“Young Knights Look Good in European City of Sport”

The Knights Junior Wheelchair Basketball Club embarked on the long journey to play a round of games in Limerick City against teams from Cork, Galway and Limerick. The Knights brought a mixture of experienced players and beginners and you could hardly tell the difference as it was the young guns that stole the show. Aaron Gillen, Ross Gourley and Peter Lewis showed good skills in their first ever competitive club competition as the Knights started well against Galway taking the lead early and using the ball effectively around the team. The new players in the team worked hard in defence as the Knights won the game 18:4.

Next up for the Knights came local boys Limerick and they were determined to bring the game to the Knights who were now playing well. The Knights rookies were holding the fort trading basket for basket but it took subs and ball handler Eoin Nagle to set up shots for Conor Browne and Jack Agnew. The Knights were now starting to out-shoot the Limerick team and Dane Browne dropped in with a few baskets to see out the game 16:.8.

The final game was against Cork who started off well and bagged a few baskets from outside the key and by the end of the half the Cork team were two baskets in front. The Knights regrouped and put a press on Cork’s key players that resulted in the Cork team giving away possession allowing Luke Marshall to set up some fast breaks, the pick of them was to set up Conn Nagle for a beautiful layup. The half court press and fast break proved too much for Cork to handle and the Knights finished the game 14:10.

It was a long day that started at 6am and finished at 10pm that included a coach journey and some basketball in between, a bit much for some but not for this bunch of kids who once again showed great determination and desire to take part and enjoy their sport wherever it takes them, they really are a credit to their Club, Disabled Sport and Basketball in Northern Ireland.