Ballincollig Basketball U18 Girls win League. U18B Girls won the league in a dramatic finish to their season with a win over Lee Valley. The title was won with victory in their last league game of the season. The match will live long in the memory of the players. The game lasted thirty seconds on the night but started last November. Back in November the game was abandoned with thirty seconds remaining due to a wet floor resulting in an injury to a player with the game tied at twenty seven points each. Both teams were on top of the league with one defeat each. The winners of the thirty seconds game would be crowned champions. Ballincollig had the ball at the restart. They advanced the ball under pressure and attempted a shot which missed. Ballincollig won the rebound and attempted a shot only for the shooter to be fouled in the act. A shooting foul gave us two free throws and Lee Valley coach called a time out to try and put pressure on the shooter. Fourteen seconds remained when the shooter stepped up to attempt shots that could decide an entire season work. The first shot swished the net for a score, giving us a point lead. Second shot hit the ring we gained the rebound and missed on the put back. With the clock running down Lee Valley advanced with the ball over the half way line. Ballincollig defence regrouped and after a hectic scramble regained control of the ball to see out the final seconds and take the win. The League was won due to a very committed squad of sixteen players who deserve they win for their efforts throughout a hard season. On last Thursday the 18B Girls played Mallow in the Top Four semi-final in what was a cracker of a game. Ballincollig were in control for the entire first half before Mallow responded and drew level in the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw Ballincollig do enough to win and qualify to play Lee Valley in the final. Division 2 Ladies played Youghal in their Top Four semi-final last week. They were in control for the entire game and the result was never in doubt. They now meet Donoughmore in the final which is a repeat of their recent Championship Final where they suffered a narrow defeat.
