Navs shoot their way to victory

The Niagara Christian College Navigators aren’t shy to shoot.

The Navigators are blessed with several good outside shooters and are instructed by head coach Anthony Haughton to shoot first and ask questions later.

The Navigators pulled off their coach’s game plan to perfection Friday jumping out to a 19-1 lead after one quarter and cruising to a 61-48 win over the Greater Fort Erie Gryphons in the consolation final game at the 41st Annual Niagara Falls Review Basketball Tournament.

“Our coach tells us to shoot our shots when we have them so we just take our shots,” NCC guard Neil Wangler said. “If you believe it’s going in, it’s has a pretty good chance to go in.”

Haughton loved how his team executed Friday.

“They took my game plan and ran with it and knocked down the shots when they had to,” said Haughton, a former point guard at Governor Simcoe. “If my guy has an open shot in his range at the appropriate time in the game and he doesn’t take, he doesn’t get to play.”

Haughton also preaches selfless play.

“For us, it’s very important to give up a good shot to get a great shot,” he said. “The ball was moving exceptionally well today. We had over 20 assists and several guys in double figures. They way they shared the ball was unselfish and because of that, everyone is involved on defence.”

Wangler said the more players are involved, the better.

“It can help when your teammates get going too because then you can trust when you pass the ball that they’re going to make the shot and make the right decision,” he said.

And when the shots aren’t falling, Wangler said the key is at the other end of the court.

“I would almost say we rely on our defence if our shots aren’t falling and force some turnovers and get some stops and that helps out offence get going,” he said.

Wangler canned three three-pointers and is one of Houghton’s go-go players.

“Neil’s leadership is exceptional,” Houghton said. “He’s in the gym with me in the mornings in the summer and really wants to get better.

“He has improved his work ethic and his game and when he gets down, our team gets down. He’s very unselfish and understands the importance of the point guard role.”

Wangler, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student who plays at the travel level with the Welland Warriors, plans to come back for 12B next season to help in his development.

The Gryphons were without leading scorer Ethan VanNatter, who is not attending school for the second semester.

“We’re a bit of a mess,” Fort Erie coach Dave Adamek said. “We haven’t even had a practice without him because of exams.

“We started off quite poorly, but we’re still trying to fit together team chemistry and play without a guy like that. He was a really good player and we’re still trying to sort things out.”

Adamek tipped his cap to the Navs.

“They’re a good team. They play aggressive defence and run the ball. They shot OK and they’re well coached.”

STATS PACK

Navs 61 Gryphons 48

Niagara River Lions Players of the Game: Dayo Williams for NCC and Zachary Tyrrell for GFSS.

For the Niagara Christian College Navigators: Williams 21; Neil Wangler 14; Rock Benjamins 9; David Lai 6; Ambrose Woo 5; Winson Xiao 2; Raymond Xiang 2.

For the Greater Fort Erie Gryphons: Tyrrell 10; Austin Ladouceur 11; Novontay Brown 9; Warketin 5; Micah Stewart 8; Kiernan Connelly 2; Hunter Brandt 2; Adriel Castellanos 2.

GRYPHONS 48 SPARTANS 43

The Gryphons advanced to the consolation final with a win over the Westlane Spartans.

Scoring for the Gryphons were: Novontay Brown 23; Austin Ladouceur 11; Zachary Tyrrell 10; Micah Stewart 3; Warketin 1.

Scoring for the Spartans were: Enrico Gibson 15; Ravjot Gill 8; Waleed Al-Basha 7; Aaron Nguyen 6; Abdulkadir Sheikh-Ali 5; Tiankai Zhang 4.

NAVS 70 CYCLONES 51

The Navigators advanced to the consolation final with a win over the short-staffed E.L. Crossley Cyclone, who dressed just six players.

Scoring for the Navigators were: Dayo Williams 18; Neil Wangler 18; David Lai 14; Roc Benjamins 7; Josh Etigwe-Uwa 4; David Moffat 4; Ambrose Woo 3; Winson Xiao 2.

Replying for the Cyclones were: Josh Lahn 18; Aiden Belding 14; Carter Teal 11; Durieal Bell 4; Jason Carter 3.

SUPPORT US

On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.

We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.

The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.