Dublin Lions U18s pipped at the post

Joels Dublin Lions Phoenix BC were pipped at the post in the InsureMyHouse.ie U18 Men’s Billy Coffey National Cup final going down to Phoenix BC 82- 80 in a thrilling encounter at the National Basketball Arena on Friday.

It was a slow start from the Belfast outfit, with Clondalkin side Joels Dublin Lions racing into an early 10-0 lead, with Harry Scully grabbing six of those points.

Scully, who’d racked up 44 points in the semi-finals, was looking in ominous form in the opening stages and would have 12 points by the end of the quarter.

Phoenix steadied themselves, captain Jacob Byrne’s basket saw them within five points, 21-16, with a minute and a half to go in the first and they’d trail 26-18 by the end of the quarter, Byrne with another basket at the death to bring his tally to 10.

Byrne would finish with 31 points, on the way to claiming the MVP.

The second quarter Phoenix BC continued the turnaround, Fointan Rogers had 12 points in it as they got within a point, 40-39 by half-time.

Joels Dublin Lions were up by seven points, 46-39, after back-to-back threes from Scully and Michael O’Connor in the opening minute of the third quarter.

Phoenix reeled them back in, a six point run from Byrne had them 59-55 in front with just under three minutes to go in the quarter.

But again it Joels Dublin Lions who’d lead by just a single point at the end of the quarter, thanks to a pair of Gareth Brady baskets and a Jj Ryan free throw, to put them 60-59 up.

The fourth quarter remained tight, with lead being exchanged multiple times.

A Brady basket had Joels Dublin Lions 73-69 up midway through it.

Phoenix responded with a 7-point run, finished off by a pair of Byrne free-throws, to lead 76-73.

Farouk Nour got his first points of the game with less than a minute to go to put Phoenix BC up by five points , 79-74, and that appeared to be enough.

Joels Dublin Lions continued to press and would get within two with the final play of the game, but it was to be Phoenix BC’s night.