Crossley advances to SOSSA

Owen Dobbie does a little bit of everything for the E.L. Crossley Cyclone.

The 16-year-old guard can be trusted to play defence, is a big, heavy body to play against, and is also a gifted scorer.

Dobbie poured in a game-high 20 points Monday to lead the Cyclone past the Centennial Cougars 68-47 to capture the Niagara Regional High School Athletic Association Zone 3 senior boys AA basketball title.

The Cyclone advance to the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) championships which they are hosting Thursday. The Cyclone will play the winner of Tuesday’s St. Francis/Saint Paul game at 10:30 a.m. The Eden Flyers will take on Bernie Custis from Hamilton in the other semifinal at 9 a.m. The winners meet for the SOSSA title at 4 p.m.

Dobbie didn’t hesitate for a second when asked what role he enjoys filling the most.

“Probably offence,” he smiled. “If I need to lock down a guy I will. I was playing against No. 1 (Nick Yioldassis) and I guarded him a few times and he is one of their top offensive players.”

Crossley coach Brian Bleich appreciates Dobbie’s toughness.

“For Owen, he’s more physical. It’s his size and strength and he’s intense,” Bleich said. “He wants to win.”

Dobbie said while he enjoys being a go-to player on offence, he is well aware the Cyclone are loaded with offensive weapons.

“We just swing it around to everyone and we look for the best option,” said Dobbie, who plays travel ball with the Pelham Panthers.

The Cougars gave the Cyclone all they could handle trailing only by five (26-21) at the half.

Dobbie said the Cyclone reset at half.

“We just weren’t finding our game. We weren’t pushing so we went into the change room and regrouped and kind of found our groove in the second half,” he said. “We said don’t take them easy because it’s anyone’s game to win. We knew it was going to be close.”

Bleich said the halftime talk centred around being more prepared.

“We talked about mentally being in the game and being more focused. We didn’t change anything, we just came out more focused,” Bleich said.

The Cyclone realize they will be in tough no matter the opponent Thursday.

“It’s one thing at a time. We know St. Francis and Saint Paul on the other side, they’re good teams so it’s one game at a time now,” Bleich said. “Our goal was always to get to SOSSA and see what we could do from there.”

STATS PACK

Cyclone 68 Cougars 47

Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s/Cracker Jacks player of the Game: Crossley guard Owen Dobbie with 20 points.

E.L. Crossley Cyclone: Dobbie 20; Carter Teal 10; T.J. Hurley 9; Riley Bleich 8; Aiden Belding 7; Jason Carter 4; Sam Nawrocki 4; Hunter Roszell 4; Luke Klassen 2.

Centennial Cougars: Dalton Slack 11; Nick Yioldassis 11; Ryan Stark 6; James Goodfellow 5; Jack Halladay 5; Jadin Baldwin 3; Nick Tessier 3; Jackson McNeil 2; Kyle Clarkson 1.

Up next: The Cyclone advance to the SOSSA championships which they are hosting Thursday. The Cyclone will play the winner of Tuesday’s St. Francis/Saint Paul game at 10:30 a.m. The Eden Flyers will take on Bernie Custis from Hamilton in the other semifinal at 9 a.m. The winners meet for the SOSSA title at 4 p.m.

SUPPORT US

On the right side of our web site, as well as on the top of the stories, 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.