Sam Rautins’ Career Game Leads St Mike’s, Lual Akot Emerges for Canada Topflight

Entering their 10th overall game of the season, progress was expected for St Mike’s.

The team that we saw in early November has evolved, and seemingly so has 2019 sharpshooter Sam Rautins, leading SMC past Canada Topflight Academy in a dominant victory, 84-62.

Sam Rautins finished with a game-high 25 points, but it wasn’t just the offense that he impacted.

“He shot the ball really well obviously, but it was his defense that really stepped up,” SMC Head Coach Jeff Zownir told NPH.

“We try to emphasise to him on focusing on other parts of the game. If you play good defence, the shots will come.”

This was the theme all game–defense to offense. St Mike’s looked like a well oiled machine, stifling CTA with their zone and getting into transition.

St Mike’s dominated from start to finish. After opening with a 32-13 first quarter lead, SMC never looked back. Harvard commit finished with 19 points, while Inaki Alvarez and Kyle Duke added 10 and 8 respectively.

In the loss, the lone bright spot for CTA was the emergence of Lual Akot, who lead with 21 points, while displaying a full package.

The 2019 6’4 guard defended all game despite the score, while creating for himself and teammates. He displayed the ability to slash and get to the rim, while also pulling up on the perimeter.

Akot is an established name locally, as he has lead his former team Notre Dame to a city championship last season, while also being named MVP for the National-Capital HS All-Star Classic.

It doesn’t get easier for CTA against 3-0 Toronto Basketball Academy at 6PM tonight. The “home team” will have to shake it off and rebound quick, this time coming up with a full effort right from the first quarter.

St Mike’s sits at 2-2 as they take on Rothesay Netherwood (0-0) at 8PM.