Battle of The Boards: Moe Ismail is Three-point Champ, Jamal Reynolds Takes Dunk Off as gym Overflows with Talent
Three-point contest winner: Moe Ismail (Sherwood)
Dunk-off champion: Jamal Reynolds (Pine Ridge)
Toronto Catholic 98 vs. Peel 106
While Mathew Taylor opened the game scoring eight straight points while also displaying his passing skills, James Agyeman and Cassidy Ryan assisted greatly in production. Taylor is about to have a break out summer due to his unique physical attributes which includes his freak athleticism. Ryan was rock solid all game throwing down jams in transition, shooting the ball and impressing with improved versatility. The compact point guard, James Agyeman displayed an increased confidence after being the motor for his high school team D’Youville all year. Agyeman closed out the game with clutch shooting, ending it with an 8-point run of his own!
On the flipside, it was Mother Teresa combination of guards Adika Peter-McNeilly and Samy Mohammed who had it going for Toronto Catholic in the L. Both are uncommitted seniors with APM considering a host of OUA programs, and Mohammed recently picking up interest from Wilfred Laurier.
NPH Top Performers
- James Agyeman (D’Youville)
- Matthew Taylor (Chingacousy)
- Cassidy Ryan (Mount Carmel)
- Adika Peter McNeilly (Mother Teresa)
- Samy Mohammed (Mother Teresa)
York 102 vs. Durham 111
Events like the Battle of the Boards remain, at their core, all-star showcases–and players from the York and Durham regions took their cues from NBA all-star events. There was a lot of scoring, little defense and after 40 minutes, Durham had won 111-102 and Agunwa Okollie, from Denis O’Connor High School had won the MVP award. Jamal Reynolds, a gifted scorer from Pine Ridge, improved a lot since last year’s event and explains it mostly to a rise in confidence. “I’m more confident in my game this year,” he says. “It shows that I can play with the biggest and the best players.”
NPH Top Performers
- Agunwa Okolie (DOC/ Harvard Commit)
- Dyshawn Pierre (Anderson/ Uncomitted)
- Jamal Reynolds (Pine Ridge)
- Troy Reid-Knight
CISAA 97 vs. NPSAA 116
NPH Top Performers
While both extremely talented teams, NPSAA took dvantage of CISAA’s youth, with Tri-County senior Cudjoe Masuka being named MVP. Masuka provided everything necessary for his team to win including blocking shots, rebounding, scoring as well as creating a poster with an extremely impressive one-hand jam! Ryerson Commit Juwan Grannum displayed his extended range knocking down multiple threes while Cape Breton commit, Shaq Keith made the game look easy scoring off the dribble. For CISAA, 2015 Chris Egi looked very comfortable playing against the best in the Greater Toronto Area. He has added strength, mobility and improved foot work. Egi will be a force for years to come and has far as upcoming Canadian talent is concerned…he’s got next!
- Cudjoe Masuka (Tri COunty/ Uncomitted)
- Shaq Keith (REDA/ Cape Breton Commit)
- Juwan Grannum (REDA/ Ryerson Commit)
- Chris Egi (St. Andrews)
Toronto 83 vs. Hamilton 90
The best players from two rival cities ended the 2012 Battle of the Boards on a high note when Hamilton defeated Toronto in a 90-83 game that was tight throughout. It featured a matchup of two quick, shifty and crafty point guards in Sir Allan McNab’s Daniel Dzierzawski and Martingrove’s Emmanuel Owootoah. Yet for all of their prowess, it’s Ottawa Commit Moe Ismail, from Sherwood, who made the difference for Hamilton as he was named MVP after winning the 3-point shootout.
“We tried to come in and prove ourselves (because) we’re from Hamilton,” he says. “I always followed this event in the past, and it was great to be part of it this year.”
The intensity was high on both sides and while Toronto dominated the first half on its way to a 40-35 halftime lead, Hamilton answered. The key was to stop the Toronto transition offense, which they did in the second half. Tyrell Green, from Oakwood, is a strong post player with a shooting touch. “This means that I’m probably one of the top (GTA) players around,” he says. “I’d like to be known as the hardest worker who does everything for his team.”
NPH Top Performers
- Moe Ismail (Sherwood/ Ottawa Commit)
- Daniel Dzierzawski (MacNab)
- Emmanuel Owootoah (Martingrove)
- Tyrell Green (Oakwood)
