Silver Fox Prospect Watch, Can Loyola Repeat Championship?
FOLLOW ELIAS SBIET @Esbiet and NPH @NorthPoleHoops
Photo Courtesy: Randy Smith, www.randysphotos.ca
HAMILTON,ON–The 41st Silver Fox Invitational takes place in Hamilton every year and is the city’s most anticipated tournament. Teams from all over Ontario are welcomed in by Tournament Director, Jim Weatherbee and the Silver Fox Commitee, into a very highly competitive atmosphere. The Silver Fox has been a stage where 14 previous tournament champions have gone on to claim OFSAA gold medals. This year St. Ignatius of Loyola is back at the Fox to defend their tournament championship. Although two important pieces (Adam Presutti, and Michael L’African) have moved on into the CIS, they still have great chances of repeating. The teams that would be getting in their way from doing so are; H.B Beal, St. Marguerite D’Youville and Bishop Tonnas.
Semifinalists
Loyola
This team has been using tournament play as a means for reconstruction, with a vested interest and every intention of making a run to be an OFSAA qualifier this would be a step towards doing so. With a roster of many known three point shooters, they can be dangerous if they catch fire early and blowout a team. The leadership of Rohan Boney and Jake Babic would really need to come into play today in order for them to come out victorious.
H. B Beal
One of, if not the most disciplined teams in the tournament. Although their starting five is fairly young, they are very responsive to assignments placed on them by Coach Tony Marcotullio. This team can really bring the hurt in the open court because of their speed and athleticism. There is no liabilities and everyone is capable of providing 15 points in any game; their scoresheets are always well balanced.
St. Marguerite D’Youville
Led by their 2013 point guard, James Agyeman, D’Youville has made it to the semi-finals in others tournaments and have had a hard time getting past this point. In this year’s Silver Fox, another leader has stepped forward to take some weight off of Agyeman, he is Abed Emran. Emran went 5/7 from 3 point land the game before quarter-finals. D’Youville’s big man, Aaron Arir will need to come in aggressve as Boney will be hounding him on defence.
Bishop Tonnas
These young men have a great bond with each other that reflects on the court. Their understanding of the team concept was seen yesterday as they had four of their five starters score in double digits as well as major contribution from the bench. They’re able to move the ball well and utilize the spacing on the floor. Opponents should begin to worry if Jeremy Chan or Jordan Benvenuto heat up from deep.
Prospect Watch
Loyola: Rohan Boney, Jake Babic
H. B Beal: Chavaun Miller Bennett, Moses Orozco, Michael Provenzano, Josh Mayorga
St. Marguerite D’Youville: James Agyeman, Aaron Ariri, Abed Emran, Jaz Rai
Bishop Tonnas: Jordan Benvenuto, Jeremy Chan, Mike Worden, Anthony Mercanti
Cardinal Newman: Lucas Mancini, David McCulloch, AJ Manguera
Nelson: Stefan Duric (2015, 6’2, SG)
St. Thomas More: Lamar Barr, Matt Brown, Paul Petrucelli, Xzennis Brereton, Robert Harrison, Tevon Edwards
Sir Allan Macnab: Nolan Norain, Matt Trpcic, Adam Vuong
Dunbarton: Hassan Phills
Westview Centennial: Rashawn Salmon
_________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday games
9:00 Cardinal Newman CSS vs. Holy Cross CSS @ Glendale
9:00 Sherwood SS vs. St. Thomas More CSS @ Saltfleet
10:30 Westmount SS vs. Nelson HS @ Glendale
10:30 Northern CIVS vs. Sir Allan MacNab SS @ Saltfleet
Noon Bishop Tonnos CSS vs. H B Beal SS @ Glendale (SF)
Noon St. Ignatius of Loyola vs. St. Marguerite D’Youville @ Saltfleet (SF)
1:30 Forest Heights CI vs. Holy Names/West Humber @ Glendale – S W Laurier Final
