Killester haven’t been at full throttle since their cup success, but coach Brian O’Malley believes this will be another game to savour for his players.

O’Malley said: “When you play in Tralee the atmosphere is electric and the importance of this game is sure to add extra spice.

“I think the bottom line is that neither team will want to lose and we do realise Tralee will be hurting after their semi-final loss so it has the makings of a highly competitive clash.”

In an effort to halt the January slide, the Warriors signed a 6’4’’ point guard Ken Williams — a graduate of the University of New Mexico.

Williams hails from the same college of their popular former coach Russ Bradburd and players from this university are always of a high pedigree.

UCD Marian blew the title race wide open last week when defeating leaders Templeogue and they will be hoping to continue in their drive to retain the championship when they host Maree at Belfield.

The champions have recovered from their cup defeat to Killester, and stalwart Conor Meany believes they have what it takes to retain the title.

“I think when we are on song we have the depth to produce top basketball and Maree are a shooting team that will need to be shut down or they could inflict another defeat on us,” said Meany.

Indeed Meany is adamant that Maree are capable of upsetting any side in this league.

He added: “You cannot take your eyes off them particularly their American Sean Sellars, who posed us problems in Galway.”

C&S Neptune are presently in a dogfight to avoid relegation and their game against Belfast Star is of special significance, according to coach Paul Kelleher.

“Star seem to be getting back to the form they showed in the early months of the season, but I am sure they will not relish playing us on our home court,” said Kelleher.

The six remaining games are all finals for us and I would like to think our past and present fans will realise the importance of staying in the Super League.

Moycullen are also in a relegation battle and they will be hoping to build on last week’s crunch win against Neptune when they host DCU Saints at the NUIG.

The Galway side showed tremendous shooting skills against Neptune and DCU Saints coach Joey Boylan will be hoping to get his side back to winning ways.

Boylan said: “We haven’t played well in our last two games and I am demanding a response, as we need to keep ticking over four quarters.”

Joint leaders Templeogue are at home to UCC Demons with coach Mark Keenan hoping his side can bounce back following last week’s defeat to UCD Marian.

“We played decent basketball against UCD Marian but they finished stronger in the last quarter and our games against UCC Demons over the years have always been competitive,” said Keenan.

However, Demons captain Kyle Hosford believes his side should be among the title challengers.

Hosford said: “Looking back on the season, they were a number of games we simply blew when in control and it would be nice to get a win over Templeogue away from home.”

In the Women’s Super League, the Cork derby between Fr Mathew’s and Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell will be keenly contested.

Both sides cannot afford to lose in their drive for a top-four berth with Mathew’s coach James Fleming hoping his team can snatch a win.

He said: “Derby games always have special significance in Cork, and I think we owe Brunell one after our cup semi-final defeat — but we need to put in a good shift.”

The big game in the Women’s Super League will take place on Sunday when leaders Courtyard Liffey Celtics travel to play second-placed DCU Mercy.