#4 Campion Knocks Off #2 SJK in Rim Rocker Finals, CJ Bennett MVP
The first time St. Edmund Campion and St. John’s-Kilmarnock met this season was at the Humber Classic, where SJK prevailed by 7, 75-68. This time around, Campion came in with a game plan that would keep it a low scoring game and give them the Senior Rim Rocker Championship.
Last night, the St. Edmund Campion Bears took down the number two ranked high school team in Canada, St. John’s-Kilmarnock by a score of 55-49 in overtime.
“We just needed to contain their shooters. This is a team that is going to execute running their sets and shoot a high percentage from three. We knew that if we could contain them from the perimeter than we have a shot,” remarked Coach Omar Miles of Campion.
The largest lead of the game was eight points and that was traded back and forth throughout the four quarters and OT. Near the end of the game SJK looked gassed after going to war with Notre Dame (Brampton) in the semi-final round.
Campion’s CJ Bennett who was awarded tournament MVP, had a solid fourth quarter and overtime that would put his team ahead when the final buzzer sounded. He finished the game with 15 points and had a handful of steals.
In the five games played, Bennett often took charges and put his body on the line for his team. CIS coaches in attendance were intrigued by the returning senior and the expansion in his game.
Marcus Anderson was an instrumental part of this victory, chipping in with 12 points and showed that he was the best two way player on the floor.
Campion had come out strong in the first quarter capping it at 14-6 before in-bounding into the second frame.
Anderson provided a spark for the Bears to get things going. His long reach allowed him to pick pockets and push the ball ahead for easy finishes. He made it tough for SJK’s point guards to set their guys up for open threes as they’re accustomed to.
Many CIS schools recruiting Anderson were in the building to check out this 2016 guard. Between now and the end of the season most CIS schools will be less aggressive recruiting him as NCAA programs begin to take notice and offer scholarships.
This year he is very close to reaching his projection from two years ago as a mid-major NCAA prospect.
At the same time, a name that will be receiving an abundance of CIS attention is 2015 sniper Saajan “The Specialist” Arora. He went off for 13 points in the second quarter and made three shots which were all from a few feet outside the three point line.
Arora gave SJK a 29-27 lead at the half.
From that point Arora would not score again as Campion defenders keyed in on him and made sure he didn’t catch the ball in a comfortable position to shoot.
“This is the type of consistent energy we need from our starters on defense. The young guys that I have coming off the bench are making the most of their minutes. My unsung hero is Elijah Charles; grade 11, doesn’t see the floor much, but when he does, he plays help side, he plays defense and goes after rebounds.”
Coach Miles continued.
“We still have a long way to go, this is just one overtime win against a very good team. My concern is that we just continue to improve so that I can hopefully be able to go eight or nine deep into my bench comes season’s end.”
SJK hasn’t lost many games this season, even while playing all the top level competition and when they have lost they bounce back with statement wins.
Outside of their game against Orangeville Prep this was their lowest scoring game of the season and they don’t take losing well; SJK’s next opponent will regret having to play them. The post-game look on Mike Blumel’s face signified that.
As for Campion they play in regular season action today against St. Roch.
As we go into the holiday break, we will release when more edition of the #NPHTop25 and let time pass before the next big tournaments go down at the St. Mike’s Invitational and Silver Fox in January.
Tournament All-Stars
CJ Bennett – Campion (MVP)
Marcus Anderson – Campion
Saajan Arora – SJK
Mike Blumel – SJK
Frank Ageymang – Notre Dame (Brampton)
Abu Kigab – St. Francis
