Redcoats hold off Spartans
Noah Budgell didn’t come into Wednesday’s matchup with the Westlane Spartans at peak efficiency.
The 16-year-old, Grade 11 guard for the Governor Simcoe Redcoats was ill over the holiday break and only had a brief chance to practise.
“It’s definitely hard,” Budgell said after netting 18 points to lead the Redcoats to a 55-45 triumph in one of eight opening-round games at the 67th Welland Tribune Basketball Tournament. “I was sick but the first couple of practices after the break got me back into shape because I was a bit rusty for sure.”
Simcoe coach Shaun Feor is a big fan of Budgell.
“Noah is first and foremost a composed scorer,” Feor said. “He scores key baskets at key times in the game. It’s not just a matter of just putting up a bunch of points, which he can do as well, but he scores when the clock is winding down or in the fourth quarter or in overtime when it counts most.”
Budgell, who plays club all for the Pelham Panthers, enjoys running the offence.
“My role is to take care of the ball, don’t make any stupid turnovers and keep everyone level headed because at times we can get too high or too low, and knock down open shots and free throws.”
Budgell has been looking forward to the tournament.
“Before the Christmas break I was making sure to get into the gym and get ready for it because I knew it was the first week back,” he said.
Feor admitted it was difficult to get back into the swing of things.
“It’s tough. Guys are sick and coming off the Christmas break,” he said. “We went into the break playing a high level of basketball so I think we know where are our bar is. We set a pretty high bar before the break so know it’s a matter of building back up to where we left off.”
Feor is encouraged to have a shot on the championship side of the bracket.
“Simcoe has a history of doing well in this tournament so I really hope we can mirror that from past years. I know the guys are certainly hungry to have the same result as well.”
Westlane coach Jeff Klassen lamented losing Marko Nieuzurawski, who fouled out in the fourth quarter after scoring 24 points.
“We weren’t getting the ball in the paint in the second half,” he said. “I think that was the big turning point for us.”
The Spartans now have an opportunity to make some noise in the consolation bracket.
“We’ve been off to a rough start. We’re 0-5 in league play and we lost this game so to get a win tomorrow would be big for the guys’ confidence. They would really like a win, Klassen said.”
STATS PACK
Redcoats 55 Spartans 45
Mountainview Building Group Players of the Game: Simcoe’s Noah Budgell and Marko Nieuzurawski of the Spartans.
Governor Simcoe Redcoats: Noah Budgell 18; Ari Steenhuis 13; Lochlan Belliveau 11; Sutter Pilon 6; Anderson Blanchard 5; Noah Mills 2.
Westlane Spartans: Marko Nieuzurawski 24; Ashton Gidney 10; Dylan Klassen 4; Strahinja Suzic 3; Teo Del Mundo 2; Tyler Barnes 2.
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