Streete Warriors Basketball
 

The under 16 and under 18 boys teams made the journey to Tullamore to take on the home side in two challenge games as part of Tullamore basketball club's open day on Saturday May 31st. First up was the under 16 boys game. Tullamore  had the brighter start to this game and thanks to some good team play and passing held a first quarter lead of 14-10. As the second quarter started the warriors started to dominate the boards on both ends of the floor and exploit the fast break oppertunities. Thanks to some good baskets by Mel Brady and Frank Tighe as well as great defensive play by Cian Madden and Cian Kennedy the warriors found a halftime lead of 5 points with the score standing Streete 26 Tullamore 21. The last 2 quarters  saw Jonathan Hurley start to hit a hot streak of shots adding numerous baskets from beyond the arc. This along with the intense pace Streete pushed the game at, running fast breaks and explointing cuts ensured that the warriors would run out comfortable winners with a final score of Streete Warriors 60 Tullamore 42 .

 

Team and scorers U16 boys: Jonathan Hurley (28), Mel Brady(12),Frank Tighe (8), Cian Madden(10), Cian Kennedy(2)

 

Next up was the turn of the U18 boys team with Jonathan Hurley, Cian Madden and Mel Brady added to the squad.

The Tullamore outfit Streete faced in this game was a very athletic and strong side. They asserted this dominance early on in the game, driving to the basket constantly and grabbing a lot of  offensive boards and second chance shots to end the first quarter with commanding 12 point lead. (Tullamore 22 Streete 10 -First quarter).Things were beginning to look ominous for the warriors as they would have a major fight on their hands to avoid a blowout and stay in this game. After taking the break to re-focus and talk over tactics the warriors re-emerged, introducing Mel Brady as point guard and Jonathan Hurley in the post for the second quarter. The warriors started this quarter as they meant to go on for the remainder of the game. They began to chip away at Tullamore's  lead by hard teamwork on both ends of the floor and playing smart basketball. The introduction of Mel Brady at point allowed Cian and Russell Brady more freedom to work off the ball and get more baskets from cuts as the Tullamore defence began to get stretched dealing with the range shooting of Jonathan Hurley. This reflected on the scoreboard as the warriors cut the deficit to 5 points going in to half time.(Tullamore 32 Streete 27). The third quarter saw Adam Heffernan and Gary Kelly check back into the game along with the introduction of Cian Madden in the post for Streete. The rested legs gave Streete a new lease of life on both ends of the floor as the defensive intensity of the game increased. Streete exerted some good pressure plays and won some tough rebounds in this quarter. Tullamore's good physical basketball as well as missed oppertunities by streete starting to show some signs of  mental fatigue  in this quarter saw Tullamore end with a 7 point advantage at 50 - 43. The warriors came straight out of the blocks in the fourth quarter and quickly had the game back on level terms thanks to Killian Gallagher putting in an outstanding performance on both ends of the floor pulling rebounds out of the sky against bigger opposition. Some clutch scores from Cian Brady and downtown shots from Jonathan Hurley and Russell Brady  turned the tide of the game and gave Streete its first lead albeit a slender 3 point one. The game was on tenderhooks for the last two minutes but as Streete maintained composure on offence through Mel Brady and turned up the intensity on defence again, it would prove to be their day. Streete would run out winners with a final scoreline of 65-58. The Warriors showed where they got their club name from as all 8 players fought hard as a team throughout and showed excellent work rate.

 

Team and Scorers U18 boys: Killian Gallagher (2), Russell Brady (18), Gtary Kelly (2), Adam Hefferenan,Cian Brady(30),Mel Brady (2) Cian Madden, Jonathan Hurley(11)

 

 

We would like to thank Tullamore BC for inviting us down for 2 excellent challange matches in Colaiste Choilm and for allowing us to be part of their club day. We hope that this is the beginning of a new friendship between our two clubs.