Munster Express Online

Bausch and Lomb Wildcats’ dream of winning back to back Under-20 National Cup titles were shattered in the National Basketball arena last Saturday night when Cork side Glanmire’s last-minute baskets proved crucial in the most exciting final ever seen as this level.

The Waterford girls got off to the perfect start hitting the first 6 points of the game through team captain Christine O’Gorman and Sinead Deegan. Glanmire were quickly on level terms but Wildcats shaded it at the end of the first quarter leading 10 points to 9.

As the game progressed it was Glanmire who could do nothing wrong with center Valerie O’Driscoll on fire, notching up 17 points by half-time. Wildcats just about stayed in touch trailing 30-21 at the break, a difference that might have been greater but for a solid defense and tremendous rebounding by WIT students Cathy Kavanagh and Elaine Kennington. Rachel Furlong and Siobhan Power also had their influential moments.

Gradually Wildcats began to reduce the deficit with baskets from Mel Stone and Cathy Kavanagh.

A couple of coast to coast layups from the hardworking Erica Walsh offset some fine scores from the opposition. As the game entered the final quarter Glanmire were hanging on 5 points to the good but the momentum was with Wildcats and their large band of supporters in attendance could be heard loudly as another cup title looked a real possibility.

Gem Stone

Into the final pulsating 10 minutes of this epic final and Stephanie O’Shea cut the difference to just 3 points. Gradually Glanmire edged into a 9 point advantage through some good finishing inside with only six and a half minutes remaining.

At this stage Wildcats found a real gem in Mel Stone as the Mercy Leaving Cert student left the Glanmire net smoking with a couple of amazing three pointers to leave just 3 points separating the sides with four minutes left on the clock.

Defensively Wildcats were awesome and when Mel Stone once again netted another of her trademark 3 pointers to level the game, the National Basketball arena shook with the volume of Wildcats’ supporters’ cheers.

Their ecstasy increased when Stone, who was fouled while making the 3-pointer, made no mistake with the bonus and Wildcats led 50-49 with less than 3 minutes to the final buzzer.

The clock was down to under two minutes left when Wildcats were awarded 2 free shots. Unfortunately both shots spun out if the basket. Opportunities were missed at both ends before Wildcats were called for two fouls in the dying seconds.

Glanmire’s new signing, Galway girl Claire Rockall – who gave up a scholarship in the States and now studies in UCC – made 4 from 4 on the line and Wildcats lost out by 3 points in a thriller. It was difficult to watch the broken-hearted Wildcats fall to their knees at the end of the game, but heads can be held high, and make no mistake this outfit will take the gold over the coming years.

Wildcats Team: Aisling Hennebry, Helena Rohan, Erica Walsh, Amy King, Rachel Furlong, Tracey Power, Sinead Deegan, Christine O’Gorman (Capt.), Elaine Kennington, Melissa Stone, Siobhan Power, Cathy Kavanagh, Stephanie O’Shea. Coach: Tommy O’Mahony assisted by Kieran Byrne and Sean O’Regan.