Patriots earn first Tribune consolation crown
Dante DeBenedetti didn’t see the floor in the fourth quarter for the Saint Paul Patriots but no matter, the 18-year-old, Grade 12B player had already contributed more than his share.
DeBenedetti netted 19 points through three quarters to lead the Patriots to a 76-59 triumph over the E.L. Crossley Cyclone in the consolation championship final at the 67th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament held Saturday at Notre Dame.
“It feels good,” DeBenedetti said. “I just try to do my part on offence and defence. It’s tough, I had the four fouls and I couldn’t play in the fourth but I was happy with my performance and happy we got the win tonight.”
The consolation title was the first in school history for the Patriots who lost in last year’s final to the Holy Cross Raiders, making this victory all the more sweet.
“It means a lot,” DeBenedetti said. “We were in the consolation finals last year and we lost. Since we lost last year it’s a good feeling to get back in the win column.”
The Patriots lost their opener Wednesday to the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs but didn’t sulk and instead refocused their energy on the consolation title.
“You have to keep your confidence. Even coach said there is still a lot to play for and a big tournament so there was a lot to play for,” DeBenedetti said.
Saint Paul head Michael Doodeman agreed.
“It means a lot. The Tribune is a really big tournament. Last year we were in the finals and this year we’re champions so we’re standing a little bit taller and moving in the right direction,” he said. “I think we played more as a team so when one guy’s not performing other guys are and also the fact we lost last year, we weren’t going to let that happen again.”
DeBenedetti, who plays soccer for Club Roma, said the Patriots didn’t take the Cyclone lightly.
“We knew they had some good players on their team and that they were aggressive and we had to come to play if we wanted to win and we executed the game plan,” he said.
Crossley coach Ryan Petro was pleased with the progress of his club.
“Our goal at the beginning of the tournament was to try and be playing Saturday night so we were really happy with the boys,” Petro said. “We were talking after the game and we’ve playing 14 games and have had 14 different starting fives so it’s a testament to this team and how they played.”
Petro said the Cyclone continue to be a work in progress.
“Most of these guys have never played basketball before so for them it’s just about improvement every single day and they have. From The Standard tournament to now, they’ve come a long way and we’re just going to look to improve as the season goes on.”
Patriots 76 Cyclone 59
Mountainview Building Group Players of the Game: Saint Paul’s Josh Firth and Crossley’s Luca Burattini.
Saint Paul Patriots: Josh Firth 21; Dante DeBenedetti 19; Isaac Jordan 12; Charlie McCamley 6; Mark Al Makhoul 5; Martin Dominguez Villa 2.
E.L. Crossley Cyclone: Matthew Kleinsmith 20; Luca Burattini 19; Ryan Zucco 9; Jayden Thompson 8; Fazal Bhetasi 2; Graeme M. 1.
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