Dudley does it right
It’s safe to say no one had more fun at the Niagara Region senior boys top-20 all-star game Wednesday than Dudley Kou.
The 18-year-old, Grade 12 student at Westlane was smiling from ear to ear from start to finish and with good reason.
Not only was the diminutive guard wrapping up his high school career in a fun atmosphere against some of his best buddies, but he was also on fire.
Kou poured in a game-high 24 points and was named player of the game as the Zone 3 all-stars topped the Zone 4 all-stars 73-49 at Governor Simcoe.
“I’m just playing a game,” Kou said. “I’m a shooter so I wanted to go out there and have fun and take my shot.”
Kou did just that, knocking down five three-pointers in the first half alone.
“It’s an all-star game so I thought I might as well have some fun,” he said. “I had my mind in the game. I was focusing. That’s how I play the game.
“I was doing my job.”
Kou enjoyed wrapping up his high school career in such a setting.
“Having a chance to compete with these other players was great. I had a lot of fun,” he said. “I’ve been playing with my teammates for four years and had a lot of fun with them.
“I’m going to college and I hope I make the college team.”
Kou doesn’t let his size — or lack thereof — affect his game.
“I’ve been the shortest guy on my team for four years,” said Kou, who indicated he is 5-foot-4. “I go to the gym and practice every day. I have the right mindset. I push myself everyday.”
Kou, who indicated he would likely attend Niagara College next year, immigrated to Canada from his native China in Grade 9.
Welland Centennial’s Phil Mosley enjoyed helping coach the squad.
“It’s nice. You see the kids during the season in a team concept but sometimes it’s nice to see them put their individual skills on display,” he said. “I think that’s why this is fun.
“It was fun to interact with the kids and other coaches we battle against and now we’re just relaxed and having some fun. It’s a nice way to finish the season.”
Zone Four 73 Zone Three 49
Scoring for Zone 3 were: Dudley Kou, Westlane 24; Jacob Labonte, Jean Vanier 15; Josh Lahn, E.L. Crossley 14; Phillip Angervil, Jean Vanier 5; Will Schmahl, Saint Paul 4; Jomer Mateo, St. Michael 4; Neil Wangler, Niagara Christian 4; Jeremy Elyse, Stamford 3. Also playing was Thomas DiDomenico, A.N. Myer. Nick Qua from Lakeshore Catholic was selected but unable to participate.
The team was coached by Mark Gallagher from Notre Dame, Phil Mosley from Centennial and Jean Vanier’s Eric Labonte.
Scoring for Zone 4 were: Dainon Bango, Governor Simcoe 17; Clayton Thomas-Harris, Collegiate 9; Jacob Stirtzinger, Thorold 8; Zeenan Ahmed, Blessed Trinity 7; Mitchell McArthur, Denis Morris 4; Kyle Love, Blessed Trinity 4. Also playing were: Diego Ruiz, Sir Winston, Charlie Edgar, Eden and Adrian Waszak, Holy Cross. Matt Johnson of Sir Winston was selected but unable to participate.
The team was coached by John Kwiatkowski and Marc Dupont from Thorold.
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