HUGE COMEBACK WIN!
Faapito and Kourouma inspire a massive fourth-quarter comeback for Tolka!
FInal Score: Tolka U20’s 68-66 Eanna BC
Half time score: Tolka 38-30 Eanna BC
Starting five: A.Biffi (C), E.Faapito, M.Kourouma, S.Badejo, B.Curran
Top scorers: E.Faapito 27, M.Kourouma 18, S.Badejo 10
After a tough defeat last week against Templeogue , the U20’s came into this game knowing that a win was needed heading into the Christmas break. It was the duo of Sam Badejo and Brian Curran who began the scoring for Tolka, hustling on the offensive boards which resulted in some second-chance baskets inside. Elijah Faapito absolutely dominated tonight offensively, pouring in 27 huge points as well as providing assists as usual. Tonight Faapito was the offensive engine, as every score seemed to have his name involved somehow. Using his speed and strength, Faapito bullied his way into the key numerous times, scoring ten points the first quarter as Tolka jumped to a 20-15 lead.
As subs began to roll in at the start of the 2nd quarter, Tolka continued to push on. Matthew Conlon and Dakota Callaly provided a great spark off the bench. Conlon scored the first bucket of the 2nd quarter , a strong take to the basket in which he displayed great hang-time to finish the contested layup. Receiving a pass in transition from Ale Biffi, Conlon rose up from 3 without hesitation and absolutely splashed the 3-pointer, the first of the season! Callaly was a constant threat on offensive, always getting himself in the right spots. With only a few seconds into the offence, Callaly found himself open in his hot zone, the right-wing corner. It was no surprise to the Tolka bench when Callaly drained the open jumper, punishing the Eanna defence. Faapito continued to be a threat on offence, especially in transition. When Biffi found him on the run on the right wing, Faapito obliterated his defender with quick change in pace and then proceeded to finish with a tough and-one finish with his left hand. The first half-ended with Kourouma’s 3 point bomb putting Tolka up 38-30.
A poor third-quarter from Tolka allowed for Eanna to climb back into the game. Lacklustre energy, poor decision making and careless turnovers created by Eanna’s press resulted in momentum switching to Eanna’s favour. Tolka only scored 10 points in the third quarter, 8 of which were from Faapito. This lack of concentration and focus continued into the fourth quarter, as the game slowly began to slip away from Tolka. Eanna seemed confident as ever, finding open shooters each time on offence who continued to nail their shots, which forced coaches Tom Kenny and Kevin Ashton into calling a timeout midway through the quarter as Eanna jumped to an 11 point lead. With 3 minutes to go, all hope seemed lost when Eanna led by 8 points. However, the lads showed huge character to not give up and to continue fighting right until the end. Kourouma drained a much needed 3 pointer which gave Tolka life. Switching to a 3-2 zone, Tolka stepped up majorly defensively, as the lads began to switch and communicate in harmony which resulted in much needed stops. Kourouma got a massive block which sent the crowd and the bench wild, as he caught a shot mid-air. Badejo and Conlon, the “silent MVP” of the night grabbed some huge defensive boards which allowed for Faapito to push the ball and find the likes of Kourouma and Badejo in transition for some easy layups. Suddenly, all the momentum and energy was in Tolka’s favour. When Conlon found Kourouma at the top of the key for his 3rd 3-pointer of the night, the lead was cut to 1 with only a 1:20 left in the game. With 40 seconds left, Faapito found Kourouma with a lob pass in transition who then unselfishly passed to Badejo who finished with a floater to give Tolka the lead. With the crowd up on their feet and shouting “Defence”, the Tolka gym was absolutely rocking with energy. This provided huge momentum and energy for the lads as they proceeded to get huge defensive stops. Biffi and Kourouma both scored one free-throw each and with a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, Eanna missed their shot and Tolka sealed the win!
With regards to our “Shaqtin-MVP” race , MVP front-runner Sam Badejo stroke again tonight, dropping the ball numerous times as Badejo had butter-fingers tonight! Dakota Callaly made his first shaqtin appereance as he was absolutely “sonned” by an Eanna player , who rubbed him on the head as if he was his child!
Tolka now face Portlaoise Panthers on the 30th of December in the U20 National League and Dublin Sonics on Wednesday the 4th of January in Tolka at 8.50pm. These are two important tests ahead of the U20 National Cup semi-final against Maree on the 8th of January in the Parochial Hall in Cork. Tickets for the game are still available and it would be great to see as many Tolka supporters at the game!
