IT'S agreed it is time Belfast Star won a men's Super League game at home this season.
On the road, they have won three times but haven't cracked it at Methodist College, yet. They have another chance, tomorrow night, when the former mighty UCC Demons visit.
Demons are not the force they once were. The loss, to Cheshire, of player-coach Colin O'Reilly, has had an adverse effect on their play. Juggernaut centre Lahmon Colbert is back in America and three-point shooting guard Shane Coughlan hasn't played this season, so far.
Colbert's replacement Jacob Lawson is not as powerful on the boards as Colbert and not a top scorer but more athletic. His clash with in-form Dillon Stith should be interesting: “Yes, it is time that we won at home,” said assistant-coach Danny Fulton.
“Despite the absence of some players, Demons have still plenty of ammunition and we have struggled in the guard position. We need another big game, like last week in Dublin, from Fergal Toner, and Sean Quinn and, also, from Adam Ryan. This is a game we need to win.”
It won't be easy, of course, Demons are fourth in the Super League table and Star are joint eighth, with a 12 points gap. The Belfast boys know it is time to close that gap.
It's a Christmas rush for University of Ulster Elks in men's Division One, as they play tonight in Dublin and on Sunday at home in Jordanstown with the results liable to shape the team's future hopes, when the action resumes after the festive season.
The Elks hit the road for Dublin this evening to face the Lions with the docile deer urging to overcome the loud lion. When the teams met in the Presidents' Cup, a month ago, the Dublin team brought off a shock 77-75 win at home.
“We certainly owe one to the Lions,” said Elks coach Patrick O'Neill, “but we must remain focused and keep in mind the big picture. We are battling out top place in the Northern Conference with Sligo and Maree and, after a couple of loses, we need a win to keep the pressure on.”
When Lions visited Jordanstown, Elks were worthy 74-52 winners and it would be another surprise if they were to lose again to their Dublin rivals. Back in the Elks squad are Stephen Crowthers and Matt McColgan. McColgan has been working abroad and his match fitness may not be up to scratch but he will play some part in the game.
Sligo All Stars and Maree clash on Saturday night in Sligo and the outcome of that will be very important to Elks, who host Galway Titans on Sunday at UUJ. Titans are also double dating as they play LYIT at the Foyle Arena in Derry on Saturday.
LYIT has been showing a lot of promise recently, despite losing big Oisin Kerlin, who is now trading his talents in Germany. In Galway, LYIT defeated Titans and they should repeat that in Derry.
There is no league action in women's basketball this weekend as the annual 3x3 tournament will be staged tomorrow at the NBA. Representing Ulster Rockets will be Carlee Lough, Mairead McNally, Zee Shadid-Martin and Mimi Troy.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Friday
Men’s Division 1: Dublin Lions v Ulster University Elks (Colaiste Bride, 20:00).
Saturday
Men’s Super League: Pyrobel Killester v DCU Saints; KUBS Dublin v Commercial.ie Éanna Dublin; UCD Marian v SSE Airtricity Moycullen; Belfast Star v UCC Demons (Methodist College, 19:00); Radisson Blu UL Eagles v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors; Templeogue v Griffith Swords Thunder, Oblate Hall Inchicore, 19:30; Men’s Division 1: IT Carlow v Keane’s Supervalu Killorglin; LYIT Donegal v Titans Galway (Foyle Arena Derry, 16:00); Team Kilkenny v BFG Neptune; Kestrels Portarlington v Fr Mathews Cork; EJ Sligo All-Stars v Maree Oranmore; Women’s National League 3x3 Championships: All women’s teams in Super League & Division 1 (11am-5pm, National Basketball Arena, Tallaght); Hula Hoops U18 Men's National Cup quarter-final: KUBS Dublin v Belfast Star (Carroll Arena, 15.00).
Sunday
Men’s Division 1: Ulster University Elks v Titans Galway (UUJ, 13:00); Hula Hoops U18 Men's National Cup: Malahide BC v Ballincollig; Liffey Celtics v Ballincollig; Liffey Celtics v Malahide.
RESULT
Women's Division One: DCU Mercy 68, Courtyard Liffey Celtic Leixlip 55.
