Tribune Tourney preview
Reese Radobenko (13) and the Centennial Cougars will be defending their championship when the 64th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball tournament kicks off next week.
The 64th Annual Welland Tribune Basketball tournament kicks off at four sites this Wednesday and concludes with championship night Saturday at Notre Dame.
The consolation final will be played at 5:30 p.m. followed by the championship final at 7 p.m. The Centennial Cougars and Saint Michael Mustangs are both back to defend their championship and consolation crowns.
“It has great players, great teams, great fans and exceptional community support,” tournament co-chair Don Larman said. “We have had so many great athletes come through this tournament and it’s a great opportunity for them to compete in front of their friends, families and schools.”
Championship night is always electric and Larman is hoping for a repeat of the 2018 final.
“Last year, the team spirit and the back and forth in the crowd between Notre Dame and Centennial, we hadn’t seen that in years and we’re hoping to build on that as well,” he said. “Clearly, school spirit is making a comeback.”
The tournament is able to carry on thanks to an incredible amount of community support.
“If we didn’t have the support that we do have, we wouldn’t be able to give out the numerous scholarships through our program.”
Each year, applicants who meet the criteria are awarded $500 scholarships.
Mountainview Homes, the tournament’s title sponsor, plays a big role in financing the scholarships
“They stepped up last year and it it their generosity that has helped us to continue to build great relationships in our community,” Larman said.
Helping to make the event run smoothly are the tournament’s 14 committee members and volunteers.
“The work they do is enormous and our committee is exceptional,” Larman said.
He also is thankful to Notre Dame, Centennial and Jean Vanier for hosting tournament games.
“They convene all our buyouts and tournament games and it’s the coaches that took after that at each school,” Larman said. “They do a great job and they get the kids to do the scorekeeping, timing and the gate.
“That school support is how the tournament started.”
There is no official seeding done for the event.
“We like good matchups that are good for the tournament,” Larman said.
Below are profiles of the 16 teams taking part:
A.N. MYER MARAUDERS
Coaching staff: Dave Shaw, Paul Grummett, Terry Thomson and Joanne Thomson.
NRHSAA league record this season: 4-0.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 3-0.
Starting five: Guards Noah Sharp, Caleb Kim and Adam Lamb; forwards Nick Murdaca and Cormac McMahon.
Key bench players: Christian Kuriata, Jorge Rodriguez and Kory Costantino.
Strengths: Team defence; hustle.
Weaknesses: On-court communication; rebounding.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 1-1.
CENTENNIAL COUGARS
Coaching staff: Craig Maltais, Tony Ferusi and Connor Jollife.
NRHSAA league record this season: 3-1.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 3-2.
Starting five: Guards Reese Radobenko and Ryan Stark; forwards Nick Yioldassis, Jack Halladay and Anthony Perna.
Key bench players: Guard Jonah Preston; forwards Jorden Brewster and Jackson McNeil.
Strengths: Hustle; work ethic; team defence; shooting.
Weakness: Lack of in-game experience.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: Champions.
DENIS MORRIS REDS
Coaching staff: Randy Conlon and Austin Anderson.
NCAA league record: 2-2.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 2-3.
Starting five: Guards Noah Honsberger, Zubeer Liban and Michael Conlon; forwards Brian Shkabari and Michael Cassidy.
Key bench players: Guards Thomas Davidson and Adam Rombough; forward Elijah Benoit.
Strengths: Basketball IQ; four returning starters.
Weakness: Depth.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 2-1, lost to Centennial in semifinals.
EDEN FLYERS
Coaching staff: Brian MacIsaac and Jonathon Thorpe.
NRHSAA league record this season: 1-1.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 7-2.
Starting five: Guards Charlie Edgar, Luke Reinaerts and Peter Pilling; forwards Ashton Nieuwets and Carter McMaster.
Key bench players: Forward Austin Belanger; guards Kersey Robinson and John Tolentino.
Strengths: Tenacity; defence.
Weakness: Rebounding.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 1-2.
E.L. CROSSLEY CYCLONES
Coaching staff: Aaron Belding and Jeff Carter.
NRHSAA league record this season: 3-2.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 2-3.
Starting five: Jason Carter, Aiden Belding, Carter Teal, Durieal Bell and Josh Lahn.
Key bench players: Jun Song and Liam Sodtke.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 1-1.
GOVERNOR SIMCOE REDCOATS
Coaching staff: Shaun Feor, Hayden Starc and Alex Cochrane.
NRHSAA league record: 2-1.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 5-3.
Starting five: Guards Max Grant, Mason MacEachern, Darren Johnston and Cal Andersen; forward Mitch McPherson.
Key bench players: Andrew Scott, Duncan Belliveau, Deryck Burke and Steve Christie.
Strengths: Speed; ball movement; depth.
Weaknesses: Some youth and inexperience.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: Semifinal loss to Notre Dame.
GREATER FORT ERIE GRYPHONS
Coaching staff: David Adamek, Vinny Lozon, Shaun Martin and Ian Longmuir.
NRHSAA league record this season: 1-3.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 4-3.
Starting five: Guards Ethan VanNatter, Austin Ladouceur and Avery Steinbach-Parker; forwards Donovan Morgan and Micah Stewart.
Key bench players: Zachary Tyrrell and Riley Mitchell.
Strengths: Team speed; shooting.
Weaknesses: Height; rebounding.
Results in last year’s Tribune Tourney: Consolation finalists.
GRIMSBY EAGLES
Coaching staff: Tom Dykstra and Kirstyn Courchesne.
NRHSAA league record this season: 0-2.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 1-2.
Starting five: Forwards Jacob Baker, Matt Scocchia and Nick Pasaluko; guards Corey Stewart and Ben Tschovsky.
Strengths: Outside shooting; speed.
Weakness: Size.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: Didn’t participate.
HOLY CROSS RAIDERS
Coaching staff: Mike Hendricks, Walt Szpilewski and Ahmed Khalafalla.
NCAA league record: 0-4.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 3-6.
Starting five: Guards Adrian Waszak, Isaiah Amio; forwards Reuben Eshuis, Tinashe Dindato and Ibukun Gbengabanjo.
Key bench players: Guard Bruce DeLuca; forward Sam Trivieri.
Strengths: Hustle; teamwork.
Weaknesses: Communication on defence; finishing around the rim.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 0-2.
JEAN VANIER LYNX
Coaching staff: Eric Labonté and Ron McPherson.
NRHSAA league record this season: 3-2.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 1-7.
Starting five: Guards Maxime Leduc and Jacob Labonté; forwards Raymond Tellier and Maxwell Hurtubise; centre Greg Bélanger.
Key bench players: Michael Porada, Xavier Henoud and Ray St-Louis.
Strengths: Athleticism; will to win.
Weaknesses: Experience; team dedication.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: Consolation semifinalists.
LAKESHORE CATHOLIC GATORS
Coaching staff: Todd Shoalts, Elliott Etherington and John Pinelli.
NCAA league record: 1-3.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 1-4.
Starting five: Guards Sam Beifuss and Allan Pambianco; forwards Aiden Plante and Ben Shoalts; centre Nick Qua.
Key bench players: Thomas Cryer, Nick Cryer, Andrew Scott, Chace Beauregard and Quinn Hill.
Strengths: Defensive intensity; depth.
Weaknesses: Learning many new systems; lack of close-game experience.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 1-2, lost in consolation second round.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Coaching staff: Mark Gallagher, Chris Biggar and Jordan Hajdu.
NCAA league record: 3-1.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 2-4.
Starting five: Guards Jesse Raso, Anthony Cimino, Andrew Zezela and David Jones; centre Shammar Campbell.
Key bench players: Centre Austin Cooper; guard Brandon Markowski.
Strength: Hard-working squad.
Weaknesses: Experience; size.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: Lost to Centennial in championship final.
PORT COLBORNE BLUE BEARS
Coach: Scott Grover.
NRHSAA league record this season: 1-2.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 0-3.
Starting five: Aidan Hawkins, Colton Weaver, Mason Heaslip, Seth Roy and Jake Bruno.
Key bench players: “Everybody contributes every game.”
Strength: Commitment to practice.
Weaknesses: Youth and inexperience.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 0-2.
SAINT MICHAEL MUSTANGS
Coaching staff: Keith Bomberry.
NCAA league record: 0-4.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 0-3.
Starting five: Forwards Michael Sieber and Andy Xu; guards Ben Lockhart, Steven Cabrara and Jomer Mateo.
Key bench players: Hayden Spelier, Thomas Pruyn and Nick Melone.
Strengths: Speed; half-court defence; ball handling.
Weakness: Rebounding.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: Consolation champions.
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL BULLDOGS
Coaching staff: Gregg Loucks and Brad Butler.
NRHSAA league record this season: 1-1.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 1-5.
Starting five: Guards Noah Garnace and Brendan Barker; forwards Nate Butler, Connor Johnston and Nick Beaudoin.
Key bench players: Oreoluwa Fowler, Blake Gowling and Jack Harley.
Strengths: Athleticism; team speed; team philosophy on offence.
Weakness: Inexperience at senior level with nine Grade 11 students on team.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 1-1.
WESTLANE SPARTANS
Coaching staff: Jamie Coull and Jordan Jenkins.
NRHSAA league record this season: 0-5.
Tournament record prior to Xmas break: 1-4.
Starting five: Centre Abdul Sheik-Ali; forwards Jake Marshall and Ravjot Gill; guards Waleed Al Basha and Enrico Gibson.
Key bench players: Forward Ethan Smith; guards Aaron Nguyen and Adam Adam.
Strength: Depth, 8-9 players that could start in any game and all play at the same level.
Weakness: Inexperience at the senior level with only a few Grade 12s.
Result at last year’s Tribune Tourney: 0-2.
