Battle of Brampton: D’Youville Panthers Victorious Over Edmund Campion!
BRAMPTON,ON–After paying visits to several cities across the country in search of talent, NPH couldn’t help but return to a region that doesn’t quite get the credit it deserves.
I’m talking about Brampton; the same city that has produced a plethora of basketball studs over several decades; most recently, Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavs, Antony Bennett, (NPH #1-ranked 2012 prospect) Iowa State’s Melvin Ejim, Dylan Ennis of Rice and many more!
Over the weekend, the Campion Classic took place in the same city where D’Youville captured the Campion Showdown championship over the home team EC Bears 44-35.
Led by NPH #78-ranked James Agyeman, D’Youville was able to control the tempo while defending at a high level to hold Edmund Campion to three points by the end of the first quarter.
Agyeman was rock solid all tournament and received MVP honours for his great contributions.
“He’s our general, we expect him to get everything going on both ends of the floor. He’s one of our better defenders, our fastest guy on the floor,” explained Carlo Zoffraneri, Head Coach of D’youville.
“I think the reason why he got MVP is because he’s been the most consistent all year. He’s never played so badly that we had to take him out…he’s never had a bad game,” he continued.
The panthers were able to make every possession uncomfortable with thier stifling defense, with 2014 6’8 prospect Aaron Ariri anchoring the paint and displaying a higher activity level in the championship game.
“When he’s playing well for us, everything sort of clicks, we get easy baskets and we establish an inside game which is what we want to do,”Zoffraneri told NPH.
Ariri led the way with a game-high 16 points while Griffin Fernandes posted a team-high 11 points in the loss.
Other key contributors for the home team Edmund Campion Bears were 2013 Kedar Wright and 2015 Malik Tyne.
Paticipating teams: St Edmund Campion (Brampton), Barrie Central (Barrie), Western Technical (Toronto), Chinguacousy (Brampton), Fleatchers Meadows (Brampton), St Marguerite D’Youville (Brampton), Sandalwood (Brampton), Donal A. Wilson (Whitby), St. Marcellinius (Mississauga), Woodbridge College, (Woodbridge), Bishop Reding (Malton), St. Augustine (Brampton)
Tournament MVP: James Agyeman (d’Youville)
Tournament ALL-STARS: Patrick Berardi (Barrie Central), Shawn Dennis (Western Tech), Malik Tyne (Campion), Kedar Wright (Campion), Jaz Rai (d’Youville)
Sportsmanship Award in memory of Denise Miles: John-Michael Lemaire
