Jaylen Clarke, St Thomas More Capture First Annual Brock Badger Ship!
I told my team personally that I haven’t won a tournament since grade eight, I’m going to want it as bad as anyone else wanted it, [I told them] if you’re on board with me, then lets go.” – Jaylen Clarke, tournment MVP
So the Hamilton contingent went…they went all the way to the Brock Championship, listening to Jaylen Clarke’s words, a leader for this team, who earned tournament MVP, finishing with 13 points.
“I think we found ourselves together in this tournament, but we have lots left,” said Clarke of his St Thomas More team.
STM matched up against Corpus Christi in the championship, winning 62-52.
Derrick Sealy finished with a game-high 15 points for St Thomas More, and other key performers throughout the tournament included Joel Clarke and Xavier Ellis.
Not to take anything away from STM, however Corpus’ star Simi Shittu was out (ill) for the championship game.
That said, I would like to recognize Malik Richards, who has been a quality piece for Corpus, and a kid that I’ve seen distinguish himself in the past. An athletic guard that excels finishing in the open court, had 12 points in the final.
Mfiondu Rabengale lead Corpus with 14.
STM’s semi-final victory against St Marcellinius was also impressive, matching up with a talented and athletic team, that featured 2019 future star Rowan Barrett Jr.
STM plays with grit and tenacity, bringing a similar approach as Eastern Commerce in terms of being a tough, guard oriented team that brings contributions from across the board.
“We really shot the ball well this weekend, and played a total team game,” STM Head Coach Mark Moretuzzo told North Pole Hoops.
On their road to the title, this team defeated quality competition in Cameron Heights, St Marcellinus and Corpus to take gold.
“It’s really one through eleven, we can compete five against five against anyone, but we always believe its our depth,” said Moretuzzo.
STM consistently brought energy off the bench and maintained it, encouraging teammates and it was what helped carry them to the title.
This is a team not to be taken lightly, and seem to be on the upswing.
