Kaufmann sparks Patriots: Flyers top Cougars
After a one-year absence to play prep basketball at Fort Erie International Academy, Eric Kaufmann has made a welcome return to the Saint Paul Patriots senior boys basketball team
“You see the difference in professionalism with him,” said Saint Paul head coach Michael Doodeman Wednesday, after watching the Grade 11 student net a game-high 27 points in a 64-34 Saint Paul victory over the host E.L. Crossley Cyclone in first-day action at the 68th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament Wednesday at E.L. Crossley.
“He is the hardest worker — he brought some of that back from prep school —and he is a leader on the team,” Doodeman said. “He’s obviously very skilled but his professionalism and leadership is there.”
The 16-year-old Niagara Falls resident is delighted to be back at Saint Paul.
“I wanted to come back to my home school. I played in Grade 9 at Saint Paul and I want to try and get a zone championship with Saint Paul and make it happen for the school.”
Those goals are important for the six footer.
“I want to play in front of my friends and with my friends and get it done for the local school. It hasn’t been done for awhile and I want to be able to get that done.”
Kaufmann’s one year of prep ball really benefitted his game.
“I gained a lot training with high-level athletes, Division 1 players and coaches who played professionally, all those types of things. It improved my game a lot.”
He knows there is still lots to work on to take his game to an even higher level.
“I want to work on my athleticism, I want to be able to get up there and start dunking on people and I want to continue to get better and grow with this team, get the job done and win this tournament.”
He is proud that Doodeman has noticed his professionalism.
“I take everything very seriously. Every game I go on with the same mentality to get the job done and win as a team no matter who we play.”
Klassen described the Tribune tournament as important to the Patriots.
“I’m very confident we can get it done if we can keep the momentum.”
Doodeman was OK with his team’s performance Wednesday.
“It was good but it was a little sloppy for both teams, I think. We had a game yesterday against Holy Cross but I still think we are little sloppy and still a little out of shape.”
The Patriots are off to a 5-0 start in Niagara Catholic Athletic Association league play and he is excited for what lies ahead with his squad.
“There are only two returnees and four of five starters are in Grade 11 and we are still jelling together. But they are very talented.”
Crossley head coach Ryan Petro knew his team would be in tough Wednesday versus the Patriots.
“Saint Paul is a really good team and they returned a lot of kids from last year. They were a solid team last year and we knew they were going to give us a pretty good go,” he said. “But I thought defensively we did everything we could but they shot the ball extremely well. It’s hard but they are going to beat you inside or they are going to beat you outside and we knew it was going to be tough.”
The game was played before a noisy, buy-out crowd that was hoping for a better fate for the Cyclone.
“It was tough but we are excited that we have a great opportunity against Centennial. They are having a buy-out tomorrow (Thursday),” Petro said,
STATS PACK
Patriots 64 Cyclone 34
Policella Homes Players of the Game: Saint Paul’s Eric Kaufmann and E.L. Crossley’s Graeme MacDonald.
For the Saint Paul Patriots: Erik Kaufmann 27; Liam Williams 8; Patrick Magazzini 8; Mark Cruz 7; Isaac Jordan 5; Carter Jackson 4; Lucas Berezowski 3; Jordan Lennox 2.
For the E.L. Crossley Cyclone: Graeme MacDonald 11; Elijah Kpioyo 5; Jayden Thompson 4; Nico Christopher 4; Cameron Dunn 3; Fazal Bhetasi 3; Ryan Zucco 2; Kyler Garner 2.
FLYERS 70 COUGARS 26
The Eden Flyers opened the 68th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament Wednesday at Centennial with a 70-26 victory over the host Cougars.
Kai Schatz was the Policella Homes Player of the Game for Eden and Nate Perna was the recipient from Centennial.
Scoring for Eden were: Kai Schatz 22; Dominic Olesin 12; Francesco Forte 8; Connor Ashton 5; Brandon Falk 5; Anthony Kandiotis 5; Jack McPherson 5; Josh Johnson 4; Steven Necakov-Waller 2.
Replying for Centennial were: Nate Perna 7; Kelsan Stayzer 5; Callum Brown 4; Braden Kroeker 4; Brad Thomas 3; Jaden Davis 2; Jesse Opufo 1.
