By Kevin Devlin

     On Monday evening, March 20, the New Balance Club beat the Gate of Heaven Club, 49-41, to win the 2006 Tynan Women’s Basketball League Championship.

     Both teams started out playing tentative and somewhat sloppy basketball. Gatey was forcing some early turnovers with some slick and timely steals but failed to cash in on the offensive end. With 12:14 left before the break, Gatey trailed 12-7. During the remaining five minutes in the first half, New Balance went on a 12-2 run and held a 26-17 advantage at the break. They were controlling the boards and had too much inside power for the Gatey girls.

     Gatey was being out-rebounded again in the second half, but managed to cut the deficit to 3, 40-37, with 9:08 left to play in the tilt. But, this was as close as Coach John “Injun” Horan’s club would get to their foe, as they trailed by eight with 4:35 on the game clock. They just couldn’t close the gap as time expired and would go home thinking about next season and what it might bring. 

     Gate of Heaven and former college hoop star Kristen McDonnell netted 19 points, including three treys. Amy Walden scored 10 points, while former college All-American Andrea Higgins (Boston University) and up and coming star Laura O’Donnell (two steals) had four points apiece.

     For the newly crowned Tynan hoop champions, Marsha Blaylock scored 12 points, and Jackie Stemson had 11 points. Allanda Raceside contributed 10 points, and Jamila Gails, along with Neycole Howell, added 6 points each.

     “It was another good year of winter basketball for the girls,” said Coach Horan, who is also the league commissioner. “The league is competitive and the girls enjoy playing once a week in the wintertime. Hopefully, we will see everyone back next year.”