BASKETBALL: Glanmire's leading player, American Adriana Spears, is to request her B sample be opened as she attempts to clear her name after testing positive for cocaine on November 27th. The testing process has been hindered by the holiday period with both the Basketball Ireland and the Irish Sports Council offices only re-opening tomorrow.

Spears has until tomorrow to officially confirm if she is to challenge the results but sources within her club and the association expect a request to examine the B sample.

Basketball Ireland doping officer Jerome Howe confirmed Spears - who is in the US - is suspended until a disciplinary hearing can take place in the next fortnight: "While the testing procedures are taking place we are out of the loop," said Howe. "Yet, when that is complete the Sports Council then steps aside and we will present a disciplinary hearing on the information gathered."

Irish Basketball were one of the first organisations to sign up to the Sports Council's new anti-doping policy, which is in line with the new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. "All players sign up for testing and receive all the information we get from the Sports Council when they sign their licence application form and this includes all the relevant drug information," added Howe.

Spears, a native of Stratford, Connecticut, came to Ireland at the start of this season having played for the Boston College Eagles. The 23-year-old arrived with a highly-regarded college record having represented the Big East All-Star team in 2001, while still a sophomore. She also received a USA Today Honourable Mention All-American award while still a student at St Joseph's High School in Trumbell, Connecticut.

On arrival in Cork, she quickly established herself as the key component in Seán O'Regan's team that recovered from a four-game losing streak in October/November to record three straight victories before Christmas. Spears was the top scorer on each occasion. The drug test took place after Glanmire's 68-62 Superleague victory over Mercy Coolock, in Little Island, with Spears contributing 24 points on the night.

If the B sample is positive and Spears is subsequently found guilty of doping a mandatory two-year suspension is what the WADA code stipulates.