Duemo readies for next challenge

Quinton Duemo showcased his skills on the basketball court this past season, helping the St. Francis Phoenix four peat at the Standard tournament, make the Catholic Classic semifinals and earn a bronze medal at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations AA championships.

The Niagara North Top 10 All-Star was a key player on the best high school team in Niagara, but he will be in a much different position when he heads to Niagara College this fall. The 6-foot-1 guard/forward is trying out for Niagara’s men’s squad and will have to fight to make the team and then earn some minutes if he is successful in the former quest.

“I am looking forward to the challenge and really pushing myself to see where I can get and see if I can make the team,” the 18-year-old St. Catharines resident said. “It’s not guaranteed so I have to go in there with an open mindset and work as hard as I possibly can.”

The former OFSAA high jump champion and Niagara head coach Phil Mosley have talked a lot about what comes next for Duemo.

“Quinton and I have discussed his interest in Niagara over the last year and discussed the pros and cons of coming to Niagara as a Grade 12,” he said. “He has always been clear about his program of choice at Niagara and I believe he is making a mature decision regarding school and basketball.”

Duemo considered returning for 12B at St.Francis but decided it was time for him to leave high school.

“It came down to what I see for myself long term and for the future. I felt the right decision for me was to move on to Niagara.”

That long-term vision includes obtaining a trade and starting his own business. He plans to study in the carpentry and renovation technician program at Niagara.

Mosley likes what Duemo brings to the basketball court.

“Quinton is athletic, he plays with great pace and passion, has played in a great program and has been tested in numerous competitive environments,” he said. “He will have to continue to work on his core strength and fine tune some of his offensive skills to play at the OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) level.”

Duemo appreciates Mosley’s candour and honesty.

“I would rather have 100 per cent honesty than being told stuff that is not reliable or not true and that is with everything in life.”

The former travel basketball player with the St. Catharines Rebels, Pelham Panthers and Niagara Tigers knows he will have to take his game to the next level to crack Niagara’s lineup.

“I have to get bigger, stronger and faster and work on my IQ and how I do things on the court,” he said. “I have to improve my all-around game.”

Duemo made a habit of attacking the basket fearlessly at the high school level and he plans to continue that characteristic.

“Against better competition, that will be difficult, but I think I will still have the same mindset to attack the basket and try to get to the rim the best I can.”

He feels the biggest improvements he has made in his game have come on the defensive side of the ball.

“On offence, my shooting ability has really improved over the last couple of years.”

His goals at Niagara are to make the team and then earn as much playing time as possible.

He will be missed at St. Francis.

“I am very proud of Quinton’s development over his time at St. Francis,” St. Francis senior boys head coach Jon Marcheterre said. “When he arrived here, you could instantly see the athleticism and physical nature of his game. Mr. (Rich) Alderson, and Mr. (Mike) Lucas, junior boys coaches, had the hard task of harnessing a bronco.”

Marcheterre credits the junior coaches for getting Duemo to play the ‘Phoenix way’ and by senior, it was a matter of Marcheterre polishing, refining and then getting out of Duemo’s way.

“He is about as gifted an athlete as I have coached and he is a thoroughbred,” he said. “Quinton has really refined his game but there is still so much room for growth and development. It will be exciting to see where he ends up as a basketball player. He is only halfway there. All of the coaches in our program, wish him luck.”

Duemo was scheduled to play travel basketball  this season with the Burlington Force before the COVID-19 pandemic ended everyone’s basketball endeavours.

“It really hurt,” he said. “It would have been my last year for AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball and the Burlington program had a lot of big things planned for us. We were going to be in some pretty good leagues.”

“But it’s OK. I just gotta move on.”

To prepare for Niagara, he has been working out and lifting weights in his backyard.