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08/07/2010
U17 TEAM ONTARIO BOYS WIN SILVER AT NATIONALS
The U17 Team Ontario boys team represented our province at the 2010 17U National Championships at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba from August 2-7, 2010. 2010 Team Ontario Roster:
Grant Mullins - Burlington Skyhawks
Kaza Kajami-Keane - Ajax Lions Basketball Club
Kevin Blake - Toronto JCC
Sean Patrick - Toronto JCC - INJURED
Rohan Boney - Burlington Basketball
Connor Wood - Guelph Youth Basketball Association
Isaiah Watkins - North Toronto Basketball Association
MiKyle McIntosh - East End Basketball
Agunwa Okolie - St. David Blues Basketball Association
Ryan Evans - Ottawa Guardsmen Basketball Club
Keegan Dunlop - St. Catharines CYO Rebels
Marko Pirovic - Caledon Cougar Basketball Association
Shaquielle Keith - Brampton Minor Basketball Association Alternates:
Dapo Badmos - Ottawa Guardsmen Basketball Club
Jack Daneyko - Niagara Falls Red Raiders
Coaching Staff:
Chris Cheng (Scarborough) - Head Coach
Fatih Akser (St. Catharines) - Assistant Coach
Bryan Blue (Toronto) - Manager ONTARIO WINS SILVER! First Team All-Star - Agunwa Okolie
First Team All-Star - Kevin Blake August 7th at 8:15 p.m. - Ontario 75 vs. Quebec 86 Box Score
In a reversal of the 15U gold medal game, it was Quebec which claimed the gold medal with a hard fought win over Ontario. With the score tied in the second quarter, Quebec gained momentum by outscoring Ontario 26-14 in the period to go into halftime with a 12-point lead. They increased their lead to 16 in the fourth quarter on the way to a championship victory. Ontario got into the final by defeating Saskatchewan the night before while Quebec defeated British Columbia. Olivier Hanlan of Quebec, who was also named the 17U tournament's most valuable player, was named the Nothers player of the game for his 30-point and six-assist night.
August 6th at 8:15 p.m. - Ontario 89 vs. Saskatchewan 53 Box Score
The Ontario 17U boys took on Saskatchewan in their national semifinal match up at the 2010 Canada Basketball Championships held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Right from tip off Ontario set the pace opening up a 10-2 lead. Throughout the first half Ontario pressured Saskatchewan’s guards and relentlessly attacked the basket. Kevin Blake lead the first half charge with 15 points, including three baskets from down town and eight rebounds. This aggressive play led Ontario to a 41-24 advantage at the break. The second half proved to be much of the same as Saskatchewan had a tough time keeping up with coach Chris Cheng as he would continue to roll out fresh and energetic substitutions. The young talent on this squad including Marko Pirovic, Mikyle McIntosh, Agunwa Okolie and Isaiah Watkins led Team Ontario in the second half with smart passes and physical presence inside. Okolie solidified the game with two thunderous dunks as Ontario went on to defeat Saskatchewan 89-53. Nother’s player of the game recognition went out to Watkins who shot 7 for 11 from the field including two three pointers, 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. With this win Ontario advances to the national championship match against Team Quebec who edged out British Columbia on their side of the bracket. August 5th at 3:45 p.m. - Ontario 85 vs. New Brunswick 58 Box Score
Team Ontario 17U boys in their quarter final match up were placed against a rowdy and intense squad from New Brunswick. It was made clear early in the first quarter that NB’s strategy was to get in the head’s of the Ontario boys as they played a physical match. This brand of play led to early foul trouble for NB star Adam Spurrell as he picked up four personal fouls in the first quarter including a technical. Despite the physical nature of the play, Ontario was able to maintain a five-point advantage at the end of the first. The beginning of the second period saw Ontario have a burst of offence lead by Kevin Blake and Mikyle Macintosh. Unfortunately this burst didn’t last as NB retaliated with an 11-2 run to end the half returning the lead to just five. The third period was much of the same physical natured play that prevented Ontario from widening the scoring gap. Midway through the third NB’s Spurrell checked back in, only to foul out two possessions later. By the time the fourth period came, Ontario was refocused and eager to put the game away. Slowly the gap was spread from seven, to ten and eventually the game finished with a final score of 85-58 in favour of the talented Ontario group. Throughout the game the Ontario squad showed tact and diplomacy as they kept focus on playing hard and intelligent basketball. Rohan Boney with his strong and relentless defense and ten-point, nine-rebound and eight-assist stat line was named the Nother’s player of the game.
August 4th at 3:45 p.m. - Ontario 77 vs. British Columbia 69 Box Score
The 17U Team Ontario boys at the 2010 National Championships were matched up against powerhouse British Columbia. BC is lead by their 6’9” swingman David Wagner, who is fresh off his bronze medal win at the 17U FIBA World Championships with Canada’s cadet national team. It was clear right from the tip off that Ontario’s game plan was to throw a physical battle at Wagner to attempt to throw him off his game. The first five minutes saw both teams in a shootout matching each other shot for shot. By the end of the first Ontario had gapped BC by eight points. The second quarter was much of the same as Ontario cycled in forward after forward to battle Wagner in the post. One of those forwards was Marko Pirovic who not only played relentless defence but also shot five for six from the field including a three pointer to bank 11 points in the half. At the break Ontario led BC 41-27. In the third quarter BC came out with a zone defence which Ontario struggled with, turning the ball over and forcing up difficult shots. These struggles mixed with BC’s ability to capitalize on the offensive end resulted in a two-point game late in the third. The fourth quarter was a game of runs as each team took their turn with short bursts of scoring. Inevitably, Ontario’s depth was too much for BC to handle as they cruised down the stretch to a 77-69 victory. It was a true team win for Ontario as the scoring was spread out across the board with Grant Mullins, Kevin Blake and Marko Pirovic all scoring in the double digits. With this win, Ontario maintains their third place ranking going into the quarterfinals where they will most likely match up against Team New Brunswick. This match will take place August 5, 2010 at 4:45PM EST. August 3rd at 11:15 a.m. - Ontario 114 vs. Newfoundland 55 Box Score
Team Ontario 17U boys begin their quest to recapture a national championship with a first round match with Newfoundland. The game started off with a basket for basket shootout as Newfoundland held in tight. Midway through the first quarter the Ontario intensity proved to be too much to handle as Ontario had a 31-13 lead at the end of the quarter. Through the second period, Ontario kept pressuring, causing turnovers and capitalized on the offensive end. Guards Kevin Blake and Grant Mullins each tallied nine points in the first half while Rohan Boney electrified the crowd with a fast break dunk. At the half Ontario had a lead of 49-27. The third quarter was a seamless continuation from the first half. Blake lead the charge knocking down three three pointers and soaring for a dunk through traffic. Where Blake left off, Kaza Keane picked up. Keane matched Blake’s 20 points in the game, six three pointers and was named the Nothers player of the game. Marko Pirovic lead Ontario with 11 boards. The final result saw Team Ontario walk away with a 114-55 victory. Ontario will next see action against British Columbia who beat Saskatchewan 81-60 in their first round match-up. That game will take place 4:45PM EST on August 4, 2010.
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