BNI Cup: Armagh Magic 63 – 78 North Star
North Star were handed the toughest possible draw in the first round of the BNI national cup when they were drawn away against league leaders the Armagh Magic. However the young Derry side rose to the challenge brushing aside the favourites on their home court this week in what was a great team display.
The Armagh Magic are the form team in the BNI premier league this season and are the only undefeated team in the league. However North Star have also had a great start to the premier league campaign with 5 wins and only a single loss and were confident of an upset before the game with the Magic.
North Star’s John Paul was making his season debut after suffering some early season injury problems and immediately made his presence felt scoring down low after securing the offensive rebound. Gulbinas hit a three for the Magic and added a lay-up before driving baseline to drop off a pass to Danys under the basket for an easy finish to give Armagh an early first quarter lead. North Star’s player/coach Niall McDermott had his first start of the season and was in fine form scoring with a baseline jump shot before connecting on two three pointers to ensure North Star regained the lead. Armagh’s Danys was scoring to keep Armagh close but baskets by Kevin Stanley, Chris Sumner and John Ward ensured North Star finished the opening quarter in the lead as they went into the huddle up 21-18.
The start of the second quarter saw North Star’s impressive American Chris Sumner come alive on offense as he scored 8 consecutive points for the Derry side. Armagh were looking frustrated by North Star’s 2-3 zone defense and John Paul and Anthony Tench were doing an excellent job of filling the lane and getting rebounds. Armagh were having problems stopping North Star’s outside shooting and after a Feargal McCrory base line jumper Stanley and McDermott knocked down a pair of three pointers to end the half with North Star in control and up by 8 points.
The Magic came out aggressively to star the second half and after a Danys three pointer and inside basket by Kisielius they had cut the North Star lead back down to thee points. After a quick time out Hugh Barbour came off the bench for North Star and sparked their offense as he hit two three pointers in less than a minute to ensure North Star increased their lead once again. Sumner had another quality quarter as he forced turnovers with his excellent defensive pressure and also had 6 points in the period. By the time Tench hit a 17 foot jump shot at the end of the quarter North Star had stretched their lead to 11 points.
The fourth quarter would see North Star pull away and secure the victory as they bombarded the Armagh basket from deep. The Derry side would hit 5 three pointers in the final period with Temple, McDermott Sumner and Stanley all hitting for long range. The final score was 78 – 63 to North Star.
It was an excellent away result against the top side in the league and now North Star have a home draw versus the winner of the Belfast Star v Letterkenny IT game in the second round. However next on the Agenda is a return match with the Armagh Magic as they travel to Derry on Thursday night to play North Star in the League in a game that could end up being essential for determining where the league trophy will end up at the conclusion of the season. Tip-off is at 8pm is St Josephs and everyone is welcome.
North Star: Chris Sumner 27, Niall McDermott 17, Kevin Stanley 13, Hugh Barbour 7, Anthony Tench 4, Kieran Temple 3, Feargal McCrory 2, John Paul 2, John Ward 2, Michael Brennan 1
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