Super League: Warriors end losing run despite Ladine masterclass in Kerry derby
Garvey's Tralee Pic: Eddie Rapolas Warriors' O'hare Buivydas
Garvey's Tralee Warriors and Flexachem KCYMS needed to win this local Men’s Super League in Tralee Sports Complex for the same reason and it wasn’t anything to do with local bragging rights.
The Warriors - after an explosive 7-0 run during the opening weeks of the season - have been on the slide, losing their last four league games and UCC Demons also dumped them out of the cup.
Killorglin’s Flexachem KCYMS have been steadier but lost twice in overtime to UCD Marian and Éanna of late.
But it was Warriors who claimed the win thanks to a superb display by Irish International Rap Buivydas but Clay Ladine stole the show with ten baskets from three-point land.
Killorglin were without their International Jordan Blount and that helped the Warriors no end.
The Warriors raced into a 14-3 lead inside the opening four minutes thanks to five points from Rap Buivydas, a big three from Jokubaitis and baskets from Mark Stephens and Eoin Quigley.
But once Eche Okeke drained a three, KYCMS got going with their run-and-gun game but it was Ladine who got hot from outside and he dragged the Killorglin side back into the contest.
Eoin Quigley scored from the free throw line but Ladine - with two from outside the perimeter - saw the gap close to 22-15 at the end of the opening quarter.
Stephens was not at his best for Warriors at the point and Killorglin began to eat into the Warriors lead with some excellent three-point shooting and good work in the paint by Beni Fungula who closed the gap to 34-33 with three left in the second quarter.
Warriors stretched nine clear again thanks to a three and two baskets from Greg Adon while Jokubaitis also cashed in. But Fungula and another three from Ladine closed the gap to just two at halftime (46-44).
Killorglin leveled the contest early in the third quarter with a Fungula deuce and then they took the lead when Ladine drained his fourth three-pointer to see his side lead 49-46.
But this was a signal for Warriors and Buivydas to take charge with some incredible shooting along with Brandon Mahon.
Buivydas drained four buckets and Mahon sank a three as Warriors moved 70-54 in front. Ladine kept Killorglin within distance but Warriors looked to be in control, leading 72-58 at the end of the third.
But Ladine drained four more threes and Liam Croke landed two as the game was in the balance down the stretch.
But again, Buivydas and Jokubaitis sank big baskets for Warriors as Powel reduced the gap to three 90-87 with less than a minute left. It was left to Mark Stephens to shoot the clutch basket as Warriors fell over the line for a vital win. But spare a thought for Clay Ladine.
R Buivydas 23, B Mahan 19, G Adon 16.
C Ladine 34, B Fungula 17, E Okeke 16.