First Game in Ireland

My first game in Ireland was an interesting experience.  It was a tough preseason game verses a national league team in Kilkenny.  The team was much taller and had significantly more length than us.  As this was one of our first games together, we didn’t really “click” the first half and found ourselves down by 20 at half. At the start of the third we began to come together.  We started working together on defense which led to easy baskets on offense.  The energy levels started to rise, and we went on a run.  Despite our lack of size, we did a good job managing the two centers on Kilkenny who were roughly 6’8 and 6’9.  By the end of the third, we had cut the lead to single digits. In the last minute of the game, we were down 1 with a minute to go and needed to foul.  I committed my 5th foul going for a steal, which put me on the bench for the last 30 seconds.  

 

We were down two as the seconds clicked off the clock, but fell short as our last second three came up short.  It was difficult for me to watch the closing seconds on the bench but I learned a great deal from the game.  I learned about my teammates, their tendencies, and where they like the ball.  I also had a better idea of the style of play.  Most importantly, we really started to mesh as a team. Kilkenny is a very strong team, so our second half run speaks to the potential we have for this coming season. I am so lucky that my teammates have welcomed me with open arms and are helping me adapt to life here in Carlow. I am looking forward to all that I will learn playing with them! 

 

Kojack, our coach and mentor, was pleased and had at the end of the game, highlighted, “There are lots of positives to be taken from the game and we will only continue to get better.. Well done guys.”