven (42-35).

Baskets by Rui Saravia, Boahen, Gleeson and Grudov stretched that advantage out to 17 in the third. Garcia responded in kind, however, and with Deividas Brazas offering good support off the bench, Mathews went on a 15-3 scoring run. The game was in the melting pot going into the final quarter with Lakers leading by just five (64-59).

The Lakers re-established their dominance in the fourth by opening up a 13-point lead, but some lax free-throw shooting left the door open. With Diego O’Herlihy to the fore, the Cork men managed to cut the gap to four.

It was to be the Lakers’ day, though, and buoyed by their enthusiastic home fans, they steadied the ship to eventually win by eight.

Speaking after the game, Jarlath Lee said he was delighted with the contribution made by the home supporters. "First of all, I want to thank all the fans that were there. Next week we want ye back and even louder.”

Like Boahen, Lee also felt the team were a little rough around the edges early on - and he didn't exclude himself from that assessment. "We were very rusty. In the dressing room at half-time, the team themselves were disappointed about the way they were playing, even though we were up by double figures.

“But we never felt at ease against this [Fr Mathews] team and they proved it by coming back at us twice. My own coaching was poor; I didn't get the rotations right. The big positive is we've won three in a row now. We have a great atmosphere around the squad and that’s a big factor in why we are winning."

The Lakers are at home again this Saturday as they welcome the WIT Vikings to the Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre. Tip-off is at 7.30pm.

LAKERS: Godwin Boahen (32), Emilian Grudov (24), Rui Saravia (11), David Gleeson (4), Mark O'Shea (4), Marko Benčić (3), Jamie O’Sullivan (2), Daniel Carroll, Paul Clarke, Lorcan Keane.

FR MATHEWS: Jonathan Garcia (29), Diego O’Herlihy (15), Darko Bucan (11), David Murray (8), Deividas Brazas (6), Brian O’Neill (3).