Arklow CBS Reach All Ireland Semi Finals

On Sunday 24th of January Arklow CBS u19 Basketball team made history when they became the first team in the school to reach the All Ireland C Semi Finals.

The team traveled to Mallow to take on Davis College Mallow, and St. Munchins College Limerick. The Wicklow side came out on top in their pool to take their place in the semi finals against Blackrock College. 

They dispatched St. Munchin’s College with ease winning 45 – 24 with an incredible 11 points coming from sixth year student Patryk Kibler and 9 from Independence Winters. Arklow CBS were always in the driving seat leading the first quarter 12 4, and finishing the second 20 11, the result was in no doubt at the end of the third quarter when the Wicklow side scored a massive 19 points to Munchins’ 6 making the scores 39 17. CBS were able to rest in the final quarter and conserve energy for the tougher test against Davis College.

CBS knew they would be in for a tough test in the final game of the quarter final series as they had a quick turn around from the game against St. Munchins. Davis had a break between games and were fresher, which showed on the score board as they lead 14 12. Good play from TY student John Winters with 6 points from fast breaks and Kibler again adding 4 points and Independence Winters with 2 kept the CBS in the game.

The Arklow boys kept their heads and came out with all guns blazing in the second quarter. A three pointer from Independence Winters put the CBS ahead and the teams traded baskets throughout the second quarter with CBS coming out on top finishing the second quarter in the lead 30 26 thanks to the scoring efforts of Karl Oispuu with 4 points and Kibler adding another 4 to his tally on the fast breaks. Defences dominated the third quarter with the score finishing at 40 – 34

The final quarter was nail biting with Davis College coming out stronger and bringing the scores level on 46 46 with 2 and a half minutes left in the game Arklow CBS showed the character their team is made of and went on an impressive scoring run with JP Hurley grabbing 6 points in the last 2 minutes and Kibler rounding off his impressive man of the match display with two welcome free throws to take the result beyond doubt. Mallow managed a three pointer, but it was too little too late and Independence Winters finished the game with a lay up to ensure the victory for the Arklow side.

The All Ireland semi finals will take place in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght against tough opposition in Blackrock College who managed to come out of their quarter final pool against local rivals Avondale CC.