Cougars take down Gators
Jackson McNeil has all the makings of an impact player.
The Grade 11 forward has the height (6-foot-4), moves well on the court, and can shoot from the outside while also displaying the instincts to be a good rebounder.
McNeil poured in 11 points — including a three-pointer from near half court as time wound down in the second quarter — as the Centennial Cougars topped the Lakeshore Catholic Gators 58-32 on their home court in one of eight opening-round games Wednesday at the 64th annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament.
McNeil said he is happy to contribute in any manner he can.
“Basically do whatever I have to do,” she said. “Get boards, obviously because of my size, and shoot because everyone has to shoot on this team.”
McNeil, who played at the club level in Niagara Falls last season, admitted it’s a tough adjustment making the jump from junior to senior.
“It’s huge. It’s a lot tougher getting my shot because everyone is coming at you a lot faster,” he said.
Centennial coach Tony Ferrusi said McNeil is a work in progress.
“I had to make some adjustments to his shot and he’s made the adjustment and he’s going to get better. Being 6-4, he’s got all the potential in the world if you have height. You can’t teach that.”
Ferrusi admitted he’s been hard on McNeil.
“In the last three practices, I really went up and down on him to catch the ball and rebound and shoot threes.”
The defending champion Cougars, playing before a packed gym, raced out to a 20-8 lead after one quarter and built the lead to 38-10 at the half.
“All the kids have bought in and today they really put it together,” Ferrusi said.
Ferrusi said talk of a repeat was the last thing on his mind.
“I never discuss it,” he said. “My job is to get them ready for each game. We take it one game at a time. We can’t make projections because they’re young kids. How are they going to react tomorrow? I don’t know.
“You do all the right things and sometimes you don’t see the results. I stressed to them the important of playing well and playing defence.”
Cougars 58 Gators 32
Mountainview Homes Stars of the Game: Centennial’s Reese Radobenko with 18 points; Lakeshore’s Allan Pambianco with nine points.
Centennial Cougars: Radobenko 18; Jackson McNeil 11; Nick Yioldassis 9; Kyle Clarkson 5; Anthony Perna 4; Ryan Stark 3; Keon Harry 3; Johan Preston 3; Jack Halladay 2.
Lakeshore Catholic Gators: Pambianco 9; Travis (Quinn) Hill 6; Nick Qua 6; Samuel Beifuss 6; Ben Shoalts 4; Chace Beauregard 1.
Raiders 60 Blue Bears 37
Adrian Waszak poured in 13 points to pace the Holy Cross Raiders past the Port Colborne Blue Bears .
Player of the game Tinashe Dandato added 12 for the Raiders while Isaiah Amio and Rueven Eshuis added nine each. Rounding out the scoring were: Ibukun Gbengabanjo (6), Angelo Martires (5); Mohammed Omer (2) and Bruce Deluca (2).
Player of the game Dylan Culp led Port with nine. Colton Weaver (6); Aidan Hawkins (6); Mark Youngblut (5); Jake Bruno (4); Hunter Fraser (2); Seth Roy (1) and Troy Nichols (1) rounded out the scoring.
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