Cougars hold off Reds
Nick Yioldassis is anything but an under appreciated second banana for the Centennial Cougars.
The Cougars’ offence revolves around Reese Radobenko, but the dynamic guard also has a strong supporting case.
Yioldassis more than holds his own at both ends of the floor as evidenced by a strong performance Tuesday as the Cougars edged the Denis Morris Reds 51-47 in an exciting championship round quarter-final game at the 57th Annual Standard High School Basketball Tournament at DM.
The 16-year-old, Grade 12 student collected 12 points, including three, three-pointers, as well as playing solid defence.
“I just try and make my shots and get open and do whatever I can to get the win, whether that is getting steals or playing good defence,” he said.
Yioldassis said it’s vital Radobenko gets help when he is being double- and triple-teamed.
“When they double team Reese, that leaves the rest of us open,” said Yioldassis, who plays at the club level for the Welland Warriors.
Centennial coach Craig Maltais appreciates what Yioldassis brings to the team.
“Having a great second option like that — at the end of the first half you saw how deep his range is — it’s such a big role and it always doesn’t show up on the scoresheet, but we know in the locker room how big of a role he plays.”
The Cougars led 32-27 at the half and 39-37 after three. The game was tied 44-44 with three minutes to play before the Reds took a quick 47-46 lead with two minutes to play. The Cougars then scored the final five points of the game.
Yioldassis looked relieved when it was all over.
“Obviously, you enjoy it because you train to do this and train to be in games like that, but at the same time, it was pretty nerve wracking,” he said. “In the second half, we starting pressing for more balls and I think we just wanted it more.”
He said the Cougars concentrated on DM stalwarts Noah Honsberger and Zubeer Liban.
“They are really good. They are offensive keys and our game plan was to shut them down and let the other players sort of do the scoring.”
Maltais was proud of how his club came together down the stretch.
“It was a fun one because I think it was a team win,” he said. “We really played a good game. The better players kind of took over at the end but for most of the game but for the entire game all the players were contributing which was nice to see at this level.
“The guys stepped up and really helped each other.”
DM coach Randy Conlon had no qualms with his team’s effort.
“That’s the best we’ve played this year as a team,” he said. “It was a tough loss in our own gym. Our kids played their hearts out. I’m disappointed in losing but I’m going to sleep tonight.
“The Standard Tournament means a lot to me. The kids don’t even read the paper any more but it still means a lot to them, thanks to you guys (BPSN) for one.”
Stats pack
Cougars 51 Reds 47
No Limit Performance/Kully’s Players of the Game: Reese Radobenko of Centennial with 16 points and Michael Cassidy from Denis Morris with 13 points.
For the Centennial Cougars: Radobenko 16; Nick Yioldassis 12; Ryan Stark 11; Jack Halladay 10; Anthony Perna 2.
For the Denis Morris Reds: Cassidy 13; Noah Honsberger 15; Michael Conlon 11; Zubeer Liban 8.
PHOENIX 80 TIGERS 48
The No. 1 seed St. Francis Phoenix jumped out to a 27-4 lead in the first quarter en route to an easy win over the Ridley Tigers.
Igor M’Baya led the offence with a whopping 33 points. Also scoring for the Phoenix were: Sacade Kasamba 12; Quinton Duemo 9; Sam Braithwaite 7; Enrico Rescigno 7; Nick Hoggan 5; Andres Pelaex 3; Cam Van Hezewyk 2; Luc Fortin 2.
For the Ridley Tigers: Kiano Heath 7; Sisan Tuedor 6; Nolan Crawford 3; Ayo Aluko 2; AJ Adeyemi 2. 24 points unaccounted for due to sheet being illegible.
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