HAMILTON, ON–As expected, the 2012 Silver Fox championship came down to the widely regarded two strongest team in the tournament, Holy Trinity of Oakville and D’Youville representing Brampton.

Entering the game, a confident D’Youville team looked to have momentum, especially following a Campion Showdown championship the week prior.

None of this mattered to HT as the Titans took down the Panthers 53-44 in a tight game that featured no shortage of talented prospects.

“I think with D’Youville the thing you have to do is be patient, especially because our bench is not as deep as theirs,” said Tournament MVP Nolan Mackenzie.

As a result of the talent depth, Cathedral high school was packed with a good chunk of OUA representation, scouting the next crop.

McMaster, Carleton,  UofT, Ottawa, Ryerson, Western had scouts in the bleachers watching prospects like Trevon McNeil, Nolan Mackenzie, Regis Ivaniukas, Nick Ernest, James Agyeman, Kenny Ejim, Josiah Riley & Rayon Miller.

McNeil lead all scorers with 16, while Agyeman paced D’Youville with 13.

This Holy Trinity team, currently in Windsor for the U of W Holiday Classic has been progressing playing with more efficiency and fluidity. Mackenzie agrees.

“Our big is starting to want the ball more in the paint; me and Trev [Trevon McNeil] are starting to force it less and trust our teammates more. We are starting to get a little bit more balance and productivity from our bench so it’s getting better.”

If the Oakville contingent hopes to make a run at the OFSAA title, the bench will be key, especially against the top dogs.

“That’s our main goal…getting the teams like Father Henry Carr, Eastern Commerce and Oakwood. Those are the top three teams that we match up bad against but if we work hard and run our offense, we can take those guys down,” Mackenzie told NPH.

In the meantime, the Titans will look to take care of business at the U of Windsor Invitational in hopes of racking up another championship.

This victory was dedicated to long time Holy Trinity Coach John Beraldo, who passed away from cancer yesterday. He was a great coach and big influence in the community. Rest In Peace.

AWARD WINNERS AND ALL STARS

Hamilton Spectator 3 Point Shooting Champ

Zak Bickell of St. Paul’s (Niagara Falls) with 36

Defensive Player of the Tournament

Josiah Riley of St. Marguerite D’Youville

Ron Kovljenic Fair Play Award

James Agyeman of St. Marguerite D’Youville

Bob Knuckle Academic Award (student with highest academic marks)

Walt Olson of Bishop MacDonell (Guelph)

2^nd Team All Stars

Jake Babic – St. Ignatius of Loyola (Oakville)

Joel Clarke – St. Thomas More (Hamilton)

Kenny Ejim – St. Marguerite D’Youville (Brampton)

Phillip Gillen – Cardinal Newman (Stoney Creek)

Mitchell Wood – Bishop MacDonell (Guelph)

1^st Team All Stars

James Agyeman – St. Marguerite D’Youville (Brampton)

David McCulloch – Cardinal Newman (Stoney Creek)

Trevon McNeil – Holy Trinity (Oakville)

Hamid Nessek – Acadamie Mere Teresa (Hamilton)

M.V.P. and 1^st Team All Star

Nolan MacKenzie – Holy Trinity (Oakville)