Mani once again the man
The 2022-23 winner of the George Hillesheim Award as the top boys high school basketball player in Niagara Falls is a familiar face.
A.N. Myer guard Mani Maynard was named this year’s winner, the second year in a row he has captured the award voted on by local high school basketball coaches.
“It’s good,” the 17-year-old Niagara Falls resident said. “It’s a reward for putting in all the hard work.
“It feels nice.”
Maynard’s name will be added to the trophy again which includes former Myer alumnus, Duke captain and Canadian Olympian Greg Newton, long-time coach and Niagara Falls Red Raiders executive Terry Thomson and current Myer coach Tyler Thomson, who also won the award on two occasions.
Maynard is a tireless worker on and off the court.
He was described by Niagara Falls Red Raiders president Jamie Clarke at the awards presentation as small in stature, but big in heart and determination.
“It’s a lot of sacrifices so with the reward it feels like stuff is paying off. It feels like it’s worth it,” Maynard said. “It’s about putting in the work, sacrificing hanging out with friends or going out at night. Early mornings and late nights with basketball and studying when I could be having fun.”
Maynard has fond memories of his four years as a Marauder, which ended in a heart-breaking loss to Notre Dame in the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) semifinals this year before a packed gym at Myer.
“Everything was so much fun,” he said. “The biggest memory I think I have is winning the Saint Paul tournament, hitting the last shot. It ended up going viral on line and my first shot in Grade 9 and my last bucket in Grade 12 were the exact same shot.”
Maynard, who also plays at the club level for Border Town Basketball in the Canadian Youth Basketball League, is preparing for a new challenge this fall when he will suit up for Scarborough Prep of the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association.
“Their coach (Ben Sanders) has been following me all through the winter with Myer and my club team and he likes the way I play,” Maynard said. “I went up with the team. I love the team, I love the facilities they have.”
It is a big step, but one Maynard feels will pay off.
“For me, it’s something I just need to do. If it’s basketball, I’ll be ok with it.”
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