Head coach Sean Ingle says Belfast Star’s upcoming run of home games will be decisive in their bid to make the All-Ireland Super League Play-Offs.
Despite the 86-78 defeat away to National Cup winners Killester on Saturday night, Ingle remained upbeat and felt his men showed signs of getting close to the form that can secure a Play-Off spot at the end of the regular season in February.
Star led 40-34 at half-time, but the Dublin side showed why they are top of the Super League with a bombardment in the third quarter which they won 29-15. That proved decisive as the final quarter was shared 24-24.
The Belfast men now look ahead to a double-header away to Templeogue on Saturday followed by a home clash on Sunday against Tralee which will be followed a week later by another home fixture against Marian.
Coach Ingle said: “The home games are really going to be must-win games if we’re going to make the Play-Offs because the teams we are playing are all mid-table fighting for those last Play-Off places. So, we have to make home advantage count, and I believe we can do that.
“We have the talent to beat anybody, there’s no doubt about that, and we showed what we could do defensively in the first-half against Killester who right now are the best team in the country.
“They have the best defensive record and are second offensively and were coming off a big Cup success so, obviously, their confidence is sky-high.
“Credit to them, they upped their game in the third quarter and showed their physicality. It was a tough loss because of how well we played in the first-half.
“We are improving and we just need to be that bit more consistent, but I can’t fault the guys for their effort and the positivity they’re bringing to training.”
Star’s Americans Deondre Jackson and Darweshi Hunter both had 21 points, while Max Cooper came up with 18 points and five rebounds.