High school basketball champions crowned

The champions have been crowned in both senior and junior boys basketball.

With Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics (NOSSA) tournaments on the horizon, Sault Ste. Marie’s city finals are in the books.

The senior final, which featured White Pines and Korah, went right down to the wire.

While White Pines held a narrow 33-31 lead at the half, the game remained close throughout the second half. A bucket with 90 seconds to go by Markeese Strawbridge and the subsequent free throw put the Wolverines ahead for good in the game as White Pines won the city title by a 66-61 margin.

Strawbridge led all scorers in the game with 20 points while Ethan McCorkell chipped in with 18 points and Isaiah Grant added 12 in the victory.

Nathan Higham led Korah with 16 points while Gevin Grisdale and Fernando Correl had 13 points each for the Colts.

White Pines will compete in the NOSSA ‘A Championship this weekend in Espanola while Korah, along with St. Mary’s will compete in the AA/AAA NOSSA event in Sudbury.

Justin Grant of White Pines was named the senior league’s most valuable player while also earning the 2023-24 John Maraso Award, which is presented by the Sault Ste. Marie Basketball officials to the player who best combines sportsmanship with ability.

The senior all starts include:

• Marcus Ruscio (St. Mary’s)
• Keadon Albert (Superior Heights)
• Erik Martone (Korah)
• Markeese Strawbridge (White Pines)
• Gevin Grisdale (Korah)

In the junior final, Korah captured the city title with a 53-44 win over Superior Heights.

AJ Coccimiglio had 18 points for Korah while Aiden Wonch added 16 in the victory.

Nicholas Frost of Superior Heights led all scorers in the game with 20 points.

Drayden Brock chipped in with eight points for the Steelhawks.

Frost was named the junior league’s MVP.

The junior all starts include:

• Drayden Brock (Superior Heights)
• AJ Coccmiglio (Korah)
• Charles McInnis (St. Mary’s)
• Tristan Cote (Korah)
• Anthony Hunt (White Pines)

Korah and Superior Heights will travel to Sudbury for the AA/AAA NOSSA tournament while White Pines will travel to Espanola for the NOSSA A tournament.