Blackstone coach encouraged by pre-season form

The local club had an outstanding day, winning four games, and went into the final carrying a lot of knocks that affected their final performance. They can look back on the day as a major success as they took the scalps of Armagh Magic and North Star from Derry on the way to the final.

In the opening game, Blackstone took on Magic, Ulster league runners up last year, and who had defeated the Ballymena lads convincingly at St Patrick's College.

The new line up this season creates a variety of options for the Blackstone attack and the game in Letterkenny was very close right to the end. It took the shooting of Martin McDonald and the post play of Michael Murray to pull Blackstone through to an extra time win 38-44.

In the second game, Blackstone faced another team that outplayed them last season and this time the first half saw the Ballymena boys shoot the Derry side out of contention, opening a 16 point gap that was never really threatened in a 48-34 victory.

In game three, the Omagh side from Division One gave Blackstone a tight first half with the scores tied at 27 each. In the second phase, Blackstone found their fast break and opened up a 20 point gap to win the game comfortably 54–32.

The semi final was a bruising contest against a Dungannon team made up of very skilful and athletic Lithuanians.

It was all square at the half 29 each and remained so right to the end when the Blackstone just eased them out with lay ups from Pangan and McDonald and a final score 52–49 to put the Ballymena side in the final.

The contest was very physical and the cost was injuries to Michael Murray and Martin McDonald after a series of cynical fouls in the game.

Blackstone went into the final suffering from three very demanding games and reflected this in their defensive intensity against the Tropics who fielded three very competent American Division two standard College players.

A 10 point gap opened early in the game was never closed as the Blackstone three point game never got off the ground. A series of open shots were missed by all the Blackstone guards and the Tropics collected the trophy with a 52–40 victory.

The club have big hopes for the season with the return of their long range shooters in Martin McDonald and Adam Murray, who spent last season in the USA and France respectively playing basketball.

The addition of Blackpool guard Chris Pangan who has moved to live in Cullybackey is an exceptional find. Chris has played a high level game in England and attended the basketball Academy in his home town.

On the boards new boys Sean McMahon returned from playing for Jordanstown Elks and Colin McCambridge will add some athleticism and jumping power to the rebounding game of the club. Coach Paul McKee is very excited about the maturity of centre Michael Murray, whose game has flourished over the summer as he worked tirelessly to get the refinement to play at the top. The 6.5 St. Patrick’s pupil is ready to lead the line on the boards for the Blackstone this season.

The recovery from injury of veteran Harry McGarry who missed most of last season is a big boost for the club.

Coach McKee said: “This is the strongest group of players the club has fielded in some time and from an athletic and technical perspective, we are well equipped for the coming season.”