A LAST second three pointer was enough to see Mountmellick Community School second year team into the regional basketball final.

Last week was a very busy week for the boys in Mountmellick Community School as both the first and second year basketball teams qualified top of their groups advanced to the regional finals.

The second year team, along with their coaches Ms. McLoughlin, Ms. Kelly and TY Brianna Culliton Conroy, travelled to Baltinglass last Monday (6tMarch) to compete in the Midlands Regional semi-final.

The game was neck and neck from start to finish. With 14 seconds left in the game, Mountmellick called for a time out, and were down by two points and knew what needed to be done. They passed the ball around to run down the clock. With two seconds left the ball was shot up and the winning three pointer was scored. MCS took the win 45-44 against an outstanding Baltinglass team. The teamwork, spirit, determination and hard work the second year team displayed was spectacular. They now face Cross and Passion Secondary School, Kilcullen in the regional final to be played in the National Basketball Arena at 11.50am tomorrow (Monday 13 March).

“The passion these boys displayed on the day was one that I will never forget,” said Ms. McLoughlin. Ms. Kelly is new this year to MCS and has been helping out since January with these teams. She is an energetic and hardworking coach whose passion has grown and developed so much. “The boys make our jobs as coaches easy,” concurred Ms Kelly and Ms McLoughlin.

On Friday the first year team travelled to Moate Community School for their semi-final. The team set off with the first score and continued to lead the way for the duration of the game. For a team who have only started playing together and only playing basketball, they have shown great sportsmanship and teamwork. In the end the won on a 32-15 scoreline.

“I am extremely excited to see what this team can do, and how they build on their skills both individually and as a team,” said Ms McLoughlin. A special thanks to Ms. Dunne who stepped in for Ms. Kelly on the day. “This team is made up of excellent young students who have shown skill, passion and teamwork throughout the season both on and off the court and as a result have rightly earned their spot in the regional finals in the National basketball arena on Monday,” said Ms Dunne.

The first year game starts off the day’s events with a throw-in at 10.30am against Scoil Chonglais , Baltinglass.