RCC 24 – 25 Lough Allen CollegeRCC U16 boys’ basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 1 point loss to Lough Allen College in the Northwest Region Final which was recently played in the Knocknarea Arena Sligo. In a game that ebbed and flowed in both teams’ favour at different stages, it was the Leitrim school that were ahead at the final buzzer.
LAC started brighter and took an early lead in the first quarter. RCC were sluggish and failed to deal with the intensity of the game, leading to some nervous passages of play. LAC ended the quarter in front, leading 10 – 4.
The start of the 2nd quarter saw RCC come out with all guns blazing and were much more aggressive in their play. This led to some excellent turnovers from Ruairi Kerr and Joao Victor which frustrated the LAC attackers. Jonathas Borges, playing as point guard, produced some magical moments allowing RCC to score the next 5 points. The RCC defense stood firm to keep LAC scoreless for the full quarter.
The 3rd quarter started in much the same fashion as the last as RCC continued their domination of the game to lead at the end of the quarter 17 – 12. Lewis Smyth and Eli Okambawa led the scoring in this quarter with some well-taken baskets.
Entering into the final quarter RCC began to show signs of nervousness as LAC brought some intense pressure with time running out. This led to some unnecessary dispossessions from the RCC side. RCC were also in foul trouble as fatique began to set in. LAC took the lead with 2 minutes left on the clock but RCC rallied again to regain the lead through Eli Okambawa. In the dying seconds LAC managed to work a well taken basket leaving RCC with one final opportunity to win the game. RCC went agonisingly close with the last shot which fell just short. RCC 24 – LAC 25
RCC can be very proud of their efforts in what was their first ever basketball final.
U16 Boys Basketball Final
