Rebel Wheelers seal 5-in-a-row with 64-54 win over South East Swifts

Rebel Wheelers claimed a fifth InsureMyHouse.ie IWA National Cup title in a row with 64-54 win over South East Swifts at the National Basketball Arena.

The Cork club led from start to finish in this one, Adam Drummond slotted 22 points in their victory, along with registering 10 rebounds, five assists, three turnovers and three steals, in a fine overall performance to claim the MVP.

Adam Drummond in action for Rebel Wheelers

South East Swifts, who came into the contest as underdogs, pushed their opponents all the way, led by Anthony Coy’s 28 point charge for his side.

Rebel Wheelers opened the scoring through Conor Coughlan, Drummond with the assist and were 12-4 up midway through the opening quarter and would lead 18-12 by the end of it. Coy was keeping his side in the contest, slotting eight of his side’s opening quarter points.

Rebel Wheelers’ lead was eight points by half-time, 32-24, with Drummond restricted to six points in the opening half. It was the third quarter that Drummond came alive offensively grabbing 10 points, to help Alan Dineen’s side edge further in front, 50-40 going into the final quarter.

South East Swifts stayed in the contest, but couldn’t overhaul the deficit in the fourth, as the impressive Rebel Wheelers sealed yet another IWA National Cup title

Asked about the club’s 5-in-a-row, Drummond said: “It’s only my second one (IWA National Cup), but it’s (five-in-a-row) is a credit to them. This year we knew there was a couple of fellas missing from different teams, but we didn’t let ourselves down, we kept up the intensity in training. All you can do is play against teams in front of us and to be honest with you we didn’t expect that game from Swifts, they were absolutely unbelievable, shot the lights out, but we knew that we still had the game under control.”

🗣️ It was a summer of realisation that basketball skills weren’t going to get me the whole way.”

MVP Adam Drummond from Rebel Wheelers talks 5️⃣ in a row. #BINationalCup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/QQRiMFiOz7

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) January 19, 2024

Adam Drummond presented with MVP award by Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan

Rebel Wheelers 64–54 South East Swifts 

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 18-12 , Q2: 32-24, Q3: 50-40, Q4: 64-54

Rebel Wheelers:

Jack Quinn, Paul Ryan, Oisin O’Connor, Alex Hennebry, Derek Hegarty, Conor Simpson, Darragh O’Regan, Conor Coughlan, Dylan McCarthy, Adam Drummond

Head Coach: Alan Dineen

Top Scorers: Adam Drummond 22, Conor Coughlan 14, Derek Hegarty 12

South East Swifts:

Caoimhe Byrne, Liam Blake, Seamus Wall, Jake Hennessy, Aron Homan, Robbie Roche, Jack Mangan, Adam Homan, Anthony Coy, Michael Murphy, Sophie Denieffe, Patrick O’Neill

Head Coach: Patrick O’Neill

Top Scorers:  Anthony Coy 28, Patrick O’Neill 14, Jack Mangan 12.