Killester edge Waterford Wildcats 87-77 to reach InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup final

Chyna Latimer scored 34 points to help 2020 champions Killester into the final of the InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’Connor Cup, winning a thrilling contest against Waterford Wildcats 87-77 at Neptune Stadium.

It was an incredibly tight game with eight lead changes. Killester edged the opening quarter-23-21, but by half-time it was Waterford Wildcats in front, a big three from Kate Hickey was followed by a Sarah Hickey layup to make it 45-39, before a Latimer three with 50 seconds to go in the quarter reduced the deficit and it would be 46-42 to Wildcats by the break. The Hickey sisters to the fore, Sarah (11 points) and Kate (10), while their American Karli Seay had 11 at half-time, and Seay would finish with 27.

Sarah Deegan was another who had a fine game, she had a nice shotclock buzzer beater 2-point jump shot to put Wildcats ahead 54-47 with five and a half minutes to go. But it was 56-56 with three minutes to go, after three points from Ieva Bagdanaviciene for Killester. By the time Michelle Clarke landed a three with a little over a minute to go, it was the Dublin club who led by five, 61-56. But it was a one-point game by the end of the quarter, Killester ahead by 61-60.

Killester were in foul trouble in the last quarter, Channell Williams - who finished the game with 19 points - had already picked up her fourth midway through the third, while Chyna Latimer also went onto four fouls in the second minute of last quarter.

It was a one point game six minutes to go, when Jasmine Walker landed a three to trail 67-66, however Killester went on a nine point run in the next four minutes to open up a ten point advantage, the impressive Latimer’s two making it 76-66.

That run was ended when Kate Hickey picked up a foul and landed two of her three throws. Wildcats picked up the offensive rebound after the missed free and Seay drained a long-range three, to trail 76-71 with 1’54 to go. 

Killester kept Waterford Wildcats at arms-length, despite Seay and Walker hitting a couple of three’s in the closing stages, Mark Grennell’s side winning by 10 points, 87-77.

“Great gutsy win from our girls. They fought back time and again when Wildcats looked to have taken control. Credit to Tommy (O’Mahony) and Wildcats, they were excellent and I think it was one of the more entertaining games you’ll see. Chyna (Latimer) and a Chanell (Williams) are obviously so dynamic for us that they deserve a mention too for that display, even if they did try give me a heart attack with their foul count. We will enjoy this win and then focus on next week’s league game.” - Mark Grennell, Killester head coach

💬 “𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬”

Chanell Williams of @KillesterBball gives her reaction after beating @WITWildcats 87-77 in a thriller at Neptune Stadium to reach @Insuremyhouseie Paudie O’Connor Cup final. 🏀#BINationalCup pic.twitter.com/7Jrf9fYqS2

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 7, 2023

The Paudie O’Connor Cup final will be played on Sunday 22^nd January at the National Basketball Arena and will be live on TG4 and basketballireland.tv.

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 21-23 , Q2: 46-42 Q3: 58-61, Q4: 77-87

Killester:

Chanell Williams, Michelle Clarke, Chyna Latimer, Sarah Courtney, Ella McCloskey, Bree Shelly, Robyn Malone, Ieva Bagdanaviciene, Maria Long, Lana Walsh, Stacey Walsh, Jenna Howe

Head coach: Mark Grennell

Top Scorers: Chyna Latimer (34), Chanell Williams (19), Ieva Bagdanaviciene (10), Michelle Clarke (9), Ella McCloskey (8)

Waterford Wildcats:

Caitlin Gloeckner, Helena Ronan (c), Sarah Hickey, Kate Hickey, Karli Seay, Jasmine Walker, Sinead Deegan, Illana Fitzgerald, Miriam Liston, Orla Dullaghan, Cathy Kavanagh, Stephanie O’Shea

Head coach: Tommy O'Mahony

Top Scorers: Karli Seay (27), Sarah Hickey (17), Sinead Deegan (13), Kate Hickey (12) Jasmine Walker (8)