The Waterford IT players and coaches celebrate after they defeated Cork IT in the All-Ireland final at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

All-Ireland Colleges Ladies A Basketball Final

WIT ladies basketball team headed to the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght Dublin to take on title favourites Cork IT in the All-Ireland Colleges Ladies A Basketball Final on March 15th and emerged victorious on a score line of 64-59.The Waterford side’s only previous success in Colleges Basketball was a Division Two title in 2006 and were full value for their win in Irish Colleges elite tier.
Having defeated reigned champions Trinity College in their semi-final WIT were now expecting a battle royal with the Leesiders. They were not to be disappointed! The final was a see-saw thrilling encounter streamed live on the internet by Basketball Ireland. WIT started strongly led by American duo Katie Fox and Jazmen Boone. Boone in particular held major sway in the first quarter ably assisted by Marie Micoud where WIT went in at the end with a ten point lead. However the Cork Ladies coached by Irish International Ladies coach Mark Scannell were not going to lie down that easily and roared back into contention to lead by one point at half time 29-30 despite valiant efforts by local Wildcats player Ciara Twomey to steady the faltering WIT ship.
WIT Coach Jim Dudley introduced local talent Yvonne Corcoran into the fray in the third quarter who repaid his faith by sinking a huge three pointer from way downtown to help see WIT into a one point lead at the end of the third quarter. Aoife Brett and Cliona Mairtin make huge contributions in defence in this quarter.
This epic battle continued into the last quarter with Coach Scannell used his full repertoire to try to gain any advantage with the referees. The lead was constantly shifting from side to side with never more than three points between the teams. However this WIT squad is made of the right stuff and was adamant that they were not going to go home empty handed. When the battle was at its peak in the dying seconds Wildcats star and Victory Scholar Jazmen Boone pulled down a rebound and went coast to coast for an off the glass lay up where she was fouled and turned it into a three-point play with one minute left. That regained the lead for WIT to lead by 2 points with 25 seconds on the clock.
Coach Dudley left his team in a full court press to try to stop Cork going inside and WIT got a steal and Boone was fouled and went to the line to shoot two. She missed the first but swished the second! WIT was now four up with 17 seconds on the clock, a lifetime in a top class basketball match! Cork inbounded the ball and came up court looking for their Irish International Amy Waters for an easy inside bucket but the WIT press forced the Cork side to put up an outside three pointer. Boone pulled down another amazing defensive rebound and passed to fellow Wildcats Star and Victory Scholar Katie Fox who brought the ball up court drawing a foul from the retreating Cork side putting her on the free throw line. Clutch Time at the Arena! Fox made the second free throw leaving WIT ahead by five with six seconds on the clock.
No fouls and the cup was going Deise side. The final hooter brought scenes of jubilation as the WIT ladies hugged each other to celebrate their fabulous performance and victory. Finals are all about winning and getting over the line in such nail biting fashion showed the character of this team. Basketball Ireland President Gerry Kelly presented WIT Captain Katie Fox with the cup and Jazmen Boone (34 points) with her well-deserved MVP award.
Many years of heralding the cause of basketball in WIT by Michael Evans were richly rewarded on the day and Captain Fox voiced her appreciation of the WIT Clubs and Societies Team lead by Robin Croke who have been unstinting in their support to the team throughout the full season.
WIT: Jazmen Boone 34, Katie Fox 7, Aoife Brett 2, Marie Micoud 8, Cliona Martin. Rachel Taheny, Yvonne Corcoran 7,Chloe Morrissey, Jane Crowley, Claire Manning, Ciara Twomey 4, Laura Heffernan.
Cork IT: Claire O’Brien 3, Amy Waters 20, Eve O’Mahony 11, Lauren Falvey 8, Gemma O’Mahony 6. Sarah Geaney, Claire O’Connell, Orla Connolly 11.
MVP: Jazmen Boone (WIT)