Graovaz stands tall for Zone 3
John Graovaz stood out from a talented crowd at the Niagara Regional High School Basketball Top 20 All-Star game.
The 15-year-old, Grade 10 student at Saint Paul poured in 19 points and was named his team’s player of the game as Zone 3 topped Zone 4 97-59 Wednesday night at Governor Simcoe.
“It felt good,” Graovaz smiled. “I got my momentum going and it was good.
“We played well as a team.”
Graovaz said the message from coaches Anthony Haughton and Dave Adamek was to enjoy himself.
“He just told us to have fun and try our best,” Graovaz said. “I played with a couple of them so the chemistry was good.”
Graovaz, who was a member of the Patriots squad which finished ninth at the OFSAA Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations playdowns, is playing summer ball for the Niagara Tigers.
“The energy of the team it’s just amazing,” Graovaz said of the Tigers. “I play with lot of good players so it makes me a good player.”
Graovaz began the sport almost by accident.
“I started playing in Grade 6. Someone needed a player on a house league team so they called me up and I just continued playing,” he said. “I loved it. I just kept going and got good and started practising all year around.”
Haughton, who coaches at Niagara Christian, enjoyed having Graovaz on his bench for a change.
“It was great to watch him play,” Haughton said. “He was unselfish and played great.
“He came up and thanked me after the game. He’s a great kid.”
Haughton enjoyed the experience overall.
“This is my gym. This is where I played,” he smiled. “I’ve only lost a couple of games in this gym.
“I told the boys whoever played defence the hardest would probably win. I just told them to go out and have fun and play together and enjoy the moment.”
Zone 3 97 Zone 4 59
Mick and Angelo’s/Mick and Angelo’s Players of the Game: John Graovaz, Saint Paul with 19 points for zone 3; Cole Arnold, Blessed Trinity with 11 points for zone 4.
Zone 3: John Graovaz, Saint Paul 19; Carter Teal, E.L. Crossley 16; Neil Wangler, Niagara Christian 12; Rock Benjamins, Niagara Christian 12; Aiden Belding, E.L. Crossley 10; Austin Ladouceur, Greater Fort Erie 8; Micah Stewart, Greater Fort Erie 7; Neil Mahraj, Stamford Collegiate 7; David Lai, Niagara Christian 5
Zone 4: Cole Arnold, Blessed Trinity 11; Jerrell Plumadore, St. Catharines Collegiate 7; Braydon Harrietha, Thorold 8; Evan Craig, Laura Secord 7; Isaiah Bultje, Heritage 7; Brendan Barker, Sir Winston Churchill 6; Noah Monteforte, Blessed Trinity 6; Adrian Waszak, Holy Cross 4; Charlie Edgar, Eden 3. Also playing, Michael Conlon, Denis Morris.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
