Monarchs, Breakdown Strong Contenders in Grade 7 Signature League Division
It was a special weekend as the Nike signature league with a host of great match-ups on the slate. Buzzer beaters, come back efforts, and big time performances were only the beginning for the league, which also had a nice surprise touch for the weekend.
Along with a competitive games and match-ups premium dry fit t-shirts, and dry fit golf shirts given to all players and coaches. The colors were Canadian themed with the white and red stealing the show – a very nice touch with the Christmas season upon us.
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On that point, the season of giving saw players giving there all in terms of effort, production, and performances. We’ll take a look at some of the top action from the sevens, before making our way to the grade eights.
GRADE 7 Recap
Although there was little movement in the standings for the grade 7s, the two top teams, Stoney Creek and North Toronto, were both in a dogfight with Team Breakdown and the Mississauga Monarchs.
With the season entering its third session, as expected, teams are starting to gel together, and the overall competitiveness of each team is only rising.
Team Breakdown took on Stoney Creek, while the North Toronto and the Monarchs did battle in the first match up of the day.
In a game that saw the Monarchs make 11 three pointers, it was Chidube Ekwommadu (c/o 2024) who was able to show off his range. With a lighting quick release, solid mechanics and great backspin on the ball, Ekwommadu is a player who can become one of the top snipers in the class.
Ekwommadu made 6 threes on 11 attempts, and also used his lateral quicks and long arms to bother offensive players on the other end.
As he continues to work on his offensive game with his ball handling, change of speeds, and shot selection there is some great under the radar potential for the monarchs point guard.
However, it was Justin Orridge (c/o 2024) who is quickly establishing himself as one of the most clutch players not only for the North Toronto Huskies, but also in the entire seven division.
Orridge was one of the main reasons the Huskies were able to defeat Stoney Creek in the first session as he kept them in the game with his clutch three point shooting. This session he was, again, the leader in their rally that saw them overcome a 7 point deficit in only 20 seconds.
Orridge started the run off with a tough lay-up in transition, and also splashes a corner three, adding 5 points in a matter of seconds helping North Toronto defeat Mississauga 53-52.
Team Breakdown also gave Stoney Creek all they could handle in their match-up before eventually falling 58-54.
Team Breakdown’s Raequon Pryce and Kahlil Henry are one and two, respectively, in the division when it comes to scoring. Pryce is averaging 15.8 PPG, while Henry isn’t too far behind at 14.0 PPG.
Henry is a smooth guard, with a high IQ and ability to make shots from various angles, and positions on the court. Whether it is three pointers, runners, or tough lay-ups, here’s a player with great body control and overall strength.
Pryce is putting up some great performances despite the fact that this is his first year playing organized basketball. At 6’2 here’s an agile athlete, with a nice jumper and good defensive instincts.
Stoney Creek also has three players who rank within the top ten in scoring for the division in Nathan Sheppard, Jalen Sikkema, and Alex DiFrancesco. They play a great brand of basketball sharing the rock and finding the open man, which usually accounts for open threes.
Stoney Creek made 11 from the land beyond against Team Breakdown, with Nathan Sheppard nailed 4 of his 6 threes in the third quarter, leading to a game high 21 points.
In the final game of the night it was a Vaughan Panthers that played their heart out but were still unable to get their first win falling to Halton 44-43.
After being down double digits in the first quarter, the Panthers were able to claw their way back, eventually breaking even early in the fourth.
Rocky Adamo led the Panthers with 18 points, being able to use his length, and touch in the lane to finish over defenders. He also made a three, showing some touch from outside. Chance Maloney and Luka Tomovic were the next leading scorers with 8 and 6 respectively.
Halton’s Kael Lake had 15, including a big second quarter were he scored 9. However, it was Sebastian Ochu, younger brother of Xavier Ochu, and Brian Grenier who scored all 13 points for Halton in the 4th.
Ochu scored 8 points, getting into the lane at will and also making his only two free throws of the game. Grenier, who is currently fourth in the league in scoring, scored 5 in the quarter including a big time three to give Halton the 41-40 lead. He ended with 14 points in the game.
For all your stats and standing please check out signature league here. The next session for the sevens goes on Sunday December 17th at Turner Fenton South SS in Brampton.
The grade 8 recap will be published on Friday December 15th 2017.
