Phoenix, Reds fall in semifinals
The Saint Francis Phoenix’s goal of defending its All-Ontario Catholic Classic basketball championship ended Saturday afternoon with a 73-36 loss to Hamilton Cathedral Gaels in the championship semifinals.
It was the third straight year the Phoenix had made it to the semifinals.
Scoring for the Phoenix in the loss were: Awab Ali 11; Elijah Quissua 7; Nawaf Kigab 7; Jack Ciocca 4; Austin Hinds 3; Marley Smith 2; Mike Arewa 1; and, Sam Riddell 1.
Leading scorers for the Gaels were: Jaden Campbell 20; Josh Granger-Bigford 16; Mekhi Bennett 12; and, Andrae Astwood 8.
Saint Francis advanced to the semifinals by defeating the Bishop Ryan Celtics from Hamilton 73-43 and the Ursuline College Lancers from Chatham 70-67.
The host Denis Morris Reds dropped a 70-42 decision to the Bishop Ryan Celtics from Hamilton in the consolation semifinals of the 48th annual tournament.
Scoring for Denis Morris were: London Perdue 21; Travis Palmer 11; Bishop Austin 7; D. Arnold 2; and, Sebastian Aguirre 1.
Top scorers for Bishop Ryan were: Antonio Salinas 20; Kai Olak 11; Nathan Shweihat 10; and, Adam Adili 8.
The Reds opened the tournament with a 70-58 setback at the hands of the St. Roch Ravens from Brampton before advancing to the consolation semifinals with a 56-52 victory over the St. Andre Bessette Bulldogs from London.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won their opener 63-41 over the Notre Dame Knights from Brampton before losing 83-48 to the top-seeded Holy Names Knights from Windsor.
In the championship game played Saturday night, the Cathedral Gaels defeated the Holy Names Knights 60-57.
Leading scorers for the Gaels in the final were: Jaden Campbell 18; Josh Granger-Bigford 13; Daveh Rose 9; and, Mekhi Bennett 6.
Top scorers for the Knights were: Austin Brown 20; Arlind Avdo 10; Keilan Laporte 9, and, Arnez Kerr 9.
