Phoenix topple Reds in season opener
Riddle me this. Who will end up being the better Riddell brother for the St. Francis Phoenix senior boys basketball team?
Older brother Jack had graduated and is no longer able to state his case, but younger brother Max professes to know who is the better shooter.
“Oh me, definitely,” he said Tuesday, after scoring 17 points to help the Phoenix open the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association season with a 90-40 victory over the visiting Denis Morris Reds.
The 16-year-old loves being able to carry on the Riddell name in Phoenix hoops.
“I look up to my brother a lot and he has helped me out,” the Grade 11 student said. “He had always taught me when we were growing up and we always had shooting competitions in the driveway.”
The 6-foot-3 guard got a taste of senior ball last year at the Standard tournament, but played sparingly. He is getting lots of minutes so far this season through three tournaments and the first game of league play.
“It’s going well, but it’s a lot different than junior,” he said. “The biggest differences are the pace of the game and the speed.”
He is working hard on his basketball skills.
“I want to improve in every aspect of my game and get better at taking the ball to the basket.”
St. Francis head coach Jon Marcheterre likes what the rookie brings to the court.
“Since he arrived here in Grade 9, Max is a guy we knew was going to be a player,” he said. “Having his brother Jack come though before, we are pretty familiar with him and we really see that he is going to be able to do a few things really well for us.”
Those things were obvious in Tuesday’s game.
“He can shoot the ball really well like his brother did and he can defend,” Marcheterre said. “He has a lot of grit, he’s tough and he has good basketball sense which allows him to be up to speed as a senior only a few weeks into Grade 11.”
He feels Max differs from Jack in one main area.
“Jack may not like it but I think Max is a little bit tougher and a little bit more of a scrappier player, but they both have a lot of similarities to their games,” Marcheterre said. “They are both a little bit longer (taller) guards who can shoot the ball and work hard on the defensive end.”
Marcheterre was happy to see his team open the NCAA season with a victory.
“We tried to make sure everybody got some action on the floor and that gives them a little bit of experience,” he said. “We have a lot of guys coming up from junior and it’s important to find them spots where they can contribute and feel the flow of the senior game.”
Denis Morris trailed 20-16 at the end of the first quarter and then the Phoenix took control of the game.
“It alway is a challenge to play them,” DM assistant coach Zubeer Liban said. “Even when I played, it was always tough because they are well-coached.”
There is no secret to competing against the Phoenix.
“You just have to prepare for the basics like trapping and getting your shots off,” Liban said. “On defence, they take pride in making you uncomfortable and they do that very well.”
He is optimistic for the season that lies ahead for the Reds.
“It’s so early in the season and we just have to improve from here on out.”
STATS PACK
Phoenix 90 Reds 40
Mick and Angelo’s/Cracker Jacks/Johnny Rocco’s Player of the Game: St. Francis’ Igor M’Baya with 27 points.
For the St. Francis Phoenix: M’Baya 27; Max Riddell 17; Quinton Duemo 11; Ben Lannan 8.
For the Denis Morris Reds: Thomas Davidson 9; Noah Honsberger 8; Anthony Caruso 8; Amari Allen 7.
