Maree bow out in National League semi-final in Castleisland

Maree’s debut season in the National League ended in Castleisland on Saturday night, March 20th. Having finished 2nd in the Southern Conference and beaten Tolka Rovers in the League Quarter-finals, Maree just came up short in the Semi-finals, losing 95 – 81 to St Mary’s. The Cup champions from Kerry remain unbeaten and on course for the double. Maree’s Linas Mitkus was the game’s high scorer with 23 points, while Con Crowley was good for 19.

The next day – Sunday March 21st – Maree Basketball Club was saddened to hear that football great Patsy O’Hagan had died. Patsy, who won football All-Irelands with Down in 1960 and 1961, was the grandfather of Maree National League and Underage Irish international player, Colm O’Hagan. Patsy’s son Brendan is on of the Maree MNL Committee, and Brendan’s wife Mary is the Maree MNL Team Manager. Indeed, the whole O’Hagan family has been closely involved in the young Maree team’s highly satisfactory first season. Patsy O’Hagan; ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Maree were well supported in Castleisland, with the game tipping off at 7:45 pm before a big crowd. Threes from Liam Conroy and then Con Crowley – who had his best game of the season – helped the visitors to settle. Declan Wall and dual star John Galvin were on target for Castleisland. The hosts had a significant height advantage, but throughout the first quarter, Maree’s David Hansberry made light of it, hitting 8 points. With a couple of minutes to go in the period, Maree introduced Linas Mitkus to the fray, the big man being used sparingly in his come-back from serious illness. Mitkus immediately hit a big basket, and the quarter ended with Castleisland ahead 24 – 20, but Maree very much in the game.

Mitkus was on fire at the start of the second quarter, pulling down rebounds and hitting his side’s first 10 points. Liam Conroy added 7, and Maree were matching Castleisland at both ends, in what was turning into a close, exciting game. At the half, there was just a point between them, with St Mary’s shading it 46 – 45. Both teams had stayed in man-t-man defense, and there were no easy half-court scores, as each side looked to fast-break from defense and set up uncontested lay-ups or good outside looks at the basket.

In the third, St Mary’s hit 28 points. Maree’s 24 included 8 from Crowley and 6 from Danny Finn. With one quarter to go, although the home side led 74 – 69, it was still game on. At this point, the height, pace and age difference began to tell. Despite a further 5 points from Mitkus, Maree’s scoring rate dropped. The guards weren’t getting that split second needed to get set for good outside shots, and Maree’s inside game was also under pressure. Gradually, St Mary’s extended their lead. With just 3 minutes to go, Maree were forced to put on a press and throw caution to the wind if they were to haul back the scoreline. It wasn’t to be and the game ended St Mary’s 95 Maree 81. This was a very encouraging debut season for a Maree squad with 11 players under 21, and full of promise. Five players averaged 10 points or more per game over the course of the 17-game campaign. Eighteen-yearold Liam Conroy hit 317 points (average 19). Linas Mitkus, who was restricted to just 6 appearances, racked up 109 (av 18). Danny Finn, while studying in Edinburgh, commuted for 9 games, finishing with 138 (av 15). Sarunas Zvirblinskas amassed 204 (av 13). Dave Hansberry recorded 182 (av 11). Roll on 2010/2011.

Maree; Con Crowley (19), Colm O’Hagan, Danny Finn (10), Eddie Forde, Darren Callanan, Liam Conroy (12), David Hansberry (12), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (5), Kenneth Hansberry , Linas Mitkus (23).
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Maree top Tolka in overtime thriller, through to Nat League semis

Maree’s remarkable first National League foray got even better on Saturday night. After wrapping up regular season play with three away wins in Waterford, Dublin and then Tralee, Maree were home to Tolka Rovers in a quarter-final tie on March 13th in Calasanctius gym Oranmore. A packed gym saw a game full of twists, turns and high drama, with Maree pulling away in overtime to win 99 – 86. Maree’s Danny Finn, who has been commuting weekly from his studies in Edinburgh, was the game’s high scorer with 26. Team-mate Liam Conroy was good for 24. Big man Linas Mitkus, back after illness, came into the game to a rousing reception and hit 10 big points in his first game in four months.

It all started a little sluggishly. Both teams were in man-to-man. Tolka Rovers’ experience was evident, as was the smooth skills of their best player Ignativicius. Although five Maree players scored in the first quarter, bookended by baskets from Captain Darren Callanan, Tolka looked the quicker and stronger and - with Maree’s 20-stone 6’7” Mitkus on the bench – Tolka were also bigger. Throughout the season, David Hansberry, Darren Callanan and Sarunas Zvirblinskas have out-rebounded post players 3 and more inches taller, and the quarter-final tie was no exception. Tolka’s early threat was mostly from their guards, and they damaged Maree’s prospects to take the first quarter 20 – 12. Then came an extraordinary Maree response as they more than trebled their first-quarter tally with 37 points in the second. It was all about defensive pressure out past the arc, and lightning transition to attack. Con Crowley and Colm O’Hagan were relentless in defense. Conroy hit 15 and Finn 10. With a couple of minutes to the half, Mitkus entered the game to immediate effect, hitting two unstoppable baskets and ripping 3 rebounds. Maree had turned an 8-point deficit around so thoroughly they went in at the half 49 – 30 ahead, in no foul trouble and looking good.

Things began to unravel a bit in the third, as Tolka refused to buckle, sticking to the task, and slowly reeling their Galway hosts in. Maree’s offensive rhythm was disrupted, and despite 7 from Finn and two inside baskets from David Hansberry, Maree were held to 19 points, while the Dubliners racked up 32, to reduce the deficit to 6, with Maree’s lead 68 – 62 going into the final quarter. Additionally, the fouls were beginning to mount for both sides. Maree were to lose three players - Callanan, David Hansberry and Crowley – and Tolka four, before the tie was over. The momentum had swung Tolka’s way, and as the clock ticked down, they equalised and then took the lead, and then doubled it to 4, with a little over a minute to go. The tension amongst the Maree supporters was unbearable. Perhaps it got to Tolka as well, when having been flawless from the free throw line up to then, their Captain Ciaran Walsh missed two that would have sealed the deal. With that chink of light, cometh the hour cometh the man. Maree’s Mitkus took successive massive defensive rebounds and fired court-length outlets to Finn, who scored with lay-ups, the second with just 16 seconds to go. Tolka couldn’t get a good shot off to win the tie, and the breathless game went into overtime.

Having trailed, led big, thrown the lead away, gone behind, and then rescued things at the death, Maree went about business in overtime with some of the composure, passing, and good shot selection that had characterised their second-period performance. With both teams on team fouls, Maree looked to put the ball inside to posts Mitkus and Zvirblinskas, and if they were double-teamed, have it kicked back out to Conroy, Finn or O’Hagan for threes or drives to the hoop. It worked a treat. Mitkus and Zvirblinskas shared 11 points, and at the other end, Tolka ran out of gas against a Maree defense that had renewed its stinginess. Although the Dubliners hit a respectable 6 points in the five minutes of overtime, Maree hit a remarkable 19, the last basket going to 17-yearold Colm O’Hagan. Maree took a nerve-shredding game 99 – 86. Danny Finn went 7 for 9 from the free throw line in the game. Liam Conroy was good for 7 assists and 3 steals. Darren Callanan took 8 rebounds, and Linas Mitkus and Sarunas Zvirblinskas 7 apiece. On Saturday March 20th in Castleisland, Maree take on Cup Champions St Mary’s in a National League semi-final.

Maree; Con Crowley (4), Colm O’Hagan (6), Danny Finn (26), Eddie Forde, Darren Callanan (7), George Rahmani (inj), Liam Conroy (24), Conor Graham (inj), David Hansberry (4), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (16), Kenneth Hansberry (2), Linas Mitkus (10).

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Maree win in Tralee, 2nd in Southern Conf, get home tie in playoffs 

Maree played their last regular season National League game, against Team Meadowlands St Brendan’s, in Tralee on Saturday night March 6th, winning 82 – 67, to record a third away win on the trot. Danny Finn was the game’s high scorer with 25. Maree never trailed in the game. Following Titans’ Sunday night loss away to Ballon, Maree finish ahead of their Galway neighbours, taking 2nd place in the Northern Conference. Maree have a home tie against Dublin’s Tolka Rovers in the knockout phase of the League.

 

Sarunas Zvirblinskas won the Tralee tip-off and got Maree’s first score on a nice turn and drive in the key. Captain Darren Callanan added a basket and free throw and his team were on their way to an early lead. Zvirblinskas, Liam Conroy and Danny Finn each hit 5 first-period points, contributing to a 22 – 10 advantage going into the second. Both teams started in man-to-man, though Maree switched between it and 2-1-2 zone and 3-2 defenses. Maree continued to drive to the hoop at every opportunity, and in each period, St Brendan’s were on team fouls early. This was particularly evident in the second period, with 7 of Maree’s 14 points coming from the free throw line. Over the course of the game, Maree took 32 shots from the line, contrasting with 14 for the hosts. St Brendan’s came back into the game in the second period, with 14 of their own, including 6 from O’Sullivan, but Maree ended the half 36 – 24 up, and probably should have been further ahead, head they executed better on transition offense, from the defensive ball secured by Dave Hansberry, who had 11 rebounds in the tie.

Ten third-period points from Finn, along with 8 inside from Dave Hansberry, saw Maree stretch their lead. High-octane Maree defense forced St Brendan’s to fight the shot-clock, the trio of Finn, Con Crowley and Colm O’Hagan fronting an aggressive 3-2 defense. With one period to go, the Maree lead was comfortable at 64 – 41. Conroy hit 5 points to start off the fourth, which also featured a big three from Ken Hansberry, before Maree eased to an 82 – 67 win.

Maree’s Under 14 girls, who were in Tralee to play in a tournament, turned out in force to support the National League team and in particular, to support their coach Darren Callanan. They made sure that the lads felt it was a home tie, with high-decibel encouragement for the whole game! Many thanks to them.

Maree; Conor Graham, Liam Conroy (17), Ken Hansberry (6), Con Crowley (2), Danny Finn (25), Darren Callanan (7), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (11), Colm O’Hagan (2), Dave Hansberry (12).

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Maree’s Tolka ton secures play-off spot

Maree came back from a slow start Saturday night February 27th in Dublin, to beat Tolka Rovers 100 – 91 and secure a play-off berth in their first National League season. Liam Conroy was Maree’s top-scorer with 25 points, dished out 5 assists and had 4 steals. Sarunas Zvirblinskas hit 22 and he and David Hansberry pulled down 9 rebounds apiece. This was Maree’s second away win on the trot, having won in Waterford the previous week. Maree wrap up regular season play in Tralee next week.

Tolka had by far the brighter start to the game, as Maree took some poor options in offense and the hosts punished them with a productive fast break. All five Tolka starters scored in the first minutes, and they quickly built a 10-point lead, with Maree limited to inside baskets from Sarunas Zvirblinskas and David Hansberry. Tolka’s excellent guard Ignatanous gave notice of his three-point shooting prowess, and was getting free off screens, with some ease; Maree’s man-to-man defense was struggling. Seven points in the paint from Ken Hansberry brought Maree back into the game somewhat, but Tolka still held a commanding 31 – 20 lead at the end of the first period. The second period saw Maree step up their offensive game considerably. Conroy began to drive to the hoop and was good for 11 points. Con Crowley hit 7, including a three. Tolka found Zvirblinaskas hard to handle and he added 10 more strong lay-ups. Although Captain Darren Callanan had to sit following his third foul, he saw his team level things at 52 – 52 with Conroy’s drive, the last play of the half.

Maree switched to a 3 – 2 defense in the third, to counter Tolka’s three-point threat, and this move proved decisive. In addition, they began to score more freely – their first five scores in the third coming from different players, including another Crowley three. Gradually, Maree established a lead and began to look comfortable. The Tolka threat was reduced to Reidy and Ignatanous, who shared 12 of their side’s 16 points in the period, to Maree’s 23, with the Galway visitors taking a 75 – 68 lead into the final quarter. A big Danny Finn three settled Maree early. Nine more from Conroy and 4 from the ever-industrious David Hansberry kept the score-board moving. With time running out, Tolka pressed, but Maree always looked comfortable, and with the home side on team fouls, the game ended with Maree spending a lot of time on the free throw line. A Crowley point from the line saw the ton reached, and was the final score, the game finishing Maree 100, Tolka Rovers 91.

Maree; Darren Callanan (C), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (22), Liam Conroy (25), David Hansberry (13), Eddie Forde, Kenneth Hansberry (16), Con Crowley (15), George Rahmani (inj), Danny Finn (9).

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Maree get crucial away win in Waterford

Maree’s National League campaign took them to Waterford on Saturday February 20th, where they recorded a 77 – 62 victory over their hosts, to move into second place in the Southern Conference, and improve their prospects of a home tie in the play-offs. Liam Conroy with 20 points was top scorer for Maree, whose last two regular season outings are also road games, Dublin Saturday 27th against Tolka Rovers, and Tralee Saturday March 6th against St Brendan’s.

Maree started in man-to-man and although showing a few cobwebs, established an early lead with Con Crowley on the end of two fast breaks, before Dave Hansberry took over with three inside baskets in a row. Denis Hogan was keeping Waterford in the game, and despite initially looking like they’d finish the opening quarter a long way behind, the home team rallied to trail just 16 – 12. Maree-s 1 – 4 offense was causing them problems, but they mixed man-to-man and zone defenses thereafter, to keep Maree guessing.

Maree hit 23 points in the second quarter, to Waterford’s meagre 6, and this was the lead they tended for the rest of the game; the closest Waterford got from then on, was 12. Ken Hansberry hit 8 points before the half, Liam Conroy was good for 9, and Sarunas Zvirblinskas rebounded well and notched 4. At the half, Maree led 39 – 18, and although not exactly on fire offensively, were impressive in restricting Waterford to such a low return at home.

Waterford rallied again in the third, and despite threes from Crowley and Conroy, Maree’s lead was shaved a little, though it was still comfortable at 58 – 35, going into the last quarter. Waterford tried to exert some half-court pressure, but Maree hit three threes, two from Conroy and one from Colm O’Hagan, before O’Hagan and Crowley combined for three steals at the half-way line, all converted by O’Hagan. Maree eased to a 77 – 62 win.

Maree; Darren Callanan (2), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (6), Colm O’Hagan (9), Liam Conroy (20), David Hansberry (16), Eddie Forde, Kenneth Hansberry (11), Con Crowley (13).

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Maree lose overtime game to St Mary’s Castleisland

Maree lost 90 – 88 in overtime, to National Cup Champions St Mary’s, in Oranmore on Saturday February 13th. The Kerry team, also unbeaten in the league, were lucky to escape with a win, following a sensational Maree fight-back from a 50 – 27 halftime deficit. Liam Conroy was the game’s high scorer with 24, while Declan Wall was best for Mary’s with 23. The game ended in controversy, with an un-whistled deliberate Mary’s foul on Conroy with less than 2 seconds to go, as Maree sought to inbound the ball following a time-out.

The game began with St Mary’s in command. Wave after wave of fast break rocked Maree back on their heels, with Galvin hitting 6 early points and taking his team to a 10 – 2 lead. Maree, with versatile guard George Rahmani joining big man Linas Mitkus on the injury list, struggled to take their own boards, and were having a hard time making an impression in offense, until Sarunas Zvirblinskas settled to the task with a series of strong post-ups and drives; he also started on his way to an 11-rebound game tally. Scoring Maree’s first 8 points, he steadied things a little, but the Galway hosts still finished the first period an ominous 25 – 14 behind. In the second quarter, despite 5 Maree points from the in-form Con Crowley, St Mary’s carried on where they had left off, with another 25 points. Dual star John Galvin was hitting jumpers form the block on the left, and Dan Griffin was taking Offensive boards and getting simple put-backs. Maree were held to just 13 points in the period, and it was a sombre walk to the dressing room for the half-time deliberations.

Maree switched D to 3-2 for the third period, and upped the intensity in defense by several notches. The pressure told almost immediately, with Captain Darren Callanan grabbing the first of his 5 steals, and Crowley, Colm O’Hagan and Conroy snaring further Mary’s ball. Conroy got Maree’s first basket, on his way to 14 third-period points, and a game total of 12 from 15 two-point attempts. Maree were turning the tables on the National Champions, fast-breaking at pace. Most Maree scores were in the paint; for the first time in the season, they hit no three-pointers in a game, depending on transition scores. Although their defense was still leaking some baskets from the elbows and from the base-line, Maree took the period 26 – 13, and the come-back was on target at the end of the third, with the deficit reduced to 63 – 53. St Mary’s were rattled.

Six Maree players scored in the fourth period, together with an even bigger defensive effort against the much taller and older Kerry team. David Hansberry found his rhythm, showing for lay-ups from drives and dishes, and hitting 10 precious points. Zvirblinskas too kept up the pressure in offense, with 7 points. Maree finally overhauled their visitors but a Galvin basket saw Mary’s retake the lead 79 – 77 before Conroy was at the end of a fast break to tie it up at 79 – 79 at the final buzzer, and take the game into a five-minute overtime period. Three from Ken Hansberry and baskets from Zvirblinskas, Conroy and Callanan kept Maree in touch, but a couple of baseline Mary’s scores saw the fixture poised at 90 – 88 in their favour when Maree called that last time-out with less than 2 seconds on the clock. It wasn’t to be, but this Maree team, composed primarily of their winning National Cup Under 20 players, has arrived.

Maree; Darren Callanan (5), Con Crowley (14), Colm O’Hagan (4), David Hansberry (16), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (22), Eddie Forde, Liam Conroy (24), Ken Hansberry (3).
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                       Maree graduate from Queen’s encounter

Following the disappointment of the away loss to Titans in Renmore on Saturday night February 6th, Maree were back on track in Oranmore the next afternoon, beating visitors Queen’s on an 80 - 54 scoreline, and staying on track for a berth in the play-offs. Maree’s Liam Conroy was the game’s high-scorer with 34 points. Maree’s offense was consistent throughout the game, scoring 19, 19, 21 and 21 respectively, in the first to fourth quarters. However, it was tough defense that won the day for them; Queen’s’ best quarter was the second, with the Northerners notching just 16 points.

Maree played straight man-to-man throughout, and David Hansberry and Sarunas Zvirblinskas were up against Queen’s much taller post player, Tierney, through whom most of the Queen’s offense was run, and who played the role of post-point-guard. Maree guards Darren Callanan, Liam Conroy and Con Crowley exerted pressure out to the three-point line, and from the tip-off, brought the shot-clock into play; Queen’s turned the ball over on four related violations. Colm O’Hagan, ending a dazzling 10 days that saw him (along with Ken Hansberry and Ciaran Harte) win All-Ireland Under 19A Schools’ Cup and Under 20 National Cup Gold, also gave the Queen’s guards a torrid time. The Maree game plan was simple; take rebounds, run the floor, convert free throws, conserve fouls.

Conroy’s 10 points, including two threes, were a feature of the first quarter. Crowley also hit a three, on his way to 17 in total. Callanan hustled in D as always, and stole the ball 7 times in all in the game. Eddie Forde and Jack conroy also saw action, and maintained the pressure on the perimeter of the D. Queen’s were getting a lot of second chances by taking offensive boards, and it was to take a couple of periods before the Maree fast break kicked in, in earnest. Nonetheless, they went into the second period 19 – 13 ahead. Nine more from Liam Conroy, 7 from Crowley and 4 from Zvirblinskas saw the home time double their advantage to 38 – 29 at the half. Hansberry and Zvirblinskas were beginning to take control of the boards, and the lead was comfortable enough.

The third and fourth periods saw a combination of Maree fast-break and three-point-shooting, on the back of strong defensive rebounding and continued pressure to the arc. Hansberry was relishing the challenge, and Zvirblinskas continued to play inches bigger than his 6’4”, out-jumping and out-muscling the Queen’s posts. He collected twice as many offensive rebounds (8) as defensive. Liam Conroy, as well as high-scoring, had 5 assists and 5 steals. Mike Green was best for the visitors, with 18 points.

Maree;
Darren Callanan (11), Jack Conroy, Con Crowley (17), Colm O’Hagan, David Hansberry (7), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (11), Eddie Forde, Colm O’Hagan, Liam Conroy (34). 

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      Titans take Maree by Ten in Renmore rumble

Maree suffered defeat in their first game of 2010, when Titans beat them 86 – 76 in a packed and boisterous Renmore gym, on Saturday night February 6th. Honours between these teams end even for the regular season, Maree having won their home tie 81 – 72 in Oranmore, back in late October 2009. The second game was a true derby, with home and visiting supporters vocal, and the game only decided in the last minutes. Technicals on Maree Coach Sean Conroy and then on players Con Crowley and Colm O’Hagan hurt the visitors. Maree also had four players fouled out, as against one Titans player, belying the significant age and size different enjoyed by the home team. In addition, Maree’s free-throw shooting was below par. For all that, Titans deserved the win, in what has become a new Galway rivalry. Titans Sean Carroll was the game’s high scorer with 28; Maree’s Liam Conroy and Sarunas Zvirblinskas hit 21 apiece.

The first quarter was free-flowing and high-scoring, ending 26 – 26. For Titans, David O’Keeffe and Carroll each hit 9, while Maree’s Sarunas Zvirblinskas was good for 9, David Hansberry 7 and Danny Finn 4. In the second, Rimvydas Visockas hit 6 for Titans and Conroy 6 for Maree, and the game was nicely poised at the half, Titans 42 Maree 41. in the third, Titans established a lead though more Carroll scores, along with 6 from Paulius Peldzius, including a three. Despite 10 more from Conroy, Maree trailed 57 – 66 with one period to go. A succession of fouls called on Maree saw Con Crowley, Colm O’Hagan, Ken Hansberry and Sarunas Zvirblinskas all sit out the final minutes. Threes from Finn and Conroy were not enough to overhaul Titans, for whom Carroll hit 10, steering his side home to an 86 – 76 win.

Maree; Linas Mitkus (inj), Con Crowley (3), Colm O’Hagan (4), Danny Finn (9), Eddie Forde, Darren Callanan (C, 2), George Rahmani (inj), Ciarán Harte (dnp), Jack Conroy, Liam Conroy (21), David Hansberry (14), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (21), Ken Hansberry (2), Conor Graham (dnp), Andrew Brennan (dnp).

Titans; David O’Keefe (17), Paulius Peldzius (10), Danas Pusinskas (4), Rimvydas Visockas (12), Paul Freeman (5), Sean Carroll (28), Pat O’Neill, Colin Turke, John Hunt, Ignacio Torres (10), Niki Carolan. 

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                     Maree meet, greet, beat Portlaoise

Maree’s progress in the Men’s National League resumed on Saturday December 12th in Calasanctius Gym. After drawing the first quarter, Maree won the other three, breaking the game open in the second, and notched a 71 – 46 defeat of Portlaoise. The Oranmore side move into second place in the Southern Conference. Liam Conroy hit a game-high 25 points and had 7 steals. Sarunas Zvirblinskas had Maree graduate from Queen’s encounter

Following the disappointment of the away loss to Titans in Renmore on Saturday night February 6th, Maree were back on track in Oranmore the next afternoon, beating visitors Queen’s on an 80 -54 scoreline, and staying on track for a berth in the play-offs. Maree’s Liam Conroy was the game’s high-scorer with 34 points. Maree’s offense was consistent throughout the game, scoring 19, 19, 21 and 21 respectively, in the first to fourth quarters. However, it was tough defense that won the day for them; Queen’s’ best quarter was the second, with the Northerners notching just 16 points.

Maree played straight man-to-man throughout, and David Hansberry and Sarunas Zvirblinskas were up against Queen’s much taller post player, Tierney, through whom most of the Queen’s offense was run, and who played the role of post-point-guard. Maree guards Darren Callanan, Liam Conroy and Con Crowley exerted pressure out to the three-point line, and from the tip-off, brought the shot-clock into play; Queen’s turned the ball over on four related violations. Colm O’Hagan, ending a dazzling 10 days that saw him win All-Ireland Under 19A Schools’ Cup and Under Club National Cup Gold, also gave the Queen’s guards a torrid time. The Maree game plan was simple; take rebounds, run the floor, convert free throws, conserve fouls.

Conroy’s 10 points, including two threes, were a feature of the first quarter. Crowley also hit a three, on his way to 17 in total. Callanan hustled in D as always, and stole the ball 7 times in all in the game. Eddie Forde and Jack conroy also saw action, and maintained the pressure on the perimeter of the D. Queen’s were getting a lot of second chances by taking offensive boards, and it was to take a couple of periods before the Maree fast break kicked in, in earnest. Nonetheless, they went into the second period 19 – 13 ahead. Nine more from Liam Conroy, 7 from Crowley and 4 from Zvirblinskas saw the home time double their advantage to 38 – 29 at the half. Hansberry and Zvirblinskas were beginning to take control of the boards, and the lead was comfortable enough.

The third and fourth periods saw a combination of Maree fast-break and three-point-shooting, on the back of strong defensive rebounding and continued pressure to the arc. Hansberry was relishing the challenge, and Zvirblinskas continued to play inches bigger than his 6’4”, out-jumping and out-muscling the Queen’s posts. He collected twice as many offensive rebounds (8) as defensive. Liam Conroy, as well as high-scoring, had 5 assists and 5 steals. Mike Green was best for the visitors, with 18 points.

Maree;
Darren Callanan (11), Jack Conroy, Con Crowley (17), Colm O’Hagan, David Hansberry (7), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (11), Eddie Forde, Colm O’Hagan, Liam Conroy (34).
his second double-double game running, with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Captain Darren Callanan had 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 assists, and David Hansberry hit 14 points. Maree’s stingy defense had to be particularly satisfying to them, with the switch to 3- 2 the call that turned the game.

Portlaoise had a height advantage, particularly through 6’9” Gerard Egan, and played zone defense throughout the game. Maree looked to play fast break and transition, and to otherwise move the ball with patience in the half-court offense, taking the outside shot when the opportunity presented itself. In the first quarter, Maree’s defense was man-to-man, but although Portlaoise found it tough to break down, they did succeed in drawing fouls, forcing the home side to switch to zone. It was honours even at 13 – 13 at the end of the first period.

In the second period, Maree changed to a 3 – 2 defense and with gritty play from the athletic Darren Callanan and Con Crowley, Portlaoise began to find it almost impossible to get any kind of shot off. Liam Conroy caught fire, hitting 4 threes and 14 points in a row, and with David Hansberry good for 4 - including a first-rate fast break at the end of a Colm O’Hagan pass – Maree took a 37 – 23 half-time lead.

In the third quarter, Sarunas Zvuirblinskas took over in the paint at each end of the floor, bossing the boards in defense and showing strongly for the ball at the other end. He and David Hansberry between them accounted for 11 of Maree’s 15 in the period, leading them to a 52 – 35 advantage with one quarter to go. In the last, Zvirblinskas hit 7 more, and Liam Conroy and Colm O’Hagan each hit threes. Maree’s last basket came from Andrew Brennan and it finished Maree 71, Portlaoise 46.

Team; Linas Mitkus (dnp), Con Crowley (5), Colm O’Hagan (5), Danny Finn (dnp), Eddie Forde, Darren Callanan (C, 4), George Rahmani, Ciarán Harte (dnp), Jack Conroy, Liam Conroy (25), David Hansberry (14), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (16), Ken Hansberry, Conor Graham (dnp), Andrew Brennan (2).

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Maree bow out of National Cup in Ballina Quarter-final thriller

Maree lost a pulsating National Cup Quarter-final 71 - 77 in Ballina on Saturday night, Dec 5th. With less than 2 minutes to go in the game, and behind 71 - 73, the young Galway team had three chances to level affairs at 73 – 73, but just failed to unseat vastly experienced hosts and cup specialists, Ballina, led by dual stars Ronan McGarrity and player-coach Liam McHale. Maree’s 18-yearold Liam Conroy was the game’s high scorer with 29, with McGarrity hitting 25 for the Mayomen.

In the previous round of the Cup, Ballina had hosted and hammered Portlaoise 101 - 41, while Maree had eased out UCD-Marian 69 - 56. Maree headed to north to Ballina without two starters - big man Linas Mitkus, out for the season, and experienced guard Danny Finn - who between them have been averaging 30+ points a game. However, they showed great composure against the full-strength Ballina. For much of the game, Maree had four, and at times five under 19 players on the floor, and continue to perform beyond their years in this their first National League and Cup campaign.

Maree played man-to-man defense throughout, and shaded the first quarter 19 -16, on the back of 6 Liam Conroy points, and 4 each from Captain Darren Callanan and Colm O’Hagan. Eight more from Conroy and 5 from Sarunas Zvirblinskas – who pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds along with 3 steals, saw Maree ahead at the half with 34 points, having held Ballina to a remarkably low 29. All ten Maree players had at this stage seen floor time.

Con Crowley, who had three steals in the game, was on 4 fouls at this stage, and was one of three Maree players to ultimately foul out. Maree were called for 23 fouls overall in the game with 3 fouling out – Crowley, Callanan and Ken Hansberry – in contrast to Ballina’s 17 and one foul-out - a matter of a little contention and often a feature of away games. In the third quarter, Ballina overtook Maree, despite 6 from Dave Hansberry, to take a 56 – 55 lead into the last period. Maree’s foul troubles mounted, but they maintained their poise and purpose, and with Liam Conroy good for 7 points, and Ken Hansberry for 5, it went right down to the wire. Could have been a sensational Maree win, wasn’t to be, but there is no doubt these youngsters are coming of age.

Team; Linas Mitkus (dnp), Con Crowley (5), Colm O’Hagan (5), Danny Finn (dnp), Eddie Forde, Darren Callanan (C, 6), George Rahmani, Ciarán Harte (dnp), Jack Conroy, Liam Conroy (29), David Hansberry (8), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (12), Ken Hansberry (6).

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Maree navigate to big win over St Brendan’s Tralee

On Saturday November 28th, Maree played home to St. Brendan’s in the fifth game of their first National League basketball campaign, recording an impressive 85 – 42 win, and moving their season record to 4 – 2. The men from the Kingdom never really got going and Maree, without their top-scoring big man Linas Mitkus, took a 21 – 6 lead at the end of the first quarter. They never looked back. The lead had widened to 41 – 15 at the half, ending the game as a contest. Sarunas Zvirblinskas had a big game, with top score of 20 points.

The key to Maree’s success was their aggressive man-to-man defense. With the big men, particularly David Hansberry, playing excellent rotation and help-and-recover, the Maree guards could afford to put serious pressure on their counterparts, resulting in St. Brendan’s fighting the 24-second clock and forced to put up hurried shots. Maree’s fast break kicked in early in the first quarter, with Liam Conroy and Danny Finn getting the ball up the floor with urgency. This trend continued with productive shifts from Con Crowley, George Rahmani, Colm O’Hagan, Eddie Forde and Ciarán Harte. At the back, Zvirblinskas rebounded really well, along with Captain Darren Callanan, and brothers David and Ken Hansberry. Overall, Maree’s defensive performance was their best of the season to date.

St. Brendan’s were never allowed to settle, although Andrew Fitzgerald, who hit 17 for the visitors, was a constant threat when they could get the ball to him. Brendan’s started with man-to-man defense, against which Maree’s half-court game was a mixture of motion offenses. Later, when the Kerrymen switched to zone, Maree moved the ball well, and took good shot options in and outside the paint. As the game went into the third and last quarters, most of the play was transition, with wave after wave of Maree breaks off Brendan’s turnovers. The visitors hit a meagre 4 points in the third quarter – two of which were Fitgerald free throws – to Maree’s 24. The home team had a good spread of scoring, with seven Maree players hitting 5 or more points. Linas Mitkus’ broad smile at the end, just before he headed back to his hospital bed, said it all; “ye did just fine without me!”

Team; Linas Mitkus (dnp), Con Crowley (4), Colm O’Hagan (4), Danny Finn (15), Eddie Forde (5), Darren Callanan (C, 6), George Rahmani (2), Ciarán Harte, Liam Conroy (12), David Hansberry (6), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (20), Ken Hansberry (11).
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Maree basketballers knock UCD-Marian out of National Cup

Maree, already off to a respectable 2-2 start in their first ever Men’s National League campaign, knocked out 2008 winners UCD-Marian, in their first round National Cup encounter in Oranmore on Saturday November 14th. It was a tough, physical game, in which UCD-Marian incurred several technical fouls, and Maree struggled to find their form, before pulling away for a 69 – 56 win. For all that, an encouraging aspect of the Oranmore-Maree outfit’s victory was that 5 players finished with 10 points or more, the kind of spread of scoring that they and thier coaches have been looking for.

Maree won all four quarters, 12 – 11, 20 – 16, 19 – 15 and 18 – 14. They started with Darren Callanan (captain), Linas Mitkus, Liam Conroy, Danny Finn and David Hansberry. It was Hansberry who got the score-board ticking over with Maree’s first three baskets; he hit 8 points in the quarter. Sarunas Zvirblinskas and Con Crowley completed the scoring for the home team. For UCD-Marian, veteran Gary Edge always looked dangerous, hitting 3, and Jody O’Neill hit 4. In the second quarter, it was becoming clear that the referees were going to err on the side of overlooking fouls, and both teams made their displeasure known at various stages. This was to be a part of the Dublin side’s undoing, as they were later to lose the plot a little. Three threes, one each from Crowley, Conroy and Mitkus (who hit 9 in the quarter) saw Maree go in at the half 32 – 27 ahead. Although Maree led, they were having problems in stretching the UCD-Marian zone defense. In addition, their own man-to-man defense was struggling to fight through very physical screens, although Eddie Forde steadied things.

In the third quarter, Maree threatened on a few occasions to break the game open and surge to an unassailable lead, but UCD-Marian, with Edge and Dónal O’Sullivan to the fore, kept themselves in the game. Three more Maree threes from Mitkus, Conroy and Finn helped the Galway team to a 51 – 42 edge going into the last period. Conroy drove for two baskets, and then an under 21 Maree five found some nice rhythm, moved the ball well, and began to look comfortable. UCD-Marian began to incur the wrath of the refs, and a stream of technicals effectively killed the game off in the last couple of minutes. A procession of free throws from Danny Finn was followed by a Colm O’Hagan basket, the last score of the game, and Maree move on in the National Cup.

Maree; Con Crowley (10), Colm O’Hagan (2), Danny Finn (13), Eddie Forde, Darren Callanan (Captain 2), George Rahmani, Ciaran Harte, Liam Conroy (11), David Hansberry (13), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (4), Ken Hansberry, Linas Mitkus (14).

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Maree record National League win over Waterford

Maree entertained AOL Broadband Waterford in Oranmore on Saturday November 7th, winning an exciting game 76 – 70, and improving their National League record to 2 – 2. Maree led throughout, although they were never quite able to put the visitors away, despite 5 first half threes from Liam Conroy. They had to – and did - hold their nerve through a torrid last quarter, to record a win in their first National League encounter with Waterford.

Waterford varied their defense, mostly sticking to man-to-man, but throwing in some 2-1-2 zone as well. Maree played man-to-man throughout, and worked hard when they didn’t have the ball. Con Crowley, Colm O’Hagan, George Rahmani and Eddie Forde put constant pressure on the ball, right out to the half-way line. At the back, Sarunas Zvirblinskas’ defense is improving al the time, and he, Linas Mitkus, and David and Ken Hansberry handled most of the threat in the paint. On the back of 3 Liam Conroy threes, 6 points from Mitkus and 4 points from Zuirblinskas, Maree took a slender 22 – 20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Although limited to 17 second-quarter points, Maree restricted Waterford to just 10, and so the hosts had stretched their lead to 39 – 30 at the half, although the teams went in with a technical on Coach John Finn (thanks to the normally placid Sean Conroy) and shots and possession pending for Waterford at the start of the third.

Waterford, an experienced National League side, hung in there in the third quarter. Maree really should have put them away, but lost their offensive rhythm for a while. For the visitors, Begadon hit 9 points, with Maree’s Mitkus also good for 9, Zuirblinskas 5 and O’Hagan 4. Going into the last quarter, Maree’s lead had increased by one, to 58 – 48. It got a bit too interesting for a minute or so (though the crowd loved it!), with Waterford pulling the lead back to 4, but Darren Callanan got a Captain’s basket after pulling down an offensive rebound, and the mini-crisis was over. David Hansberry chipped in with 5, and Conroy’s 2 free throws finished off the home scoring, as Maree took the tie 76 – 70 despite two late threes from Waterford’s Dara Murphy.

Maree; Con Crowley (1), Colm O’Hagan (4), Ciarán Harte, Eddie Forde, Darren Callanan (7), George Rahmani, Liam Conroy (20), Conor Graham (inj), David Hansberry (6), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (14), Ken Hansberry (2), Linas Mitkus (22).

Waterford; Dara Murphy (19), Niall Berry (9), Larry Murphy (9), Steven Begadon(11), Kieran Nyhan (4), Paul Collins, Andy Piper (8), David Hogan (20), Joe Malone (6), Peter Losak (2).
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St Mary’s defeat Maree in Halloween clash in Castleisland

Maree played their first away game in the Men’s National League, in Castleisland on Saturday October 31st. Their opponents, St Mary’s won the contest on an 89 – 73 final score.

Maree’s record moves to 1 – 2. Enforced absences through ‘flu and injury meant it was a short-handed squad that travelled to Kerry, all under 21 and with an average age of 18. Maree were behind just 64 – 58 at the end of the third period. Seventeen-year-old Ken Hansberry hit 18 points in the game, Liam Conroy 16, David Hansberry 14 and Con Crowley 12.

Maree played zone defense for most of the game, whereas St Mary’s relied on man-to-man. The Kerry team was much more experienced, older and bigger, but Maree’s zone was well organised, and from the jump-ball, they were well able to compete. Liam Conroy was comfortable at point, flanked by guards Con Crowley and Darren Callanan, with David Hansberry and George Rahmani forward. Throughout the game, all players rotated. Conor Graham played shifts as forward, and awesome seventeen year-olds Colm O’Hagan and Ken Hansberry played the point and guard spots.

Captain Darren Callanan’s experience was critical in ensuring Maree settled to the task against St. Mary’s, and he led by example with a high-octane defensive effort from start to finish. Conroy always threatened and in addition, hit some excellent assists in the paint. Crowley had his best game to date, adding three long threes to good penetration drives and great defense. The athletic George Rahmani made light of marking much taller players. Colm O’Hagan initiated the fast break at every opportunity and was a handful for St Mary’s. Conor Graham hit two great inside buckets. The Hansberry brothers shared 34 points, with David doing some great work inside, at both ends, and the younger Ken a revelation at guard.

St Mary’s were bigger, and as many as 20 of their points were down to their ability to take offensive rebounds and recycle the ball. In addition, they showed their experience in some key areas. Any over-guarding on the perimeter saw their guards drive and dish for lay-ups. Although they transitioned well, Maree did too, and better. Overall, Maree seem to be settling into the National League well, and this was evidenced in the first quarter. Behind early by 10, they showed great composure and pulled the deficit back to 25 – 28 going into the second. St Mary’s again stretched their lead, limiting Maree to 11 points, and at the half, led 49 – 36. Maree stepped up the intensity in the third, and reeled the home team in slowly, to go into the last just 6 down. Maree made a switch to man-to, which didn’t work, and they returned to a more solid zone, but not before St Mary’s had pushed the lead out. Although the visitors finished the stronger, it was too late and St Mary’s took the honours 89 – 73.

The team was well supported by a small but vocal band of travelling supporters!

Maree; Darren Callanan (Captain 2), Liam Conroy (16), Con Crowley (12), George Rahmani, David Hansberry (14), Conor Graham (4), Colm O’Hagan (7), Ken Hansberry (18).
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Maee come from behind, beat Titans, record first National League win

Maree’s second game in the 2009/10 Men’s National League, against local rivals Titans, was played on Thursday night in a packed Calasanctius gym. Four down after the first, 10 down at the half, Maree went on to take the second half 45 – 26 and win the tussle 81 – 72, in an electrifying atmosphere. Number 22, Linas Mitkus hit a game-high 22 points, while David Hansberry hit 17, and Danny Finn - back from Edinburgh for the game – slotted 16.

Both teams started and stayed in man-to-man. Titans were sharper, with Freeman and O’Keeffe getting good inside baskets, and Maree struggled under their own boards. Eight points from Mitkus steadied things, after Captain Darren Callanan led with a couple of aggressive drives and lay-ups. Peldzius hit Titans’ last 7 points of the quarter, and they led 32 – 16 going into the second. It was already looking like a game in which fourth quarter foul counts would be critical.

In the second, Maree looked to get better defensive boards and initiate the fast break. Although threes from Con Crowley, David Hansberry and Danny Finn kept Maree in touch, Titans were still getting a lot of cheap baskets from turnovers and their own transition game, with Freeman a factor in this. Maree had slipped 10 behind by the half. Maree were still very much in the game and it was clear that with good player rotation, foul management, a tightening up of pass selection and greater ball movement and reversal, the game could be won.

Fouls and free throws were dominant features of a tough, gritty and tight third period; eight of Titans’ 14 points came from the line. Liam Conroy and Danny Finn were quickly on four fouls. Gradually, with all-hands-on-deck defense and an improving fast break and more controlled half-court game, Maree began to claw their way back, David Hansberry getting his side’s first 8 points. Finn, Crowley and Conroy mastered the front of the defense and Titans began to find it tough to make entry passes or take uncontested outside shots. Following a Conroy three, Zvirblinskas hit two crucial baskets to end the period with the Titans lead reduced to 60 – 56.

The temperature, noise and foul count all rose in the fourth period. Conroy was unlucky to be called for his fifth early. The Finn was on four, then Hansberry. However, Titans too had problems in that area. The five of Darren Callanan, David Hansberry, Danny Finn, Linas Mitkus and Colm O’Hagan really knuckled down and when they finally overhauled Titans, all Maree decisions from then to the end of the game were spot on. They attacked and beat the press when it was applied, inbounded the ball to immediate threat, passed short and safe and knew when transition was over and half-court offense on. Danny Finn and Darren Callanan were up for it, putting their bodies on the line, diving on loose balls and contesting every pass. Maree overhauled Titans at 71 and with just minutes to go. Titans lost Carroll, then Freeman, then Peldzius as Maree began to take over. Hansberry and Finn were both on four but hung on. Maree finished strong, winning 81 – 72. Finn was good for 7 points in the quarter, and Mitkus - who finished fresh – hit 8. David Hansberry has shown that at 20, he is well able to mix it inside with bigger, older and more experienced centres and forwards. Colm O’Hagan continues to play all-action, thorn-in-the-side defense.

Darren and the lads really appreciate the fantastic support and also all who helped out on the night. Brilliant!

Maree; Con Crowley (6), Colm O’Hagan (2), Danny Finn (16), Eddie Forde, Darren
Callanan (C, 7), George Rahmani, Ciaran Harte, Liam Conroy (5), Conor Graham, Andrew Brennan, David Hansberry (17), Sarunas Zvirblinskas (6), Kenneth Hansberry, Linas Mitkus (22).

Titans; David O’Keefe (14), Alex Portelli (7), Drew Wilkinson, Paulius Peldzius (15), Jack Considine, Danas Pusinskas (2), Rimvydas Visockas (7), Paul Freeman (28), Sean Carroll (5), Paul Conroy (2), Pat O’Neill, Colin Turke.
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Maree’s National League debut - close game loss to champions Ballon

Maree made their Men’s National League debut at home against the 2009 champions Ballon, on Saturday October 17th. It was a most encouraging start. The game could have gone either way, but Ballon’s greater experience told at the end of a game played before an enthusiastic home crowd.

Ten Maree players saw court time in the first half. Seven of these were playing their first ever National League game, and all acquitted themselves well. The three National League veterans, Captain Darren Callanan, Sarunas Zvirblinskas and Linas Mitkus started for Maree, along with Under 18 National Cup double winners Liam Conroy and Con Crowley. Ballon, a team made up of of ex-pats from the basketball power-house of Lithuania, played with pace, poise and precision from the tip-off, and showed just why they won the 2009 title. Despite 7 points from 6’7”, 280-pound Mitkus, and a great inside basket from Zuirblinskas, Maree ended the period 16 – 23 behind. Although Maree were playing with good composure, their zone defense was leaking shots from the corners. A switch to man-to-man was made for the second period. It paid immediate dividends, as Ballon were harried by quick Maree guards Crowley, O’Hagan, Forde and Rahmani, with excellent help-and-recover from Callanan, and the visitors began to turn the ball over. Maree upped the tempo with good transition offense, led by Callanan. Maree hit 24 points in the quarter, held Ballon to just 9, and went in at the half 40 – 32 ahead.

The Oranmore-Maree newcomers lost their way a little in the third. Con Crowley, who was clearly enjoying National League physicality, was unlucky to pick up his fourth and fifth fouls. Ballon’s passing and shooting accuracy improved. Maree found it that bit harder to reverse the ball, or get it inside and then kicked back out, and several attacks ended with rushed shots as the 24-second clock came into play. Maree’s outside threat was limited to Liam Conroy’s 2 long threes. Ballon hit 20 points and Maree just 8, and the visitors went into the last period 52 – 48 ahead. A rip-roaring last quarter had everyone on the edge of their seats as Maree stormed back, and with less than 2 minutes to go, although Ballon were ahead, Maree’s youngsters had made the big jump to National League pace, and the game was still there to be won. However, Ballon just took it in the end, on a 74 – 67 final score. No doubt about it; tús maith.

Mitkus hit 18 points, Callanan 13 and David Hansberry were good for 12, Conroy notched 10, while Zvirblinskas slotted 7, Ken Hansberry scored 4 and Crowley 3. Offensive rebounds; Mitkus and D Hansberry 5, Callanan 4, O’Hagan 3. Defensive rebounds; Mitkus, D Hansberry and Conroy 6. Steals; Crowley and Mitkus 2.

Team; Darren Callanan, Linas Mitkus, David Hansberry, Sarunas Zvirblinskas, Ken Hansberry, Colm O’Hagan, Eddie Forde, Ciarán Harte, Con Crowley, Andrew Brennan, Conor Graham, Liam Conroy, George Rahmani.