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Drogheda Independent

Yesterday at 15:30

WITH their Men’s National League side in the midst of a three-week break - they don’t play again until they host Mater Private Malahide on January 25 - the Drogheda Wolves underage teams took centre stage over the weekend, with an incredible 21 games played in the various age groups.

With round two of the NEBB leagues getting under way, Wolves sides travelled across the region, playing in Cavan, Monaghan, Dunshaughlin, Belfast, Tyrone and of course at home in the ‘Wolf Den’.

There were some intense games which featured overtime, buzzer-beater finshes and everything in between.

It was a particularly busy weekend for the U12 Arctic boys who played both days.

On Saturday they welcomed Navan Cougars to Drogheda and secured a convincing win, and that set them up nicely for another home clash against the undefeated Queens in the Northern Ireland League.

In front of a packed crowd, the scene was set for a massive showdown and this young, spirited Wolves team came out determined and fighting from the tip-off.

Queens opened up the game looking comfortable, but once Wolves got going there was no stopping them. A seriously talented young group opened up the floor which allowed for some great baskets.

They were in front for most of the game and in a nail-biting finish the Wolves held on to win 36-34, with great cheers around the hall as the final buzzer sounded.

Meanwhile, the U14 Arctic boys turned around an early season one-point defeat to Dundalk Ravens away as they secured a 60-42 home win against the same opposition.

The U14 Arctic girls also made huge improvements as they brushed off a 14-point loss earlier in the season to force Ravens into overtime. Although the match ended with a two-point win for visitors Ravens, the Wolves girls can be extremely proud of this result.

In a dramatic showdown Wolves U18 ‘A’ boys took on their Dundalk Ravens counterparts.

Fresh off the back of their club’s big win in the U20 Cup semi-final in Cork they came into the game confident and determined, having beaten Wolves 90-85 earlier in the season.

Wolves found themselves trailing by 15 point at one stage but came roaring back in the second half, with Thibaut playing an instrumental role, attacking the rim and finishing around the basket even when under serious pressure.

Rojus, Lukas and Karolis let it be known that they shouldn’t be left free at the arc as they knocked back some impressive three-pointers which eventually helped give Wolves the lead.

Both teams were well matched and played some serious basketball and it was Wolves who came through to win 98-94.

Other Drogheda Wolves teams in action at the weekend included the U12 girls, the U14 ‘B’, U16 ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ boys and senior men, all of whom secured wins.

However, the U12 ‘B’, U16 ‘B’ and U18 ‘B’ boys, the U14 ‘A’, U16 ‘A’ and U18 ‘A’ girls and senior women all suffered defeats to some top-level teams.