Ontario Advances to Championship With Total Team Effort
TORONTO,ON–It was expected to be the closest game of the tournament. However, the semi-final match up that saw Ontario take on British Columbia turned ugly quick. Ontario once again proved their dominance with an 89-44 victory in a team effort.
The combination of Ontario’s pressure defence and lack lustre shooting from BC proved to be the formula for disaster for the west coast contingent.
By the end of the first half, the game had already been decided as Ontario lead 44-16.
Each Ontario player on the roster was provided with playing time, and every player got on the score board.
However, more than anything, it’s the defensive intensity that Ontario plays with that makes them so tough to handle, and creates so much discomfort for the opposition.
After asking Ontario Head Coach, Chris Cheng about the defensive mindset that the team has implemented, he responded,
“Its something they instill with one another…we guide them and give them the tools, but they build it.”
Despite being up big in virtually every contest, it wouldn’t seem so, judging by their team defense throughout a full game.
Duane Notice led the way once again for Ontario, posting 19 points, five rebounds and five assists. Big boys, Agunwa Okolie and Mikyle McIntosh also chipped in with 11 apiece respectively.
For British Columbia, it was a long night as they shot a forgettable 22% from the field as a team.
Mitch Ligertwood lead BC with nine points and six rebounds.
Ontario will now move on to face Nova Scotia in the U17 National Championships!
As the team awaits their final competition on the hit list, according to coach Cheng they, “Stay humble, stay hungry.”
TOP PERFORMERS
Ontario
- Duane Notice: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
- Agunwa Okolie: 11 points, 6 rebounds
- Mikyle McIntosh: 11 points, 5 rebounds
- Marko Pirovic: 4 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists
British Columbia
- Mitch Ligertwood: 9 points, 6 rebounds
- Cole Penman: 9 points, 4 rebounds
