Gators cruise to consolation title
The Lakeshore Catholic Gators were determined not to let a tough loss to the A.N. Myer Marauders define their experience at the 68th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament.
The Gators rebounded from a close loss to Myer in the opening round Wednesday to run off three straight wins, including a convincing 64-30 triumph over the Centennial Cougars to capture the consolation championship Saturday night at Notre Dame.
Lakeshore coach Shy McFarlane said the importance of turning the page was immediately addressed following the loss.
“That was the message in the locker room post game, we wanted to keep the guys’ heads up high and we wanted to let them know we are still playing for something,” McFarlane said. “We’re not on the side we believe we’re good enough to compete on, so we just wanted to make the most of it and not just play one more game and be done.”
McFarlane believes it is essential a team learns to walk before they can run.
“I said to the guys before the game that in order to win you have to go through bouts of losing so we had to go through the growing pains, the blood, sweat and tears. I think for the most part the guys really got behind that and came out and there was no question we were the better team on the floor tonight.
“I’m absolutely happy with their performance.”
Gators guard Matthew Williams, who poured in 17 points and was named the Policella Homes Player of the Game for his team, was thrilled to come away with the consolation title.
“It means so much,” the 17-year-old, Grade 12 student said. “I transferred from Port High because of academics and the people and basketball, because it’s such a big part of my life,” he said. “It means the world to play with these guys.”
McFarlane said Williams is very coachable.
“He is leader on the floor,” McFarlane said. “He brings tangible stuff, intangible stuff that allows our team to go. He’s our motor, our energy guy. He’s always talking — he brings the energy on every possession — he doesn’t give up and he recognizes his mistakes and tries to make adjustments.
“He’s a great player because I can coach him hard and I know he’s not going to take it personally.”
Williams said the consolation title is only the beginning.
“We want to take it as far as we can go,” he said. “We just have to work hard, stay together, and keep moving forward.”
McFarlane said the Gators are already looking ahead.
“The play in these last games gives us the momentum to keep moving forward,” said. “We lost one close one and now we just won three straight. We get right back at it in league play next week so hopefully the way we played in this tournament to get to this position allows us to do what we need to do.”
The consolation title was the fourth for the Gators who also won in 2001, 2004 and 2010.
Lakeshore jumped out to a 19-9 lead after one quarter and never looked back.
“It was tough,” Centennial coach Reese Radobenko said. “It was a different ball club than we played previously. We knew if we got into that hole early it would be really tough to come out of.”
The Cougars rebounded from an opening-round loss to earn a pair of dramatic wins to advance to the final.
“The boys fought hard to get to this point and I’m super proud of them in general, even if the result wasn’t what we wanted,” Radobenko added.
STATS PACK
Gators 64 Cougars 30
Policella Homes Players of the Game: Lakeshore’s Matthew Williams and Centennial’s Nate Perna.
Lakeshore Catholic Gators: Willy Kiowa 22; Matthew Williams 17; Evan Winger 9; Haden Hudak 5; Oliver Micah 5; Simon Reid 4; Matthew Acosta 2.
Centennial Cougars: Nate Perna 8; Callum Brown 6; Noah Wellard 6; Jaden Davis 3; Jesse Opufo 3; Braden Kroeker 2; Brad Thomas 1; Kelsan Stayzer 1.
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