Wonderful Wildcats keep their winning momentum going
Wildcats Aoife Brett about to win possession ahead Trinity Meteors Sarah Kelly.
With quality Americans and Irish internationals on both sides this Super League clash between home team SETU Wildcats and Trinity Meteors Dublin proved to be an absolute thriller for all in attendance. From start to finish there was little between the teams with the STS sponsored Wildcats edging it for most of the game. The Dubliners were first to score through Sarah Kenny before Chelsea Cain and Sarah Hickey netted.
Moments later Grace Prenter hit consecutive three pointers and Meteors were looking good. Kate Hickey blazed a three which was followed by back to back baskets from Cain. Sarah Hickey added a two to put Wildcats up 15-11 six minutes into the game which was played at lightning pace throughout. Meteors responded with more three pointers from American Morgan Lenahan but her efforts were wiped out with similar scores from Aisha McCalla and Kate Hickey. Aoife Brett nailed the final score of the quarter to put Wildcats in command leading 27-22.
Wildcats continued where they left off with a combination of fine scores from Cain, McCalla while Kate Hickey struck with a three before a pair of long distance efforts from Meteors Walsh and Moran closed the gap once again. Sarah Hickey struck with a couple of exceptional baskets before swishing a three to leave her team leading 52-44 as the game went to the half way stage. One significant reason for Wildcats advantage was that Meteors 6' 6" centre American Emma Merriweather had to sit early in the game as she picked up 3 fouls.
From the restart McCalla hit first with a jump shot to give Wildcats a 10 point advantage but that difference was wiped out in a two minute spell as Meteors center Merriweather returned to the frey and proved unstoppable under the boards netting 5 unanswered baskets to level the game while she also had 3 big blocks stoping what looked certain scores for the home side. Thankfully for Wildcats she picked up her fourth foul as Kate Hickey's sore jaw will confirm and once again she was withdrawn for the later stages of the game.
Scores were exchanged before McCalla struck with a couple of sensational three pointers which was met with a deafening roar of approval from home supporters. Prenter responded with a couple of three pointers and a two to silence the crowd leaving the game tied for the fifth time. Lenahan drove inside to lay up and the visitors were 2 to the good (61-59) as the third quarter fizzled out. Another three pointer plus a bonus shot from the Super League player of the month Kate Hickey left Wildcats with a slender lead (71-69) as the game entered the final quarter.
Chelsea Cain who was the games top rebounder netted two on the free throw line which was followed by a three from fellow American McCalla to give Wildcats breathing space with a 7 point lead. Meteors reintroduced center Emma Merriweather to do more damage inside. Credit the combination of Cain and the Hickey sisters who doubled and at times treble teamed Merriweather keeping her scoreless.
But their efforts left players free outside and the Meteors hot shots made the best of that space hitting a combination of scores to level the game (82-82) with 3 minutes remaining. For those remaining minutes Wildcats defence directed by point guard Sinead Deegan was awesome quelling the efforts of the quality Dublin team who looked like they would take victory considering the way the game was going.
But once again the roof lifted off the Mercy Sports Hall as Ashia McCalla blasted a three from mid court which was followed up by a lay up by Chelsea Cain after a combination of passes from McCalla and the Hickey sisters to seal the deal ( 91-86) for a jubilant Wildcats. This coming Sunday Wildcats travel west to Galway before they welcome Cork side Brunell to to Waterford on Saturday week.
