The U19 basketball team put in one of the best displays from an Aquinas team in recent years to defeat St Columbs Derry 48-45 in the U19B semi-final on Monday in Derry to progress to the Ulster final.

There was no doubt that the 22 point contribution from Y11 pupil Daniel Leggett was the highlight of a great team performance and secured the fourth win of the campaign.

Aquinas trailed by as many as 7 points at one stage but vital scores from Daniel kept them in touch. Aquinas took the lead at the start of the fourth quarter but couldn’t convert vital free throws to put the game beyond doubt. In fact Aquinas missed a total of 13 from the line throughout the game.

With three seconds left the Derry school had a chance to tie the game but solid defence from the visitors secured the win. Aquinas now plays St Joseph’s Derry in the final. The players and coaching staff will be seeking to turn around a one point defeat earlier in the year from their opponents to secure a place in the last 16 of the All-Ireland play-offs.