Tropics turn up the heat on Blackstone in late drama

In the opening quarter Michael McDonald was the key player for the Blackstone. The young guard who has had difficulty with his shooting game of late brought three 3 pointers to the opening phase.

With two more threes from Peter McNicholl and some solid offensive passing from the Blackstone they deserved an opening quarter lead 19–13.

In the second phase the Blackstone extended their lead with some fast breaking plays from Dean Hillis and Aaron Brown.

Blackstone kept a solid box in the key and denied many opportunities for the Tropics to score but penetration did come for 4 points from White as he dribbled tough to the basket to score past the Blackstone defence. McNicholl was strong for the Blackstone in the offensive key rising twice to pull in the rebound against big pressure. He then set in the follow up to put the Blackstone into the lead 33–21.

The second half saw the Blackstone hit a low patch in the game squandering chances and making wrong shot selection. White shot 6 on the drive going to the basket against strong defence.

Adam Hillis for the Blackstone shot 4 in the key notching his first scores in a quiet game for the big forward.

By the end of the third the Tropics were within one point of the Blackstone at 45–44 and looking strong on the break.

In the closing quarter it was all very tight with the Blackstone maintaining their lead until the last few minutes.

Adam Hillis and Martin McDonald found scores against the Tropics man to man defence in the corners and Brown opened a four point gap getting in on his fast break. White brought all his experience to bear on the game going on a four basket scoring run to put his team ahead for the first time in the game at 59 - 60. To rub in the salt Maloney shot from three point range under pressure and the gap was four.

Hillis and Cassley were heavily fouled going to the hoop and both players made their free throws to tie the game. The killer three pointer came from Maloney again in the corner as the American rose to nail the shot nd clinch the victory.

ULSTER U-19

Blackstone 54, North Star 48: This was a pulsating game that went down to the last minute before the Blackstone got a grip on the victory.

In the opening quarter Michael Murray opened the scoring for the Blackstone in the key slipping his marker and shooting the short jump shot. He shot 6 in the quarter but the game was close as North Star caught the Blackstone on the break to tie the quarter at 10 each.

In the second it was again very close but the Blackstone gained the upper hand as Steven Lyness and Aaron Brown took the ball to the basket to give the home team a 4 point lead. Murray added 4 points on the free throw line as he drove the basket and forced the fouls from the Star defence. This gave the Blackstone a half time lead 25–20.

In the third North Star came out with a press and upset the Blackstone flow. Coach Hayes settled the five with a time out and fast breaking moves from Lyness and McDonald sealed a lead for the Blackstone at 37–33.

The fourth quarter was a bumpy ride for both teams as both were in the lead at least twice.

Steven Lyness tied the game with a jump shot from the top of the key and the Blackstone regained the lead as Michael McDonald shot a three. North Star regained the lead 43–42 but it was a drive from Ryan McIlvenna and a wave of pressure from the Blackstone defence that saw Dean Hillis steal the ball on two occasions for another 4 points.

The game was in the bag for the home team as Murray went to the free throw line for two and McDonald shot a three pointer to close the game.