Marauders blow past Spartans
Ryker Cain looks like anything but a first-year senior for the A.N. Myer Marauders.
The 16-year-old, Grade 11 student has made the transition from junior to senior with ease, displaying good instincts, a strong work ethic and ability to score.
Cain netted 14 points Thursday as the Marauders defeated the Westlane Spartans 70-38 in quarter-final championship round action at the 68th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament.
“I feel like as we go from Grade 10 to 11, you sort of have to work on everything a bit more,” Cain said. “Defensively, there’s a couple strong guys that you have to be strong on. There are some guys that are taller, so sometimes you have to pay attention to that more. But honestly, it’s basically the same.”
Myer coach Herdy Christian loves Cain’s skill set.
“He brings a sense of toughness, very athletic, very quick, and he has the grit that we need for each of our players,” Christian said. “His offensive game was on display today, which is great, which he has, but he’s more of a hustle guy and one of our great defenders.
“He’s very talented. It’s just more so just adjusting from systems he’s been at and adjusting to the current system.”
Cain is enjoying his first taste of playing in the Tribune Tournament.
“Honestly, it’s a fun experience. There’s a good crowd, a couple teams out celebrating for you, so it’s fun.”
Cain, who plays at the club level for the Pelham Panthers, said the game plan versus the Spartans was to use their speed.
“Attack them. They’re a bit slower than us and we’re pretty quick,” he said. “Not the best shooting, but we knock down our shots when we have to.”
The Marauders jumped out to a big lead early, which took the pressure off.
“Oh, it helps out a lot because you start a game off at a good pace, good speed, it helps a lot,” Christian said. “It goes long term throughout the rest of the course of the game. A slow start tends to affect the psyche a little bit.”
Christian said the Marauders don’t plan on any big changes now that they are down to the Final Four.
“Just stay consistent,” he said. “More so just defence is the key for us. As long as we play solid defence, and from an offensive perspective, just be patient and stay consistent with that as well.”
Riker said the Marauders plan to leave it all on the floor.
“We know we’re one of the top teams, so we just come in as hard as we can for whoever it is. No matter if it’s Westlane or Notre Dame, just come in and give it our all.”
STATS PACK
Marauders 70 Spartans 38
Policella Homes Players of the Game: Myer’s Ryker Cain and Westlane’s Ashton Gidney.
A.N. Myer Marauders: Isaiah Cosaro-Oteng 15; Ryker Cain 14; Tanner Smith 12; Noah Walters 10; Jonas Kpanabom 6; Caleb Elysee 6; Shahzada Halder 3; Denis Duzgan 2; Suvan Gilotra 2.
Westlane Spartans: Dylan Klassen 13; Ashton Gidney 12; O’Shane Hall 10; Pruthvi Patel 2; Noah Del Mundo 1.
Tournament gate: Admission for Friday’s and Saturday’s games is $5 for adults and $3 for students, cash only.
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