North Star put in two commanding (and one record breaking!) performances in the past week to bounce back from a defeat to the Belfast Tropics with two wins versus local opposition. 
North Star 96 – 72 – Letterkenny Heat
First up was an encounter with Donegal Rivals the Letterkenny Heat. This was a game in which some sublime outside shooting ensured that the Derry side would end up with a comfortable victory although it would take until late in the third quarter before they managed to put some distance between the sides. In fact the game would see North Star break the all time club record for number of three pointers scored in a single game.
North Star started the first quarter brightest and managed to sink an incredible 6 early three pointers shared between Hugh Barbour, Niall McDermott, Kieran Temple and Chris Sumner. Letterkenny battled hard and managed to score from the low block, Billy Banda had 7 first quarter points while Troy Morriss and Edgar Akkol added 4 apiece however North Stars long range shooting ensured that they maintained a 9 point lead and finished the quarter up 26 points to 17.
North Star’s intensity appeared to dip in the second period and heat took full advantage. Morris was in fine form shooting and penetrating his way to 6 second quarter points while Akkor added 5 to his tally. It was a poor offensive quarter for North Star who had seemed to lose all of their early rhythm. The Heat had cut into North Star’s lead and managed to edge ahead with two Banda free throws and a basket by Cian Walsh. However Emmett Harkin had a late three pointer and McDermott scored just before the half ended to ensure that North Star held a slender 1 point lead at the half with the score 35-34 to the Derry side.
The third quarter started with the Heat retaking the lead with back to back baskets by O’Donnell but after that it was all North Star as the Derry side finally managed to break out of their slump and get their fast break game started. North Stars young players Jonathan Lyons, Hugh Barbour and Kevin Stanley all ran the floor well tiring out the heat and finishing strong. These baskets allowed North Star a chance to set up their press which caused further problems for the Heat and lead to turnovers. As the Heat tired gaps started appearing and North Star once again began hitting from long range, Chris Sumner had 3 third quarter threes while Barbour and Temple had one each. Anthony Tench also found his mid-range shot with 6 third quarter points.
North Star’s 34 point effort in the third quarter ensured that they held a 16 point lead going into the forth and although the pace of the game would slow down the fine shooting would continue as North Star would hit another 6 three pointers to run out comfortable 96 – 72 winners. Emmett Harkin on Fire in the fourth with 3 threes of his own.
In total the 18 threes scored by North Star beats the club record set in a 2004 game versus Belfast Star. In that Game versus Belfast Star North Star hit 15 three pointers en route to a 100-85 point Victory. However the individual record still stands at 8 threes in a game, set by American Pat Maloney in the 2004 game versus Belfast Star.
North Star 78 – 51 Strabane Zenith
The second game this week was against local rivals Strabane Zenith. North Star were missing Hugh Barbour and John Paul due to injury but Conor Friel made a welcome return from his knee injury.
It was a game that North Star would control from the start as they played with great offensive balance picking up scores on the fast break, in the paint and from outside. However it was their defense that was the most impressive limiting Strabane to just 10 first quarter points. The second quarter continued in the same pattern. North Star’s press was causing the Tyrone men serious problems and leaving them frustrated as they turned the ball over. North Star held a 45-22 point lead at the half and managed to control the second half in the same manner to run out comfortable winners on a score line of 78-51. Highlights of the game was as exceptional mid-air behind the back pass made by 17 year old Kevin Stanley to a cutting Johnny Lyons and the three deep three pointers made by Feargal McCrory against his former team.
Next up for North Star will be a tough home game versus the Queens Pistons next Thursday in St Joseph’s. Meanwhile the division 1 squad welcome Tyrone Towers to St Columb’s on Monday night. Both games tip at 7.30pm.
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